Best (new) .22lr pistol under $500 - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best (new) .22lr pistol under $500 (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 1/30/2020 6:57:36 PM EDT

I'm looking at fixed-barreled stuff (Ruger MKII-III-IV, Buckmark, S&W Victory).

-Has to be threaded for a can.
-Prefer it be under $500.

I have decided not to go with anything that mimics a full-sized handgun unless I find a deal on a used M&P22 Compact. I have a Ruger MKII but I don't want to blow $150 on getting it threaded. I have considered buying one of those slip-on set-screw threaded adapters but I don't think I'll be happy with that in the long term.

I have read positive reviews on all the major options. I'd prefer to stick with Ruger but they sort of lost me with the MKIII and MKIV. If I buy one of those I have to keep magazines separate from my MKII mags. That annoys me. So finding an older, threaded MKII would be awesome.

The Ruger Charger is too heavy to be practical, IMO. But I'd be open to other suggestions.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:00:18 PM EDT

[#1]

Ruger MK4

Attached File

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:01:38 PM EDT

[#2]

First post again.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:02:23 PM EDT

[#3]

Ruger SR22

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:02:58 PM EDT

[#4]

I have;

Ruger SR22 with a factory threaded barrel
Sig Mosquito (not recommended)
Ruger Mk.II with TAC-SOL threaded upper (my favorite)

You could also do an Advantage Arms Glock conversion upper with a threaded barrel.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:04:14 PM EDT

[#5]

FPNI. Nothing close, imo. Buckmark, I guess but Ruger, boy. Dat ass.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:05:44 PM EDT

[#6]

Glock Perfection

I’d go with a Ruger MK or browning buck mark.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:11:33 PM EDT

[#7]

CZ Kadet is the pistol you want.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:12:36 PM EDT

[#8]

Actually, Op... just use that sweet ass snub-nosed you got the other day and shoot it for probably the price of 22. I'd imagine you get ammo for free as well as the hook up on everything you ever fucking buy.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:13:59 PM EDT

[#9]

This thread is relevant to my interests...I have a Osprey Micro that needs a host...what is the hives opinion on the Ruger SR22..is it better than the M&P22?

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:14:02 PM EDT

[#10]

I have a threaded victory and love it.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:14:25 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have;

Ruger SR22 with a factory threaded barrel
Sig Mosquito (not recommended)
Ruger Mk.II with TAC-SOL threaded upper (my favorite)

You could also do an Advantage Arms Glock conversion upper with a threaded barrel.

View Quote

I also like the old MKIIs. Disassembly never bothered me and it doesn't come with all the extra safety crap.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:15:57 PM EDT

[#12]

It's still the Buckmark.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:17:02 PM EDT

[#13]

Taurus tx22

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:17:05 PM EDT

[#14]

I saw one of these S&W at the gun show last weekend, new for $330+ tax.

The comparable Ruger was $475. The LITE's were less, but I just can't make myself like them, even if they come ready to put a red dot on.

Edit: Grab a gun looks to have similar prices.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:17:27 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
First post again.

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Not even close. Buckmark is so superior to the Ruger, that's it's not even a contest to anyone who has owned both.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:17:47 PM EDT

[#16]

Two Taurus TX-22s

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:18:09 PM EDT

[#17]

My P22 never fails. I did go through it with the P22 bible, but it was more about learning than it needing to be tuned.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:23:32 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
My P22 never fails. I did go through it with the P22 bible, but it was more about learning than it needing to be tuned.

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Ehh, while I have one and enjoy it, my P22 gets dirty very quickly with a can, and then it starts having issues feeding. I've been through it with the P22 bible too, and have had it since 2007.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:30:14 PM EDT

[#19]

The magazine thing is a silly reason not to go mkiv. The mkiv is really a great evolution of the original design. Mkiii was the worst of them with the stupid plastic LCI and thankfully Ruger abandoned it in the mkiv.

All that said, they are fantastic guns. Crazy accurate even with bulk pack ammo, and in my experience more reliable than any other .22lr guns I have. Keep them cleaned often though as there are additives in rimfire primers that have an abrasive effect on the bolt/chamber mating surfaces if residue is allowed to build up.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:32:15 PM EDT

[#20]

I like my Rugers allot, but really enjoy my S&W Victory with a carbon fiber barrel and my Kel-Tec CP33 has a great trigger and is very reliable when loaded using the American Speedloader.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:33:52 PM EDT

[#21]

22/45 lite

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:36:01 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
The magazine thing is a silly reason not to go mkiv. The mkiv is really a great evolution of the original design. Mkiii was the worst of them with the stupid plastic LCI and thankfully Ruger abandoned it in the mkiv.

