Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Ruger, Browning, S&W, Walther, all have 22 autos out but reviews are scarce.

Which is the best as far a reliability and accuracy.

I'm looking for something to shoot targets and small game.

Thanks,

Electric-Amish

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

EA,
If you intend to shoot targets and small game why not get a .22 revolver? you'll see much better accuracy, no?

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I find very consistent accuracy with the Ruger MKII or MKIII series of auto pistols...pick your own model...Bill Ruger's first patent in 1949...very reliable, accurate, sturdy, built to last, and still running strong...either one of these models will shoot better than you can hold 'em ;o)

I think just about ALL Ruger 22's are accurate by the way...

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I've always heard the oppisite is true.

Now I'm questioning.

E-A

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Any accurate revolver must have all chambers tuned to consistently align properly with the axis of the bore...and they can go out of tune over time, requiring gunsmith work. Revolvers still have their faithful afficionados...

Autoloaders do not have this timing problem.

I had a Ruger Single Six 10 inch barrel that was very accurate...but cumbersome and slow to reload...which kinda made me lose interest in shooting it after awhile and I sold it and bought the auto...

A competitive shooter friend of mine got real tired of losing matches (with his expensive match Browning) to guys shooting the Ruger. Needless to say, He dropped the Browning and bought himself a Ruger.

My pick for survival, plinking, hunting, target shooting is some form of the Ruger MkIII.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I absolutely love the Browning Buckmark Hunter. 7.25" bull barrel, Cocobolo grips. I don't think there is a better looking/feeling .22 auto:

http://san1.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/08...x927218593.jpg

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

...................

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

If looks aren't much of an issue, then consider the Barretta U22 Neos. People who shoot them love them... and they are value priced:

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/pics/Large/26549.jpg

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

The Rugers are great guns, but the only one that feels right to me is the 22/45 (1911 grip angle).

http://www.internetguncatalog.com/pics/Large/29494.jpg

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Ruger Mk II target w/bull barrel.

S&W model 17 for a DA revolver
Ruger Single Six for SA

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Don't forget Sigarms....

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/Sho...&productid=113

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I would like to try one of these as well, but haven't see any in shops or shows in my area...

It might make a really dandy pocket piece.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

...............

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Check out Gun Tests.
http://www.gun-tests.com/issues/10_4...es/4631-1.html

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

.........................

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I have an 8 shot Smith & Wesson Airweight revolver, very accurate little gun, but a little pricey for a .22. I paid close to $450.00 for it.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I vote for the Ruger. I just bought a 22/45, Great pistol. It fits your hand like a 1911 but cheaper to shoot. Accurate too! I bought it a couple of months ago from another patron of the Knoxville Gun Show. Paid the guy $225, It"s used but very lightly.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

:rolleyes_m: Walther P22...

Ruger was my first choice until I tried both at the shooting range.

The Walther was lighter and accuracy was excellent for a .22 cal .

$325.00 new with 3.5" and a 5" barrel included,plus an extra clip.

Not exactly a personal defense weapon...I prefer a Walther PPK.
Small game ? Buy a Ruger 10/22 and a decent scope.

Popping a squirrel out of a high tree with iron sights is mighty tough with any pistol...rabbits on the run even worse :>(

I wouldn't want to be starving and only have a 22 caliber pistol as my only means of survival and defense.
A cheap 12 gauge pump shotgun would be a more intelligent choice.

Hey...that's a cool looking Berreta...nice.

:D:D:D

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

A large number of the Walther pistols currently sold new here in the USA are made by Smith & Wesson. I'm not sure if that includes the .22 or not.

But at least it's the Walther design and specs. Still built by S&W though.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

.......................

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

My friend and I went to a property in the woods and were shooting 22s. He had his father in laws Ruger and that thing was LOUD.

I think it has to do with the way the bolt slide opens. Both sides open instead of an area like an ejection port allowing maximum noise.

Is this anyone else's experience?

I was using my Fathers Star and it was much quieter.

Rugers look good for the Money however.

I appreciate you answers.

Electric-Amish

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

electric-amish,

I bought a Ruger MKII 30 years ago. It is the best .22 semi-auto I've ever shot.

I've digested at least 5,000+ rounds with this piece and it still shoots true.

You must remember that the Ruger MKII has always been refereed to as "THE TACK DRIVER". That pretty much says it all.

As for the loudness that you experienced, I can't help you there. I've never had that problem (I do hear loud with my .308).

You are right, the bang for the buck can not be beat. I don't know what they're going for these days, but I think I paid about $100.

Enjoy.

