Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Won't be long now...

Well, I got the ball rolling on writing the test and doing the paperwork to get a handgun. Here in Canada you can challenge the exam or take a 1-day course followed by a 50 question multiple choice and practical component exam. I figured that I can look over the book ahead of time over the holidays and write the exam sometime next week. Then 20-30 days for the application to be processed and I will be a legal handgun owner.

So, now that I am getting certified I wanted to get some opinions on a good .22 handgun to start off with. I need it to be something relatively cheap as my wife doesn't want me to drop much cash on it. But I need to balance that with my desire for comfort/ergonmics and accuracy. I posted a little while ago about a Hi-Standard HB that is advertised at a local gunshop in my price range. Any others that I should keep my eyes open for? Pistols or revolvers, doesn't much matter at this point. Thanks.


SS

My most used and current favorite .22 is a Browning BuckMark Standard model. Relatively inexpensive, very accurate, and to me fits my hand very much like a 1911. It lives in my truck.
BuckMark

Ruger Single Six is nice.

BMT

Quite a few and I don't think you're going to go wrong with any of them.

I'm not sure what your budget is but here are some I either have or want:

Ruger Single Six (SS) .... currently own.
Ruger Mk II (SS) .... currenty own.
S&W (don't know the model #, but it has the 9-shot cylinder and is DA) ... WANT to own.

Heard good things about the Buckmark, but I liked the Ruger mo-better.

But If I were looking for just one and on the cheap ... I would might consider one of the Taurus' 22 revolvers.

Ruger mark II bull barrel.
tom

I've had a couple of Mark II's, but sold them when I got the BuckMark. The Browning just fit my hand so much better. To each his own.

I have a S&W 617, but mine's the older 6 shot model instead of the 9 shot version. Very accurate, I used to shot indoor silhoutte with it. With a 6 inch full underlug barrel, it gets a little heavy in the holster for all day woods bumming.

I also have a 4 inch Taurus 941 (???). Nice, but the size is a bit small if you have large hands. The sights are fairly small too for precise shooting.

What makes are available in Canada...I've been there a few times but never to a gun store....

Me, I like S&W revolvers...a 4" .22 would be nice.

Bob

I like the Ruger Mark's too for reasonable priced and lots of fun. Down here we can pick up some good deals used. You may not have that ability up there. A used 22 is typically has few issues if it appears well taken care of. Best wishes!

Being new to handguns, I can't say that I have ever noticed what handguns are available here. I know we have S&W, Colt, Beretta, Browning, Para-Ordinance, Taurus, and Ruger, but I can't remember ever seeing a Kimber or H-K. I'm sure the availabilities are very similar, but there may be some missing from my side.


SS

Well there you go ... get a Kimber 1911 and the 22lr conversion kit to go along with it!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

S&W Mod 17 K-22. Accurate and as dependable as a stone axe.

Like I said, I have never seen a Kimber around here...


SS

Sam

Lot of good advise so far. Here's my two cents. S&W M617.
10-shot high quality da revolver. Second choice stainless Ruger Mark III 5" bull barrel.

Good shooting!

Okay, I have done some more looking around based on what was said here. I found a private sale Buck Mark Silhouette for $300 CAD in "very good" condition. I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know what condition it is in for sure. Any experience with this model of the Buck Mark? Is that a good price? Anything to check for on it if/when I go see it? Thanks


SS

I agree I have both guns that Avagadro mentioned. I especially like the Ruger Single Six because of the extra Magnum cylinder, it just give you a litle more power and distance. The Mark II is nice I have the Polymer frame one 22/45 with the 5-1/2" bull barrel I really like. I think the one Smith he is talking about is the 317 which is really light and nice (I'd like to have one to but expensive). I've also got a S&W Model 18 VERY NICE but hard to find. I've got a Ruger Bear Cat they are pretty handy and lite not exactly for precise target shooting, and I have a S&W Model 651 22 Mag revolver. That is very nice also. Oh the S&W 34 (blue) or 63 (stainless) are very nice. They are referred to as "kit guns" they are a good size for your kit. But the taurus is a good price point revolver I don't have one but I would own one if I didn't have the others. Good Luck in your search.

To add a couple, I also have a S&W 22S ... I cannot comment on it since I haven't shot it ... TLee speaks highly of them ... I bought it b/c it was $125 and should be a fun plinking gun. My Mk II is also the 5" bull barrel also (they seem to be popular for a real good reason), and I just love the way it feels!!

CJ just reminded me of another that I really really want to add to my .22 collection ..... the BEARCAT!!! I've had the chance to hold and handle one of them, but never shot one. I think it would be the cats nutz for plinkin' fun b/c it so small and light, and would be great for my wife when we go to the range or go twig/stump shooting!!

I have a prefer my 5" bull barreld MKII, but have shot many thousands or rounds through dads HD and HB high standards, as well as the cheap Semi auto S&W's and all are a joy and plenty accurte for plinking and small game hunting. I also have a Ruger bear cat witht he interchangeable cylinders that istoo small for my hands but the kids love it and a COlt New Frontier SA revolver with the 22 LR and WMR cylinders

Ruger MK-III.... You'll love it.

I bought my Ruger Single-Six in 1964. I still shoot it almost every week.

Perhaps a lot depends on what sort of handgun you prefer, revolver or semi-auto, and if this is going to be a first handgun to complement something similar in a larger caliber.

My own preference in a .22 is one of the aforementioned "kit" guns; smaller frame revolvers like the S&W Mod 63, the one I had (traded it off for a 20 gauge for my son) being a good understudy for my similarly-sized .357 Mod 60. I would also consider something similar in a Taurus were I in the market for another .22 handgun.

Personally I don't care much for the Buckmark/Ruger type of semi-autos, finding them a bit big for the caliber. Being single-action too neither makes a good understudy to anything but a 1911, Hi-Power, or similar single-action auto. When introducing new folks to pistol shooting too the hammerless single action type of these guns makes me a tad nervous. I will allow if you want to do some serious target/marksmanship work either a Buckmark or Ruger would fit the bill.

Stay away from stainless bull-barrels, I had a Ruger 10/22 like that once and it was way too bright in the Texas sun. Also I would think twice about buying a discontinued model as a first gun (Like that Hi-Standard??), excellent as some may be. If it breaks the wait for a part could seriously impede your range time.

Birdwatcher