Accurate .22 pistol?

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:09 am

I'm getting the itch for a good, accurate .22 semi-auto. Don't want to spend much more than $400. I'm leaning toward a Ruger Mk III semi. I have had several over the years and with good ammo, they were all as accurate as I can shoot a handgun any more, and the trigger can be improved, which is difficult to do with a Buckmark. I'm probably looking at a six-inch barrel, too. This thing would be for paper-punching and hunting grouse. A guy on another forum wrote of grouse hunting with a Ruger sixgun in .32 Mag with light cast loads. Unfortunately, only .22s and shotguns are legal for hunting grouse in Oregon.
Ideas, boys?

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:14 am

I bought a Ruger 22-45 Target model about a year ago for my girlfriend. It's been very accurate with Federal match ammo. It will put a full clip inside a 2" circle at 25 yards with the iron sights.

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:17 am

In my limited experience, my own and my Dad's Ruger MkI, the Ruger is an exceptionally accurate handgun. I like the fact the barrel and the action hold the bolt steady the way a rifle will do. I do not have any experience with any other semi-auto .22 lr handguns other than an old Iver Johnson that looked like a Walther PPK/S.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:26 am

Hard to beat a Ruger for the money.

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:36 am

I am a fan of Ruger semi-autos as well. I have two; a tapered barreled Standard and a bull barreled MkII Target, both are very accurate. My son has a 22/45 MkIII Target, also very accurate. I just don't think that they can be beat for the money. My son also has a Sig Mosquito that, although picky on ammo, is accurate enough to be fun to shoot. No target gun but much more than a plinker.

We also have a 1953 Colt Challenger (I gave it to my son a few years ago) that is good looking but is defintely a plinker.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:45 am

Can't go wrong with a Ruger Mk I, II, or III

JB · Post by JB » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:17 pm

Pitchy wrote:Hard to beat a Ruger for the money.

I agree. Within the given price range a Ruger will be hard to beat.

Irelander · Post by **Irelander** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:21 pm

The new "features" of the MKIII don't really impress me. I'd stick with the MKI or MKII. Great guns!

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:45 pm

Kinda figured this was a Ruger choice. My first cartridge handgun at age 18 was a Ruger Mark I tapered six-inch my dad bought me.

Panzercat · Post by **Panzercat** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:49 pm

No walther P22s?

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 3:40 pm

Bill in Oregon wrote:Kinda figured this was a Ruger choice. My first cartridge handgun at age 18 was a Ruger Mark I tapered six-inch my dad bought me.

hard to beat a classic

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:22 pm

My grandson Jerry3 has a Ruger 22/45 4" that should be a real fine bird gun. Non pistol shooters can pick it up and hit what ever they point at.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:27 pm

I really like all of the Ruger MK series, BUT...

If you have a 1911, please take a REALLY hard look at some of the .22 upper/mag kits out there. No paper, same trigger, all accurate.

Bulldog87 · Post by **Bulldog87** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:08 pm

I, too, like the Ruger but have been abundantly pleased with my Browning Buckmark Camper. Accurate, reliable and I prefer the grip angle over that of the Ruger.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:11 pm

Bill in Oregon wrote:I'm getting the itch for a good, accurate .22 semi-auto. Don't want to spend much more than $400. I'm leaning toward a Ruger Mk III semi. I have had several over the years and with good ammo, they were all as accurate as I can shoot a handgun any more, and the trigger can be improved, which is difficult to do with a Buckmark. I'm probably looking at a six-inch barrel, too. This thing would be for paper-punching and hunting grouse. A guy on another forum wrote of grouse hunting with a Ruger sixgun in .32 Mag with light cast loads. Unfortunately, only .22s and shotguns are legal for hunting grouse in Oregon.
Ideas, boys?

You can't go wrong with an adjustable sighted Ruger MKI, II or III in a barrel length to suit yourself. Will last forever and likely shoot as well as needed. MK IIs are my preference.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:34 pm

Been wanting to get a Ruger 22/45 for some time.

i grew up with a Colt Match Target and an S&W model 17. Both will chew single ragged holes at 25 yds.
Shot a bunch of S&W 41s and High Standard pistols. Both great guns and the High Standards can be had for decent prices if you look hard enough.

