22 Pistol Shopping


Revolver or semi-auto?

For a semi, The Browning Buckmark is a favorite of mine.

A Ruger Single-Six or Smith K17 are the first two wheel guns that spring to mind.
 
What type do you want? Semi auto,or revolver? 'old west'/'6 shooter style or something modern? Something for personal protection(concealed or open carry)or 'plinking'.Lots of choices out there. I myself prefer a revolver.
 
Ruger MKIII or a Ruger 2245. I have had a Ruger MKII for over 35 years and it is still going strong. I must have put at least 30k round through this pistol. The only thing I ever had to do is re-spring it a few years back. Field stripping and reassembly can be a little tricky till you get used to it. Excellent customer service and warranty even though I have never used the warranty. There is also tons of aftermarket accessories for these pistols.

Happy Plinking
 
It's hard to beat the Ruger single six,it comes with two cylinders,.22 and .22 mag,for a semi auto I would stick with the Ruger Mark II,but that's just personal preference.The browning is good also.
 
My limited experience is with rifles. I am thinking revolver. Thanks for your quick responses.

Glenn F.
 
A lot depends on what you want ti for. If you want to be able to get a lot of lead flying fast a semi auto is good. If you want to be able to hit a quarter size target at say 50 yards a single action revolver is the best. As for brands will many of them you pay for the name
 
I get your thinking, Old. A single action revolver sounds like what I'm looking for. Not interested in paying for a name.

Thanks,
Glenn F.
 
Got a Ruger single six revolver with a 9" barrel here. Nice overall pistol. That long barrel sure helps with accuracy.
 
I deer hunt with a single action 44Mag and if you can hold it steady it is a tack driver. It is an off brand but a very good gun and well balanced.
One that come to mind is the old H&R 22 revolver that could be shot both as a single or double action but to be able to hit targets best single action if the best. I have lots of info on many brands and cal. of guns so if you window shop first let me know what you looking at an I can send you info in it
 
For a semi auto the ruger is hard to beat IMHO. For a revolver I like my El cheapo, Heritage Arms six shooter, there are probably better quality guns than that one though
 
I have an old High Standard Sentinel 9 shot double action that I can shoot as well as any 22 pistol I own. I think I paid $125 a few years back. High Standard made some fine 22 pistols over the years especially their semi autos. I haven't bought a new 22 pistol in over 10 years but have owed many Ruger single actions and semi autos. Always had good service out of them.
 
In keeping with the "best value ", I suggest the Heritage. Accurate,dependabe, old school single action. Many out there fancier, higher priced etc....
 
Anything "Ruger." I have a Single-Six, a MkI autoloader, and a MkII autoloader with a 10 inch bullbarrel in stainless steel. These are fantastic pistols. I used to shoot metallic silhouette competition until my eyes were full of "floaters.". For fun, accurate, reliable, and durable pistols, you absolutely cannot get better than a Ruger!
If you come across a Ruger Bearcat .22 single action revolver, get it! These are highly prized "small framed" pistols that have not been built in decades.
Other pistols may be good arms, but Ruger makes the best! The Browning Buckmark .22 pistol is also a time-proven design, and a great pistol in itself.
You cannot go wrong with a Ruger.

Scott
 
Hey Jeffcat! What do you have? I have the Ruger Mark II stainless with a 10 inch bull barrel. With Eley ammo that gun will keep 10 rounds under a .25 cent piece at 50 yards on a still day. With the cheap bulk ammo, 10 rounds under an Eisenhower dollar coin at the 50 yard mark. I used to shoot metallic silhouette with this one years ago.

Scott
 
Can't go wrong with a Ruger, either automatic or revolver.
Love my old Standard model, my 22/45 and LCR22.

My personal favorites are High Standards Automatics, but they are getting pricey, and harder to find.

Can't beat Ruger for reliability, value, or service in the darn near 0% chance you'd need it. Reccomended them to a lot of people, and never had someone tell me they didn't like them.
 
