Author Topic: what do you think is the best .22 auto pistol (Read 12895 times)

butchen · « **on:** August 11, 2011, 12:52:42 PM »

my kids are thinking of getting me a new 22 auto (my 32year old ruger needs a rest) and I wanted to know what y'all thought was the best 22 auto for the price. I will be hunting and plinking with it.
Thanks

jlwilliams · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2011, 01:56:27 PM »

22 auto pistol or rifle?

PowPow · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2011, 02:17:29 PM »

My plain jane Ruger 22/45 with Burris Fastfire II mounted on the dovetail mount.

butchen · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2011, 03:21:47 PM »

my bad "pistol"

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2011, 07:03:32 PM »

I think the best bar none is the old original High Standard target guns. Of what's available new these days the S&W model 41 might be the best but the Ruger or Browning BuckMark are likely the best buy for the money.

possume · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2011, 07:36:36 PM »

well i have a 22 45 ruger and a walther p22 out of them two i think the walther is the best shooting little gun for the money

Bigeasy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2011, 03:26:41 AM »

If money is not an issue, then yea, the S&W 41 is an excellent gun. So are the original High Standards, if you can find one in really nice shape. This old HS Victor has accounted for a lot of small game over the years. They can be found in nice shape for around $500.00 or so. 41's, a little more.

Larry

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2011, 04:08:16 AM »

the Ruger for the money , get one with adj sights . The Browning is as good but cost a wee bit more as do mags for it.

Ladobe · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2011, 09:02:24 AM »

My 1947 High Standard HD Military that Pops gave me in the mid 50's still lives with me while the many others I've owned over the years do not. So I guess I'd suggest the High Standards.

While not in as good of condition as mine still is, there's one just like it (same year) for sale for $539 at gunsinternational.com ad# 100177505

milespb · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2011, 10:57:41 AM »

I agree with Graybeard completely. My favorite HS's are the ones made in Hamden, CT and the 107 Grip design. One thing with the HS is that they can be magazine sensitive, factory mags are always best. Any year S&W 41 is great.

Austin from NC · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2011, 05:15:43 PM »

If you can find one I would take a look at the sig/hammerli trailside. It's far simpler and in my experiance more accurate than a ruger but it could be that it fits me better.
thanks, Austin

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2011, 06:54:38 PM »

Going only on the basis of a sample of one I've owned the Trailside wasn't as accurate as the Ruger or Browning Buck Mark. I really thought I was gonna like it at the gun store but once home and out on the range I didn't.

I was at the gun store today and at least where I was the Ruger MK III is more expensive than the Buck Mark for equivilent models. The one below came home with me for $420 out the door.

butchen · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2011, 09:33:09 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on August 12, 2011, 06:54:38 PM

Going only on the basis of a sample of one I've owned the Trailside wasn't as accurate as the Ruger or Browning Buck Mark. I really thought I was gonna like it at the gun store but once home and out on the range I didn't.

I was at the gun store today and at least where I was the Ruger MK III is more expensive than the Buck Mark for equivilent models. The one below came home with me for $420 out the door.

thanks Graybeard but I hate to think you ended up with another gun because of me .........lol ..........that is a fine looking gun. Love the look of it.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2011, 11:03:51 PM »

My Ruger 22/45 target impressed people at the range this past Wed.

Gun Runner

bearman49709 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2011, 03:46:47 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on August 12, 2011, 04:08:16 AM

the Ruger for the money , get one with adj sights . The Browning is as good but cost a wee bit more as do mags for it.

Browning's are cheaper here also. Last year I bought the Ruger stainless for $440.00,This year the same shop had the Buckmark stainless for $410.00.I prefer the buckmark, but they are both nice pistols.

butchen · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2011, 05:00:10 AM »

looked at 3 different guns yesterday a s&w 6", 22/45 4", and a mk III 6" all had bull barrels. I been shooting what they call a mk I for 32 years and it is a point and shoot. The smith had big grips and a scope rail on top, but when you pulled it up to shoot you had to find the sights, the same for the mk III, but the 22/45, which had 3 dot sights, was spot on each time I pulled it up. All 3 were under $300, the 22/45 was $289. Like I said all had bull barrels its was flat sided, or what they call slab sided, 4" and felt better than all the others put together. I wanted to like the smith, I liked the look of it but its feel was off. But what I don't get is the mk III. It's grip should be like my old mk I but it didn't feel right. Mine mk I I can just pick it up and close my eyes and point it, open my eyes and it's sights are lined up. So go figure.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #16 on:** August 14, 2011, 05:18:11 AM »

nobody has mentioned my favorite. S&W 22A since I discovered federal auto-match it has never hiccuped. I don't if it's accurate because I tremble

but I've learned to fire 2 mags in just a few seconds. the mag release is perfect for people with ruined hands.

