Which 22 target pistol?

[csim]

Hi to all. New to site. I am soon to purchase a 22 pistol strictly for target shooting, not competition. I intend to mount a nice scope. I am trying to avoid buying something that I won't be happy with so I am asking for some recommendations or advice. Any comment would be appreciated on any specific pistol, barrel length, etc. I understand that the Ruger MK's aren't the easiest to take down, but this may not be a deal breaker as long as I am happy overall with the performance and accuracy. Any thoughts or experience on the MK's, Ruger Lite, Brownings, S&W model 41, High Standard, Beretta or any other pistol would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, al

[95chevy]

I have shot (I don't personally own one) the ruger mk3. My friend has rhe target midel with the bull barrel in stainless. I love it. It will be my next purchase. It can be a pain to strip but you don't really need to strip it every time you shoot it either. I have also shot a smith. It was ok but to me it didnt even come close to the ruger.

[csim]

I have handled most of these 22's at the local gun shops and asked for their advice but it seems like they just don't have any experience with the gun or they are just trying to make a sale. For me, the Mk's and Buckmaster and High Standard all feel the best in my hand although the Ruger Lite is nice because it is so light and it also comes with the threaded barrel, but I don't care for the 45 style grip. I like the stainless Ruger MK3 target model also. The Smith 41 is nice, though heavier than the others and at least twice as much in cost but I hear they are very accurate. I can't seem to find out much from the local gun shops so to avoid buying a mistake, I will try the forum and get some recommendations from people who actually have used these pistols.

[95chevy]

Honestly, you can't go wrong with a ruger, smith&wesson, or browning. They are all good pistols. The ruger 22/45 has the "1911" style grip. The mk3 is a little different. The smith I shot wasn't the 41. It was the 22a I believe. The 41 is supposed to be a higher quality model.

[DJ Niner]

Welcome to the site!

[Themajickman]

Welcome from Stone Mountain Georgia

[Jonny_Cannon]

I own the Browning URX Contour with a 7.25" barrel. I really like it. In fact, I have such an easy time shooting it accurately at 25 yards (the distance at my outdoor range), that I took the scope off and just use the iron sights, which are adjustable easily with a screwdriver. The whole top of the pistol is a picatinny rail. Very good weight, and probably my favorite trigger out of all my pistols to use. I really like the sensitivity and pull.

The only other .22 I have fired is the Beretta, I believe it's called the NEOS (sp?) It also was a very nice .22 to fire easily and accurately. My personal opinion is that the Beretta had a smoother action. I just didn't like the way the thing looked, lol.

My 2 cents.

Cannon

[motogogo66]

I was going through the same dilemma before the holidays and settled upon the Buckmark camper in stainless steel. My wife bought the pistol for me for Christmas and had it under the tree for me to open. I took it to the range with my 12yo son for its first time out and we had a great time putting about 340 rnds. through it with no failures to eject. Only problem we had were a few dud rounds that did not go off but I blame that on cheap bulk ammo that was old and it did give me a good training opportunity to teach my son how to clear a bad round and keep on shooting safely. The sights only required minor adjustment from the factory to get them right on target. Take down is easy with a couple of tools and there is even a guy that has made a handy little tool that aids with takedown.
Whatever one you buy, I am sure it will be a good one. Ruger, Smith, Browning, they all 3 make a good pistol. As for the Smith Model 41 it lists for over $1,000.00 on their site but is a full steel pistol and is considered a competition gun. Wish they weren't all that expensive, I would love to own one. My local dealer had a used one for around $1100.
Just see which one feels better in your hand, hopefully you can see them side by side when you are looking. Goodluck

[loki34]

I have a Hi Standard HD military plus a S&W 22s with the 7" barrel and they both shoot great. The Hi Standard has open sights while the Smith has a scope so I use them for different types of shooting. Out to about 50 yards the Smith will group as good as any of my rifles while the Hi Standard is fun for bullseye shooting.

[jtguns]

I have and been shooting Rugers for years, (have 3 Mk II's) all with 6 inch barrels. Don't let the cleaning worry you, one or two times and you will have the trick to breaking it down and back together again. a long time a go shot NRA comp with my S&W 41 and yes they are tack drivers but very pricey. Have several other 22's but from the pricw and everything go with the Ruger, I haven't tried the Mk III yet but only change I can see is the Mag release,and the Ruger will stand by there guns if you ever have a problem.

Shoot Safe and have fun doing it.
JT

[csim]

Thanks for all the feedback. I could of gotten a good deal with a Beretta Neos with a scope (used about $219) but it just looks like a star wars gun, something a child might mistake for a toy. It would have to be a superior performer over the rest of the field to make that purchase. I am going to go to a local range that rents pistols and try as many of these that I can. I doubt that they have a Smith 41 but from a price point, if the groups aren't that much different from the model 41, I will probably go with a MK or a Buckmaster. The Hi Standards I see in the shops around of course are all used and can be pricey for the condition that these were in. Looking at those, it might be better I haven't seen a rental anywhere for a Hi Standard. My main concerns are accuracy and reliability. If they are all pretty much the same, I will get what feels the best in my hand. Thanks again for all the input.

[csim]

A coworker has suggested getting a Ruger MK and purchasing a Pac_Lite barrel. He said that it is more accurate than stock MK and much lighter. However, now we are getting to S&W 41 money. I wonder how much different the MK/Pac-Lite combo would be to the stock Ruger Lite. Anyone have any experience with the Ruger Lite?