Maranatha,

:smile:

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I'm not too much of a "gunnie" so I hope this isn't too much of a silly question. I have an old Marlin .22 rifle. Will the .22LR ammo work in a 22 pistol or is a separate ammo stock needed? Thanks.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I have had several both autoloaders and revolvers, several of each, S&W M41, M422 K-22, Ruger Siingle 6, Mk-II, Colt Woodsman Target, Hi Standard semi & revolver, Iver Johnson revolver, Beretta semi-auto, and maybe some other. Of all of them the Colt is the most accurate with the most variety of ammo but if I had to choose only one, it would be the Ruger Mk II Govt Target. If I were to buy one today I would get Stainless for wet field use and fluted bull barrel for weight reduction. Whatever you buy get good adjustable sights and some means to mount a scope or reddot.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I'll take this one! :applause_

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Ruger Mark II, if you dont have one you should.

Just dont shoot dirty ammo because they're a big pain in the neck to take apart.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Nobody else thinks this is the best looking of the group BY FAR?

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

... well... that one looks a little too "metro-sexual".

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

LOL...I owned one once...a couple decades ago...it was nice to look at but the grips didn't fit my hand...at the time it was about the most expensive gun I owned. I admit I bought it for it's looks...can't even remember how it shot.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Do they make .22 "pistol" ammuniton with faster burning powder? Something that won't send out a bunch of muzzle flash and accelerate the bullet faster than rifle ammo?

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Never had a single problem out of this. Or a complaint from the neighbors

http://www.tacticalinc.com/images/pr...c65-53-500.jpg

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

yes, there is pistol match ammo...dunno about the flash

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

ever shot a Ruger Mk II with an integral suppressor? aka "hush puppy." I have, the slide makes a loud chink sound when it cycles but its fun to hear the bullet hit the target. Got to use subsonic ammo of course.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Love Pops Ruger Target Master. Best I've used.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Will work in ANY modern pistol.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

The "CB" rounds through a rifle are practically silent.:D..i used to shoot all the time in my yard in suburban Chicago.....the neighbors were none the wiser:rolleyes_m:.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I have a MK II Ruger with a 4-inch barrel that goes bang every time. Got rid of an old High Standard HD Military with a few problems that I couldn't fix for the life of me. I also have a S&W M617 6-round, 4-inch barrel revolver that's loads of fun to shoot and a CZ Kadet .22 conversion for the CZ75 9mm pistol.
Take care,
Mod1
PS Fun link below
http://home.netcom.com/~uzisubgun/id7.html
Check out the suppressed CZ!

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Thats hilarious!

I really appreciate the input here guys.

E-A

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Thanks J.D.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Can't wait to try SIGs .22 Mosquito offering. Looks like fun.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Check out these after-market barrels and uppers for .22s (Buckmarks, Rugers, and even 10/22s):

http://www.tacticalsol.com/

I'm seriously looking at the 10" buckmark barrel... with muzzle break.:D

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

OK... this thread finally pushed me to get a .22 auto pistol. After searching in vain for a Browning Buckmark Hunter, I settled on building a custom Browning Buckmark using the Camper as a platform ($250 at Sportsman's Warehouse).

Here is what I did to it:

- Polished both sides of the frame
- Polished both sides of the slide (as well as slide contact points)
- Reversed the sear spring (trigger pull reduced to 2 pounds)
- Drilled and tapped slide / installed thumbscrew cocking "ears"
- Drilled and tapped trigger / installed over-travel screw
- Removed gold lacquer from trigger (brushed alluminum look)
- Installed B-square scope mount
- Installed BSA holo sight ($30 @ Midwayusa.com)
- Ambi walnut target grips from Kelley Arms
- Replaced grip screws with stainless hex screws

It is SWEET to shoot! In addition to the cost of the gun, here are the additional costs:

- Scope mount = $25
- Scope = $30
- Grips = $50
- Screws = $2

I'm very happy. I highly recommend the Buckmark to anyone interested in an auto .22 pistol.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

SLV,
That be NICE WORK. You be 'gunsmith man' FOR SURE.

Not too keen on the sight, but that's just me. For pistols I'm either an 'iron sight' or a 'red dot' type of guy.

You can pick up a laser red dot that is in the pistol grips, which you can just swap out. Works great. You can literally turn the red dot on or off without changing your grip.

The ONLY real issue is that your 'foe' can follow the 'red line' of the laser back to your position.

If it's just for game or target shooting though, not much of an issue. Or if you use it during the daylight hours. It IS a great low light/no light sighting system (with the above caveat).

