Shopping for a 22 pistol for plinking

[earle9966]

Been looking at 22 pistols for my next pistol. Gonna use it for plinking and for my wife and daughter to start off with.
At first I saw the Ruger mark IV. Then the Buckmark really appealed to me.
Both are at the top of what I wanted to spend but look like pretty good investments.
Will probably play around with different types of sights. Maybe even my one and only optics gun.
Any other suggestions?

 

[iH8DemLibz]

Look for a lightly used MKII or MKIII. The new ones are not investments. They'll lose value the second you pay the man.

PS: The Ruger Bearcat is a fun little .22 revolver.

 

[danb]

Consider a revolver. Less maintenance too. An older S&W .22 is going to be spendy. But you might find a good deal on an H&R or something like that (in good condition, also collectible). Parts (including custom grips) for H&Rs are easy to get. Single actions like a Ruger Single Six or Single Ten ($$$) are also absolutely a blast. Later models often come with both the .22 and .22Mag cylinders. You can get into a single action .22 with decent accuracy for well under $200.

The main reason not to get a revolver is that it's contagious. Pretty soon daddy will be craving a Colt Trooper .357. But only because the Python is out of reach.

 

[Mark75H]

I like my Buckmark, but for plinking I like my Walther P22. I agree, there is no investment value in new .22's; the value drops dramatically the second you pay for them. Find a good used plinker.

A Heritage Rough Rider is an excellent .22 plinker revolver.

 

[swinokur]

M&P 22C. Made in the USA. No takedown or reassembly issues.

 

[HordesOfKailas]

I like my dad's Heritage Arms 22LR revolver. Shoots straight and is pretty fun.

 

[fidelity]

22LR semiautomatics are nice, but 22LR revolvers are even more fun. I have one that's SA as well as another that's DA/SA. Notably, most people who've tried both start looking to buy their own SA revolver. I don't know if it's the connection to working a gun in the way that old revolvers functioned, the lighter and more elegant frame of the gun, the overall handing, etc. I thought it would be a simple plinker in my collection and I was just filling a gap, but it's become a favorite.

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[Mark75H]

22LR semiautomatics are nice, but 22LR revolvers are even more fun. I have one that's SA as well as another that's DA/SA. Notably, most people who've tried both start looking to buy their own SA revolver. I don't know if it's the connection to working a gun in the way that old revolvers functioned, the lighter and more elegant frame of the gun, the overall handing, etc. I thought it would be a simple plinker in my collection and I was just filling a gap, but it's become a favorite.

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I own both, but I'm an automatic guy at heart.

 

[fidelity]

For the large part, me too. I often include the Ruger 22/45 on the new shooter trip as well as a Model 617, a Model 64 (38 Special revolver), and a 9mm semiautomatic, but the Colt Frontier Scout puts smiles on people's faces (esp the younger ones), working the action, knocking down bowling pins at Monocacy Pistol Club.

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[Neutron]

If you like 1911 style pistols, the GSG 1911 .22 is a nice choice. Mine has been very reliable and accurate. Had to send it in once for repair when it was well out of warranty and they fixed it for free and did it fast. Zero recoil too so wife and daughter will like it.

 

[dontpanic]

Can't go wrong with a Buckmark. I have several including a carbine. They have excellent sights or you can easily mount an optic. I suggest starting with Burris Fastfire they are compact and ultra reliable.

The only downside to Buckmarks is finding parts/upgrades. You can find anything for the Ruger, not so much the Buckmark. Midwest Gun Works is a good source.

 

[DutchV]

A Ruger MKII, Buckmark or Ruger Single Ten are all excellent choices. The Single Six can be had with the magnum cylinder, which may or may not appeal to you. The MKII will have a broader selection of barrel lengths and profiles - skinny, bull, and some in the middle. Some are already threaded, too. The Buckmark has an excellent factory trigger and is easy to swap over to a threaded barrel with just a few screws. The Ruger needs a trip to the gunsmith if you want it threaded later on.

Picking just one of these would be like having a favorite child.

 

[DutchV]

Some guys will say that the older Rugers are hard to take down. Don't let that scare you off. Once you've done it a couple times, you get the hang of it.

 

[Alan3413]

Mk ii's would be my choice. The mk iii has a mag disconnect and empty chamber indicator. The former complicates maintenance while the latter can cause FTEs. They can be fixed with aftermarket parts but why bother when you can get a mk ii

 

[c4snipar]

M&P 22 compact, feels like a full size handgun, and fun to shoot.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Ruger Mark IV and blast the snot out of it.

If you want something to emulate a service size weopon a Sig 226 .22 classic easy to upgrade to centerfire later. Slightly ammo picky.

 

[Uncle Duke]

The Ruger Single Six revolver with the 22 WMR cylinder can be a lot of fun. It can also be a gateway drug to later Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk and even Freedom Arms single action revolver addictions. Just fair warning....they claim it's been known to happen just that way for some.

 

[ted76]

I have had a Buckmark since the late 80's and it is fun to shoot, I also have a Ruger MkII target that I got last year that I like a lot.
You can't go wrong with either one. The Single Six is fun to shoot, but the reloading is a little slower.

 

[Applehd]

GSG Firefly... At last glance, Tyler's had a few in the case... it's the Sig Mosquito re-branded by GSG... @$300 give or take a few and available with a threaded barrel.

"The FireFly from German Sport Guns and American Tactical Imports is a rebranding of the popular SIG Sauer Mosquito with the same high quality and advanced ergonomics. The GSG Firefly is essentially a scaled down tactical pistol that fires inexpensive .22 LR rounds..."

I just wish that this exact gun was available in 9mm...

 

[rseymorejr]

I have a Ruger Mk II that I bought new in 1982. It's one of my favorites. It goes with me on most range trips.