One thing both ruger and heritage had 6 shooters that you change the cylinder from 22lr to 22magnum.
 
For concealed carry, I would go to North American Arms. They make some nice single action revolvers in 22lr and 22magnum with different barrel lengths. They are extremely accurate for their size.
 
You are wanting a pistol not a revolver? The best pistol for the buck would be Ruger semi-auto or the Browning Buckmark. They both are made in standard barrel or bull barrels and custom stocks from the manufacture. They both will give you many years of service if taken care of.
 
Have you seen the new Sidewinder that is made by North American Arms? This model you don't have to pull pin to take cylinder out. The cylinder flips out like a large double action .
 
Old I like your comment about the H&R good gun, the Iver Johnson 22 Super Shot 9 round revolver was good too, but hard to find.
 
Ruger semi-auto in any of the versions you prefer. Very accurate, dependable. I have probably shot over 10,000 rounds thru my Mark I target since I bought it in 1965 with zero problems. My High-Standard Citation military has over 30,000 thru it without any issues, but they are harder to find and more expensive.
 
If a compact semi-auto fills the bill, I recommend a Ruger SR22. Wife hasn't had it long enough to speak reliability, but so far no problems. She's fairly accurate with it, so I have to watch my step around her when she has it at hand! Nice shooter, fun to shoot. Accurate.
 
The Ruger is a fine gun and the Browning Buck Pro Target falls in about the same class but it cost more.
 
I don't think you can beat Ruger pistols and revolvers for reliability, and you can probably get a good price because there are literally (probably) millions of them around. I've never been that crazy about the trigger on Ruger double action revolvers. The double action is not smooth, and the single action let off is just tolerable. I think Smith & Wessons have the best triggers right out of the box---smooth double action, and crisp single action. If I was shopping for a 22LR revolver, and price was no object, I'd look for a Smith Model 17. But a nice one of those would probably run about a grand, and I don't need another 22 handgun a thousand dollars' worth.

Stan
 
Ruger also makes a single action 22 long rifle with a 10 round cylinder and a 22 mag with 9 round cylinder.
 
The S&W model 17 can go for as much as 2 grand now. I like the S&W model 63 and they now bring from $400.00 to around $1,500.00.
 
Can't go wrong with a Ruger pistol or revolver. If the single action revolver is what you want, Ruger is as good as anything. There's a lot of decent .22's out there, but if you are not familiar with them and want the most for your money just buy the Ruger and be done with it. I've been out of the gun business for a couple of years now and some others may have the option, too, but a Ruger single six gives you a .22 magnum cylinder also. I know a gent who has the Ruger Bearcat revolver and he really likes it, also. If somewhere down the road you decide that something else fits your needs better, you will have no trouble selling a Ruger, either.
 
When I looked at them there was only about $25.00 dollars difference and are hard to find around here.
 
I like this one. Almost like shooting a rifle. Extra 10-rd magazines make for lots of shooting and quick re-loading.
a210210.jpg
 
The model 63 definitely has a sleeker, more modern look about it than the model 17. Still, I kind of like the clunky look of pre-WWII S&W revolvers. As much as 2 grand for a model 17 makes me think I'll probably never own one. Maybe next time.

Stan
 
If I was buying I would buy something I could get ammunition for, otherwise it really doesn't matter how nice the gun is. I've got a Sig Sauer semi auto I really like but it has to have stinger ammunition to make it reload reliably. But I'm too cheap to shoot it until I can replace the nails.
 

Okay, you guys got me to thinking about some of my guns.

In the 1990's I bought each of my parents a S&W .22 pistol. After my parents passed away I got the guns back.

Anyway, I just checked the model numbers on them. The stainless is Model 617-2 with 10 shot cylinder and rosewood grip.

Looks like this...

31511.jpg


The other is S&W Model 17-6 blue finish w/6 shot cylinder and rosewood grips.

