After you've had others, shot others, talked to others. What would your choice be for best .22LR pistol for keepers?

Doubt I'll ever give my Single Six up. I've had it since I was 12 or 13 and must have shot enough critters to fill a boxcar with it. It's not the fanciest revolver in the world but it's accurate, and dependable as a gun can get.

This. Of course after playing with the SR-22 the decision is getting a lot harder. If I had a K-22 that would be my answer...

my Model 63

This. They just flat out shoot.

My 7" S&W Model 41, although the 6" K-22 is a close second.

I sure do like my Colt Diamondback 4" barrel .22 pistol....don't know if I would pay what they are bringing now tho'......

Smith and Wesson model 18.

That'd be my choice.

I'd say I'd be hard pressed to get rid of my single six, since it is the most practical, but I have been having a blast with the SR-22 I picked up. If my boys had a say the SR-22 would be staying, it's their favorite gun to shoot!

Either a Model 18 or a Model 17 Smith & Wesson. Older models.

S&W M41. The ease of interchanging barrels make it a great "one pistol" rig. I've got both 7 3/8" target barrels and a sweet, older 5" tapered field barrel.

H&R 999, though a 2 inch Smith 34 wouldn't suck.

The only 22 handgun Ive kept out of the ones ive owned, is the buckmark camper.

Pistol - Smith M41
Revolver - Smith M63

Those old H&R's are truly underrated pistols; they look ungainly as hell--just like a Webley--but they balance perfectly. I've had a semi-hankering for one in 32 H&R given the shortage of available rimfire.

I've had a Colt Officers Model Match, 22 lr, DA revolver since 1971
but never really liked shooting it as much as much as a Ruger Single-Six
or Ruger MK I, II, or III.

Or...

I like my S&W 41 but it is a little ammo sensitive. So the Ruger MK 2 is it. Hasbeen

I'd love to find a nice Woodsman like that...

Mine would be a Browning 5.5'' Buckmark. I've owned most of the available options over the years, but the Buckmark's just fit my hands better and I shoot them better than anything else.

Current Buckmark:


Most accurate .22 I've owned that I let go in a fit of stupidity:

I do not know how I ever lived without this thing.

I have a Browning Buckmark that is super accurate.

Wife has a Ruger single Six convertible (.22LR/.22WM). It's a keeper, too.

Do not want to ever let go of Granddad's circa 1940 High Standard Model C in .22 short. Been shooting it for over 55 years and still love it. Also have his High Standard Sport King Model M in .22LR, circa 1970-ish, another keeper.



Keep just one? Not likely.

Third vote for this one. Reliable and super accurate.

Single Six, I've had it the longest. 5.5" Stainless

Fully agree, the single 6 is a winner. Had mine for over 25 years without one problem..... Now if I had more $ than I needed, then the answer would be the S&W M41.

A S&W 18 or a 4.5" 2206.

A S&W 48 with six MCACE inserts would be a great choice, but you said .22LR and a .22Mag with inserts probably falls outside that criteria.

If I could only have one, I would have two...

+2 on the SR22. It's my all-time favorite 22 pistol and I've owned a bunch. Colt, High Standard, S&W, Ruger MK 1 & 11 etc.
Not the most accurate, but the most fun to shoot.
The most accurate was my Colt Woodsman Match Target, but that's another story.

Now for revolvers, I'll go with a 4" custom Single-Six that my late Brother built.

Virgil B.

Pistol: Ruger 22/45 Lite

Revolver: S&W 63

For years I would have said my ruger single 6, but after shooting a suppressed ruger 22/45 lite a lot the last 3 years.
The 22/45wins out.

+1, Saves me typing it.

Looks like a Mark II. ??
Can't b see it to good on the phone with my oldass eyes.

Beretta Bobcat

Easy one for me.



S&W 617 K22 10 shot. It's my absolute favorite handgun, and probably my favorite handgun of all time. I've had more fun just plinking, or squirrel hunting with this handgun than I have had with any other handgun. When I go shooting, there are any number of guns I may or may not take with me. But FOR SURE, the 617 is going every time.

It's a pricey .22, but every time I pick mine up, I'm so glad I dropped the money to buy it. If I had to sell everything I own, the last pistol I'd ever sell is my carry gun, but the second to the last to go would be my K-22, and very deep mourning would follow.

