Best common .22 rimfire semi-auto pistol?

[His lordship.]

With the cost of center fire ammo continuing to climb I have been getting more into .22 rimfire.  I have a Browning Buckmark, a Ruger MK. 3 target, and a Ruger single six in Bisley format.  I like all 3 guns.  Thinking of getting another model of the above, or a Smith/Wesson or Beretta for variety.

I don't have a Smith and Wesson 22a, 22s, or a Beretta Neos.  What is the best of the common .22 rimfire semi-autos, like the Ruger MK series, Browning Buckmark, Beretta Neos, or the Smith and Wesson 22 series?

Thanks.

[Old Syko]

I have no idea which is the "best" even though I have an assortment myself.  From what you've listed as having yourself I would suggest trying a Smith 22A next.  For the last year or a little better I've enjoyed mine as it seems the one I go to most often.  Now this hasn't happened because it's better than the others only that I've simply enjoyed it the most lately.  Probably close to 10,000 rounds through it so far without problems but I would have to check my log to be sure of the number.

[coyotejoe]

I'm quite happy with my Smith&Wesson 22a. The alloy frame makes it quite easy to carry even with the 7" barrel and with the Burris Fastfire red dot sight it is a tack driver. I'm not wild about the location of the mag release and the safety is not the handiest but since this is not a defence pistol those items are no big deal to me. It is a great small game and plinker handgun.

[Savage]

How about a caliber conversion for one of your center fire pistols? Cheap practice with one of your working guns!
Savage

[His lordship.]

Savage...I thought about using one of my center-fires but the conversion kits are expensive.  One of my shooting partners bought the CZ-75 set to convert his .40 S/W CZ-75 into a .22 RF and has had alot of problems with it, been to the warranty station twice.  Considering that CZ makes the best handguns in my collection, it makes me leary.

I may look further into a Smith and Wesson 22a, or 22s, not sure, the aluminum model would be easier on the wallet.  The price of center-fire ammo is getting too prohibitive these days.

[greener]

I can't say much about the Neos.  It just doesn't appeal to me.  I have a 22A with 5.5" and 7" barrels.  It's a bit pickier with ammo than the Ruger or Buck Mark, but with SV ammo, it will shoot as well as either.  I haven't had any problems with the pistol other than a firing pin at 9k rounds (fixed by S&W, no charge for anything).  Since buying the 22A I've bought 3 Rugers, a Single Six, a Buck Mark and a P22.  The 22A refused to stay on the shelf.  Fun pistol to shoot, accurate and reliable.  It would make a nice addition to your collection.

[mcwoodduck]

I have 3 buckmarks.
One with a red dot
one stock 5.5"
and one of the super silhouette.  It has a 10+" barrel and the fore end.  I had a scout scope on it and set it up to shoot it with the fore end  on my left arm.  The best way I can explain the position is touch your left hand to your right elbow.  Lay the pistol fore end over you left elbow .  Now move your left hand to your right forearm and lock every thing down.  You have to set the eye relief of the scope so the slide does not hit you.  Best done with the slide locked to the rear with a wine cork taped to it to add a safety margin.
I got rid of the scope because too many people were complaining when I was winning the clubs modified bullseye shoot by a large margin.  Also made small game hunting with the handgun not a challenge.

[Zen900]

 I have the 22A by S&W and I can't recommend it because it has cycling issues, however if money is no object why not get the S&W model 41? It's around $800

[Drilling Man]

Best common .22 rimfire semi-auto pistol?

  I've had a couple S&W 41's  at the same time i had a High Standard Victor...  The S&W's are looooong gone,  (along with many other brands)   and the Victor it STILL the best designed, most accurate 22 semi auto pistol i've ever fired!

  My "knock around" trapping 22 is a Cold Woodsman...

  DM

[SAA]

One of my shooting partners bought the CZ-75 set to convert his .40 S/W CZ-75 into a .22 RF and has had alot of problems with it, been to the warranty station twice.  Considering that CZ makes the best handguns in my collection, it makes me leary.

This sounds strange to me.
I used to have a CZ 85 Combat with the CZ Kadet 22LR conversion-kit and it functioned perfectly, no problems what so ever, I used CCI standard 22LR ammo in it.
I would recommend you to check it out.

