Author Topic: help in 22 lr pistol choice. (Read 8666 times)

montveil · « **on:** February 07, 2008, 03:52:22 AM »

I was considering a 22 lr double action revolver for safety, ease of loading, instant choice of bullet selection, and training new shooters BUT I can't afford the $600 + price tags.
I am now considering a pistol for half the price.
Could you folks suggest a pistol choice in the $300 range.
Suggestions on what I should stay away from as well as features I should consider

Thanks

mangulator · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2008, 04:16:26 AM »

Have you considered a single action like Rugers Single-Six. I like mine and easy to load, and fun to shoot.

flyboy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2008, 05:16:42 AM »

Ditto on the Single Six. Or, a used Ruger autopistol might be another fair choice. Anything Smith & Wesson would be good,but expen$ive, and Taurus is said to have quality control problems. A Bersa .22 self loader might be something to look at. They have a reputation for quality. Good luck with your search.

Will_C · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2008, 08:53:08 AM »

I picked up a 90% S&W K-22 Masterpiece a year ago for $350. That would be my advice.
Will

superdown · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2008, 09:34:37 AM »

I agree with all the suggestions i would strongly recommend avoiding Taurus .

lukewiersma2007 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2008, 05:18:36 PM »

contrary to popular opinion...i would go with the taurus..i like them a lot and i like the feel of them in my hand...i believe they are pretty accurate too...but in my opinion i would go for a autoloader...i like them better...ruger mk3

greener · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2008, 12:19:14 AM »

The single six is a good choice in the <$600 range. I've shot a Taurus Tracker. It shot very nicely. If you want to go to semi-auto's then the Ruger MKIII, Buck Mark or S&W 22A are good choices.

jamesrus · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2008, 01:03:36 PM »

you should be able to pick up a nice ruger mkII in the used gun department for 150 to 200 dollars. I recently bought one that showed little wear but was manufactured in 1982, it shoots exceptionally well . Also Tuarus did have a quality control issue, up until about 5 or 6 years ago. People were scared away from them because of this and still think they have a problem. A local gun dealer i am friends with has sold around 250 Taurus handguns per year for the last 5 years and he says his warranty returns are on the same level as all other manufacturers such as Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, Glock and such.

Jamesrus

BAGTIC · « **Reply #8 on:** February 16, 2008, 05:18:55 PM »

I have several of the Taurus M94 and have never had any complaints against any of them.

Nonetheless if it were to be my only .22 handgun I would get a semi-auto.

kennisondan · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2008, 05:28:38 PM »

Used ruger gets my vote just got one my self... single six for 325 dollars in perfect unshot condition adjustable sights, stainless steel...
also have a mark 2 semi and you cannot get a better more accurate semi for three times the price..especially used.... new or used the best deal is ruger.
If you can shop for a used good deal on a smith good luck and get it... ditto colt... but they are hard to find... if you do not want the single action pain in the brain to load slowly, shoot six load again... get the semi and five used clips... load up a box of ammo and get to it.... I like that option..
good luck.
dk

Cossack2 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2008, 06:32:10 AM »

Another vote for the Taurus M94. Unlike single six, it holds 9 rounds and is DA or SA. Adjustable sights, 4" barrel, lighter than Ruger S6. Mine is very accurate. Couldn't be happier. (Single six hit the road, wouldn't shoot with 22 cylindrer).

jmichna · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2008, 07:20:34 AM »

I like the look and the feel-in-hand of Browning's Buck mark pistols over the Rugers... personal preference. Brownings are a tad more expensive, but you should be able to pick up a new Buck mark for just over $300 (up to over $400, depending on model). My 14-year old daughter owns a Buck mark Micro URX, with a 4" barrel, and she loves it... very accurate. I'm looking at another Buck Mark, with the 5" SS barrel and UDX grips for myself. One last consideration: field stripping a Buck Mark for cleaning is somewhat simpler than the Ruger Mark series pistol.

bscman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2008, 05:18:13 AM »

Most of the recommendations have been for a revolver thus far...but I'll throw out a few more worth looking at.

Ruger 22/45 - Grip angle similar to 1911 (though a bit narrow!). Typical ruger reliability. Polymer lower makes it less expensive--starting around $239ish for the HB/Blued model. Good little shooters.

Ruger MKIII - A little more expensive, but better built than the 22/45. Different grip angle....the upper is pretty much the same. Starting price on these seems to be around $289.