Like this...

31512.jpg


Nice shooting pistols but are they really worth that much? Seems I only paid around $400 to $500 for each.
 
Apples to oranges, but my 357 is a dual action Ruger revolver. I really like the gun but man is that trigger hard to pull. I always pull back the hammer on it. By the time I try to do it all with my index finger I am so far off target I should just forget it. I honestly can't remember whether it is six or five shot. I usually grab the 20 gauge anymore so the Ruger sits in the drawer and looks pretty.
 
Coming in a bit late--spent the day with the family as we couldn't get together on Christmas due to other commitments. If you're looking for a simple single-action, it's hard to go wrong with the Ruger Single Six. Their latest models are actually a 10-shot (Single 10) in .22 LR, but they do offer six-shot conversion models with a spare cylinder in .22 magnum, which offers a useful increase in power for "serious" uses from pest control to small game hunting. The heritage Rough Rider series is considerably less expensive, but I bought one a few years back when I was too cheap to get a Single Six and had troubles with the timing--the action quickly wore down to the point it wouldn't reliably index the cylinder. Traded it back in and ended up with a Ruger Single Six, and there's no comparison in the quality between the two. If you're only going to shoot it a little, the Heritage is a good entry-level gun, but I wouldn't advise it if you plan on shooting a lot. Also, you may want to upgrade to adjustable sights--mine were fixed and it didn't shoot to point-of-aim, requiring some judicious bending and filing to get it right. Ruger also offers their excellent SP-101 double-action revolver in .22 LR, with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights, which makes a wonderful "kit" or "trail" gun. Pay some attention to barrel length--anything much over 6" makes the gun very difficult to carry comfortably, especially if you're hip-carrying it in a vehicle, ATV, or similar.
With semi-auto's, if you don't mind a full-sized gun, any of the Ruger Mark series (I, II, or III) or the Browning Buck Mark are hard to beat. For smaller autos, there's a lot around, with Ruger's relatively new SR-22 the Walther P22, and many of Smith's small 22's all being popular. Don't buy the cheapest thing you can get--a good, name-brand gun will hold its value (and, as you can see from some of the small Smiths, quite possibly go up considerably!) and the extra money will typically buy you higher levels of reliability and accuracy. This is not to say an inexpensive gun is a bad value, just that spending a relatively small amount more money will usually get you a firearm you'll be happier with and, quite possibly, will be able to pass along to the next generation of shooters, who may well have taken their first shots with it, which is certainly a memory to be treasured.
 
The model 17 was discontinued in 1998 and the 617 took its place. The new 22 Smiths are running around $600.00 and price will depend on how you set it up and on what profit margin dealer is working on. The older Smiths and Colts are bringing big bucks right now.
 
I've got a Ruger 22/45 for target and plinking, I have a Berreta Neos that's been a great gun too, used to have a Browning buckmark that I regret getting rid of. There are a lot of good ones out there so take your pick.

For modern style 22's I recently bought a Ruger SR22, its a great gun, that would be easy to conceal and it is already setup to accept a silencer which was a bonus for me.
 
Get the best. 1960's /70's Colt semi autos. Sleek, lightweight, beautiful blue and great checkered grips. SHoot infallible.
 
If your looking for a semi-auto, the Walther P22 is a great little gun. My wife and daughter have shot thousands of rounds through the one we have, with no real problems. The only issues have been a few failures to extract due to cheap ammo. I look at minor problems like this, especially one with a known cause, as good training in how to handle a problem, before it happens in a true, critical situation.
 
(quoted from post at 13:51:09 01/01/16) I get your thinking, Old. A single action revolver sounds like what I'm looking for. Not interested in paying for a name.

Thanks,
Glenn F.

Ruger Single Six. Buy a used one in good shape and you won't be sorry. Not the most accurate single action out there, but good. You don't sound like you want to spend a fortune on a Freedom Arms or anything like that.