Dee · « **Reply #17 on:** August 14, 2011, 07:32:46 AM »

I honestly can't say which is the best, but my Buckmark by Browning is super accurate, and with the reddot it's a headshootin squirrel hunter. Good trigger, and just the right weight.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #18 on:** August 14, 2011, 07:49:29 AM »

Quote from: Dee on August 14, 2011, 07:32:46 AM

I honestly can't say which is the best, but my Buckmark by Browning is super accurate, and with the reddot it's a headshootin squirrel hunter. Good trigger, and just the right weight.

the last time I was at the range the shooter to my left was shooting a buckmark and I can tell you that it never jammed and it ejected with authority. he had 3 mags and I got 30 cases bounced off my head each time he fired. I kept wishing it would jam but it never did.

Dee · « **Reply #19 on:** August 14, 2011, 08:02:58 AM »

LOL! That's funny BUGEYE. Mine has never jammed either. I got one for Christmas years ago from my wife, and for some reason sold or traded off. After a few months I began wondering why, and went and bought another. Both worked flawlessly, and the current one has a permanent home here.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #20 on:** August 14, 2011, 08:08:31 AM »

Quote from: Dee on August 14, 2011, 08:02:58 AM

LOL! That's funny BUGEYE. Mine has never jammed either. I got one for Christmas years ago from my wife, and for some reason sold or traded off. After a few months I began wondering why, and went and bought another. Both worked flawlessly, and the current one has a permanent home here.

I almost bought one but obamas stimulus check paid all for a S&W 22A. it was a pain until I found the ammo it likes, now I love it.

Brett · « **Reply #21 on:** August 16, 2011, 03:39:17 AM »

I don't think you could go too far wrong with a .22 auto from any of the big name companies (Ruger, S&W or Browning). Rugers are made in the USA if that matters to you. I'm not sure about the Smiths and Brownings. My suggestion is to handle (shoot if possible) models that interest you from the big three to see what fits your hand and feels best to you. Another option is to look for a good used High Standard or Colt.. also excellent choices.

team101 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 16, 2011, 03:00:36 PM »

Older Hi Standards seem to get the nod. Are the current manufacture HS's not as well made or do you guys feel some nostalgia with the older versions?

Dixiejack · « **Reply #23 on:** August 25, 2011, 03:07:36 PM »

I currently own 2 Buckmark Micros with 4" bbls. In the past I have owned a bucketful of Rugers, 41's, colts, and a ppk. My favorite trouble free .22 pistols are the BM Micros.

Brett · « **Reply #24 on:** August 26, 2011, 04:20:44 AM »

Quote from: team101 on August 16, 2011, 03:00:36 PM

Older Hi Standards seem to get the nod. Are the current manufacture HS's not as well made or do you guys feel some nostalgia with the older versions?

Nostalgia could play a part. However, like many gun manufacturers HS, originally based in New England, went threw some shaky times and several owners and management teams between the late 70's and mid 80's finally shutting it's doors entirely in the early 90's. The companies assets and pattents were eventually bought and manufacturing of HS firearms resumed in TX. Early TX guns seemed to suffer from reliability issues and some HS enthusiast felt that the early TX manufactured guns were not up to the quality standards of the original New England manufactured guns. It could very well be that the current HS guns are once again top notch but the specter of those first TX start up guns is difficult to shake.

For more on the history of HS click on this link: www.highstandard.com/about-us/history.html

bluedog6 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 26, 2011, 01:34:21 PM »

Model 41 Smith gets my vote. I don't think it can be beat, and if you ever need to resale it, it does hold its value.

JumpinJackFlash · « **Reply #26 on:** September 24, 2011, 10:33:58 AM »

That's a big 10-4 on the model 41. I have an old (1958) gun and it just is a marvelous pistol.

milespb · « **Reply #27 on:** September 24, 2011, 02:53:40 PM »

Don't know if it is still true but at one time the High Standard was the only American made gun to have EVER won a medal in the Olympics.

Brett · « **Reply #28 on:** September 24, 2011, 06:03:15 PM »

The question "What do you think is the best .22 auto pistol?" is akin to asking "what is better, blonds, brunettes, or redheads?" There are plenty of good ones, some are better for specific purposes or in some areas than others.

Any of the guns mentioned in this thread would make good hunters and or plinkers, most would even do reasonably well at your local or club level pistol matches. Best advice here is to handle and try as many of them as you can before settling on one make or model. Once you start handling them I think you will know which one is right for you. In a way it's a lot like finding that special woman, you just know when you've found her. Best of luck in your search.

Dixiejack · « **Reply #29 on:** September 25, 2011, 08:23:31 AM »

Perfect analogy.