Thinking of getting one. I'd like to stay around $500 or less.
Ruger, Browning, S&W, other? What would you pick and why?
I would be mounting a red dot reflex sight.

Hard to go wrong with Ruger or Browning. Browning is fairly accurate. Ruger is built like a tank. Heard good things about SW Victory but they are ugly to me.

Ruger SR -22

go threaded..... thank me later

Yep.

ugly is, as ugly does.....

beauty is, as beauty does.....

functional.....

Hunts, is that Tandemkross mount an improvement over the pic rail?
I'm kind of leaning S&W after checking out some reviews.

I'd hate to be a small furry animal anywhere near your place!

yes

S&W 2206

I have a threaded SW22 Victory, but have a owned a few Buckmarks and Ruger Marks.

The Victory still looks ugly as hell to me. Not a fan of the tack/plug welded ejector, the sheet metal "receiver", or plastic buffer, but the trigger is better than the Rugers and Brownings that I have owned. Mine fails to eject and double feeds on occasion, but I've tweaked the ejector and just need to try it out. It shoots dang good though.

Not a fan of the takedown for the Browning or the plastic buffer (similar to the Victory). In theory that is. Never had an actual failure or issue with one.

If I had to do it all over again, I think I'd just stick with the Marks. I'd like a stainless 22/45 but it doesn't look like they make one now.

Ugly with FF3 and zombie grips.

I like those grips!

My Marks were II-versions and I haven't owned the III or IV, but my buddy brought his new Mark IV Comp rat shooting. It's a sweet shooting pistol, but he did replace the trigger with a VQ. And new grip panels.

He whacked this sage rat at 25 yards. I just shot rocks with it.

First time I made a purchase on E-t-s-y!

Does the Mark IV takedown easier than the earlier ones?

Much easier. Just push the button and the thing practically falls apart in your hands.

But...the other disadvantages of the IV make the II the best choice.

Takedown and reassembly of the pre-MarkIV pistols is exaggerated. It's a piece of cake, if you simply remember what to do.

Never should have sold my Mark II pistols. But the 22/45 had the molded grip frame, which I think sucked. Now there are people making grip panels for it and you just need to D/T the grip frame for them. Recall that the 22/45 MKIII has removeable grip panels that the 22/45 MKII didn't.

Another minor complaint with the standard MKII is the heel mounted mag release. I have no issue with that location, but I was shooting my standard MKII so much that when I shot my centerfire pistols I would try to thumb the heel, when those centerfires have thumb-position mag releases. Not good, but I suppose more training would help.

I'd have no issue with the new Mark IV, but I wouldn't just buy it for the takedown feature.

Could you please share what you feel are the disadvantages of the Mark IV?

I am extremely pleased with my MK IV standard pistol I bought a month ago. A friend bought the S&W auto and it has had feeding and extraction issues which were finally straightened out after 2 trips to the factory(it should have never left). My brother has a Mk II and never an issue . Browning Buckmark is a very nice pistol as well. Those would be my choices.

I have both a Buckmark and a MKIV, both threaded lightweight models. The Browning has a nicer trigger than the Ruger out of the box but that's about the only plus for it. My MKIV has proven more reliable, easier to operate and clean and I was able to set it up with an RDS to co-witness the sights.... a BIG plus for me. The pic rail on the Buckmark necessitates a higher RDS mount, which I have a hard time using, and makes racking the slide a bit more difficult. Granted mine is an older model without the "ears" on the rear of the slide and won't accept a Tandemkross charging ring.

MKIV's are good guns for sure, but they are not superior to MK II's. Yes, the disassembly is way easier, but taking down a MKII has never been a problem for me (no worse than a 1911) so I don't see the MKIV push button has a significant selling point. However, I get that the disassembly/reassembly of earlier models is NOT fun for the vast majority of their owners. The push button is THE major selling feature of the MKIV. But...

MKIV triggers are HEAVY! Out of the box, the three I've tried are likely in the 8 lb range. For $130+ dollars you can solve that with a Volquartsen Accurizing Kit, which also also eliminates the idiotic magazine disconnect--another "feature" you won't find on a MK II.

Reassembling a MKIV two piece safety is an adventure. Also, when shooting, some people are reporting that the safety lever sticks out too far on the MKIV. That safety lever is unnecessary.

Nor am I a fan of the fragile finish on the blued MKIV's, or the aluminum lower (on some MKIV models, not all), or the way the upper rattles (on many guns, the upper and lower don't mate up well. It doesn't affect functionality; it just rattles. Like an AR 15.)

The MKIV does has an improved mag release. The one I tried was pretty cool. You can hold the gun with the grip pointed up and when you press the mag release, there is a spring that pushes the mag. It will actually lift the mag about 1 1/2 inches up in the air. When the mag well is pointed down, like when you're shooting, pressing the mag release makes the mag blast out of the mag well! If you need rapid mag changes, the MKIV smokes the MKII. I just don't know how many people need quick mag changes on a .22lr pistol.

IMHO, dollar for dollar, you get a better gun for MKII money.

Buckmark - only had one and only for a short time but it was a good pistol.
- Trigger was decent, "better" than any out of the box Ruger Marks I've owned but not head and shoulders better.
- They make them in more variations than Ruger which is saying something.
- The grip panels are used to hold springs and things so if you take them off be careful to keep track of what falls out.
- Looks like about half of the models offered come with some type of rail already mounted so putting a dot sight on wouldn't be a problem Bonus is that the rail doesn't interfere with the rear sight.

