Any Pistol guys here?

[TrxR]

I am looking at buying my first handgun and am curious about what you guys think of the Smith & Wesson M&P22? I am looking for a reliable accurate 22.lr for shooting at the range for fun. No competitions just for fun.

Thanks

 

[rardoin]

I highly recommend the Ruger MkIII with a target barrel. Very reliable and very accurate out of the box.

 

[DeltaBravo]

I love my Browning Buckmark. There's also the Sig and GSP (?) that look like a 1911. If you're not into competing with it, I really don't think it matters too much which way you go.

Dennis

 

[stork]

Full disclosure, I don't own nor have ever shot the M&P 22. I do own & shoot an M&P 9. I personally like the ergonomics of the M&P lineup so my opinion may be biased. 22's can be fickle beasts regarding ammo they may or may not like.

That being said, I would be on the hunt for a used Ruger MKII. After market sears & triggers are the only thing needed to make them competitive on a Bullseye range. I own a few and there's not one in the bunch that's fussy on ammo (with the sole exception of Aquila SE standard velocity-very soft) and all are very accurate. I've put somewhere in the number of 150-200,000 rounds through my assortment with only the occasional dud round stopping things.

In the end, it's your money and how they feel in your hand that will decide things.

Good luck.
al

 

[Sniper338]

Ruger

 

[dsandfort]

My wife and daughter both shoot the Ruger SR22. I upgraded them to captured recoil springs on metal guide rods. Other than that, loads of fun for all of us. They can be a wee bit ammo sensitive but they also run plenty of brands. I still shoot an original Ruger MKI Target pistol and a SIG 938 with a 22 conversion.
I think if you go with a "brand", regardless of which one, you will enjoy the pistol, and the range time.

 

[TAJ45]

Been shooting BE comp off and on since '73. For your stated purpose, knowing what I see on the line and for broadest resaleability as well as enhanced upgradability should you or a son, grandson decide to start some competing, the Ruger MkII or III, hvy bbl is as easily upgraded as a 283/327/350, plug and play triggers, sears etc. Just be sure to get the model that grips can be changed out. The bottom of the bbl model has them molded in......don't save $45 on that. Also, do the 22/45 model w/ the 1911 grip angle. It will take you to low Master before you will need to upgrade, should you decide you need more. I shoot a Model 41, High Std before that. The only reason I didn't go with a Ruger in '73 was their grip angle. My coach shot a Ruger he had done a trigger job on. I'm big on a near 1911 grip angle - personal choice.
If I had only $400 to put in a rf plinker, it would be a Ruger, hvy, 5.5".

 

[swd]

Ruger, Browning Buckmark or if you really want a nice gun, S&W 41. Those are probably BY FAR the most reliable and accurate pistols.

 

[mac86951]

Should you be so inclined, there are conversion kits for many styles to allow use of 22lr for training to reduce the cost, while a relatively simple change can get you back to another caliber. CZ-75 is what I'm thinking, but hears of it for other styles too.

-Mac

 

[Dub]

the S&W Victory is a nice shooting 22 at a reasonable price point. Quite accurate and WAY easier to clean than the Ruger MKIII. That being said however, the Ruger MKIII is probably the best choice out there.

 

[Sniper338]

Should you be so inclined, there are conversion kits for many styles to allow use of 22lr for training to reduce the cost, while a relatively simple change can get you back to another caliber. CZ-75 is what I'm thinking, but hears of it for other styles too.

-Mac

1911s and glovk have converstion kits... just a new slide and mag.. thatd be cool..

 

[joshb]

Have you considered a wheel gun? A nice Smith and Wesson .357 worked great for me when I was teaching my wife and kids. Mine has a 6 inch barrel. You can shoot very mild 38 wadcutter loads to start and move up to higher powered loads when you're ready. They're very accurate and a joy to shoot.This one is over 30 years old, shot thousands of rounds and still shoots great.

 

[TrxR]

Im not realy into the revolvers and incant seem to get into the look of the rugers. I originally was thinking .22lr but after reading and looking at the cz shadow im seriously considerring one in 9mm then maybe getting a .22lr kit for it down the road.

 

[rardoin]

I will also put is a good word for the Beretta Neos. I was given one as a gift and I will say it shoots very well. I find it looks a little weird also but at least the Mkxxx's look a little like a Luger.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I have the Browning Buckmark Varmint pistol with the 11" heavy bull barrel. It is ridiculously accurate, even with the cheap ammo. I have no problem hitting a softball size object at 100 yards with a non-magnified holographic sight when set up on sandbags using any type of 22lr ammo. Can hit smaller objects with some of the better ammo.

I've always heard good things about the Ruger as well, but I chose the Browning because it is much easier to break down for cleaning than the Ruger and I liked the feel in my hand better. Plenty of aftermarket upgrade's available for both guns.

 

[snert]

get over looks. Get a Ruger. stupid good accuracy, fine ergonomics, good resale, decent trigger, and in time youwill like its looks.

I carried a gun for 20 years when it mattered. I carried a second in my vest. But 99% of my gun use was the 22 MK2 Govnt I carried for shooting injured wildlife. nothing like it. Proven and when it came to training, trigger time on the MK cut my split times really fast.

 

[swd]

If you like the look of an empty wallet get a S&W M41.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Impossible to warm up to the ugliness of the ruger. Kinda like the interior design of Ford trucks. Hideous.

 

[Hippy]

I have been shooting a High Standard Victor --every bit as accurate/nice as the S&W 41, except the fact Std Vel ammo ONLY--The Ruger MkII and III are really hard to beat.
Never shot the Browning's but have seen some good shooters

Jim

 

[hpshooter]

The go to .22 semi-auto in our safe is the 5 1/2 inch Mk II Ruger with a red dot on it.
There are quite a few options in the safe including SW 41, High Standard 101's and 102's, Woodsmans, and a few older 1911's set up for .22.

The Ruger is dependable as a rock, accurate as anything else in the safe, feeds anything I have ever put in it and won't break your heart when it gets that first range scratch on it. No problems with its looks, its performance makes up for any aesthetic appeal it may lack.