Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I'm considering purchasing a .22 pistol to use at the range. There would be a couple of reasons for this purchase, that might influence youre suggestions for me.

#1 reason - my wife is very new to shooting. She is still scared of the recoil of even a 9mm, and this is preventing her from learning to shoot well. A .22 pistol would allow her to learn basic shooting without the recol flinch and hopefully allow her to gain some confidence. I'd like to get a .22 that is similar to a modern pistol like my XD so that it feels similar when transitioning her to a larger weapon.

#2 reason - its cheap ;) I'm a big believer that training with smaller calibers helps perfect form. With a .22 I can train about 10x's as much on the same ammo bugdet.

I am not interested in large 6" target pistols. I'm looking for something that looks / feels similar to a more common 3.5" - 4" full size auto. The budget should stay under $400 for new or used.

The common answer seems to be the Ruger Mk II / Mk III etc. Im not against this idea, but I've heard they're not that good to clean, and they dont seem to simulate a full size polymer pistol very well.

I've briefly looked at the P22 - It seems to fit the bill pretty close, but in reading, it gets beat up a little for plastic / cheap parts.

Are there other options I should be considering?

I'm pretty new myself, shot a bit in HS / college but took about 10 years off... so feel free to point me to something else if you feel I'm barking up the wrong tree!

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Walthers SOLD in the USA are made by S&W here in the USA right along side other S&W firearms.

Not to say bad things about the P22. My Dad bought one and loves it.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Buckmark. It is pure pleasure.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I am also looking for a .22 pistol to shoot at the range to continue to practice shooting. I am a gun newbie and I am planning to get a Ruger but I will take a look at the .22 pistols that Wildcard posted.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

but the one posted says "made in Germany" ??

http://www.impactguns.com/store/medi...er_p22_3.4.jpg

I kinda like that one too. except for the short barrel

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Yes, parts made in Germany, final fit and finish in Springfield MA. along with all US walthers.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Rugers and Buckmarks are fine pistols, but if you want something the will translate to other larger caliber (.380 - .45 pistols) go with the Walther P22.

The mag release is different, but the safety and the actual slide are pretty much the same so your / your wife's weapons handling will be for the most part the same as a larger frame / caliber pistol.

I and two of my friends each have the P22 and we practice with them quite often. Try it, I think that you will like it.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

They're not hard to clean, just annoying to field strip. After cleaning the barrel, I take the grips off my Mark II and spray gun scrubber inside and put a few drops of CLP in it. No need to field strip. You can shoot 500 rounds before cleaning. The 5.5" bull barrel is about the best all around plinker/target gun but not really very similar to your 9mm. Put a Volquatsen sear in it for $20 and you have a 3 1/4 pound trigger that doesn't malfunction. Pretty hard to beat, you can put tens of thousands of rounds through these guns.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Buckmark, get the stubby barrel one.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I like the longer barrels.

Im a pretty fair shot. But I cant hit nothing with my wifes 3 1/2 inch .38 special

and that makes me think that all short barrels are like that. am I wrong?

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Anything longer than the 5.5" bull barrel is poorly balanced, muzzle heavy.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Nope, I find it easier to hit with short barrels. Less distance between the sights = less waving around at touchoff.
Everybody is different, but a fraction off at the muzzle is inches off downrange.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

A solution might be a .22 RF conversion, but I don't think a conversion is available for the XD (yet). Perhaps give Springfield a call and ask if there is a plan in the works for one or research some of the current manufacturers of conversions. I think conversions are available for Glocks, but I don't know how well they work. I have a .22 Kadet CZ75 conversion that is a pleasure to shoot.
Take care,
Mod1

I forgot to add +1 on the Ruger Mk II field stripping. Not really a problem in taking them apart - the trick is putting it back together. I also own one, but don't regularly shoot it. I have to look at the Ruger reassembly instructions when it comes time to reassemble. Also, I think I read somewhere that a makeshift piece of plastic can be fitted inside the receiver that will help keep firing debris out of the action and make cleaning easier.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I had forgotten about the Mosquito, and I wouldnt have even thought of the Bersa....

It also sounds like the MkII isnt as bad as I was lead to believe. I do like that design, just fear that the muscle memory's gonna be a little off with the grip angle etc. when transitioning to a larger pistol for my wife that probably wont shoot enough to get extremely proficient at both.

