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Which semi auto .22lr for cross-training, plinking, new shooters?

  • Walther P22

    Votes: 20 6.0%
  • Ruger SR22

    Votes: 52 15.7%
  • SIG Mosquito

    Votes: 22 6.6%
  • Ruger 22/45

    Votes: 21 6.3%
  • Browning Buck Mark

    Votes: 46 13.9%
  • Ruger MkIII

    Votes: 64 19.3%
  • Smith & Wesson M&P 22

    Votes: 32 9.6%
  • 1911-22

    Votes: 13 3.9%
  • SIG P226-22

    Votes: 5 1.5%
  • ISSC Austria M22

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 57 17.2%

Updated .22lr Pistol Poll

36K views 74 replies 62 participants last post by  Davidshine 
#1 ·
.22lr pistols can be great for cross-training with your favorite pistol, fun for plinking and introducing to new shooters. With this Philosophy of Use, which one do you like best?
 
#4 ·
3 weeks ago we bought my girlfriend a Ruger LCR in 38 special. I reload for both of us so our shooting costs are minimal. I also have a shooting range on my property and recycle all of my lead from my sand pit. We practice together a lot. 2 Days ago we bought my girlfriend a Ruger LCR in 22 caliber. It's the perfect companion to the 38 as it's the exact same gun, and dirt cheap to shoot. She was shooting the 38 really well, but shoots the 22 even better. Now the 22 gets used 75% of the time, and she's getting even better with the 38. If one doesn't reload, getting both of these guns is really the way to go. Here's a video explaining why.

Don <><

 
#6 ·
I don't think the .22 has to be exactly like your other guns to benefit you in your training. Many of the skills you can hone while shooting a .22 are transferable to any and all your other handguns IMO. I've got a Browning Challenger II that's been an excellent gun to practice my shooting skills with without breaking the bank.
 
#7 ·
I have a conversion kit for my glock 17 that makes it a 22LR,I think itis great,Just my opinion,But than again I own a number of taurus hand guns.there was a time I would not thing of b uying one,but now I like them,I have had 0 problems so far,They are not the best made guns out there,but I have seen worse.I like the price.I have a 1400.00 Kimber and have had nothing but problems with it,I love it and it is a beautiful gun but I just got a bad one.I still think they are a great c/c gun.
 
#8 ·
I don't think the .22 has to be exactly like your other guns to benefit you in your training. Many of the skills you can hone while shooting a .22 are transferable to any and all your other handguns IMO. I've got a Browning Challenger II that's been an excellent gun to practice my shooting skills with without breaking the bank.
I agree. I use a Ruger MkIII and S&W22A. As for plinking, longer barrel gives more accuracy.
 
#13 ·
Why not get a pair that matches?,,,

There are a ton of guns out there that are made in centerfire and rimfire.

Here is a list of guns that I compiled a while back,,,
I'm sure there are others I've missed.

******************************************************

Astra: Constable in .380 ACP & Constable in .22 LR.

Beretta: Cheetah (84, 85, 86 series) in .380 & Cheetah 87 in .22LR. (I own the 85/87 pair).

Beretta: Model 70 in .32 & Model 71 in .22 LR.

Beretta: Bobcat in .25 ACP/.32 ACP & Bobcat in .22 LR.

Bersa: Thunder .380 & Thunder .22 LR. (I own this pair).

Bersa: Firestorm .380 & Firestorm .22 LR.

Charter Arms: Undercover in .38 Special & Pathfinder in .22 LR (A lady friend owns/loves them both).

Colt: S.A.A. & Colt S.A.A. .22 (same full size frame 1st. gen.)

Colt: S.A.A. & Colt Peacemaker .22

Colt: New Frontier & Colt New Frontier .22

Colt: Bisley & Colt Bisley .22 (Never a factory offering..but popular conversion in 20's thru 50's)

Colt: Trooper Mk III in .357 Mag & Trooper Mk III in .22LR. (I own this pair).

Colt: Diamondback in .38 Special & Diamondback in .22 LR.

Colt: Officers Model Match in .38 Special & Officers Model Match in .22 LR.

Colt: 1911 in .45ACP & 1911 Ace in .22 LR.

Colt-ish:
• Chiappa = made by Chiappa
• Puma = made by Chiappa
• Bersa American Classic 22 = made by Chiappa
• GSG = made by GSG
• Sig = made by GSG
• Colt = made by Walther/Umarex
• Browning = made by Browning (not full size)

CZ: CZ-75B in 9mm & CZ-75B Kadet in .22LR. (I own this pair and the Kadet rocks!).

