Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Which new 22lr pistol

Looking for opinions on a new 22; probably going with a pistol over a revolver but not in stone on that. I have a buck mark which is great, a h&r revolver, and a single ten. Single sixes haven't been very accurate for me even though I love them. Trading off a ruger 22/45 lite that I can't love. Uses will be plinking, something to keep on tractor/woods bumming, and occasionally small game hunting/pest eradication device. I really am liking the Browning 1911-22 and smith and Wesson victory. Leaning browning but looking for opinions. The victory is very similar to my buck mark and it wouldn't hurt to get something a little bit lighter than a buck mark. Opinions and thoughts on anything else to look at??

Ruger Mark IV

I have a 10 shot S&W 617 with a 4" barrel that I adore. Up until I found it, I thought a Ruger semi-auto would be cool. Not so much anymore. Only because the S&W keeps me happy

A tacsol barrel will lighten that bunkmarp right up.......

LCRx 3"?




Dave

If a old Dan Wesson 22lr revolver pops up, snag it. Accurate as hell and a well made piece.

Browning Buckmark Lite.

http://www.browning.com/products/fi...roduction/buck-mark-lite-gray-urx-5.html

For just plinking and enjoying, I like my Buckmark more than any other I've had. Including both revolvers and semi's, although the single six still sees a good bit of time on my hip while working outside.

I tend to carry and shoot my Ruger Stainless Bearcat more than any other these days. I believe it was a special run made by Lipsey's, as it has open sights mounted on it. I love it. It's both fun and practical.

If you don't have a S&W K-frame rimfire revolver, you're missing out. The Models 17, 18, and 48 with 4" or 6" barrels are true classics.

I have a 617, 6-shot, 6" and it is probably my least favorite S&W revolver out of the dozens that I've owned. Purchased in 2001, I'm sure that it hasn't been fired in better than a decade.

For sporting, not target, rimfire semi-autos I like the S&W 2206 with adjustable sights and prefer the 4.5" style over the 6" style for carrying afield.

I bought a Victory right after they came out. It's a fine pistol and less than $350. The Mark IV is very nice, but a good bit more money, and I'm not sure how you can be certain the ones out there for sale have had the safety update or not. Either of those would be my first choice if I were in the market for an auto. The only Buckmark I've fired had a fine trigger, but I've read they're a bugger to strip.

In revolvers, I love the K frames, but they are very heavy. I bought a 3" M63 and it's on my belt almost constantly, replacing the New Bearcat I had before. None of the S&W revolvers are cheap, though.

If you are willing to spend the bucks, I highly recommend the Beretta M87 Cheetah. I have owned many .22's, both pistols and revolvers, and this little jewel is hands down the best .22 semi-auto you will lay hands on, IMO.

Workmanship is impeccable, function is utterly reliable, sights are superb. If you can find one, used, in great condition, buy it. You won't regret the purchase.

If you decide on a revolver, the old Smith and Wesson stainless, M63, with 4" bbl. is a real prize.

Sixpack: As of last week I now own both the new model Ruger MK-IV in the stainless Hunter model with 6 1/2" heavy barrel and the Target model with heavy 5 1/2" barrel!
I have had the Hunter model for half a year now and its accurate and functions perfectly.
I got the Target model new on a killer dealer cost one of sale!
So I could not pass it up.
I have not shot the Target model enough to pass judgement on its long range (40 yards or so) accuracy but it also functions perfectly and I think the 5 1/2" Target model may fit your uses better.
I just sent my Hunter models frame back to Ruger this week for a safety recall - they promise it back in a week or two with a free magazine for my bit of trouble.
Personally I enjoy all my Smith & Wesson 22 LR revolvers (and an automatic or two!) but the new Smith & Wesson's come with the dreaded and completely un-appealing to me (as well as many other folks) "lawyer lock" in the frame!
The "lawyer lock" Smith & Wessons have absolutely NO appeal to me what so ever - although I am sure they function fine. They just won't hold/maintain/increase in value like the pre-"lawyer lock" models have - IMO.
I say go with the 5 1/2" heavy barrel Ruger MK-IV for your use!
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Great deal! Linked page says 21 left.

Very happy with my new Mark IV....I Have the dressed up version sold through Turnbull Manufacturing.

The most FUN 22 Pistol i have ever bought is my Ruger SR22.

Maybe not as accurate as a MK111, but more fun and lighter to pack all day.

Virgil B.

I'm still tossing between the GP100 or 617 6" Already have a SP101 and MkII SS so I'm not in a hurry & a new 22 handgun is own on he list a ways. So I have time, but if I find a screaming deal on a new one of etiehr flavor, I'll jump.