Ruger Marks - Waders covered those well but I'll add a few points. I've owned about 18 of those in Mk II, III and IV so can speak with some experience.
- Rating out of the box trigger pull in order of good to bad it follows the evolution of the brand - II is better than III and III is better than IV. The Mark IV trigger is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord, you'll need an expensive trigger kit and some atonement for your sins isn't a bad idea either. The goods news is that the Volquartsen kit will improve the trigger to something very good and there are a couple of great youtube videos which show you step by step how to install it. A fellow could easily live with a II trigger and make your peace with a Mk III if you remove the magazine disconnect.
- Mounting a dot sight. The II is not drilled and tapped so mounting a rail will add the d&t expense and hopefully you know a non-hack gunsmith who can do that. The III and IV come drilled and tapped and Ruger includes a scope base with them, or if not they're cheap to buy.
- Burris makes a neat little mount for their Fastfire sights which replaces the rear sight and is super easy to install so if you go with Burris the d&t isn't needed.
- Re-assembly of the Mark II and III really isn't a nightmare but keep a few good cuss words handy for at least the first time you try it.* The Mark IV is easy-peasy, like putting an AR upper on the lower.
- I only have one Mk IV and the upper and lower halves mate well but it's good to know that some don't, something to check before buying if you can.
- I'm left handed and originally applauded the ambi-safety on the IV but its location isn't all that convenient and it got in the way of my grip so I took it off. Ruger includes a little replacement washer if you remove it.
- Like a 10/22, everybody and his brother makes aftermarket stuff for the Marks so if you've a mind to, on down the road you can customize it to your heart's content.


Having had fun analyzing these and as much as I like my Rugers, I'd recommend the Browning for a first time buyer because of the points listed - good trigger and lots of models come with a rail - it doesn't need anything at all to be a reliable, accurate pistol right out of the box.

Haven't spoken about the S&W because I've never owned one.


* more on the fabled reassembly woes of the Ruger Mk II and III. The tricky thing everybody talks about is getting the end of the hammer strut to fit into the little dimple at the top of the mainspring plunger. It can be tricky but once you learn the proper angle to hold the pistol it's really not that big of a deal. An equal or bigger issue I've seen is getting the bolt stop pin completely seated into the upper receiver before trying to swing the mainspring housing into place. On new guns that fit can be very tight so you may need a mallet to get that stop pin loose when disassembling the pistol and then again when seating it. If it's not fully seated it's impossible to mate the hammer strut with the mainspring plunger and that's where cuss words - while very helpful to one's mental health - unfortunately do nothing to seat that pin.

I have a MKIII stainless 5.5” that I bought used some years ago. It has run flawlessly, has a very good trigger and is consistently accurate. I’m usually pretty relaxed about specific features as long as the gun is well made and functions properly. It’s pretty straight forward. I just bought an NIB Buck Mark Practical for a heck of a good price but haven’t gotten it to the range yet. It seems decently built. The people I know who shoot Buck Marks like them a lot. I trust I’ll like it.

Maybe I got lucky with my MK IV but the trigger wasn’t bad, I ordered a blast shield and straight trigger from TandemKross and proceeded to shoot several thousand rounds without any hiccups.

Buck mark is a good pistol but if you shoot it a lot, you’ll need to send it to Billy Striplin for some of his work. The thing that cured me of the Buckmark was a buddy had a case separate and the open port on the left side sent hot gas through his left thumb. I never could feel comfortable thinking about that.

MK II’s and I’s are great but I’ll take the MK IV’s with the upgraded features for my uses.

Thank you to all who have responded. I appreciate the helpful information you have all provided.
It looks like whichever pistol I chose may take awhile to get as inventory is nil at the places I have checked.

Good luck in your hunt!

I hunted one down a few months ago after a buddy let me shoot my suppressor on his Mark III LITE. I was looking at Mark IV models but found an old stock Mark III threaded heavy barrel for about $100 less than a new Mark IV.

If you don’t have a 22 suppressor you should really consider spending the ~$600 on one. They make a 22 pistol stupid fun.

A red dot or reflex sight just adds to the package. My kids love mine and it’s a great trainer.

+1 0n the Ruger SR22, fun to shoot and fits the wife's hand.

another vote for ruger sr22. not the most accurate but is really handy and reliable, fills most rimfire pistol roles rather well. mine has gone through 5000+ problem-free rounds.

How noticeable will the accuracy difference be between the SR22 and a Mark IV standard or 22/45? Will it make a difference for someone who's not punching paper all the time or shooting competition?

A high round count report swings some weight, thanks for yours. Makes the sr22 a serious piece.

Had Ruger MK1 and 2,. 22/45, AMTs, High Standards.
And Buckmarks.

Old eyes suck.

Reflex sight helps. Buckmark 5.5 w new Contour SS bbl is my choice. Iron sights, my rig is a Kart slide on Colt 1911 frame.

Proly get some laughs.....I liked my POS Walther P22.
Sights sucked and no real decent rear alternative....so away it went. Shame, size and feel..... would have been a handy trail rig.

Sig Trailside Im still considering, or whatever Hammerli calls it these days

Buckmark for me.

I kick myself for never getting a Trailside.

PS- Size matters when it comes to eyes and sight radius.

Yes.

Just saw this thread. I've been meaning to contact you anyway for some sporting clays, but I've got a Ruger Mk IV 22/45 Tactical with a suppressor that you've more than welcome to try. Let me know.

For $1,000 or so you could get a SW M41.

I'd look at Armslist if I were in the market. Not to buy from out of town, but a lot of the local gun shops advertise in it. A local Ruger dealer has several varieties of new Ruger .22s, one has a Star Model F Sport, etc. One has a Ruger 10/22 pistol with a bipod. There was a lightly used S&W 41 but it sold.

The Ruger Mark series are fine guns...... So are most of the Browning Buckmarks. Have owned several of each. I do hear the S&W Victory is a good choice but have only played with them in the shops.

I like buckmark, but my colts ain't bad.