I promise, that's one gun you'll keep forever. Seriously stop and think...walking a gun show, when was the last time you saw a used one for sale? People who buy them keep them.

Well ain't you a sneaky SOB. That's cool right there!!

So I have my 10 shot 617 which I think is more fun than the 6 shots...at least 40% more fun. If there was no such thing as a 10 shot K-22, the revolver I'd own would be a S&W Model 18; that's IMO just the perfect DA .22lr revolver right there.

Now my 617 is a very good shooter, but I've never seen an old school 17 or 18 that wouldn't out shoot my 617, they were just made a little better. And they have 40% less chambers that could be mis-aligned. Still, the difference isn't all that big so I'm quite happy with my 617, but OH MAN, one of these days I'll grab me a model 18 just because I've been in love with them since the first time I saw one in Bob Milek's hands in an OLD issue of G&A magazine.

Jamie,

What do you use for a holster? I'm having a custom built if I can ever find the time to get it to the maker.



Travis

Flave check ur phone.

Sam, that's a heckuva good looking Model 63.

I did.

It looks somebody aborted a nylon fetus.



Travis

My Smith Model 41

I'd like to have one of those little beretta's with threads.

A fourth vote for the Ruger Mark II in stainless. I absolutely love mine and would keep it over my S&W model 17. No contest IMHO.

That would be a tough choice. I've got fairly small hands so it would be between my 5" Model 63 (not a whole lot of 'em made), or my Smith 34.

It would be tough to leave out my old Single Six Convertible that I bought from my high school physics teacher for $69 bucks in '68 AT SCHOOL!!!

I have to agree with Gungeek on this one. My 4" 617 10 shot is the cat's meow. That's not to say I don't enjoy either my 3 screw single six or the new model convertible because I do but the 617 to me is the king of the hill.

I've already got mine. It's a Kimber Match Custom Shop 1911 that's a dedicated .22 LR. It will put 10 shots under an inch at 25 yards off of a Sandbag. And it's a blast to shoot, too!

Probably one of my single-sixes by Andy Horvath

Ronnie

This is what I call perfection...

One of these two.

As much fun as the SR22 is though, when I really need to hit something, the single six is the one that would stay.....
I think anyway.

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Freedom Arms Model 97. Yeah, I have one.

The K-22 Smith I sold back around 1985, M-F'r!!!! I miss that revolver.

I have a 6" 617 6-shot and it is my least favorite rimfire handgun. I dislike it so much that it probably hasn't left the vault in the past ten years. Bought it in 2001 'cause the price, $320, made it too good to pass on.

Colt Woodsman, hands down.

Hard choice, too many good ones.
Most accuracy problems today is the junk ammo being made. But I will still stay with a Mark II and wish I still had my old Mark I.
This is 10 shots at 25 yards with my slabside mark II. Last shot was my fault.

These are the two I have left. The top gun is what I won IHMSA state with, open sights, brand new gun shooting the old, original WW Wildcat ammo, no sight settings, missed the first pig, turkey and ram and hit all shoot off chickens at 100 for 57 out of 60. I head shot squirrels to 50 yards off hand but can't see sights anymore so it got a red dot.
The swift scope on the slabside was blown up on my .475 so the replacement went on the .22, can't hold that thing steady off hand.
Stick it on bags and it will do under 1" at 50 yards. Ammo is the key.

S&W 63

I'm using a plastic molded (Kyrodex ?) That the can hangs out the bottom of right now. Works fine for casual walk or bike ride in the hills but I wouldn't use it on a harder hike, too much of the can is exposed.

What's wrong with a 422 with adjustable sights?

Not a damn thing, they are great little pistols.

Sell it to someone who will shoot it. Why do you dislike it? Is it the heavy barrel?

Great shooters, great balance, feel good in the hand. Did I mention they shoot?

Last time I took my K-22 out with a S&W 41, the 41 cut my K-22's groups in half...and my K-22's a downright decent shooter. I once made a 35 yard head shot on a squirrel with my 617 if that gives you any indication of how accurate it is. And the 41 just cleans its clock.

But to me at least, the 41 just isn't nearly as fun to shoot as the 617. I do 90% of my 617 shooting in double action; that's just fun to me.