Daewoo: Model DH380 in .380acp and the Model DP52 in .22 LR.

EAA: Witness Combo 9mm/.22 LR. Sold with both a 9mm and a .22 LR upper.

EAA: Witness Combo .45/.22 LR. Sold with both a .45 and a .22 LR upper.

Erma: Erma ESP 85A in .32 S&W & Erma ESP 85A in .22 LR.

Hammerli: Hammerli 280 in .32 S&W Long WC & Hammerli 280 in .22 LR (Funky looking target pistol).

Hammerli: Hammerli P240 in .38 WC/.32 & Hammerli P240 in .22 LR.

Heckler & Koch: HK4 in .380/.32/.25 & HK4 in .22LR (First pistol produced by H&K).

Korth: Sport or Combat in .357 Magnum & Sport or Combat in .22 LR.

Manhurin: Manhurin MR 73 in .357/.38/9mm/.332 S&W Long & Manhurin MR 73 in .22LR (standard issue with France's elite police and military Special Weapons and Tactics teams).

Ruger: Single-Six in .32 H&R Magnum & Single-Six in .22 LR.

Ruger: SP-101 in .38/.357 & SP-101 in .22LR,,,
This is the old style with full lug barrels and non-adjustable sights

Ruger: SP-101 in .38/.357 & SP-101 in .22LR,,,
This is the new style with fiber optic front and adjustable rear sight.
The one difference between the two is the half lug barrel on the .22 version.

Ruger: LCR-38/357 & LCR-22

Sig: SIG P220 in .45 & P220 Classic 22 in .22 LR.

Sig: SIG P226 in .357 Sig /.40S&W & P226 Classic 22 in .22LR.

Sig: SIG P229 in 9mm/.357 Sig/.40 S&W & P229 Classic 22 in .22 LR.

There is an interesting thing about these .22 Sigs,,,
Sig sells the SIG SAUER X-CHANGE Kit™ conversion kit for all three of the Classic 22's,,,
That kit converts the .22 pistol up to shoot the appropriate centerfire cartridges.

Star: Model H or HN in 380ACP & Model HF or HK in 22LR.

S&W: Model 36 in .38 Special & Model 34 in .22LR. (I own this pair).

S&W: Model 16-4 in .32 H&R Magnum & Model 617 in .22 LR.
(The 16-4 is the only version that has a full-lug barrel to exactly match the 617.)

S&W: Model 15 in .38 Special & Model 18 in .22LR. (I own this pair).

S&W: Model 14 in .38 Special & Model 17 in .22LR.

S&W: Model 10 in .38 Special & Model 45 in .22LR. (very rare and I want one)

S&W: Model 60 in .38 Special and Model 63 in .22 LR.

S&W: Model 442 in .38 Special & Model 43 C in .22 LR.

S&W: Model 681 in .357 Mag & Model 617 in .22 LR.

S&W: M&P (9mm, .357 Auto, .40, & .45) / M&P .22.

Taurus: Model 25--- in .25 ACP & PT22 in 22 LR.

Taurus: PLY in .25 ACP & PLY in .22 LR. (I own this pair).

Walther: P1 in 9mm/.30 Luger & P1 in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PP in .380 & Walther PP in .22LR (.22 LR version is no longer made).

Walther: Walther GSP in .32 S&W Long WC & Walther GSP in .22LR.

Walther: Walther TPH in .25 ACP & Walther TPH in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PPK in .380 & Walther PPK in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PPK/L in .380 & Walther PPK/L in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PPK/S in .380 & Walther PPK/S in .22 LR.

Conversion kits,,,

Beretta: Beretta 92 in 9mm & Beretta 92 Series .22 LR Practice Kit.

1911: Advantage Arms (advantagearms.com).

1911: Marvel Conversion Kit (Marvel Precision 1911 .22 rimfire Conversions).

1911: Kimber .22 conversion kit. Kimber America > Homepage

Glock: Advantage Arms (advantagearms.com).

Tactical Solutions .22 conversion kit for the Glock 17/22

Ciener: 22 Conversion Kits for 1911, Beretta/Taurus, Browning Hi-Power, and Glock. Jonathan Arthur Ciener, Inc. Gun Conversions

Twisted Industries: 22lr conversion for the Kel Tec 9mm PF9 and P11.
 
