Suggestions on a .22lr pistol

[Kahrson]

I'm thinking my next gun purchase just may be a high quality .22lr target pistol. I know the Ruger Mar III's and Browning Buckmarks have a good reputation but what would be on the next rung of the ladder going up from there?
I have a Ruger Charger with a Tasco varmint scope on it I may use as a trade in. It was a total impuse buy a couple of years ago. It's fun to shoot but with the bipod it's a bit cumbersome and not much fun if you don't have something to rest it on.
Suggestions?

[gb6491]

...l. I know the Ruger Mar III's and Browning Buckmarks have a good reputation but what would be on the next rung of the ladder going up from there? ....
Suggestions?
Speaking strictly semi autos:
Smith and Wesson Model 41

Volquartsen now makes a high grade gun, but Ive seen very little on it.
Most other guns a rung or more above the BM and Ruger will be European. Benelli, Hammerli, and Pardini make excellent guns (see some here: http://www.larrysguns.com/Default.aspx )

Used: Connecticut made High Standards (Supermatic or Victor models), the Colt Woodsman Match, and assorted European/Russian guns.

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

I love my Smith 41. It's rock solid and just a blast to shoot. Accurate as all get out even with me at the controls.

[JimBianchi]

My Buckmark can shoot better than than two SW41 I have shot with.

Using sub-sonic or match ammo, it is a one hole shooter.

If you just got to spend more, get the 41. I do love them, but I love my Buckmark more.

[bigbob68]

Get the iconic S&W 41. I would pick a Ruger MKII over a Buckmark.

[Bawanna]

I like my Ruger MkII just fine also, shoots very nice. I don't have experience with the Buckmark but have friends that have them and they love them too.
I thought my Colt Woodsman Match Targer was the finest 22 auto ever built till I got my 41. I of course still love the Woodsman, it's just beautiful but the 41 is like it was made just for me.
I have the longer one 7"? I'd like to get a 5" so I have a pair. I better check and see where that falls on my want list.

[CJB]

The "problem" with the Ruger - which I really like by the way - is that they are difficult to get a really nice "crisp" trigger on. Even with aftermarket parts, the triggers always are a little "spongy" compared to some. They shoot outrageously tight group - there is nothing at all to want in terms of the barrel's accuracy.

Haven't shot a Buckmark, but the old Browning Medallist is one of the best of the best.
http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/42104/2336517080103886237S600x600Q85.jpg

There are re-issue new manufacture High Standards that are EVERY bit as nice as the old ones. Every bit. I've seen 'em, played with 'em. The triggers are crisp as a breaking icicle and the barrels are good. Excellent pistols they are, and thats a fact.

My current "bullseye" .22, is a Tactical Solutions .22 conversion on a 1911 frame. This is a "one hole" gun as well. It will easily shoot the X ring of a .22 pistol target for 25yds. If you do your part, it will do its part. Having a dedicated 1911 frame for it is the best way to go, as you can refine the trigger beyond what the .45/.38/10mm guns will tolerate (since the .22 has lower mass moving parts). The Tac-Sol aint cheep - just the conversion is more than the whole Ruger pistol, but its a work of art, and shoots very nicely. Having a 2-1/2 lb trigger on your 1911 frame also helps - but its a fairly easy task, much harder with centerfire calibers with whole slides. The Tac-Sol is all steel, but has a reduced slide like the original "Kart .22 Conversion"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/bandersnatchreverb/P4065986.jpg

[ripley16]

My best .22 is an old tried and true Woodsman Match Target. Next best is my Buckmark Field 5.5, which I consider almost as good as the Colt. No harm in buying the Buckmark IMHO.

[jeepster09]

Smith 41.

[Rainman48314]

I'm thinking my next gun purchase just may be a high quality .22lr target pistol. I know the Ruger Mar III's and Browning Buckmarks have a good reputation but what would be on the next rung of the ladder going up from there?
I have a Ruger Charger with a Tasco varmint scope on it I may use as a trade in. It was a total impuse buy a couple of years ago. It's fun to shoot but with the bipod it's a bit cumbersome and not much fun if you don't have something to rest it on.
Suggestions?While I like my Beretta Neos a lot, I am waiting for S&W to release the new M&P22. The manual of arms suits the rest of my arsenal. The Beretta safety is the reverse of my Sig P238 and Ruger SR9c. The mag release is also on the 'wrong' side. The Neos is a great shooter and has fired 1200 rounds without a single malfunction.

[Kahrson]

Thanks for all the input everyone. The research will begin. I would like the gun to be as left hand friendly as possible. Seeing as how it's not a carry gun I am not overly concerned about the location of the controls. The SW 41 seems to get alot of love so I will start by looking at that. What is the actual selling average price point of that gun? I see msrp is a tad over $1100.00

[jeepster09]

Model 41's are not cheap.....but you get what you pay for, top quality with generally high resale.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/127736/minneapolis-minnesota-handguns-for-sale-smith--wesson-model-41-55-l-new-in-box

[yqtszhj]

I love my Mark III hunter and my daughter claims it as her own. It's just a bear to clean but worth it anyway.

