Posted: 3/11/2004 12:55:54 PM EDT
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Hi all, I know it's a really open-ended question...but what would (in your opinion/estimation) be probably the best buy for a new handgun owner (well, in NY, a new handgun licensee; I've been shooting since I was 4 or so, but as NY requires a license to own/fire a handgun past the age of 21..) I've fired, stripped, and cleaned quite a few handguns in my time, but now that I'm finally on the permit process road here in NY, my training/safty class instructor recommended we pick up a good .22 for practice and getting accustomed to target shooting with a handgun. He recommended a couple of handguns, mainly Smith&Wesson Model 41's and model 22S's...quite honestly, I've always had my eye on plain old Ruger MkII's and such. Basically I'm going to wind up 'training' myself to fire correctly on it, whatever it is I pick up. I'd like something naturally accurate, so if I start printing all over the paper, I know it's me and not the pistol. I've heard the Rugers are real pains to take down; I'm not worried about that. If I can figure out a Garand, a 1911 and a BAR, I'm sure I can figure out a Ruger without skinning more than 3 knuckles  Obviously my gun-fu in the .22 arena is limited. I am pretty well versed in a pile of 1911 stuff and Berettas, and a handful of other wonder-9's, but not .22's. If it helps any, I'll be mainly using 1911's and wonder-9's (Berettas, Sigs, etc) along with the .22. If I get an unrestricted license (insert prayers here), I'll have to start a search for a good carry piece, if a 1911 won't fit the bill for me. (NY counties can restrict licenses; if it's unrestricted, I have full carry privs. If it's restricted, it's generally for target shooting only, and there are no concealed carry privs.) Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! |
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Ruger MkII - Good - Reliable, sturdy, accurate - Bad - Magazines are a pain to load, dificult to clean, hard to mount scope to, magazine release Berreta NEOS - Good - Very easy to load mags, accurate, very easy to clean, reliable - Bad - Factory sights kinda suck, safety in odd place, some say trigger needs improvement These are the only two I have. I would go with the NEOS simply because I shoot a lot and it is a lot easier to load and clean. What else are you doing with a plinker? Both guns are more accurate than I am and have fired thousands of rounds with very minimal failure (most likely due to ammunition). |
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try a Ruger 22/45. it's the same as the Mark II only it has a 1911 grip and mag release. this should make the transition to a 1911, sig, etc. a little easier. dissassembly is easy after the first time. it's more accurate than most shooters and can be had for about $215. i had a Mark II stolen and plan on replacing it with a 22/45 w/ 4in bull bbl. even though i just got a sig p226, i still miss my ruger. Edited to add: go here and order a trigger shield to keep the trigger group clean. |
| You didn't mention a price range? I've got a Colt Woodsman Second Series Match Target. The gun has outshot everything I've ever handled. But.... They're not made anymore, expensive, hard to find parts for. Mine is an heirloom. If a shooting/collectors piece is not your forte, then... If I had all kinds of money, I'd buy a Volquartzen. It's a custom version of a ruger MkII, (not the "Cheetah") and a sweet pistol! They even have some cool custom models. Bringing myself back down to reality, I'd buy a Browning Buckmark Camper. The factory Buckmark trigger is a lot better than the average MkII trigger, and I like the grip angle better. You may not. Handle the Ruger and the Browning and see which you like better. Or buy the Volk! :) |
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Price isn't _REALLY_ an object...well, it is, but I'd rather pay for it up front than dribble the money in over time, and not know where the expenses end. I'd like to cap it at no more than $500 for a loaded target model out the door (well, at least, dealer price)...but, if it's worth it, it's worth it. |
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I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger. I personally have a Ruger 22/45. Just to be different, check out what Brasspile is doing to mine: www.markii.org/forum/index.php?s=a5eac1085bde05d73d895b7085906ea5&act=ST&f=12&t=1012&st=15 I also have a nice S&W model 617 6 shot revolver with 4" barrel which I enjoy. |
