Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Favorite 22 handgun

What's your favorite 22lr either revolver or semi. I don't currently have a 22lr handgun and need to remedy that. Looking for something my 15-year-old son and I can practice handgun skills with and just have fun shooting in general.

Hard to choose a favorite but its one of these 4

Spoil him with something good. And don't forget the suppressor if it really is 'fun shooting' you're after.....

My favorite .22 auto is my Ruger 22/45 and revolver is my S&W 617. Honestly, its hard to go wrong with the Ruger MK IV. Lots of configurations to match your taste/preference, lots of support, and just like the day I left the magazine to a MK IV on the bench when I went to work, at lunch when I hit the indoor range, they had magazines that didnt cost an arm and a leg there ready to go.

My wife on the other hand, loves my M&P 22 Compact. I find it a good gun, but not as nice or accurate as the Rugers.

Ruger MK series is the easy button. Pick your flavor from basic blued to race tricked they are all out there. The MK IVs are nice and have a very easy takedown system. Other good ones that should also be considered are the Browning Buckmark series, S&W Victories, and vintage High Standards.

If you're after a striker gun for cheap training of your centerfire pistols look at the Sig P322, S&W M&P, Taurus TX22 and Ruger SR series.

Ruger MKii,
Glock 44
Colt King Cobra (6)

The Colt will be a heirloom someday.

Colt Diamondback.Best revolver Ive ever had.

Bad news is finding ( and affording) one today.

A prewar Colt Woodsman has been my constant companion for nearly 4 decades. All milled steel and walnut. No plastic, aluminum, cast or MIM. yet quite light weight. If I was to recount the deeds this little Cold has performed, I would be called a liar. Suffice it to say, my freezer has been filled several times when armed with the Colt.

My Browning Challenger, bought new in 1968. It was and is a fine and accurate .22 LR.

L.W.

Favorite semi-auto is a Ruger Mark IV, but it desperately needed a Volquartsen accurizing kit to have even a half decent trigger.

Favorite revolver is a 4" S&W 617.

Recently bought a Ruger SP101 .22 and am still working with it, but the Smith is clearly the superior revolver. The factory trigger is slightly heavier than needed but it's still good to go right out of the box. If you want to, you can get a lighter trigger rebound spring from Wolff which will lighten it up noticeably. It's not hard to swap out at all and the only tool you need is a screwdriver to remove the sideplate and a cheap ball point pen to remove and replace the spring.


For the stated purpose I'd recommend the S&W.





Here's a good video explaining the trigger rebound spring swap, it's good to watch the whole thing but the spring swap starts at about 1:25:

For me it’s the Hammerli Trailside. Love the Ruger mark line as well. If budget is no option than volquartsen mini mamba with a suppressor.

Not the best/most precise/most awesome...

Favorite...?



Yep.

The "ugly ducklin'"

Woods companion for countless Seasons.




GR

If you own other Glocks, try a G44 .22. Mine has been flawless with high velocity LR ammo. And if it you get a lemon, Glock will fix it. At 15yds. you could hit a squirrels head with mine.

Unit 1 or my Kadet are the only ones I care to shoot anymore

Ruger Mark 2 or Smith and Wesson model 17

I have gone many years with just a S&W Model 63. A few years back my sister gave me an old Colt Challenger. I don't think I have even shot it yets. End of last year I picked up a Tactical Solutions PacLite. It's ok, but I still prefer a revolver.

Smith 63 4"

That is a good question. The one I don't have .. yet? I really like the 5.5" heavy barreled Ruger Mk II-III-IV. Also a 6" K-frame, classic, not the full-lug. An accurate Bearcat that shot to point of aim would be good. Same for one of the 4" S&W J frames.

My favorite is this old M63...


But I bet your son would rather shoot something like a Ruger LITE with a dot...

Favorite is the 617-10 in my avatar. But the Mark II Govt, Mark IV Lite are right behind it.

...favorites...tough one...