That S&W 22a has a pretty nice looking slide, but the grip looks cheap even in a photo...

I also like that buckmaster a lot.. Might need to see what the cost difference is ;)


Thanks again for all the good ideas.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Every suggestion in this thread is excellent... I've owned all of the main .22 handguns in this thread except the S&W 22A and Sig Mosquito.

My take:

If "moving up" to a larger caliber with similar controls is your main concern, go with the Walther P22
If accuracy is your main concern, go with the Beretta Neos
If durability is your main concern, go with the Ruger MKII
If concealability is your main concern, go with the Bersa Firestorm or (my fav...) the Phoenix Arms HP22
If just plain overall excellence is your main concern, go with the Browning Buckmark

I can't comment on the S&W 22A, but I haven't yet heard anyone complain about them.

I have 2 friends who own Sig Mosquitos. They both love them, although they both say they are somewhat picky as to what brands/types of ammo the gun likes.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Another vote for the P22. I love mine. It's fun to shoot at the range and I've taken several female friends shooting with it.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

http://bp1.blogger.com/_o4jqapDeMEI/...erCharger1.jpg


The Charger is a pistol. Might be a little bigger then what you want.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

The XD has the same grip angle as a 1911, as does the Ruger 22/45.

The controls will be different, but a 5" heavy bbl should point/balance/weigh similarly to the XD. And if you can't field strip and reassemble the MK II/III/22-45 after a couple of times, you probably don't have any business handling a firearm, or a drill for that matter.:biggrin:

Hoarder said 500 rounds w/o cleaning. I personally went just over 2000 with mine, the only malfunctions being dud 22 rounds (>.5%).

For similar controls, though, the P22 has to be the best, IMO. I personally don't worry about it. I've trained enough with my 1911 that if I get in a hurry, I try to drop the mag from the MK II as if it were a 1911, not the other way around. BTW, you can train muscle memory for mag changes, presentation, etc. w/o firing, in your home, driving down the road, in your office, etc.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

The P22 is probably the closest to what you say you are looking for. I own one and like it, but I much prefer the longer barrel and larger size of the Buckmark. It's about the size of the 1911. I like the sights on the P22 better, but I could put different sights on the Buckmark. The stock sights on the P22 stand right out, on the Buckmark, they are flat black and do not stand out that well, but you do get used to them.

Of the two, I like the Buckmark better for shooting and the P22 better for just being easy to carry and handle. The P22 is not the same as using something like a Glock G23 or G19 size pistol but for those, you could get a .22 cal conversion kit and when your wife is ready to switch to a 9mm just convert it back.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Is there a mothly requirement to create this thread here at GIM? :thumb.aspx:

Not that I mind...they are always fun, even though redundant...

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Hate to break up the "pistol" party but another option is a .22 revolver. Never had mine (Model 317 8-shot Lady Smith) give me a problem i.e. no jams and isn't picky about ammo.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

22LR is a great round, and underrated by many.

For a beginning shooter I would try a revolver.
Revolvers are straight forward, durable.
These can cost $400+/-.

http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...adcrumbseries=

Recently, I picked up one of these for my self.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...05&isFirearm=Y

This one I found NIB for $620, (and was lucky).

After I had brought it home, my Mrs. who is not a shooter, picked it up the new revolver and remarked that it was nice and that she liked it.
That remark came from the fit/feel of it.
Some firearms inspire confidence from the moment you pick them up.
Accurate shooting is mostly confidence.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I'm in the market for a small .22 revolver. There are damned few choices. Unfortunately I got rid of a worn out S+W model 63, which was just about perfect; K frame, stainless, 4" barrel, 6 shot with adjustable sights. I couldn't find a S+W gunsmith. The new S+W products are much poorer quality and way overpriced. The Taurus 9 shot quality is inconsistent, not much else out there. Maybe a Ruger Bearcat, anything else would be too large for a trap line gun, but they have fixed sights.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

The Bersa Firestorm 22 is almost identical to the Bersa 380 in weight and feel also both are made on a steel frame, this gives a better feel to me in shooting. If you can use the firestorm 22 then the 380 is a just a move up, but both is sweet shooting. Also they won't break the bank account, and a very good warenty, with a quick turn around on repairs if needed.

http://www.bersatalk.com/forum/index.php

this forum is about everything with good information.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

For a pistol that feels like a polymer centerfire, the best choice is the Ruger 22/45 as it uses a polymer frame with the 1911 grip angle. The magazine release is also where it is on most American pistols. Dis-assembly and assembly, while tough the first time, are not too bad once you learn the tricks.