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Given the price, you can't go wrong with a Ruger or Buckmark. You won't be disappointed with either. Both great guns, just decide on which one you like the best. Another pistol you may want to give a look at is the Hammerli Trailside (imported by Sig). Really sweet pistols. I'll also second the S&W 617, assuming a wheelgun is an option. I've got the 10 shot and love it. It's right around your price ceiling though. Your instructor mentioned the S&W model 41. They are great pistols, but keep in mind that they are match grade guns, with match grade springs and chambers. You can really mess them up using cheap bulk ammo (which is usually high velocity). Standard velocity or match ammo only. For that matter the same goes for any other match grade gun. If you have time, check out some of these beauties... It's fun to look. http://www.volquartsen.com/ Another suggestion would be to check out rimfire central. (www.rimfirecentral.com) The rimfire junkies are full of advice. |
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Quoted: Your instructor mentioned the S&W model 41. They are great pistols, but keep in mind that they are match grade guns, with match grade springs and chambers. You can really mess them up using cheap bulk ammo (which is usually high velocity). Standard velocity or match ammo only. For that matter the same goes for any other match grade gun. What damage can bulk ammo do to the 41? Mine came with a spring that will not allow target ammo to function. I am assuming s$w does this to prevent dummies like me from doing just what you are talkink about. |
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It's not that it's bulk, necessarily, just hi-velocity. Perhaps smith has changed this on the modern 41's but the originals had light springs. The additional pressure caused excessive pounding of the slide on the frame. They also have match sized chambers, and you often have misfeeds because the QC on bulk ammo isn't quite as tight as it is for the match grade stuff. Also note that high end .22's have soft steel in the barrels. (It's a good thing and a bad thing) It allows the manufacturer to cut the rifling more consistently, but it also makes the rifling prone to damage. Always use a bore guide, and clean from the breech. Alternatively use a bore snake. A piece of trimmer line and a patch is another good alternative. |
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Go with the Kimber rimfire target if you want 1911 .22 or what the hell go for the .45 and get the .22 conversion. Still haven't sorted out my next purchase but I like the Kimber 1911 and the H&K tac. both in 45. I might have to go for the Kimber .22 or Beretta (I'd get the 92G-SD with the conversion) because I love shooting the .22s... Can't make up my mind... |
| I'd say go with a Ruger MkII Target model. These come from the factory with a trigger that's adjustable for overtravel, and 2004 production models are drilled and tapped for scope mounting. The "Competition Target" includes the rail, and a set of Ruger 1" rings, but if you want 30mm rings, Ruger will trade with you for $5. Or, you can get a weaver rail for it. There's also a better magazine release made by Ranch Products, and sold by Brownell's. |
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Doh, I never even considered a .22 conversion kit for a .45 or Beretta. That's not a bad idea..I also should probably start using the .22 conversion I got for my AR; cheap plinking! However, I think I'm going to wind up buying a dedicated .22 pistol instead of a conversion..just to keep things simple. Some *really* good suggestions, though I'm personally leaning towards Ruger...ever since I saw Assassins, I had to have one, integrally supressed or not 
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I'm going to sound like a broken record again here because I always say this to whomever asks about the Buckmark vs. Mk II... (Readers Digest version) I have both. They are on par for perfomance (group size, trigger pull, etc.) Ruger disassembly problems are highly overrated. No repair issues in the 40k-50k rounds it's fired. My Buckmark is so easy to disassemble that it loosens as I shoot it. The aluminum frame is wearing (hole enlarging on slide stop), the pads on the controls have popped off and been reglued. All this (and a few less serious things) in 15k-20k rounds. To make the mags easier to load I cut a square hole in a piece of sheet metal large enough to pass the mag body through but small enough to catch the mag button. Place this over the mag with two fingers on the sheet metal and a thumb on the mag base and operate like a syringe. This pulls the mag button down and rounds drop in effortlessly. My verdict buy the Ruger in one of its many forms. It will last longer. Kent |
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The Ruger Mk II is the best 22 for the Money. A Ruger is all steel and won't wear out. Some like thier Buckmarks but I say never ever buy a 22 that you plan to shoot the hell out of thats made of aluminium it just won't last...S&W 422-622 / 22A's etc are total garbage BTW. S&W 41/46's good 22's but can be ammo finnicky. High Standard Victors/ Citation etc very good guns. Both very versitile and easy to dot or scope. |