Smith and Wesson Victory is a great buy in a 22 pistol today. My absolute favorite is the 4 inch Colt Woodsman

Since you mentioned both "pistol" and "light" DO try out the Ruger SR22. Fun is a good way to describe it. I have a Browning Cheetah of similar dimensions and enjoy it a lot but the high cost wouldn't justify it to most folks.

Why didn't you like the 22-45?

Thanks guys for the opinions. I'm gonna look at as many as possible and see what happens.

As far as the 22/45 goes, I have the lite version and it just doesn't work for me. Not sure if it is the weight or the gun itself; just not liking it. Personally, it's a little too lite. Trying to find a good compromise between weight, accuracy and portability. I spend several days a week in the woods working as a timber cruiser on the side. Need something I will carry but works for me and is accurate too.

I recently picked up a smith and wesson m&p compact 22. The boys and I have been lovin it! Great pistol.

Reviews on the Victory have been all over the place, plus they are very front heavy to me.

For hunting it is hard to be a TC Contender with a 10" match bull barrel. But it's not a "tractor" pistol. But given what you say you already own, I the TC would be something that would really broaden your variety of options and give you something with superior accuracy.

SP101 or S&W 63 ... better trigger on the Smith, but the Ruger is a tank (maybe too much so?)

I have a Ruger Mark II, Super Single Six, and Buck Mark. I'd pick the the Buck Mark every day and twice on Sundays. Mark II would go down the road if it hadn't been a gift. Guess I should get a trigger job done on it.

I haven't fired one, but a 1911-22 would be kind of neat to try. But I think the sure thing would be another Buck Mark in another configuration - there is nothing that needs to be improved on mine. I would kind of like to try one of the short barrelled models.

The Buckmark Black Label is THE one....... And even sweeter with a tacsol barrel and suppressor......

Slapped a riflescope on it to bench and see if worthy of handgun specific optic (got it used, aint shot it yet)

A little Smith is hard to beat.

Smith Wesson Kit Gun, short barrel version, good sights, easy carry and qualty:

http://www.gunblast.com/SW_317.htm

Unless your H&R has this covered? Then, I like the idea of a 1911/22 for something a little different from what you already have. Its on my maybe future list.

These three: Ruger Mk IV, Buckmart and Liberty - is already covered in your Buckmark. In that group, I like the Mk IV stainless, but it not small or light. Not what you want to carry during farm work. Certainly not with a scope. But, I am not here to pimp my choice onto some one else.

Tried a 317, twice. Consider myself a pretty good handgun shooter and am capable of hitting a soda can offhand at 25 yards more than I miss. But just could not master the lightweight 317. No matter how much I practiced with it just could not shoot them good.
Fantastic revolver if your shots are 10-12 yards and under though.

I am always on the lookout for a nice S&W 63, would love to try one.

I had a similar experience with an early 317. Worst trigger I ever saw on a Smith. I thought it might replace my 34 --- no way. I can hit 25 yard targets with my BearCat much better than that 317.

Agreed. I failed to mention I had a newer model 63 that I wanted so bad to like. I'm a fair handgunner myself; it was simply awful trying to hit almost anything with it. So it was a no go. Wound up with a baby Browning 1911-22. I like it so far. Easy to carry but the sights suck. Had to put some paint on them to be able to see. Carries well and is fairly accurate

GSG makes a darn good 22 in a 1911 style.I bought one a few years ago,it's very accurate too.

I was going to suggest that as well. Full sized 1911 compared to the smaller Browning the OP is contemplating. Threaded barrel, but you'll need an adapter if you plan to use a suppressor. https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Ta...R-Thread-Adapte-p/ti-5020-1001-00242.htm

The light weight S&W's are a joy to carry and a chore to shoot. If you're looking for a range gun, new-production, you'll be hard pressed to beat the Ruger MK IV or Browning Buckmark or a S&W 617 or--better yet--a Ruger GP100 22lr or 4.2" SP-101. I have a 4.2" SP-101 and I prefer it to my M617's. Much depends on what you want to do. Don't buy more accuracy than you'll realistically require. The more accurate the rimfire--more often than not--the more sensitive the mechanism. I have a brutally accurate Hammerli single-shot Free Pistol designed for formal 50-meter competition. It will tolerate only a narrow range of target-grade ammunition, but what it likes, it will print within 2" at 50 yards. I would not take that pistol out for a pleasant afternoon of shooting.

Why not a real 1911 with a .22 conversion?

My dad's old Kart shoots pretty darn well.

I've got lots of .22 pistols & revolvers. My favorite is my Kimber Custom Shop 1911 in .22 LR. It's not a conversion kit, but a dedicated all aluminum .22 1911 model, except for the steel barrel. Mine will shoot sub 1" 10 shot groups at 25 yards off of a sandbag. And after thousands of rounds in the last 10 years it's never jammed or failed to fire. I think it was around $700 way back then when new.