Browning Buckmard - Every bit as nice as a MKIII (if not better). Typical browning quality. Good looks. The basic Buckmark Camper is $259 at sportsman's wharehouse. This would be my first choice for quality vs. price. It'll last a lifetime.

Beretta Neos - A spacey lookin pistol that seems to get a lot of attention from the younger crowd. Probably the most reliable 22lr pistol you'll find. It's got a GREAT feed ramp design that allows is to eat ANYTHING. I bought one about a month ago and have been thoroughly impressed. Very well built for the price, and quite accurate as well. This is another pistol with a polymer lower. It's deifnitely the easiest to field strip of all three. Barrel swaps are easy, and a carbine kit (when finally passed by the ATF) will make it convertible into a rifle. The blued model with 4.5 or 6" barrel is $199 the INOX stainless finish is $250.

I'd steer clear of the S&W 22a, it's mostly pot metal and has a bad history. The Walther P22 is a blast, if you're lucky enough to get one that cycles well out of the box....however, the zinc slide has caused a lot of failures (cracking/breaking).

Keith L · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2008, 05:25:00 AM »

"I'd steer clear of the S&W 22a, it's mostly pot metal"

This is a technical point, and not all that valuable, but pot metal is zinc. The frames are a good alloy aluminum. I did quite a bit of consulting for one of the foundries that made the frames for S&W, and they were quite particular about the material that went into their parts.

That said, I didn't buy one but got a Buckmark. I will never part with that one. And one of the reasons I got it was the steel instead of the alloy.

oldwarhammer · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2009, 06:40:45 PM »

ok hand's down beretta u-22 nero is the best .22 handgun i have ever shoot with the exception of my AMT automag II but thats a .22mag

teamnelson · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2009, 10:53:25 PM »

Another vote for the Taurus 94. My 5" put all 9 in a nice tight circle off hand at 25yds on Monday. DA pull is a little stout, so a spring kit might be wise. Guy next to me was spitting brass out of his 22/45, standing supported and not shooting any better. I shot shorts to minimags; shorts and subsonics don't cycle semis well in my experience.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2009, 04:19:16 AM »

I currently have a S&W 17--blued 617, I gave around 500 for used, a browning buckmark auto was first pistol given to me when I probably 14 or 15. It now has a 4X scope on it and is super accurate. (It always has been but didn't know without the scope). I think they are in your price range as well. The newest one I added to my collection is a Dan Wesson .22. In my opinion it is the toughest made .22 out there. It is heavy and matches my 686 (.357) S&W well so makes for very good practice. It is also super accurate. It does out shoot the S&W with every ammo I have tried but not by much. I gave $360 for it out the door this last spring and probably over paid but thought after handling it, it was a bargain when compared to the older S&W guns. These are a little hard to come by but have seen a few since I bought that one. The S&W has a better DA trigger than the Dan but SA is about the same. and that is about all I shoot anyway.

I don't have one but one other that is a good gun and in your price range used is the Ruger mark II and III.

kiddekop · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2009, 07:25:31 AM »

lipsey's exclusive www.lipseys.com my dealer ordered a lipseys exclusive ruger single six ss 4 5/8 inch barrel in 22lr/22mag for me several years ago when prices were about 1/2 as high.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2009, 07:30:42 AM »

I really like the Ruger SP-101 in 22LR used they go for a little over 300-350 .

pastorp · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2009, 10:48:40 AM »

Many of you guys just need a class in reading comperhension. He asked about a revolver. Most replies ignore that and sugest semi-autos.

I think the only revolvers in the 300$ price range are going to be the H&Rs. The sp101 sugested are running about 500+ used, they are no longer maunifactured.

Any smith model will be 5-600 used.

You could check the for sale adds in your local newspapper or laundrymatt. Ask friends and co-workers if they have a used 22 revolver for sale. But it's unlike you'll find one that cheep on the internet auctions. JMO

teddy12b · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2009, 11:11:49 AM »

Just type "22 revolver" into gunbroker.com's search. I did and found plenty of both single and double action revolvers for sale. Regretably, most of the double actions were Taurus and I just can't bring myself to recommend one of those even though I've never owned one.

goldhound56 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2009, 06:46:42 PM »

I have both a Ruger Bearcat and a Walthers P 22 I like both !!!

