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getting new pistol whitch one ?
boltaction
Member Posts: 505 ✭✭✭
Trying to figure out what 22 cal. pistol to get. I'am down to a ruger mark lll a smith&wesson a22 or a Browning Buck Mark.Anyone out there shooting any of these how do each compare.I'll be useing it to shoot informal target practice. Thanks
Comments
I prefer the Ruger Mark II to the Mark III but that's more from habit and what I am accustomed to than any issues with the gun itself.
I cannot shoot a Buckmark because of the swell in the grip is in exactly the wrong place for me to hold the gun properly. I have tried to shoot one and it is just too uncomfortable but that's grip design, not the gun itself. I just resist purchasing a gun that doesn't feel right and having to buy after market grips in order to shoot it. Your milage may vary.
My wife prefers the Walther P22 over all of them although I don't think it is as accurate in the 3.2" barrel, it certainly isn't as heavy and that's probably why she likes it instead.
Dan R
I had experience with the Mark II and Woodsman.
I was interested in the 'new' grip angle for the Ruger that mimicks the 'ancient' 1911 grip angle.
The 8 inch bull barrel on this 'target model' probably contributes more to the feel of this gun than the grip angle alone.
It shoots anything I've put in it, and with choice ammo it shoots excellent groups. There is no recoil or muzzle rise with the heavy bbl, making double taps childs play.
I found the trigger surprizingly crisp and light for an 'out of the box' factory set trigger.
I've had no trouble with it other than some cycling problems...finally...after about 600 rounds of filthy shooting ammo.
I've had other auto pistols in 22, and have been happy with them.
If I bought another 22 auto for any reason, I believe I would give another Ruger a try.
Just my 2 cents
ENJOY !!!
Its better than all of the above, having great sights (that are designed to be adjusted with a coin) and a match trigger out of the box. Plus, unlike the other three, these are collectible, no longer made, and will only increase in value. Lastly, you'll get envious (or at least curious) looks at the range if you show up with one. Of course you won't really find a "new" one (unless you want to pay an astronomical amount for it), but the used ones are still probably better than new models of the other three.
As to the other three, I've shot all of them, and they're all a little different. All three are pretty accurate, probably more than all but the very best can take advantage of. None of the three could be considered competitive bullseye guns out of the box mainly because of the triggers (though the Browning is probably the closest to that).
It comes down to personal preference. Assuming cost isn't an issue, gor target shooting, I'd say whichever feels nicest in your hand is the best pick for you, and it probably really is that simple.
The Smith is a good gun, the cheapest of the three, the easiest to strip and clean, and the easiest to mount an optic on (the top of the gun *IS* a scope rail). The Smith also lets you swap out barrels in a matter of seconds. That's nice if you want to keep one with iron sights, and one with a dot sight, for example. I'm pretty sure the Smith is lightest of the three also, for whatever that's worth (and some people prefer HEAVIER .22s for shooting targets. . .I do).
The Smith has two disadvantages. The grips are a little long from front-to-back, and there really aren't many replacement grips on the market except the ones that Smith makes, meaning if your hand doesn't fit the gun, you're out of luck.
The other advantage is pretty minor. The recoil spring of the gun rests against a hard plastic buffer, that eventually wears out and needs replacement. Not a big deal since the gun is so easy to strip, and the part is readily available from Smith cheap, but a minor annoyance.
Ruger is probably the toughest of the lot and comes in the most variations of barrel length, grip, etc. There are more accessories available for it than the others (including stuff like drop in match triggers, and grips), which is a plus. But, its a bit tricky to learn how to strip and clean.
I personally like the slant grip style of the Ruger, though many do not. The .22/45 versions with the 1911-like grips are a viable option if you don't.
Browning, IMO, is the nicest of the three, but IIRC you need tools to take it down to clean, and you have to re-zero it after doing so.
Best.
Hammerli Trailside. I have the 6" Barrel version with Adj. Sights. Best .22 out there, simple take down, full size ambi dextrous stock. Accurate as all get out right out of the box.