Double Action Revolver: S&W Model 18...have one that was made in the mid-1960s. Super smooth action job, red-ramp front sight and a fitted .22 Magnum cylinder...


Semi-auto: Beretta 87 Cheetah...just wonderful DA, good SA...slim and easy to carry.


Single Action: Freedom Arms 97...mine has a 5.5" barrel and extra .22 Magnum cylinder...


Just so many great guns out there....if I only had one .22 left it would be the Model 18.

Bob

I've owned 2 of the very best and have sold them before they got as expensive as they are now. I foolishly sold a model 41 S&W and a combat master S&W revolver. I forget the designation now.

I was considering a Ruger Mark? Ya'll seem to like the IV. I do own Glocks and thought about one of those in 22 but I wasn't just in love since my Glocks are a 36 and 43X. I've owned 19's and 17's but traded them.

I wish S&W would make their bodyguard 2.0 in 22lr. A small but still big enough to have fun with 22 appeals to me. I handled the Ruger LCP2 in 22 but I didn't want it for fun range use.

I thought about one of those Walther 22's that looks like a PPK but the new Arkansas models seem to be crap and an original is $$$.

I would like something under $500 or real close if it was really special. I wish I could buy another model 41 S&W.

Tough decision but probably this Colt.

Heavy 22/45 is likely the most fun for pure accuracy. I have to keep it fairly clean though and takedown is irksome.

Glock 44 is a lot of fun to burn through ammo with. It's nice to have holsters for it already. Light and a lot of fun with some carryover to the G19/23.

Lately the 3" LCRx has been shot and carried a lot. Double action is pretty heavy, single action isn't light but is tolerable. I like the overall package for fun shooting and bumming around. It and the snubby LCR .22 make me a better revolver shooter.

I would have to say my Browning Buckmark. Not sure how many cases of ammo i’ve put through mine , but it’s quite a few. It is very reliable, has a great trigger, and highly accurate. For 27 years we’ve gotten along great.

I’ve been pretty happy with my Ruger Super Wrangler. It’s been accurate enough and the 22 WMR option is nice. Built every bit as durable as the Single Sixes as the Supers have a steel frame and I suspect it’ll last forever. Only real gripe is it’s as heavy as a centerfire, but it hasn’t been an issue for me really. Great buy for what they’re currently selling for. Not as pretty as a Single Six but for a working gun it can’t be beat.

I have an old Colt 1911 with a 22 conversion slide I purchased from Gunbroker. It runs flawlessly with any ammo I have thrown at it and is a lot of fun to shoot. I also have a brand new Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lite that shoots very well. The grandkids like the Ruger better. I think the Colt has a bit more panache.

Here is one on Gunbroker. Mine is blued.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1084709341


And, of course, this is the Ruger. Pick your pretty, vibrant color. LOL

Taurus TX-22 Gen2

I have two, a Ruger Single six,5.5 stainless with the 22 mag cylinder installed., And a Ruger VI 22/45 5.5 blued. Those two are all I could want or need.

Colt Peacemaker, with twin cylinders, 22 and 22 mag.

I’ve gone through several .22 and .22 mags over the years, but I’m down to just two rimfire handguns now.

My favorite for its versatility (shoots all varieties of .22 ammo) and just plain cool factor is my old S&W 63-2 4”.
It’s a great training tool for teaching new shooters. I’ve killed bunch of ground squirrels and grouse with it. Works well with snake shot,too. It wears pachmyr gripper grips and I installed a white outline rear sight.


2nd up is my SR22 from Ruger. It’s really reliable little autoloader. I run CCI mini mags through it as a general rule.
It has a decent trigger and I enhanced the front sight with some fluorescent paint. It’s a light, easy carry gun and just plain fun to shoot.

My Smith & Wesson 22A-1, it’s a tack driver. Although I would like to have a Ruger Single Six with both cylinders. 22LR/22Mag.

This one...