One of the new 22/45 Lite's is on my short list. Can't beat one up too bad and really want to join the "Supressor Club".

jb

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:39 pm

This post needs more pix...

#1 on the wide choice of a Ruger MkII -- not the "III" variation, if you can help it.

Here's my old Ruger MkII (with all Volquartsen internals) and Ysabel Kid's Nil-Grif target grips (well, he's got 'em now

).

MkII for Postals 001.JPG

Tight groups.

Old No7

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:12 pm

Old No7 wrote:This post needs more pix...

#1 on the wide choice of a Ruger MkII -- not the "III" variation, if you can help it.

Here's my old Ruger MkII (with all Volquartsen internals) and Ysabel Kid's Nil-Grif target grips (well, he's got 'em now ).
MkII for Postals 001.JPG
Tight groups.

Old No7

My MkII Target

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:33 pm

The Rugers were nice, the Browning Buckmarks are sharp little shooters, and don't let a Colt Huntsman in good shape get past you.

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 8:43 pm

Or a High Standard - I didn't let this HD-Military get away.

.

m.wun · Post by **m.wun** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:32 pm

I have a Ruger Mark 2 and love it!However if looking today I might look at Brownings Buckmark.I think they are just as nice as the
Ruger but tear down easier for cleaning.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 7:54 am

Like others have said, it's hard to argue with the
Rugers. The Mark IIs seem to be the best of both worlds -
any perceived shortcomings of the Mark I were corrected,
but we don't have that daft loaded chamber indicator yet,
either. Mind you, this is nitpicking - I don't think you can
go very wrong with any of the three. I favor bull barrels and
adjustable sights, too - but that's strictly personal preference.

Those old Hi-Standards are also very nice little guns,
but not quite as thick on the ground as the Rugers these
days!

-Stretch

Irelander · Post by **Irelander** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:12 am

I too am a Buckmark fan. I've had this one for years. With a nice "accessory" it can be a lot of fun and hearing safe without earplugs. I too appreciate the grip angle of the Buckmark over the Ruger MK. The 22/45 has a nice grip angle too.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:20 am

Pictures, we got pictures.

Mark 11 target along with a Smith MP 15-22

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:22 am

Where's the fuse/touch/flash holes?

Them caint possibly be real Pitchy Guns....

Where's the Locks?

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:53 am

i`ll have you know i`m a sophisticated person that has lots of modern appliances.

Just take my musical abilities for example, sorry Bill OI started it.

And my single seat bush plane.

video.

pshort · Post by **pshort** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 9:21 am

Howdy,
Pitchy is a modern man indeed!
Show 'em your toasters, Pitchy...............

Thanks again for the tour,

Paul

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:30 am

Pitchy, I had forgotten about that worrisome plane adventure. Now that fall and winter snows are approaching, gonna try a redesign?
And what's this about toasters?

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:47 am

Panzercat wrote:No walther P22s?

I forgot that my son also has a Walther P22. He had high hopes for that one (it does look good) but it is even more of a plinker than our old Colt Challenger. A little picky on ammo but just will not group very well with any brand.
My nephew had one with two different length barrels, it shot a little better than my son's but at least one and usually two stovepipes per mag, regardless of ammo. It got traded a long time ago.

Pitchy · Post by **Pitchy** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:55 am

Bill in Oregon wrote:Pitchy, I had forgotten about that worrisome plane adventure. Now that fall and winter snows are approaching, gonna try a redesign?
And what's this about toasters?

I don`t want to hijack your thread anymore than i already have, been collecting some real old toasters .
I`ve posted pics of them before, and as far as the plane i`m not sure if i`ll proceed with that venture or not.

GoatGuy · Post by **GoatGuy** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:04 pm

I'm another Ruger Mark ll, 5 1/2", bull barrel, target fan. Can't go wrong with the Ruger platform in my opinion. Been around a right smart number of years, it has!

Panzercat · Post by **Panzercat** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:14 pm

I've come to a .22 pistol conundrum myself.
My ideal platform was a 16" barrel 10/22 with folding stock for hiking and such
The butler creek folding stock actually makes the rifle HEAVIER than my 30-30.
I find myself asking what's the freakin' point? I can make it more compact, just not lighter.
(not going to spend money on the take down version)

On the other hand, a good .22 pistol can be scoped and accurate from 50-75y
It will fit and weigh less.
I can probably have these attributes for less than $300.