A much cheaper option is a Heritage Rough Rider. They work fine for what you pay. Not anything like a Ruger though.
 
It really depends on the intended use as no one pistol will do all and do all good. In my case it had to concealable, light weight , dependable , easy for wife to use , moderate cost. I went with Ruger SR 22 and it is a sweetie. I have zero complaints. Like all semi auto hand guns , make sure and use quality ammo as it has to turn a real sharp turn to load and junk ammo will get caught. I don't do a ton of target shooting so I buy only CCI and no bare lead. Always copper plated round nose or copper plated hollow point. Bad foriegn bulk junk will make you hate ANY semi-auto hand gun. Lot of questionable rim fire stuff out there. The SR 22 is a nice simple little pistol and really simple to open up to clean also. Your wife/girlfriend won't need to carry a manual around to do it. I would recommend it to anyone with the priorities I listed at beginning.
 
I have had a Ruger MK II for 30 years or so and never ever had a problem, it is a little difficult to take apart and get back together, but is an excellent firearm. I bought my son a Sig Sauer Mosquito a few years ago and that thing is the biggest piece of crap ever. I sold it last year for half of what I gave for it new. Junk, Junk, JUnk. I replaced it with a Ruger P-89, 9mm, I have not regretted my decision. I would buy the latest Ruger MK III or whatever if I wanted a .22 Auto. JB
 
I have one like that, after my oldest brother died his wife asked me if I was interested in it, some body offered her75 bucks for it. I gave her a hundred and then she through in a Winchester 22 auto rifle, rifles rough though, stocks broken but it works.
 
How many rounds did you put through the Sig ? That gun is known to take about 500 rounds to break it in. It is like a Walther you have to find out what brand and loads that they like to eat. I had a Ruger with a 10" bull barrel and was fussy about what you put through it and some brands of ammo would not eject. I now have a standard model and it takes anything you put through it. I still like the Browning Buckmark Pro Target better than anything I have shot.
 
I would agree with posts about the Rugers, their single six and Mark models are very nice guns. I have an old Single Six, an old "standard" (think Mark I) and a Mark III 22/45 target all with 6" barrels. But you will pay for them, even will millions produced the Standard, Mark I, II & III will go for near new price (or above) when trying to buy them used if they are in good shape. The older single sixes are not quite as bad but almost. The only way you get them cheap is if someone doesn't know what they are selling - and I don't know that many stupid people. I also have a Heritage with adjustable sights, 6" barrel and 22/22 Mag cylinders that was less than half the price of a Ruger Single Six and for the casual shooter it seems pretty good. I don't know how it would hold up if you started putting hundreds of rounds a weekend through it though.
 
I would think the Heritage would hold up fairly good as I think it is made in Germany and most of their stuff is well made.
 
For a single, I agree the Ruger Single Sixes are great. I have a High Standard 9 shot double that I've had for years.
 
i have the ruger mK III bull barrel with fiber optics , great gun until you field strip it . what a pain . i also have the ruger charger and i love it .
my wife has the buckmark and loves it . she also has the ruger sr22 and cant hit very well its to short. id consider the ruger 22/22mag revolver.just my .02
rick
 
Actually they are made in Florida.

A video tour of their factory.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JzYA97qgpU
 
I may have been wrong but I can't find the article I read about Heritage firearms saying that big bores were made in Germany . I did go in to Heritages offical site and the new large bore hand guns have parts in them made by Pietta in Italy and are finished here in Heritages plant.
 
I had a Heritage 22 single action and I sure did not like that added safety ! It didn't seem like I could hit anywhere near as good as I could with my Ruger MKII. On field stripping the Ruger mark II it is very easy to do. Only place you get into trouble is getting the last step where a link ? has to go EXACTLY into a certain spot just like the book says. Easy enough to do but hard when you don't do it very often and forget the EXACT procedure.
 

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