I've had this one for 35 years. Once I became familiar enough with its innards, I began working on the trigger pull. I fabricated an overtravel stop and installed it which probably required about ten cycles of disassembly and reassembly. Maybe more. Then I set out to eliminate the creep. I took it nice and slow and went through an estimated 40 to 50 cycles of disassembly and reassembly. Once I got it where I wanted it, I stopped. I remember doing this on a camping trip up on the Little Lost River in the early 90s.

I need to get this one out and shoot it. It has been a while, and I don't even recall ever having determined what ammo it likes best. That's on the schedule now.

I picked up this Ruger this past year and it is probably my most “fun gun” to date.

A Tandemkross trigger kit recommend by ‘Stick made all the difference.

Pretty fond of my Ruger Mark II. Would love to have an S&W 617 in a 6” barrel. memtb

I live in flyover country now, but my roots are in New Orleans. Carried on a "may-issue" permit a long time ago:



I put hundreds of rounds a week through that gun. I pulled it out of the safe and gave it a try a couple of years ago. Still fun now.

Pretty good. Those aren't the easiest to shoot quickly

Dang, a dozen+ of them here & I can't name one. I love 22 pistols I do, but nothing seems to rise above them all,,,, have I failed? Maybe a quest to buy & try more?

It is deceptively easy. No recoil. The first shot in that video was fired double action. Head shots at 50 feet are not that hard.

By far my favorite is my Freedom Arms Model 97 in .22LR / .22mag. Premier grade, of course.

I’ve had mine for 35 years also. Bought it when I was 21 for around $200. I took mine apart and smoothed up the internals too,at the farm kitchen table.

I have several, and they all have their place. It'd be hard to choose just one.

My Browning Buckmark Camper has been flawless. It's plenty accurate. I wish it was threaded. If it was, and I had to go with just one 22 handgun, this would be the one.
I bought a cheap GSG 1911. It's great with full power ammo, but is picky with sub-standard.
I have Glock 44 with a threaded barrell. It has been perfectly reliable unsuppressed but is picky about sub-sonic with the suppressor mounted.
My Taurus 942 revolver may be my favorite. It has a decent single action trigger. It is a lot of fun with CB longs. No noise and if I do my job, it's accurate.
My Ruger Charger doesn't really count as a handgun.

That's good shooting!

I like all the ones I currently have. They're all balls-on accurate. My problem is I don't give them enough love or carry time. I occassionally put one in my pack when I'm deer hunting in case the urge to switch over to squirrel hits. I carry my Browning most. Mostly though, they go to the range a couple times a year. Now that I'm getting older, they are becoming more appealing again. And now that I wear glasses full time, the sights arer easier to see. I've thought about using the Ruger Single Ten on fall turkeys. Up close it would be perfectly adequate, and they tend to get close in the fall, and less wary.

My M-63 no dash. My son bought it for me as a retirement gift. I installed the Hogue grips. I installed some end shake washers. My Ruger stainless MKll 5.5" bull barrel is a close second. I've killed a few squirrels with it.

The only 22 handgun I own.

1953 K22, Ruger 6 1/2" Super single six, Colt second model Sport Woodsman, Ruger MKI (the real MarkI, not the standard).

I have an old Smith and Wesson k22 6 inch that's probably my favorite. I have pre lock 617 4 inch that is pretty close.

I have several. My favorite is an old 5 screw K. Bought from my old trap shooting buddy. Also a couple other Ks but they don't get much use. Also a couple single six s. One with a9 1/2 " barrel. I carried one just like it for 25 years, mostly as a truck gun foolishly sold it and a 4 5/8 replaced both. A 2" kit gun is also on top of my list as I often put in in my pack or holster for forest grouse. I have had it the longest of any of my current crop. Only on auto a Ruger heavy barrel, I bought it years ago at a trap club in Az. Never shot it much, but it is a dandy.

I am in exactly the same boat, but I get by with a Browning Challenger III and a dam Ruger

Regrettably I don’t have one right now, but a New Bearcat was my constant companion for several years. Easy to carry despite its all-steel construction. My last one shot to point of aim, not always the case. I replaced it with a S&W M63 3”, another good one, for the double action and extra two rounds. Only downside of that is that technically it’s not legal here for hunting, 4” being the legal limit. A case could be made for adding the cylinder length in, and if I ever get caught that’ll be my “story”.