#15 ·
I have the S&W 22A as my target pistol.
I also have the Bersa pair: Thunder 380 & Thunder 22
Haven't had a problem with any of them.
I also have a Taurus Model 9422 revolver, fun little gun to carry when walking through our woods.
 
#17 ·
Just picked up my Ruger SR22 tonight. Range this weekend. Guessing CCI mini mags but what about that "canned heat" stuff I've seen? Is that even come in .22? Will the Winchester 333 36g HP at 1280 fps work? It's all new to me.

I know, I'm moving from 9mm @ .28 a round to a 22 @ .05 a round and I'm still looking to save money. Still waiting for my Shield to show up. Saving for that.
 
#19 ·
I use the CZ-75 Kadet conversion for teaching new shooters. It's accurate and easy to operate, and when they have it down pat, it takes a few seconds to turn it into 9mm. The transition has always been smooth.

If they are good enough to try a shorter model, the Walther P-22 is great, but very few new shooters can hit anything with it, without a lot of practice.
 
#20 ·
Although I voted for the Ruger Mk III pistol I prefer the Mk II's and they are what I own (3 to be exact) I also own the Walther P22 and it is a good pistol for what it is. Also not on the list is the Bersa Thunder 22 which happens to be another great little pistol although often over looked or looked down on because it's a Bersa, they are often seen as cheap because they're inexpensive, for what ever reason folks seem to think less of them and they're missing out on an accurate, reliable, and fun to shoot little gun.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Got some range time with my new SR22. I like it a bunch. Feels good sighting in, fits my grip and it is pretty easy to clean. Wanted to post my targets but can't figure out how to paste a photo here. Wonder if this will come through.

10 rounds at 5 yards. 10th magazine through so I am getting a little accustomed to it. Got a ways to go.

Not to shabby for first day out. Put 350 rounds through it. Found Federal 'champion' 40g round 1240fps to be smokey and I had 3 FTF (fail to feed, right?) in 50 rounds. Remington Golden Bullet 36g BPHP 1280fps was a bit smokey too but fed with no problems. Cost $10 to shoot. I like the 9mm more but this is $80 cheaper.
 
#24 ·
sr22.
Very fun to shoot.
The interchangable grips allow you to better fit it to your hand. Even with my big paws with the larger grip it feels pretty good.
very easy to work and clean.
very reliable.
Much better ammo tolerances than pretty much any other tactical style 22 semi pistol out there.
Tactical styles being ones like the mosquito, p22, ect. The MkIIs and IIIs and buckmarks ,while great pistols, the action and whole feel of the grip and pistol does not compare very well to a modern tactical pistol where as these ones do.
 
#25 ·
There are a ton of guns out there that are made in centerfire and rimfire.

Here is a list of guns that I compiled a while back,,,
I'm sure there are others I've missed.

******************************************************

Astra: Constable in .380 ACP & Constable in .22 LR.

Beretta: Cheetah (84, 85, 86 series) in .380 & Cheetah 87 in .22LR. (I own the 85/87 pair).

Beretta: Model 70 in .32 & Model 71 in .22 LR.

Beretta: Bobcat in .25 ACP/.32 ACP & Bobcat in .22 LR.

Bersa: Thunder .380 & Thunder .22 LR. (I own this pair).

Bersa: Firestorm .380 & Firestorm .22 LR.

Charter Arms: Undercover in .38 Special & Pathfinder in .22 LR (A lady friend owns/loves them both).

Colt: S.A.A. & Colt S.A.A. .22 (same full size frame 1st. gen.)

Colt: S.A.A. & Colt Peacemaker .22

Colt: New Frontier & Colt New Frontier .22

Colt: Bisley & Colt Bisley .22 (Never a factory offering..but popular conversion in 20's thru 50's)

Colt: Trooper Mk III in .357 Mag & Trooper Mk III in .22LR. (I own this pair).

Colt: Diamondback in .38 Special & Diamondback in .22 LR.

Colt: Officers Model Match in .38 Special & Officers Model Match in .22 LR.

Colt: 1911 in .45ACP & 1911 Ace in .22 LR.

Colt-ish:
• Chiappa = made by Chiappa
• Puma = made by Chiappa
• Bersa American Classic 22 = made by Chiappa
• GSG = made by GSG
• Sig = made by GSG
• Colt = made by Walther/Umarex
• Browning = made by Browning (not full size)

CZ: CZ-75B in 9mm & CZ-75B Kadet in .22LR. (I own this pair and the Kadet rocks!).