All that said, they are fantastic guns. Crazy accurate even with bulk pack ammo, and in my experience more reliable than any other .22lr guns I have. Keep them cleaned often though as there are additives in rimfire primers that have an abrasive effect on the bolt/chamber mating surfaces if residue is allowed to build up.

View Quote

20 dollar part from Tandem Kross and the LCI is gone, I love my MkIII, also did a Victory trigger pack and a mag dsiconnect delete

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:42:06 PM EDT

[#23]

22/45 lite and you still have cash left over for some Valquartsen parts.

I tried a bunch of the newer pistols that keep the lines of the pistol caliber kind, most were unreliable except for S&Ws offering. I don’t think you can beat the victory, buck mark, or mk iv for 22 cans even if they don’t look like normal 22s. As far as suppressing, i can’t imagine anything sounding better that a 22/45, but I’m biased.

-Mike

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:43:40 PM EDT

[#24]

22/45 tactical

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:44:29 PM EDT

[#25]

You must like cleaning lubing and clearing stoppages more than shooting.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:45:25 PM EDT

[#26]

You'll buy a totally new gun with new magazines but you won't buy a MkIV since it takes new magazines?

That doesn't make any sense to me.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:47:58 PM EDT

[#27]

My Ruger mk iii 22/45 has been great. I did the full internal VQ parts swap. It is heavy, if I were to build one again I would start with a mk iv lite.

I also really enjoy my Walther ppk/s as a .22 host.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:49:21 PM EDT

[#28]

Attached File

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:55:03 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Ruger MK4

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/272448/F950E969-9F7B-4A16-958A-DF8945A413A4_jpe-1256148.JPG

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FPNI. Asked and answered.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:55:47 PM EDT

[#30]

I'm a big fan of the Ruger 22/45. Any flavor of your choice will do.

Posted: 1/30/2020 7:57:25 PM EDT

[#31]

Typically my answer would be MKIV Lite. I have a lot of trigger time behind the 22/45 tactical and lite and the tactical with a can is a little heavy for plinking but the lite is great. Both have been far more reliable than I thought a rimfire could be.
Ive been seriously considering the new Taurus and Keltec offerings. Seem to be getting good reviews, threaded barrels, and higher capacity. I dont know if they qualify as "best" though. Ruger is the king of the hill and you could basically build one using higher end parts or upgrade as needed.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:01:04 PM EDT

[#32]

Shocked is my face that nobody has mentioned the G44... oh wait I think I know why

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Handguns/Glock-44-kaboom-Less-than-50-rounds-Update-pg3/13-193065/

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:02:11 PM EDT

[#33]

Ruger Mk IV.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:06:24 PM EDT

[#34]

$150 to get it threaded? Doesn’t sound right...

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:09:47 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
Shocked is my face that nobody has mentioned the G44... oh wait I think I know why

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Handguns/Glock-44-kaboom-Less-than-50-rounds-Update-pg3/13-193065/

View Quote

Handle one in person. It's terrible

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:27:09 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

Not even close. Buckmark is so superior to the Ruger, that's it's not even a contest to anyone who has owned both.

View Quote

Hold up there Jarhead. The Buckmark is a fine gun, but it's not far and away better than the MK series. I'd wouldn't say it's as good.

The Rugers of past may be harder to take apart, but no tools are needed like the Buckmark.

I have 3 of the Ruger MK's; an original Standard, a MKII Target and a 22/45 lite. All 3 shoot great and have never given me a problem.

I've shot many Buckmarks, they are very good guns. I'd never try to talk anyone out of buying one, but I also wouldn't BS someone into thinking they are the best bang for the buck.

Both are very good guns, you couldn't go wrong with either.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:27:52 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
$150 to get it threaded? Doesn’t sound right...

View Quote

IIRC, ADCO will move the front sight back and thread for $150ish, plus shipping.

My local gunsmith charges $150 to thread anything. Moving the sight would be extra.

At that point it's easier to just buy another pistol. My MKII was worn out when I bought it (not really, had a lot of finish missing, but shoots great) and if I spent $175 on it, it would still be a $250 pistol.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:36:50 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
FPNI. Nothing close, imo. Buckmark, I guess but Ruger, boy. Dat ass.