Another favorite is my Victory, with a Tandemkross trigger, slide loop, and FastFire mount, inspired by Don’s guns. I’ve let some others try it out and all were really impressed with how easy it is to hit with. I suppose if limited to one, it’s be that one, good for everything, if a bit heavy.

My constant companion, even in my comfy pants sitting on the couch, is a Ruger LCP2. That one almost got tossed in the Shenandoah because it just wouldn’t consistently function, even after a trip back to the factory and considerable futzing with by me. I finally fixed it by grinding off the empty magazine detector tab and now it works all the time, even after months of riding in my pocket. It saved my bacon last week when a stray Cane Corso came for me in my yard but ran off after I cracked one into the dirt, thankfully😥. Never go unarmed!

I bought one of those in 2023 when they had a rebate. Cute gun, but the slide cut my hand unless I shot it with my left. It also held fewer rounds than my LCP2 and was less reliable. Still think they’s very cool, just not for me.

Hands down my S&W model 41, mine is the shorter heavy barrel. Got it at a gun show back about 1990. It shoots lights out with CCI SV, but handles CCI subsonic HP perfectly well for small game.

I used to shoot high velocity stuff in it all the time, it really did well with an old brick of the Winchester Super X hp for example, only about 150 rounds left of that. But I'm not going to beat it up anymore, that's what the 2 Ruger Mark ll are for. One has a red dot Burris on top, I'm seeing if I like it over the open sights as my eyes aren't what they once were

Also have an old S&W model 18-3 that I really enjoy pulling out and bouncing tin cans around with. Killed a Montana mule deer with it, one well placed hollow point thru the ear hole & DRT. I was in the thick stuff and couldn't get my 270 off my shoulder, wouldn't recommend it as a regular practice thou.


41

I have a number of fine .22 pistols. If I had to go with just one, it would be this '60's vintage Kit Gun. It's handy, it's accurate and I can shoot it pretty well. The larger S&W grips are more comfortable than the smaller ones that come with the gun.

DF

Ruger Single 10, Browning Challenger II, Buckmark, Ruger Charger with binary trigger..
All fun to shout

Jim, we have a II and two III’s, I put the Volquartsen trigger kits in all three……WOW, what an improvement! 👍 memtb

Agree and not that hard to install.

DF

RHClark: PLEASE let me have JUST three "favorite handguns"!
#1: Ruger MK-II heavy barrel all stainless Target model with 5 1/2" barrel and "red-dot" sight. I have killed Ground Squirrels out to 75 yards with this rig (lasered ranged and shooting off of window bags). Favorite to shoot afield for Varmints!
#2: Smith & Wesson Model 63 all stainless revolver with 4" barrel. I carry this in Grouse and Rattlesnake country and general "woodsloafing" duty. Favorite to carry!
#3: Smith & Wesson Model 17-4 revolver with 8 3/8" barrel - new unfired in the box. This revolving "22 handgun" just looks super-cool and feels great in my hand! Plus it has greatly appreciated in value since I bought it new 48 years ago (1977). Favorite to fondle!
#4: (Runner-up!) Smith & Wesson Model 617-1 with 8 3/8" barrel - just a super cool revolver that also shoots and looks great.
Long live "22 handguns".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I kinda want a Ruger LCR 22 that holds 8.

Well, I currently have 3 that I'm fond of.

A newer 3" S&W 63 with some nice Altamont grips. I dreamed of owning one for decades but never got around to it until a few years ago. By then they had stopped making the 4" model and used ones were starting at $700+, so I settled for a brand new 3" model for less money. I don't shoot it as accurately as I'd imagined I would reading gun magazines when I was a teen, but the main drawback is after a box or two of ammo, I need to run a brush through the cylinder or I start having trouble getting rounds in the chamber. And that's been with every .22 lr revolver I've owned.

