Which .22 Automatic?

Zephyr · March 28 2014 07:23:50 PM MDT

I'm looking for a forum consensus, on the best over-all .22 automatic out there. I'm looking at accuracy, ergonomics, ease-of-disassembly aspects. What do you prefer, and why? High Standard, Ruger, Browning, Colt, or Beretta?

Intercooler · March 28 2014 07:36:07 PM MDT

The Holy Grail is the S&W 41. Plenty of other good shooters depending on what you are looking to do.

DenStinett · March 28 2014 10:23:21 PM MDT

Inch for inch (4.75"), I find it's hard to beat the CZ Kadet Upper mounted on a well tuned SA Lower
I can out-shoot high end (dedicated) 22 Semi-Autos

rw · March 28 2014 10:28:27 PM MDT

Out of all the ones I have owned, my ruger 22/45 is by far my favorite. Quite accurate little gun, it's one of a few I won't ever get rid of. It's the factory threaded model.

us_shooter · March 29 2014 05:30:26 AM MDT

Bullseye shooters consider the old pre-70 High Standard pistols like the Victor as the standard by which all others are judged.
Since 1970 the standard for accuracy has been the S&W 41 as intercooler stated. However, if you aren't looking to pay a grand for a 22 pistol, go with one of the higher end Buckmarks
It's easy to breakdown, excellent trigger, very accurate and great ergonomics.

As far as the others you listed go.
Beretta makes the 87 which is decent, but I've never liked them.
I love Ruger but they are a PIA to breakdown and if you want the trigger to feel as good as the Buckmark, it's gonna cost you.
New High Standards are not built to the same level as the old ones.
Colt hasn't made a decent 22 since the old Match guns.

This is just my opinion. You've got to shoot what feels right to you. As an old bullseye shooter I am very demanding in the accuracy and trigger department.

macc283 · March 29 2014 11:20:09 AM MDT

Keltec pmr 30

Hairtrigger · March 29 2014 12:29:46 PM MDT

If you like to add aftermarket parts buy the Ruger
If you just want a reasonable priced handgun as is buy a Browning Buckmark

rw · March 29 2014 04:32:39 PM MDT

Quote from: Hairtrigger on March 29 2014 12:29:46 PM MDT
If you like to add aftermarket parts buy the Ruger
If you just want a reasonable priced handgun as is buy a Browning Buckmark

My ruger will digest anything its been fed so far, everybody i know with a buckmark always bitches about how finicky they are.

Intercooler · March 29 2014 05:18:40 PM MDT

Ruger MIII Target here and it has been excellent. Another option is a Colt Woodsman if you can find one.

jazzsax8 · February 02 2015 10:28:22 AM MST

Having owned ALL of the brands you mentioned in quite a few of their models, here is something to seriously consider. To get best accuracy in a .22 pistol it starts with a excellent not just good trigger. The S&W 41 and others like it have a trigger that is pretty easy to get down to a no creep 2-2 1/4# trigger. All of the new stuff that is not expensive will not have this trigger. You can buy aftermarket parts to attempt to get there or in some models a gunsmith is helpful. It all results in extra costs that creep upward.

I have smaller hands and found that I shoot the old Browning Challenger made from 1962-1974 as good as the best made. I put the smaller Nomad grips on it and the trigger is factory at 2.25#'s adjustable for over-travel and weight. Off sandbags it will produce 3/4" groups at 25 yards with good target ammo. Average used price is around $500 but with patience they can be had for just under $400 which is close to what you might get into a new model after getting the trigger modified.

Most of the older Ruger Mark I and some Mark II's have a nice under 3# trigger. Not 2# but good enough to be usable.

Some shooters do a pretty good job with the average 5#+ trigger that comes on the new ones of today but they would ALL do better with a nice target trigger.

Marshall

my_old_glock · February 02 2015 11:32:39 AM MST

I like my S&W 22A. It does what I want it to do. The only thing you need to do is buy some of the plastic pieces that act as a slide bumper. I keep loosing mine.
Part #33 here --> http://www.brownells.com/schematics/Smith-Wesson-/M22A-sid949.aspx#s34565sid949

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/recoil-parts/recoil-hardware/recoil-spacer-sku940000903-15057-34565.aspx

I don't like the Ruger pistols. They are a pain to disassemble and reassemble.

Browning Buckmark isn't worth the price. I sold mine.

I have not tried the Beretta NEOS.

.

Wolfie · February 02 2015 01:25:39 PM MST

400 rounds in my Taurus PT 22, not one failure.

Intercooler · February 02 2015 01:34:01 PM MST

Don't get a 22A! The frame will break! BTDT and have the pictures to prove it happened ${$default_shocked_smiley}$

Hermit · February 02 2015 05:29:59 PM MST

Ruger...but I'm biased I have 2 standards and a mk2. The take down ain't bad at all unless you have a bolt stop pin thats walked.

CrplTnl · February 02 2015 07:41:54 PM MST

Owned couple of MKII's, and I currently have a CZ Kadet, (2) Buckmarks, and a 22/45 Ruger. Buckmark wins. Factory trigger is better on the browning and with a simple spring flip (heggis? Mod), pull weight drops to ~2lbs. Combined with a simple drill-tap-set screw for over travel, my Buckmarks trigger(s) rival the best volquartsen jobs costing $$$. Don't forget the fact of barrel changes. If you want a tac-sol type barrel, just have to order the barrel for the buckie. No worries of serial #/FFL transfer with ruger upper.