I have a Ruger Single Six. It looks pretty tough but I don't know how well it will hold up over time. Much of the bluing is gone and it is showing a lot of wear. I got it new when I was 13, I am 66.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/..._757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

A pre war Colt Woodsman with a 6" barrel. These are made of milled steel and walnut. No plastic, mim, castings or stamped metal. Holster this in an early Heiser full flap holster and you have a gun I have carried over most of the west for the last 35 years. While escorting deer and elk hunters, it was used to finish off nearly 100 cripples. It has shot 3 flying ravens, a few fish and a few things that people will call me a liar if I told of them. Of course mine does not look like some of the nice condition guns shown. The little bluing that is remaining is thin. The checkering is worn flat, with numerous gouges. I have threatened my grandson if , when he inherits it, he ever "restores" grandpa's cridder gitter. I worked diligently to apply those dents and dings.

Ok. I'll play. Just a few of my all time favorites.

Star FM model 22 Match - Pretty Rare
Colt Woodsman - Paired with Phil Wilson B&T
Colt Trooper - Paired with Phillip Paton Custom

Love the Star, those were good pistols; feel good in the hand and shoot straight. Of course it still won't hold a candle to the Colt, which is even cooler than the Star.

Sako, that Trooper is beyond nice.

Ruger MKII target..

I was going to ask on holster then realized you probably tied it to your dong.

I am enjoying my recently acquired M34 though. An EPS holster for it is en route.

I will keep my Ruger bull barrel that I have had for twenty five years.

Sold 17, 617 six shot, 34 - all 4" pre locks. Sold HS Victor - Mitchell 4.5"
Sold a 41 - 5.5", Astra Constable, Beretta 70S, a Single Six SS shorty.
Buckmark Micro. Could be a few I've forgotten. Oh, 10" Contender.

Keepers? MK II's and a SS Browning Camper.

Venture to say a semi will shoot with if not outshoot a revolver and have more FPS if it matters. Choice is subjective to feel/fit and fun factor. Some are more accurate and reliable. Many will get it done. If you steer properly.

Thanks! I've also got the 22WM to match. Very special guns indeed.
For me, both hold sentimental value more than actual value.

BSA, have to agree. Gold Standard.

It's also the perfect zombie pistol for after the apocalypse.

50 yard head shots are certainly doable, and a Mk II or III target with a few loaded magazines on your belt and 3-4 extra boxes of bullets in your pockets wouldn't weigh you down (rule #1 - cardio) so you'd never be caught short in mass attacks...

Boring, I know. I also love my MKI target. I lucked into both of mine and it will be hard for me to give either of them up...

BSA, friend taking care of our property up north c way only has 2 guns.. 1 MK II stainless and a Ruger Hornet stainless.

I have shot everything, 41's, High standards, Buckmarks, K22's and on and on All are too good for the ammo today.
I hate to hear POOP, CLICK and CRACK when I shoot.
Long ago I had a Marlin 39 Mounty and it would do 3/4" at 100 yards all day with WW high speed, HP's. Every squirrel I shot with it was shot in the head at any distance. Most in the eye.
don't matter to me what gun you love. Finding something that shoots will be the problem.
I can't believe how poor our .22 ammo has gotten. Then the prices when you find some! I can shoot my .500 JRH cheaper.

This old thang.


DMc

+1 ...hands down favorite...next is my 317 3"

Either of my old k-22's.

Duuude!!! That thing is beyond cool. I always liked Huntsman's ivory stocked Woodsman but a short barreled King gun pegs the needle on the cool meter.

It's bitchin, but.... something cooler always comes along.

Start with a Woodsman Sport, then you think you need a Match Target, which you spend months & months looking for just the right one.

All's cool after you get it, then..., a King pops up. bye bye MT. Irony is..., the King is a customized SPORT!

I used to have a 1948 "Ace" that I really loved, but accuracy wasn't acceptable. However I still think the front sight of an original Ace is the sexiest ever.

Don's Ivory-handled Huntsman is Old School Cool! Just like him!! I swiped his grips when he wasn't looking.



DMc

Took a lot of thinking because I have a lot of "nice" very accurate .22s...so I had to ask myself what I actually use .22s for.

#1 is an understudy for a similar big bore.

#2 is training others to shoot.

#3 is a light weight trail gun when fishing, camping, woods walking and boating.