Second one is a Ruger MKIII 22/45 Lite. I love this one. Other than a dud round once in awhile, I never have trouble with it. It's light, reliable, accurate (sub 1" groups at 25 yards with a scope), and with a suppressor is an absolute blast.

My latest one is the one I'm really having fun with.. a Ruger LCP Lite Rack. After painting the sights so I can see them, I can't believe how accurately I can shoot this tiny little thing. It's a little finicky about what ammo you feed it though; I've played with 7 or 8 different types so far and am up to nearly 95% success rate with two of them. A couple of early choices were running about 50%. I have 4 more new ones to try the next time I take it out. I just wish they offered it with some bigger sights like my LCP "Custom".

TAG

My 651 S&W .22 WMR is my favorite. It is with me most of the time I am in the woods.

I have its partner in a 63 but I only use it for plinking and sage rats.

I bet that’s a noisy sucker.

DF

My first rimfire handgun was this M63 bought in 1977 when they came out. Of course my Mother had to pick it up as I was 16. Still have the box and paperwork.

S&W K22.

Here's another fav of mine. A pre-War Colt Officer's Model Target with Python grips. I have the originals, but like these better. It's as slick as a Python (similar action with "V" springs) and is super accurate, maybe edging the classic K-22, which I also have with 8 3/8" barrel. It's a keeper.

DF

Browning Buckmark I’ve had for 30+ years. I learned how to shoot a handgun with it.

Growing up, I knew my grandad had a couple of handguns. I didn't even know what they were when I was little, but I knew I wanted to shoot one in particular. It was a Colt Woodsman Sport 2nd Issue with a 4-inch barrel. I remember getting the opportunity to fire that one when I was about four years old---with heavy supervision and help holding it pointed in the right direction of course. That was in the late 50s. I rarely ever saw the gun after that. Fast forward to the early 80s...my uncle talked my grandfather into sending the gun back to Colt to be refinished. It wasn't real bad, but it was definitely worn looking. when it came back, it looked brand new. It was gorgeous. I don't recall my grandad taking it out to shoot it after he got ity back---he just was nnot into shooting for fun.

He passed on in the early 90s, and he had four firearms to be distributed to certain male heirs: the Woodsman, a Marlin 336 he'd been given for Christmas by employees, a 3-screw 4-5/8" Blackhawk in .357 which my uncle had talked him into buying, and a Winchester Model 12. I was one of the four eldest male descendants and ended up with the Model 12 (which is really far more a family heirloom than any of the other guns, as it turns out). My other uncle who was the eldest wanted the Woodsman and he got it (we ALL coveted the Woodsman), which is a shame because he's an anti-gun commie who thinks only he should be allowed to have a firearm. The last time I saw that pistol, back in about 2008 or so, it was completely trashed. It looked far worse than it did when my grandad sent it to Colt in 1980, which pisses me off to no end to this day. I haven't spoken to that uncle in about 10 years and doubt I ever will again.

Anyway, since I knew I'd never get my hands on that particular Woodsman I did the next best thing and found one for my very own. It's not in collector shape and that suits me fine because I want it for shooting. I've had the danged thing for about five years and still don't even know what ammo it likes (just like that Ruger Mk. II I've already posted here), but since I've decimated my long gun collection and am concentrating on handguns these days I intend to find out and then offload a bunch of rimfire ammo I have accumulated. I'm still shooting rifles, but shooting them at paper just doesn't do it for me anymore. They're for killing hogs. Handguns are for fun!

I shot competition for years with my MKII Rugers and they will always be my favorite. However, I bought A TX22 gen 2 late last fall, and I can't put it down. It is crazy accurate and feels way good in my broad hand. I ordered another one to put in the skid steer. There are kinds of critters living in the log piles.

A 6-inch K22 will always be around. I only have one now-a 17-3 that's a long-time favorite.
Bob

My current K22 Fav (top) with a 5-inch 10-5.