[CJB]

Model 41's have outrageous triggers too.

http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/HG_highstandardvictor_200903-A.jpg
High Standard Victor - outrageously accurate, the rail/sight can be changed, weights added, and the triggers are fully adjustable for engagement and overtravel. MSRP $845

[melissa5]

A while back, bud's had the ISSC .22s on sale for $199 delivered. I bought one have been pretty happy with it. The ISSC is basically a Glock clone. I've got around 300 rounds through it and it has started to have failures to extract. I don't think it like the new ammo that I've been using. Either that or it needs to be cleaned.

[CJB]

Check under the extractor.....

[SCNick]

When I was picking up my PM9, my dealer had a new Sig 1911-22lr. Seemed very well constructed and well worth the $399. Anyone had any trigger time with one of these?
SC-Nick

[CJB]

They're made of ZAMAC - zinc casting, avoid! Same for Sig Mosquito, and the Walther PK22 - all have had slide failures

[Willieboy]

That's good input CJB. I wish manufacturers would be more up front about the materials used, forges vs. cast, etc.

[CJB]

The Jennings, Raven, and other low low end pistols were all made of ZAMAC, many of the single action .22 revolvers have ZAMAC frames.

Even the "Browning" 1911/22lr is ZAMAC, and there is at least one HiPower look alike in .22 that is also ZAMAC.

ZAMAC is Zinc-Aluminum-Magnesium-Copper alloy, one step above the "pot metal" zinc alloys. It comes in varying recipes, none are good for long term firearm use. It is mostly zinc, about 4% aluminum, about 3%copper, less than 1/10% magnesium (there to get the other three to mix), and traces of lead, tin, and cadmium, about 1/100 % each.

[O'Dell]

Not a target pistol, but a friend of mine just bought a P226 in 22. I didn't even know they made them. His was in the $400 plus range, and you can buy a kit to convert it back to 9mm or 40 cal. He's crazy about it, but I haven't even seen it.

[Kahrson]

Not a target pistol, but a friend of mine just bought a P226 in 22. I didn't even know they made them. His was in the $400 plus range, and you can buy a kit to convert it back to 9mm or 40 cal. He's crazy about it, but I haven't even seen it.
I'm not real big on conversion guns. I have heard some not so flattering things on the P226. From what I have heard the CZ is the best you can do in a conversion pistol. My experience in general tells me that things that are made to perform several functions usually do one well and the others half assed.
I'm pretty much comitted to a dedicated target pistol.

[O'Dell]

I'm not real big on conversion guns. I have heard some not so flattering things on the P226. From what I have heard the CZ is the best you can do in a conversion pistol. My experience in general tells me that things that are made to perform several functions usually do one well and the others half assed.
I'm pretty much comitted to a dedicated target pistol.

Understandable, if you want a true target pistol. I'm not into conversions either, but my friend simply wanted something he could use for practice, w/o paying the high cost of center fire ammo. I haven't shot or even seen the P226 conversion he has, but he says it works fine. Personally, my pistols are pretty much all combat guns, and I practice with what I intend to shoot.

[PaiN]

Here's my Buckmark Camper URX. This pistol can shoot, its super comfortable and has never missed a beat....100% reliability(yes...from a .22lr :eek:)
So, I highly recommend one for your .22lr needs..

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x298/Mikepain_pics/Buckmark%20UDX/DSC03310.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x298/Mikepain_pics/Buckmark%20UDX/DSC03309.jpg

[thomjb]

Smith 41 or if you can find on the Sig Trailside, both are super accurate

[94zcar]

I had a Smith and Wesson 422, it shot real accurate for me and would shoot any type of ammo without a problem.
I am not sure how it would rate against some of those high end models, it's the only 22 pistol I have owned so I can't compare it. They made a target model with a 7 inch? and a 4 inch model also.

[steve666]

High Standard Supermatic Trophy:
http://pictures.auctionarms.com/2616191412/10277645/jj-hssupermtm.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg?aa=20110512090215

[Bawanna]

High Standard Supermatic Trophy:
http://pictures.auctionarms.com/2616191412/10277645/jj-hssupermtm.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg?aa=20110512090215

Damn, isn't that a proverbial thing of beauty! Good luck trying to find one that nice now days. If you find one let me know, bawanna wants it.

[jlottmc]

Bawanna, show me a gun that you don't want (my hitler clinton gun from the ugly thread excluded). You're like me, there is no such animal as an ugly/unloved gun.

[Bawanna]

Probably true but I really like that one, if that helps.

I can love ugly guns too by the way. I'm an equal opportunity gun lover.

[100percent]

Lot's of good choices out there.

My buckmark camper has a heavy barrel which I think is pretty funny considering the round. It is one of my most accurate.

No one has mentioned wheel guns, or aren't they considered pistols. The single six comes to mind and they come with some long barrels.

Kimber makes a 22 conversion for their line of 1911's, excellent shooter.

I doubt if you will find a 22 target pistol which can shoot as well as your 1022 charger. Perhaps you can put alternative furniture on it.

Have fun!

[Bawanna]

My very first new store bought gun was a single six and as you say they are a great gun. I still have mine.
While it wont hold a candle to my 41 or probably my MKII its a fun and accurate shooter. Everyone should have at least one. Great for kids and new shooters. A Bearcat would be nice for that purpose too.