Down to 3 choices--Fast help please

[Gdbyrd]

Went to a gun show today, going back tomorrow and coming home with a gun.  So I need help ASAP please : /  Reason for the hurry is my local shop is closing down, only thing left for me to do from here on out is to order stuff...and the guys here with FFL's charge 20%

Mark III Hunter
Walther P22(Longer barrel,, 5" I think)
Single Six with 4.5" barrel

I'm after accuracy and fun.  I was originally head over heels for a revolver...but after reading some discouraging reviews on accuracy for the Single Six, not real sure..I got a chance to hold a bunch of different P22's today.  They look amazing, and the reviews on the 2nd generation seem to be really good.  The Mark III is a sure thing.  I like the styling of the P22 more than anything...as well as the hop ups to make it looks more tactical. 

The benefit of two cylinders with the Single Six is not appealing to me...This will be for plinking, hunting, and occassional targeting...all just for fun.

What's your take?

[Keith L]

I am no fan of the Walthers.  I don't think you can go wrong with either of the Rugers.  I have to tell you that my Single Six can outshoot any Walther I have seen to date.

[Gdbyrd]

Thank you for the reply Keith.  I had first read that the original P22's were awful guns...I have actually persuaded people out of buying this gun...but after doing a bit of reading, it seems like the newer models are doing pretty well. 

I had my mind completely made up.  I was going to get the Single Six tomorrow...shorter barrel, stainless, whole bit.  But I will not be happy with 3+ inch groups at 25 yards..and it seems like about half the guys on this forum and others are averaging those groups, or worse. 

The P22 will shoot about the same, at least from what I've read..no personal experience.  Even if it does a little worse the look and weight of the gun makes up for it, to me at least. 

I read a review by gunblast on the Mark III hunter...that thing did really well.  I don't care for the styling of the Mark's.  Both the P22 and the Mark have semi-akward safeties for me to reach.


From what I'm seeing with my limited research:
For accuracy, I'd buy the Mark III.  From my perspective..styling would be the P22..as it looks like with accuracy they're on similar pages, with the Single Six being slightly better.  I'd take your Single Six...I'm just worried I'm going to buy one and have it be one of the mediocre ones....The Walthers all seem to shoot about the same...not as great as the good Single Sixes, but they're reliable.

[Graybeard]

I'd opine that if folks are getting no better groups than you mention with their Single Sixes the fault lies with the shooter not the gun.

Back in my younger days before my eyes got so bad I can't see the front sight I used to do a lot of competition shooting both formal and informal. My best friend and shooting partner Billy Doss (deceased) used a Ruger Super Single Six with 9.5" barrel and I used a S&W 17 with 8-3/8" barrel for much of the shooting we did. One summer at his range we filled a five gallon bucket with the empty cases from the ammo we shot thru those two guns.

We shot matches at his 50 meter range at NRA rimfire rifle silhouttes placing the chickens at 25 meters the pigs at 37 meters the turkeys at about 42 meters and the rams at 50 meters. This was iron sight handgun shooting and we did a lot of it. We also had a standard size chicken swinger placed at 25 meters at the end of the rail we used to set up the falling targets on. That little target is really about an inch circle with some odd ball parts sticking out to make it look like a chicken.

We'd stand there many afternoons and shoot match after match after match at that little swinger. We hit it so much it made it cup shaped so we turned it backwards and cupped it back the other way. We broke it off the arm many times and had it welded back on. To win it almost always took six of six all the way around the cylinder and often a shootoff following that. As soon as one match was over we'd start another. The bet was using 25 cents per six shots and uppped to 50 cents for the shoot off when needed. I don't think the match was ever won with less than five of six.

That was free hand shooting at a target not much over an inch in diameter at a full 25 meters NOT yards. Both guns were fully up to the job as were the shooters back then. These days my eyes will not let me see the front sight that well and my hands shake way too much to do that kinda free hand shooting. But in his memory I have now bought a Ruger Super Single Six with 9.5" barrel just like his. It's off now getting customized by Mag-na-port and when it comes back I'll see how well I can do at the game my friend and I played so long ago. He is no longer with me but I think he'd look favorably at my choice of gun and how I'll be using it while thinking of him.

Anyone who can do no beter than 3"+ groups at 25 yards just can't shoot and needs more practice or perhaps has poor eyesight and shaky hands like I do these days.

[Hairtrigger]

I agree with picking a Ruger. Which feels better, the revolver or semi auto?

[mangulator]

I would go with Ruger Single Six. When you get home with your choice please let us know what it was. 

[Keith L]

Whatever you decide to get enjoy it.  My Single Six is one of the guns that will be in my safe when my kids divide them up.  So is my Buckmark.  I like not having to limit myself to one.

[Gdbyrd]

Well.....I decided on getting all three   I am getting the Mark III Hunter 1st though.  Decided to buy it from my local shop, it'll save me about 70$.  I can put that money towards some VQ stuff or extra magazines.  I'll be picking up the gun on Tuesday.  Probably won't be able to shoot it until the weekend though. 

Got any advice on first accessories for the gun?  Going to keep it as is for awhile, but I always like to have things to look forward to.  Thank you for your advice.  And appreciate the testimony to the Single Six.

[greener]

A VQ trigger will allow external  pre and post-travel adjustments.  A VQ sear will reduce the trigger pull to a bit over 2 pounds.  A red dot adds to the fun.

[Hairtrigger]

Great choice, I doubt you will regret it. I have no advise on the red dot as I am color blind and cannot see the dot in most cases

[Savage]

The Hunter was the "Hands Down" best choice of the three for all around use. If you plan to install the VQ trigger right away, you can wait untill then to remove the mag disconnect. If not, I order the MKll hammer bushing and remove that piece of work right away. The Walther is not in the same class as the other two choices, but might be fun as a plinker.
Savage