Just picked up this one. I will be shooting it tomorrow…

My first a ued 4 digit single six flat gate 5.5 in barrel , I was 13 and saved my lawn cutting money (gun is stil in my mons name). It was $53 out the door 1970 dollars, I was looking for a Bearcat as that was the first handgun I ever shot guy at the shop said they were hard to get (have 2 now a new model and a 1963 vintage)@67 I've put thousands of rounds through it only part that ever broke was the ecector rod thumb pice
Carried it on many Deer and bird hunting trips , my oldest grand kid will get it some day she 19 and always wants to take it out when we go and #2granddaughter 16 wants my wifes 1955 vintage of the same gun now I have to figure what to give the last 3. I have currently 7 22 handguns and had others including a colt Dimond back 4 in that someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse but that first one my granddaughter will have to wait til I can't pull the trigger anymore.

Chris

Who made the holster for the Ruger?

My favorite and now only is a 22/45 MKIV Tactical Solutions Paclite. I always preferred the Rugers but just always hated having to break them down for cleaning which 22’s require a lot of if you’re shooting them often. The redesigned system of the MKIV variant makes it a breeze. The Tacsol is super lightweight and accurate. Combined with a TBAC 22 suppressor it’s always mine and everyone else’s favorite pistol to shoot.

I’ve sold all of my other 22 pistols except for a Ruger convertible that was my grandpas but I don’t shoot it.

I don't find it that bad. In the woods I might only shoot a few shots a week. Mostly grouse and cottontails. Snakes in warm weather.

On the Ruger website, made by DeSantis...

https://shopruger.com/Mark-Series-22_45-Lite-DeSantis-Woodsman-Belt-Holster-RH/productinfo/55378/

I favored this'un today.....

Picked this up last year. Had read about how they were essentially hand-built, similar to the Registered Magnum, and that S&W may have made them to keep their skilled workers busy during tough times.

First Model Outdoorsman, early 1930s, factory refinished in 1953.



Don’t shoot it often, and with SV ammo when I do. Hasn’t been in the woods yet, but who knows? Clocked some RWS SSHPs from it at under 800fps!

gnoahhh tells me the Colts edge out the Smiths a bit, but he’s pretty old and has some odd notions…😜

I've always like those. My bud has his Dad's with 6" barrel.

Those are a lot of performance for their cost.

DF

Maybe us old farts deserve some respect....

Ha!

I have the same "odd notion" about those vintage Colts; they'll give a good Smith a run for the roses.....

He could be right... Can't bet too much against him or those old Colts... Both have stood the test of time and are still around, kicking pretty high...

DF

Have always admired those, read good stuff about them.

Just never had one. Let us know how it performes.

DF

Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lite with a few mods.

It’s fast to shoot, accurate enough and very reliable.
I’ve had several of the older standard, MK I, MK II’s but this one just edges them out

Took it out yesterday for some gopher shooting. Just a few turns of adjustment on the sight and this gun is incredibly accurate. You could easily shoot bottle caps with this gun…

Pappy’s S&W Outdoorsman is really a prize. Beautiful revolver.
I have 5 .22 handguns, my favorite at the moment is my S&W M17-3 from 1971. Smooth and accurate with just about any ammo.

My model 17 Smith & Wesson!

New grips

All these 17s are nice, and giving me ideas.

You guys are dangerous.

I likey, laps.... Details?

A very attractive feature of a .22LR revolver, is its ability to function with whatever will fit in it. It’s truly S, L, or LR capable.


One shot, one kill, at about 7 yards.

Set up appropriately, a .22LR revolver can deliver the goods to 50 yards:

Thanks Don! Details below.


Browning Buck Mark

Magnum Research Carbon Fiber barrel

https://www.mikesgunshoptn.com/part...-buckmark-22lr-7-thrd-carbon-fiber-112oz


Hogue grips

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009KR8TYS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title




Vortex defender 3 moa

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Defender-CCW-Micro-Sights/dp/B0BYF8RZF7?th=1