Am I wrong here?
At the moment I'm strongly considering a Ruger in the MkIII flavor or- hold your breath -a Beretta NEOS.
I figure both manufactures have enough .22 history behind them to do the job reliably.

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:57 pm

Pitchy wrote:

i still think that's the finest aircraft i have ever seen...love the photo...glad you're still alive... :)

as for .22's i have an ancient Ruger Single-Six a Ruger Bearcat (TERRY MURBACH'S FAULT) and a Beretta 21A mousegun... :)

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 1:37 am

Yes, the Ruger is hard to beat for the money. However, like others have said, a nice .22 conversion for the 1911 is a lot of fun. And I still enjoy the Single Sixes and Smith 17's, also I have a great little gun that really surprised me on it's accuracy and reliability and ease of breakdown and cleaning, and that's the Beretta 87 Cheetah. Of course the Smith and Wesson mod 41 is outstanding but out of the price range.

44-40 Willy · Post by **44-40 Willy** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 2:26 am

I'm not a Ruger fan, but I've got a Mk II Target with the 5.5" bull barrel and Pachmeyer grips that I won't part with. That thing is a snake killing machine.

rabbit hunter · Post by **rabbit hunter** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:04 am

Since I got the Ruger 22/45 Lite, I don't shoot my Mark ll and Mark lll much anymore. I put a nice set of 45 ACP grip panels on it and it's just great. Funny thing is that it only wants to shoot Fed bulk 22 Auto Match. Guess we all know 22s show a distinct preference for certain ammo. I have a Marlin Model 60 that won't group anything except bulk Blazer and with that ammo will shoot dime size groups at 50 yards.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:02 am

Lastmohecken, I have never had a Single Six that could approach the Mark I/II/III in accuracy. But may be I have just had bad luck with the rimfire hoglegs.

Pitchy, I'll be looking for the toaster thread, bro!

MrMurphy · Post by **MrMurphy** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 10:04 am

You can stick 1911 grips on the newer 22/45's.

All the Rugers are good shooters.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:15 pm

I also would vote for the Ruger Mk something or another, but with a couple of comments.

1. The Ruger will shoot better than that 99% of the people who shoot them..but..

2. Ruger barrels have their accuracy limitations. I have a Douglas barrel and match chamber on my Mk II match gun, with all of the work done by Clark Customs. (Nope you can't get one of these of $400 or less). The Douglas barreled Ruger will shoot groups less than half the size of a standard Ruger barrel.

3. The Ruger of whatever vintage is easy to fit with an optical sight. Something you will need at some point in your life.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:44 pm

Irelander wrote:

Good looking gun.

Don't forget (if you don't mind a bipod-oriented gun akin to a Contender) the Ruger "Charger". Put a 10" threaded barrel on it and a suppressor, or an integrally-suppressed one like ThompsonMachine makes, and it will be accurate, quiet, and deadly on squirrels, etc.

THIS one (from their website) would be really fun at the range/woods/bench, if you ask me...

(Thompson Machine Operative-S - website photo - http://www.thompsonmachine.net)

jackruff · Post by **jackruff** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:58 pm

I picked up a Smith & Wesson M&P 22 a while back. It's made in Germany by Carl Walther. Appears to be very well made.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:09 pm

damienph wrote:
Panzercat wrote:No walther P22s?
I forgot that my son also has a Walther P22. He had high hopes for that one (it does look good) but it is even more of a plinker than our old Colt Challenger. A little picky on ammo but just will not group very well with any brand.
My nephew had one with two different length barrels, it shot a little better than my son's but at least one and usually two stovepipes per mag, regardless of ammo. It got traded a long time ago.

I had one of the two barrel sets and several problems. The safety lever would engage after each shot. Sent it back to S&W
for that and a feeding issue. They fixed the feed problem with a new magazine but eventually the safety problem re-appeared. Sent it back again and then sold it when it got back to me.

Saw a nice Hi Standard at a show last weekend. I would have bouthg it but since I'm not working I wanted to hang onto my cash.

jb

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:13 pm

There is a 10 shot 617 in the Classified Ads.....that would be a classy handgun. Also, has anyone mentioned the Single Six?