BTW, a S&W M63 is a stainless J-frame, not a K-frame. The K-frame .22s were the M17, M18, M48, M53, M617, and M648.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I don't know why I typed K, never owned a K frame in my life and had several J's. Duh...

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

That's pretty much exactly what I was going to say!

Gregg

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I'm one of those guys who have always wanted a .22LR pistol/revolver, but can't justify spending centerfire dollars on one. I suppose if I lived somewhere where I could plink off the back porch, I would have a different POV...

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I've got a nice M63 Kit Gun. It is a fine trainer. Any mistake, you miss. Not a beginner gun. Just too easy to do something wrong and send the bullet a foot to one side or the other. I find the old Ruger Bearcats the same way. Excellent guns in the hands of somebody who takes the time to master them. Excellent trainers. But frustrating for a newbie. Something like a K-22 is much easier to use to train somebody new to handguns.

But as far as small .22's for woods guns, hmmm. I would say I have three guns that do that more than any others. The M63, the 1960's Ruger Bearcat, and a new NAA Mini Master. Little five shot .22LR with a spare .22 WMRF cylinder. Adjustable sights, four inch stainless. I got it for a BUG but it turns out it can do pretty much the same things as the Bearcat in an even smaller package. Neat little gun and would make an excellent fishing gun.

You could always move up to a Single Six. But they are significantly bigger than a Bearcat. When I decide to move up to that size, I figure I might as well get my money's worth and move up in caliber as well. Single Six in .32 H&R Magnum. Neat little round to reload. Turns the Single Six into a darn useful and flexible little gun. Lots of people like the SP-101 in .22 LR but Ruger stopped making it for some reason.....

Sometimes you can surprise yourself with an older gun that you would think would be too bid. I sometimes carry a 1947 K-22 with six inch barrel around in the woods. Slim barrel. It was a pawn shop rescue disaster. So I had it parkerized and it makes a fine shooter. True, it is bulkier but it really isn't that heavy in a decent holster on a decent belt. And that's the gun I usually pull out for a first time handgun shooter.

Gregg

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I think I spent about $200 on my pawn shop K-22. It wasn't even worth that much it was so devoid of finish and generally all beat up. Looked like it slid around on a metal floorboard of an old pickup for 30 years. But I love the 1947 single line address guns so I bought it anyway. Spent about $85 at the gunsmith having it internally cleaned out and adjusted, then parkerized. Considering how much it gets shot now, I think I got my $300 worth!

Gregg

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

The Buckmark and 22/45 are in your price range and not known to be real picky about ammo.
A CZ 75b with a kadet top end is great, but spendy. On the plus side, you'll also have an accurate and soft shooting 9mm that your wife might like more than the XD.

Personally, I use an Advantage Arms .22 top end on one of my 1911's. They also make a .22 top end for Glock frames. I highly recommend it for anyone with one of those platforms who wants to train with cheap ammo. Switching back to .45 does take some getting used to, after you've shot a couple hundred rounds with no recoil.

You might also want to look around here:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I like both the Ruger 22/45 and the S&W 22A. Both are accurate and reliable. I use CCI ammo. exclusively, with no problems.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Was looking for a 22 pistol for my wife. Which of these would have the easiest slide to rack?

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Being .22's, they're all pretty easy to rack. Ergonomically, I think the Ruger (with the "wing" type rear slide) is probably the easiest to grip for racking... but the Beretta NEOS and Browning Buckmark have a long-slide serations that is easier to get more of your hand around.

If this is your main concern, take her to a gun shop that has several, and have her rack the slides on all of them and choose for herself what is most comfortable.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Boy, now I want a Bersa!