CajunBass · « **Reply #22 on:** July 27, 2009, 04:14:52 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on July 08, 2009, 10:48:40 AM

Many of you guys just need a class in reading comperhension. He asked about a revolver. Most replies ignore that and sugest semi-autos.

Well, no. Maybe it's you who needs the reading comperhension class. He said he would like a revolver, but they seem to out of his price range so he is now considering a "pistol" and asks for recomendations.

Quote

I was considering a 22 lr double action revolver for safety, ease of loading, instant choice of bullet selection, and training new shooters BUT I can't afford the $600 + price tags.
I am now considering a pistol for half the price.
Could you folks suggest a pistol choice in the $300 range.
Suggestions on what I should stay away from as well as features I should consider

Thanks

Now I use the word "revolver" and "pistol" interchangebly, but since he has already ruled out a revolver, it's reasonable I believe to think he means a semi-auto when he says "pistol" in this case, although I'm sure he doesn't mind any revolver recomendations either.

To the OP: No matter which you prefer, watch the used gun market. Not long ago I bought a nice Harrington & Richardson D/A, 650 with dual cylinders for about $200.00. Gun was almost like new. I got a Dan Wesson 22 D/A for $350.00. There are lots of choices on the used racks, both revolvers and semi's. More people trade them in because (1) they just don't like them, (2) the want something new, (3) they need the money, than because there is something wrong with them.

Rugers Bearcat is another option if you don't mind a single action.

Others have hit the semi's I would have said to check.

Good luck with your search.

dorothy daily · « **Reply #23 on:** July 27, 2009, 04:45:36 AM »

do not over look the high standard if you are considering a pistol.while a trophy is most likely out of your desired $$$ range a duramtic is a dependable gun just not the nice trigger or quiet as accurate.i have both and carry the duramatic as a knock around and never a problem for functioning.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:29:30 AM »

I'm not a great Taurus fan either....But, about 12 years ago I bought my wife(now my deceased ex-wife) a 4" M94. It was a little rough inside, especially on double action pull, but not bad trigger on single action... And, the little gun would out shoot my beloved Smith M18 and all my Rugers hands down with most any brand ammo. She loved to shoot it, learned to shoot it well and it smoothed up(broke in) to be a great little carry and kit gun. Don't know anything about the newer models, but for the money spent this little jewel would be hard to top. I soon bought her the companion 3" M85 in 38spl and it worked out good too. Go figure.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #25 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:58:26 AM »

Don't leave out .22 converstions,if you have a center fire colt or glock,many like the feel of a full size handgun.

Brett · « **Reply #26 on:** July 30, 2009, 03:43:45 PM »

Wow, looks like I'm not the only Taurus M94 fan on the planet. I bought a 4" blued ml94 back in the early or mid 90's before they went to the heavy ejector shroud. It's been a great little plinker. quite accurate, and like Hopalong's the trigger of mine has smoothed up to where it is as good as any S&W I've shot. My wife used the little M94 to qualify for her CCW last year. Had second highest score of the group of about a dozen people in the class.

pastorp · « **Reply #27 on:** August 19, 2009, 11:24:25 AM »

Well CajunBass, only he knows for sure, but I took his statement to mean a cheaper gun. If he meant semi-auto I think he would a said so.

I see it all the time on these forums. People recomend what they like regardless of the question. I guess it's not worth argueing over.

Regards,

teamnelson · « **Reply #28 on:** August 19, 2009, 11:46:59 AM »

Quote from: kitchawan kid on July 30, 2009, 05:58:26 AM

Don't leave out .22 converstions,if you have a center fire colt or glock,many like the feel of a full size handgun.

Ciener had a special deal on 5" matte .22 conversions for 1911s for WAY less than the online stores; got one on the way.

teamnelson · « **Reply #29 on:** August 19, 2009, 11:48:58 AM »

Quote from: Brett on July 30, 2009, 03:43:45 PM

Wow, looks like I'm not the only Taurus M94 fan on the planet. I bought a 4" blued ml94 back in the early or mid 90's before they went to the heavy ejector shroud. It's been a great little plinker. quite accurate, and like Hopalong's the trigger of mine has smoothed up to where it is as good as any S&W I've shot. My wife used the little M94 to qualify for her CCW last year. Had second highest score of the group of about a dozen people in the class.

The more I shoot my M94 the happier I get. I think I'm gonna hold off on the spring kit for another 500 rds and see how much smoother it gets