Best Made Target 22 Pistol
Looking for a New Weapon in a Target 22 Pistol for competition shooting. Any thought on the best available?
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Smith & Wesson model 41 would be my first choice for a semi-reasonably priced one, particularly the older ones if you can find one for the money. 0 -
There are several to choose from, but the most common ones (currently produced) are the Browning Buckmark & the Ruger Mark III. I personally like the feel of the Buckmark better. But it's all a matter of opinion.
I suggest you go to your local sporting goods store and see which one fits your hand better. Both are extremely reliable and can be acquired for around $300.00. I'm sure there are other makes out there, but these are both very solid firearms for the money.
Aaron0 -
A local shop had 2 Hammereli/Sigs in stock last year, $400 each, went quick.
Shop for the bargains... or consider putting match stuff into a Ruger Mk II or similar.0 -
No question that the 41 is the top of the line.
Unless you expect to be competing in the very highest echelons of Bullseye shooting, go with the BuckMark though. No way can the $500+ difference in cost between the 41 and BuckMark, be justified by the results obtaining by an average shooter.0 -
idahogunbroker.....not quite sure what you are looking for here. The "best made .22.." is not really a "New Weapon" in my view. And you don't say how much $ you want to spend. I happen to go to the school that says you get what you pay for so if you are looking for the "best made .22" you can't beat an older Smith 41, Hi-Standard or Browning Medalist IMHO[^]. Have them all and wish I shot as well as the pistols![:D] If you can afford it, get them with weights. If looking for a "newer" pistol I like the feel of a Ruger bull, Mark II. But now is the time to buy the best if you can afford it as prices are down and folks want to deal. Good luck[:)] 0 -
Best available? That's hard to say since a lot of it is subjective.
In other words, its more about what YOU like best than what is "best". (And it may take a lot of shooting for a long time with different guns before you really know what works best for you).
I'd say the most important two things in a competitive/match .22 for accuracy are going to be: match trigger and match sights. Next most important will be anatomic fit to your hand, and intrinsic accuracy of the gun (most .22s, even low-end ones, are highly accurate).
Also, you said "competition shooting" but you didn't specify what sort of competition you envision.
High-Standard gives you a VERY nice gun for the money, but the best ones were made in the 60s and 70s, so these probably can't be called "new weapons". Even so, I'd take a good look there if you're on a $500 budget (give or take).
If you're interested in Olympic style .22 shooting, I think most of the current competitors are using Hammerli and Walther, with maybe some other European makes tossed in (Pardini, etc). None of these guns are cheap, though some (eg Russian Baikal) are a little less expensive than others.
NRA style bullseye, competitors like Smith and Wesson model 41, High-Standard. Sig/Hammerli Trailside is a competition worthy gun that doesn't cost too much. I think its been picked up by Walther now.
If you want to shoot "three gun" you may want to skip a dedicated .22 gun altogether but instead get a nice match grade .22 conversion unit for your 1911, which you also use to shoot .45ACP through.
Browning Buckmark is a good entry level .22 gun, but I don't think its quite as good as the others above, particularly the high-end ones.
IMO a stock Ruger MK III really isn't a competitive target gun. The trigger just isn't good enough out of the box to be considered with the dedicated match guns mentioned above.
Yes, there are people competing with customized Rugers, but in my opinion sinking a lot of money into a stock Ruger to build it into a match gun is probably not a cost-effective way to go, since you won't get most of that money back if you decide you want to upgrade later.
If you buy a quality used target pistol that was built that way from the factory, and take care of it, eventually down the line if/when you want to sell it you should be able to get most (if not all) of your money back. If you buy the right gun, it may even appreciate with time!0 -
Another recommendation for Browning Buckmark. I have a slabside and it is accurate enough to hit small game with. Also, it isn't finicky about what kind of ammo you feed it. Never fails me, trigger is very good right out of box and if you do have a problem their customer service is excellent. I dropped mine in a creek and damaged the rear sight, called customer service and they sent me a new one within 3 days. 0 -
Brian Zins has won the National Championships 10 Times at Camp Perry . BUT with a number of different Pistols . You can't Buy your way to a Championship . All suggested pistols on this post by a number of members are capable of winning scores . My suggestion would be UNLESS YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THE HIGH MASTER CLASS . get a $400.00 -$800.00 pistol and then Buy a few 5000 round cases of Ammo and spent your time on the range and at local matches. IMHO N.R.A BULLS-EYE shooting is 10% gun 90% Shooter . 0 -
Years ago I decided to get a Match target. Then I got a Supermatic vintage 1954, then a S&W 41 with the cocking indicator. I still have them and really cant decide which is the best. The match target, 2nd series, takes the beauty contest. The supermatic takes the prize for precision machining and fit and the 41 for trigger pull and takedown "majesty" and service ability. I dont have a ransom rest and I am certainly not an expert shooter but these are three guns in my collection I will never sell and they all are very accurate and dependable. 0 -
I've been very happy with two pistols. The Buckmark Field 5.5 is round after round accurate and has a very nice trigger. If you don't shoot this gun well it isn't the gun's fault. The other gun that's impressed me for many decades is the venerable Colt Woodsman Match Target. Excellent sights, smooth trigger and superior quality. 0 -
I am going to say the .22lr Ruger MkII Target pistol, .22lr S&W 41 pistol and the .22lr H&R 999 Sportsman revolver, well made, reliable and accurate. 0
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