The Ruger is overall a better pistol, and comes in many different flavors. The P22 is however much smaller, lighter, easier to strip, and it's easy to put a noise reducer on one.

S&W, Beretta, and Hammerli make some nice and relatively inexpensive autos too. If you want a higher quality pistol, look at a used High-Standard or S&W 41.

Some of the better .22's are the double-action revolvers are used Colts and new or used S&W's. Check out Bud's Gunshop website for new S&W.

Probably the cheapest way to get a really sturdy .22 is to get a single-action Ruger Single-Six.

PhilR.

The Rugers and the Walther P22 are both good choices and you may be able to find either one used and In good condition for around $200.For the $400 price range...you'll have no problem getting a Fine .22lr handgun

Just stay away from the cheap Sat. night specials.

I got the Walther P22 for my wife. We have 400 rounds thru it, no hiccups.I shoot it for a while and then switch over to my XD. Fun little gun to shoot. We paid new $320 with laser.

imho you won't go wrong with the ruger mk series,browning buckmarks,beretta neos,or the s&w 22a. if you can find a store where you can hold each one and see which fits your hand and your wallet the best. i have a MKIII and a 22a both are very good pistols and i've never had any trouble with either or them.

My vote is for the Ruger Mark III in various barrel lengths. Ruger has been making them since 1949.
They are well built, shoot straight on and will last a long, long time. The Mark III's are a little difficult
to field strip until you get the hang of it and the gun loosens up after a few hundred rounds.

You can pick up the Mark III4 Standard for $264.00 on Bud's.

My Mark III4 Standard...

They're all fun... I chose the Buk Mark, as it seemed to be the most popular here. I haven't looked back. Base gun was ver accurate and way under $400... since then, a few toys have been added...

But at $7.50 per 500 rounds????

Enjoy!

Original:


Now:


JW

Browning Buckmark Camper. If you're just looking for a good plinker this is inexpensive, as reliable as you're going to get with .22LR, and hella fun.

I haven't had a chance to paw it yet, but the Beretta U22 Neos has a carbine conversion kit. I find the conversion capability intriguing if prohibitively expensive.

There is also this one I forgot about.The Sig Mosquito

http://www.impactguns.com/store/S-MOS-22-B.html

I shot a Ruger MK for the first time the other day and it was a lot of fun. That will probably be my next purchase. Having said this, I haven't shot any of the others to make a comparison, but I don't think you could really go wrong with any of the options. Just pick the one that fits you best and enjoy!

-Jeff-

How does this deal sound? A Browning Buckmark Pro Target, bull barrel w/2 mags, Fiber optic sights, & case in excellent condition for $219.

i love my walther p22
just loved the style over the ruger

Well.. I bought a Walther P22 (shorter barrel) He didn't have the 5"..
Will pick it up next week. It felt amazing and looked supercool

The Walther P22 is a cool looking little gun and it does feel pretty good, I just personally prefered the feel of the Ruger 22/45 with I believe the 1911 grip angle. I will also be looking for a 5" barrel probably when I get one, but let us know what you think of it once you get it out and shoot it, I'd be interested to hear about it!

-Jeff-

Well most recomendations here seem to be autos. But i Love my Taurus MODEL 94. 9 shote, simple easy, accurate and fun.

I think you will really enjoy the fun of the P22, I have one myself. If you want to do more precise shooting, look into one of the other guns meontioned above. The P22 is good for plinking, not the most accurate.

You might be interested to know that this month's issue of Gun Tests gives the Ruger Mk. lll standard an A+ rating. The Neos and the Buckmark were considerably down in the ratings. The Ruger has a six inch tube.
AR

Based on looks alone (which I realize probably isn't the most important feature of a gun) - the P22 kicks the others around the block.

Very Bond'ish.

b-diddy - that little kick is to simulate other larger caliber guns
Ang rita - notice they didn't put the ruger against the walther!!!

if you want to customize and hunt squirls with a 22 handgun then the ruger
if you want a better looking gun and lots of great target and plinking go with the walther

Originally Posted by hideit

b-diddy - that little kick is to simulate other larger caliber guns
Ang rita - notice they didn't put the ruger against the walther!!!

if you want to customize and hunt squirls with a 22 handgun then the ruger
if you want a better looking gun and lots of great target and plinking go with the walther

choices choices choices.

I checked out the Ruger today. Felt well balanced.

Still like the looks of the P22 though.

Originally Posted by niadhf

Well most recomendations here seem to be autos. But i Love my Taurus MODEL 94. 9 shote, simple easy, accurate and fun.

I thought I was being contrary (as usual) as I was going to recommend a Ruger Single Six. Great gun and you get two calibers with the additional 22 Mag cylinder that comes standard with each one.

Originally Posted by b-diddy

choices choices choices.

I checked out the Ruger today. Felt well balanced.

Still like the looks of the P22 though.

I personally don't understand anyones need for a .22 to be a "cool looking" gun. Although I agree that the P22 is a very cool looking gun, a .22 is simply a gun that is cheap to shoot and a practice gun. Anybody that thinks a .22 Ruger is ugly simply needs to shoot one to realize it's value. Looks being a factor for a .22 plinker don't make any sense to me. Maybe that's just me though???

-Jeff-

I certainly wouldn't call this ugly:



My Ruger Mark III Competition Target.

Ruger Mk II or III w/ bull barrel.