Got, that shooting slot filled with a pawn shot H&R 922 revolver I picked up for $60 two decades ago. Kinda clunky compared to a S&W or a Colt or even a top line H&R like the 999 I used to have, but it's all steel, doesn't break, and shoots better than I can hold it.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Thanks for the info, the Browning Buckmark looks like it may fit the bill.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Oh man, how I could have used that video about 5 months ago. I broke down and called Ruger's support. Never really thought I would have to call a weapons manufacturer for tech support before so I really feel like a goof. Anyways, when the nice happy man from Ruger asked me if I had a large object to hit pistol with, I kind of wondered what kind of POS I had bought. But sure enough with enough rapping and turning and holding at certain angles, I finally managed to un-hinge the mainspring assembly that the dingleberry so held captive.

I'd say it's almost a rite of passage for any Mark II / III owner.

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

This is the reason I don't own a Ruger MKII or MKIII any more. I really LOVED the pistol (MKII) when I had it, but life is just too short to put up with such BS. I do all my own auto-mechanic work on some of the toughest vehicles yet devised, I'm a machinist of 15+ years, and I've engineered more than a few unique mechanical assemblies in my life... so I'm not posting this from an amateurs point of view. Ruger made a HUGE mistake releasing this "design" to the general public - it's a gunsmith's dream, and a hobbiest's NIGHTMARE!

Buy a Beretta NEOS, a Walther P22, or Browning Buckmark - and be happy! :s1:

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

I'm going to give another vote for a CZ75 Kadet.

I bought a CZ85 for $400, and paid another $250 for the kadet conversion (though I think they're more expensive new). I know that is out of your price range a bit, but if you want a handgun that feels like a larger caliber and has EXACTLY the same controls you can't beat the kadet!


I think you can buy just the kadet without the 9mm for around $550 new. I think if you were to buy the 9mm and the kadet conversion new you'd be at around $800 or so.

http://www.laivuori.net/harrastus/CZ_75_KADET.jpg


You can tell from the picture that the kadet is identical to the CZ75/85, which is very similar to all auto's.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/806703016016.html

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

What are your shooting experiences with the Mini-Master? What is the trigger like? Can you hit what you aim at offhand?

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

It is sitting right here at the computer desk. I love it.

The sights are surprisingly large and easy to see since the front blade is all orange. I had to adjust mine all the way down but that got me to POA.

The little rubber grip is only big enough for two fingers but that seems to be enough.

I would say the trigger is actually the most challenging part. It isn't super heavy or anything, just small. A little spur trigger. I've been experimenting with different pressure points to use for the trigger contact point. The spur is so small that it is just about impossible for me to get trigger contact without touching the frame at the same time. So I decided to quit trying to do that and find a "smashed" trigger position where I "tighten up" my trigger finger enough to fire the gun. It is workable, just don't expect to treat it like every other handgun trigger!

I LOVE the fact that I can practice with .22 LR but then slide in the .22 WMRF cylinder for when I carry it as a BUG. There was a small plastic bucket floating in one of my ponds and I decided to use it for a target with the MM. I hit it easily with five shots out of the .22 LR cylinder. Then I put in the .22 Magnum and hit it five more times. What was interesting was how much more the water was splashing with each hit. It wasn't just a 20% difference or something. It was really smacking the bucket and then the water.

I haven't been crazy enough to put it on target at 25 meters but it would probably do better than expected because of the nice target sights. At 10 meters, it hits whatever I aim at. I go down to the bottom pond and shoot at the bigger rocks around the edges and hit them over and over again. I got the gun to be a BUG but it really has the potential to be a very small fishing or backpacking gun.

Got it from Bud's. They were out of stock when I looked it up so I clicked on the "send me an email when you get one" button. They sent me an email a few weeks later saying they had one for a few bucks over $300. I jumped on it.

Gregg

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

http://www.impactguns.com/store/medi...er_p22_3.4.jpg


this is fun but not enough grip or barrel for accuracy.

its best used as a plinker and trainer for a larger Walther 9mm with the same controls.

I haven't bought a 22 Pistol yet so no ownership knowledge.....buttttttttt

S&W and Baretta Neos have good ergonomics for a cheap pistol--feel good.

Buck Mark would probebly be my first choice with a 5 or 6 inch barrel.

You will have fun no matter which you get.

E-A

Re: Looking for .22 Pistol Suggestions
 

Do not get the S&W -- the trigger is plastic and it flexes. Pathetic that they couldn't fork out another nickel for an aluminum trigger.