[Savage]

In a stand alone .22 pistol, Ruger of course! As accurate as any current production pistol anywhere near it's price range. With the exception of the S&W 41.  Reliable, durable, and contrary to what you read on the Internet easy to clean. With a ton of aftermarket parts, it can be made into a trick target pistol,  a really wild competition pistol, or anywhere in between. Buckmarks are nice too. Based on my observations at our rimfire matches, stay away from the S&W mdl 22, and the Neos.
Most of all, have fun!
Savage

[goldhound56]

I have a Walther's P22 , I really like it !!!!

[Tom C.]

1. S&W 41
2. Ruger MK III
3. CZ-75 Kadet

[greener]

Based on my observations at our rimfire matches, stay away from the S&W mdl 22
Most of all, have fun!
Savage

?  Accuracy or problems?  Mine sort of clicks along without problems.  Best 10-rounds groups at 15 yards have come from the 22a.

[Ken ONeill]

Ruger Mk. II Target, in any of it's various configurations, particularly if you can find one in excellent to unfired condition. They're out there. MUCH more dependable than the typical Smith or High Standard, in my experience.

[Savage]

Based on my observations at our rimfire matches, stay away from the S&W mdl 22
Most of all, have fun!
Savage

?  Accuracy or problems?  Mine sort of clicks along without problems.  Best 10-rounds groups at 15 yards have come from the 22a.

Function problems are what I have witnessed most often. In rimfire silhouette and falling plates, those that show up with the 22a, usually move up to something else after a couple of matches. I do not shoot bullseye, and have never seen one used in that discipline. Most common are the S&W 41s, tricked out Rugers, and some old Hi Standard Target models.
I have attached a target fired on 12/01/07 to check my sights on my anysight plate pistol. A Ruger Competioion Target Slabside. It was fired at 25yds, rested over my shooting bag, using Federal bulk hollowpoint ammo.  It measures .304 center to center. This is a box stock pistol, and is a good example of what these guns are capable of.
Savage

[Drilling Man]

Ruger Mk. II Target, in any of it's various configurations, particularly if you can find one in excellent to unfired condition. They're out there. MUCH more dependable than the typical Smith or High Standard, in my experience.

  Many years ago when i was on a quest to find the most "accurate and reliable" 22 auto pistol, i first bought Rugers...  The fact that they weren't "reliable" and had such awfull triggers is what put me on a path to the High Standard Victor.

  I'll put my Victor up against any factory Ruger you want to bring for accuracy and function any day of the week!!  Also, when it comes time to field strip it for cleaning, lets time that too...

  I have no idea what the latest High Standards are like, but NO factory Ruger can compete with the older Victors!

  DM

[Savage]

Drillingman,
No doubt the old High Standards were shooters! Especially the Trophy model, which is the only one I owned. We have a couple of shooters using the old High Standards in falling plates. They are good shooters and tend to do well with whatever they shoot. Don't know your level of exposure to competive rimfire shooting, but if you are not currently competing you'd be surprised at the accuracy the box stock Rugers and Buckmarks are capable of. It's pretty safe to say that it would take a machine rest to wring out the accuracy potential of these pistols. They all pretty much shoot far better than 95% of shooters can hold. As for reliability, a malfunction in a match means points lost that cannot be recovered. These guys can afford to shoot just about any rimfire they choose. They are not going to tolerate an unreliable pistol, period! Ruger malfunctions are a rare thing. Can't remember the last time I saw one in a match that wasn't ammo related.
Haven't seen any of the new High Standards on the line, so can't comment on those.
Savage

[Ruger4Me]

I have owned Browning buckmarks, S&W 22A's. I had some trouble with both when I got lazy and didn't bother cleaning them after ever outing.  The Ruger 1000 + rounds between cleanings no problems ever. In the last 12 or so years I have put no less that 1500 rounds a year thought it.
 
I have a Blue Ruger MK with standard 4" fixed site barrel best semi auto I have ever owned hands down. I also have a High Standard S-101 Supermatic with a 4" barrel on loan to my dad for the last 10 years or so.
 
The new Ruger Charger is my next handgun purchase I can not wait to get one.

[Old Griz]

The best .22 auto I have ever owned is the S&W 2206. It is more reliable, and more accurate than my Rugers. It's a far better gun than the 22A, but not as good as the 41. (Now I'd sure love to have a 41!) However, in my old age, I have come to enjoy my .22 revolvers more than my autos. My 17, 617, SP101, and Bisley all seem to get more attention than my 2206. (All the Ruger autos are gone.)