So since my "if you can only have one gun" choice was a 1911 in .38 Super, then my one .22 would have to be a 1911 .22.... Would take either a 1970s vintage Colt ACE or one of the all aluminum Kimber Target .22s. Love the workmanship of the ACE I have and it is just as accurate as the Kimber. That said the all aluminum Kimber is VERY accurate and easier for a beginner shooter to handle... Also since it isn't prone to rust would make a better trail gun and around water...

That said, IF I was able to cheat and have a .22 Conversion Unit for the 1911 then I would go with a S&W 63. I have one with a fitted .22 Magnum cylinder so it will shoot everything from Shorts to Magnums...

Bob

...nothing..especially when you add a "can"....

So the groove diameter takes a Mag in a 63?

Is that a Kings Gun Sights Co. Woodsman?

Scoped, I can shoot a Colt or S&W heavy 22 revolver better than I can can shoot a heavy Colt semi auto.

At best I can shoot a 1" 5 shot group at 25 yards.
My brother can shoot groups half that size with the same gun, right after me.
He says it is my trigger pull.
That means the revolvers are not giving me as much change with trigger pull.

I'd have to stick with my old Ruger Mark 1 6 7/8 inch tapered target model. Got it in 1978 when I was 17 years old. I may look at putting an optic on it though. For some reason the factory sights have gotten a bit fuzzy the last few years.

Dang those are old mounts. You must be old as dirt like me.

The two mounts on the Colts I made. But the 3 scopes are Bushnell phantom, the first handgun scope.

That was a great scope and it is still hard to beat. I think mine cost me about $30.
Over the years we let stuff go that we never should.

I had an Old Model Ruger Super Blackhawk drilled and tapped for Bushnell Phantom scope mounts back in the 70's. The original mounts were two upside down cone shaped pegs that screwed into the receiver like the ones on the bottom right below. The scope mount clamped down over those reverse cones.

It didn't take long for the clamps to work loose from those pegs and while I forget the exact number of shots, I do remember that on my first range session using full power .44 Magnum loads the scope "let go" over my right shoulder and landed several feet behind me.

Can't have just one, I will Keep my 4 digit Bearcat AND my Walther P-22.

Jim, brf,

Two years ago there were some new old stock Bushnell 1.2x Phantom pistol scopes on the Ebay without mounts.
The scope with a mount was worth $65.
The scope without a mount was worth $35.
The bottom rail of the Phantom is a bastard.
But the phantom scope has a big advantage over a 1" pistol scope with 1" rings, if you are ever to have a prayer of getting the handgun into a holster.
In 1995 on a gunshow table, I found a 1955 Smith and Wesson K22 with Phantom scope and modified Smith and Wesson 21 36 [K frame] holster for $250. See pic in above posts.
Over the past 20 years I have learned what a good combination this was.
So when all those phantoms got dumped, i started making non invasive scope mounts for my Colts.

There is only .0015 difference between a Long Rifle barrel and a Magnum barrel. Have had zero issues with not only the 63 but also added Model 48 cylinders to a 17 and an 18...all shoot great.

I think I have about a half dozen of those Bushnell Phantom scopes... Had them on TC Contender barrels and also my favorite Model 53 .22 Jet... Very clear tough little scope...

Bob

The Phantom's were, and are, a great scope but the weakness is the mount.

My stainless New Bearcat.

It had some problems, but two trips back to Ruger fixed it and a steel ejector rod housing from Bowen classed it up. All it needs now is to have some grooves cut in th face of the front sight to cut glare.

Unlike my previous Bearcat, this one's sights are dead on. This was actually my everyday, somewhere-in-my-pants gun until I got my lasered up 642.

When woods walking consider a long barreled auto like this one.

Carry it, chamber empty, in the back pocket barrel up and shirt out or coat over it.

When aiming reach I reach out with my other hand and steady the barrel with my finger and thumb.

I like my Ruger MK II Government Model. It's pretty accurate and very well built.

I have one also..and love it.. I'd have a hard time deciding between that and the Ruger SR22..

Either would be a good choice.

Cool. So S&W fitted cylinder ?

I have many .22's but the one I will never part with is my S&W K-22 that I've had since the early 60's. That gun and I have a history.

I am a Colt person but....
My K22 shoots smaller groups than the crosshairs are jumping around. It seems to aim itself.

Me too. The Mk gets it done. I like the 5.5" heavy barrel and can shoot it well.

Has to be one of my Single Six....love my 9.5 inch barrel buntline.