Daewoo: Model DH380 in .380acp and the Model DP52 in .22 LR.

EAA: Witness Combo 9mm/.22 LR. Sold with both a 9mm and a .22 LR upper.

EAA: Witness Combo .45/.22 LR. Sold with both a .45 and a .22 LR upper.

Erma: Erma ESP 85A in .32 S&W & Erma ESP 85A in .22 LR.

Hammerli: Hammerli 280 in .32 S&W Long WC & Hammerli 280 in .22 LR (Funky looking target pistol).

Hammerli: Hammerli P240 in .38 WC/.32 & Hammerli P240 in .22 LR.

Heckler & Koch: HK4 in .380/.32/.25 & HK4 in .22LR (First pistol produced by H&K).

Korth: Sport or Combat in .357 Magnum & Sport or Combat in .22 LR.

Manhurin: Manhurin MR 73 in .357/.38/9mm/.332 S&W Long & Manhurin MR 73 in .22LR (standard issue with France's elite police and military Special Weapons and Tactics teams).

Ruger: Single-Six in .32 H&R Magnum & Single-Six in .22 LR.

Ruger: SP-101 in .38/.357 & SP-101 in .22LR,,,
This is the old style with full lug barrels and non-adjustable sights

Ruger: SP-101 in .38/.357 & SP-101 in .22LR,,,
This is the new style with fiber optic front and adjustable rear sight.
The one difference between the two is the half lug barrel on the .22 version.

Ruger: LCR-38/357 & LCR-22

Sig: SIG P220 in .45 & P220 Classic 22 in .22 LR.

Sig: SIG P226 in .357 Sig /.40S&W & P226 Classic 22 in .22LR.

Sig: SIG P229 in 9mm/.357 Sig/.40 S&W & P229 Classic 22 in .22 LR.

There is an interesting thing about these .22 Sigs,,,
Sig sells the SIG SAUER X-CHANGE Kit™ conversion kit for all three of the Classic 22's,,,
That kit converts the .22 pistol up to shoot the appropriate centerfire cartridges.

Star: Model H or HN in 380ACP & Model HF or HK in 22LR.

S&W: Model 36 in .38 Special & Model 34 in .22LR. (I own this pair).

S&W: Model 16-4 in .32 H&R Magnum & Model 617 in .22 LR.
(The 16-4 is the only version that has a full-lug barrel to exactly match the 617.)

S&W: Model 15 in .38 Special & Model 18 in .22LR. (I own this pair).

S&W: Model 14 in .38 Special & Model 17 in .22LR.

S&W: Model 10 in .38 Special & Model 45 in .22LR. (very rare and I want one)

S&W: Model 60 in .38 Special and Model 63 in .22 LR.

S&W: Model 442 in .38 Special & Model 43 C in .22 LR.

S&W: Model 681 in .357 Mag & Model 617 in .22 LR.

S&W: M&P (9mm, .357 Auto, .40, & .45) / M&P .22.

Taurus: Model 25--- in .25 ACP & PT22 in 22 LR.

Taurus: PLY in .25 ACP & PLY in .22 LR. (I own this pair).

Walther: P1 in 9mm/.30 Luger & P1 in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PP in .380 & Walther PP in .22LR (.22 LR version is no longer made).

Walther: Walther GSP in .32 S&W Long WC & Walther GSP in .22LR.

Walther: Walther TPH in .25 ACP & Walther TPH in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PPK in .380 & Walther PPK in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PPK/L in .380 & Walther PPK/L in .22 LR.

Walther: Walther PPK/S in .380 & Walther PPK/S in .22 LR.

Conversion kits,,,

Beretta: Beretta 92 in 9mm & Beretta 92 Series .22 LR Practice Kit.

1911: Advantage Arms (advantagearms.com).

1911: Marvel Conversion Kit (Marvel Precision 1911 .22 rimfire Conversions).

1911: Kimber .22 conversion kit. Kimber America > Homepage

Glock: Advantage Arms (advantagearms.com).

Tactical Solutions .22 conversion kit for the Glock 17/22

Ciener: 22 Conversion Kits for 1911, Beretta/Taurus, Browning Hi-Power, and Glock. Jonathan Arthur Ciener, Inc. Gun Conversions

Twisted Industries: 22lr conversion for the Kel Tec 9mm PF9 and P11.
Wow aarondhgraham! Thanks for that might fine list. It's very good info. Must have taken you a lot of time to compile it. I sure appreciate it and your efforts.

Don <><
 
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