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Thanks, Wallew. I'm not a gunsmith... more like a "do-it-yourselfer" or a "screw-it-up-myselfer". :D Look closely at the bottom of the trigger guard on the left side... yup I accidently buffed off some of the black finish. I need to get some Birchwood Casey Alluminum Black to touch it up.

I don't care too much for the BSA either. It was just a great entry level holo sight at $30 from Midway. It will be replaced in the near future. I've realized I really need a magnified red dot (2x at least) to shoot at 50 yards. The smallest reticle on the BSA is 4 MOA. With it I can group 1.5" at 25 yards... from a bench.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

SLV,
Still a VERY GOOD JOB.

Here's a link to 'Crimson Trace' who markets the laser red dot for many pistols. Unfortunately, the Browning Buckmark is not one of them.

This one is for the Ruger .22 - http://www.crimsontrace.com/Home/Pro...0/Default.aspx

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Ooooooo... I'd like a set of those for my CZ-52. :D I wonder how they work for a lefty like me?

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Not bragging.....

I've owned a total of 11 different 22 cal pistols....and still own most of them. I have won/placed in several State International Championships (Olympic/International Style Pistol Shooting).

I started out on a Ruger Target Pistol and it is just as accurate as my $2000 Walther GSP. There are a bunch of aftermarket parts for the Ruger and it is easy to get a good trigger job....I did my own with a stone...but this is only necessary in you are planning on winning a high level competition. Right out of the box, it will be fine for 99.9% of all shooters.

The Ruger is the bast bang for the buck ...by far. Do not get a low cost S&W or Browning....or anything else. Go with the Ruger. I suggest the 5.5" Bull Barrel, or the even better the 6 7/8" Slab Sided Stainless....longer sight radius is better for accuracy....go no longer than 6 or 7 in.... You might like the 5.5 length for easy cary in a holster if hunting.... The version that has the 45ACP style grip frame is also nice.

If you want to spend about 80% more.....go for the S&W Model 41.....it is awesome. The finest 22 you can own for under $1000. I feel the Walther GSP series is the best target pistol you can own.....but it is strictly for target shooting.

Buy a Ruger.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I have a colt and a SW, but having shot the ruger I like it better, one of these days I may get one.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I decided on the Browning because I can change barrels without background checks. It is also easier to clean. Besides... it just looks better than a Ruger... but the 22/45 SS is a close call.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

One of my favorites for "woods packing". Good accuracy, tough as nails, and nearly indestructible. If you can afford enough ammo to wear one of these out, you can afford to buy another one once you do. :D

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Funny looking auto-pistol.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

When I was in gunsmithing school, one of the firearms that I had to repair was a Ruger .22 revolver that had been lost in a lake (dropped out of his canoe while out fishing one day). About six months later, the lake level dropped enough that the owner went out and found his pistol buried in the sand.

Needless to say, it needed the grips replaced. BUT the rest of the firearm basically needed to be grit blasted clean, refinished and then reassembled.

Once done, you literally could not tell it from new. The guy was ESTATIC that his pistol looked so nice. I actually got a 'thank you' note from the guy. Which was pretty rare.

So Ruger makes firearms that CAN stand up to some abuse. At least the one I fixed did.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I'm a big fan of the Ruger, esp the target model with the bull barrel. Mine is a 4 3/4 (I think?), and it's quiet enough to shoot without ear protection.

The only issue I have with it as opposed to a Walther (which I also like A LOT) is that the controls are very different from my main pistol (a 1911). It would be a good idea to have the controls on your 22 be the same as the controls on your real pistol. Muscle memory and all.

Maybe the best point about the Ruger is that just about every pawn shop in the world has one, and the parts are easy to by. I've picked them up for as little as 150frns, and with a 5 bucks worth of parts from Numrich or Brownell's, had a nice little plinker.

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

I just bought this one in black, last night. :applause_

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Elijah,

You definately have to check out the "Browning" forum at www.rimfirecentral.com. There is something called the "Heggis" modification (Heggis is the name of one of the members somewhere in Scandinavia). It is a simple reversal of the sear spring which reduces the trigger pull drastically. It took me 5 minutes to complete. Also, get the "target model" trigger from Browning for $16 delivered. It has an over-travel screw which DRASTICALLY improves accuracy.

Did you get the "Hunter"? It is a great value.

SLV

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

Me too.
Picked one up at last weeks gun show here in West Palm, exactly like the pic, because of this thread. :wink:

Re: Best 22 auto pistol?
 

No. Semi-autos are more inherently accurate owing to cylinder alignment and gap issues in revolvers.

Get a High Standard Victor, one of the old ones. Keep it clean, KEEP THE MAGAZINES CLEAN.