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Buckmark is the way brother.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:41:28 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
$150 to get it threaded? Doesn't sound right...

View Quote

Going rate. I just paid that to get my MK3 threaded and sight moved back.
I now have way too much money in this thing.

ETA: For plinking I would get a threaded SR22. Compact, eats anything and a decent trigger out of the box.
(My MK3 had a horrible trigger out of the box and the mag safety firmly held the mags in even with the button pushed. TK 6-pak and a VQ trigger and sear made it a completely different gun.)

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:44:13 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
22/45 lite and you still have cash left over for some Valquartsen parts.

I tried a bunch of the newer pistols that keep the lines of the pistol caliber kind, most were unreliable except for S&Ws offering. I don’t think you can beat the victory, buck mark, or mk iv for 22 cans even if they don’t look like normal 22s. As far as suppressing, i can’t imagine anything sounding better that a 22/45, but I’m biased.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/77352/IMG-9085-243558.jpg

-Mike

View Quote

I have several M&P handguns (Shields and 9mm fullsize and 9mm pro series) and like the idea of having a .22 with identical controls.

I just don't know that after a bajillion rounds through a Ruger MKII whether I'll be satisfied with the accuracy of the M&P22C. I honestly don't plan to hunt with it - this is largely being bought for training the kids, and for plinking. So I may be fooling myself in that regard as to the importance of accuracy.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:44:30 PM EDT

[#41]

Another vote for a Mark IV, specifically the Lite model(s).

Can be had for well under $500, even if you buy 2-4 extra magazines.

ETA: Ask @snackgunner about his recent EE acquisition.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:47:22 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
First post again.

View Quote

Yup

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:47:49 PM EDT

[#43]

Quote History

Quoted:

Not even close. Buckmark is so superior to the Ruger, that's it's not even a contest to anyone who has owned both.

View Quote

That's odd.
I gave my Buckmark to my son and kept my MKII and MKIII.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:48:01 PM EDT

[#44]

This thing looks pretty cool-

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:49:24 PM EDT

[#45]

Yup, Ruger MKIV.

I prefer the solid barrel. I don't think the Lite barrel is able to match the accuracy of a solid barrel. That, and if the nut comes off when taking your suppressor off, you have to send it back to Ruger to get torqued down to spec.

Ruger-MKIV-Tactical by Colo CJ, on Flickr

DSCF2052-1 by Colo CJ, on Flickr

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:50:12 PM EDT

[#46]

Ruker MK with the aluminum frame, threaded barrel.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:51:00 PM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:

Handle one in person. It's terrible

View Quote

Really sucks because I really want to buy one.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:51:09 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
Yup, Ruger MKIV.

I prefer the solid barrel. I don't think the Lite barrel is able to match the accuracy of a solid barrel. That, and if the nut comes off when taking your suppressor off, you have to send it back to Ruger to get torqued down to spec.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48930857058_2785f22dfb_b.jpg Ruger-MKIV-Tactical by Colo CJ, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48944613096_68d70dddbb_b.jpg DSCF2052-1 by Colo CJ, on Flickr

View Quote

They don't share the same barrel setup?

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:51:28 PM EDT

[#49]

Quote History

Quoted:

Really sucks because I really want to buy one.

View Quote

Same.

Posted: 1/30/2020 8:52:21 PM EDT

[#50]

Quote History

Quoted:
IIRC, ADCO will move the front sight back and thread for $150ish, plus shipping.

My local gunsmith charges $150 to thread anything. Moving the sight would be extra.

At that point it's easier to just buy another pistol. My MKII was worn out when I bought it (not really, had a lot of finish missing, but shoots great) and if I spent $175 on it, it would still be a $250 pistol.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
$150 to get it threaded? Doesn’t sound right...

IIRC, ADCO will move the front sight back and thread for $150ish, plus shipping.

My local gunsmith charges $150 to thread anything. Moving the sight would be extra.

At that point it's easier to just buy another pistol. My MKII was worn out when I bought it (not really, had a lot of finish missing, but shoots great) and if I spent $175 on it, it would still be a $250 pistol.

I found a real bargain on an old mkII a few years ago and paid tornado to thread and move the sights. The upper was so pretty I decided to refinish the frame to match. Then I put some expensive trigger in it and ended up with about a $700 22

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best (new) .22lr pistol under $500 (Page 1 of 3)

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