I'm planning on picking up a .22 this week. After a month or so of holding guns and researching things I'm leaning towards the Luger Mark III Hunter.
My intention is to have a fun handgun to go out and target practice with and also something that the lady can shoot comfortably to learn basic skills and have some fun with.
I'd love a S&W Model 41 but at roughly double the cost I can't really justify it for the need.
In the price range of the Mark III do you all have any preferences other than the Ruger? If so, why?
Thanks for any suggestions.
I'm picking up a plinker this week. Thoughts?
Moderator: carlson1
The Model 41 is expensive but if you amortize the cost over the time you will keep it (forever), it is only expensive if the outlay will take food off the table. It can be a plinker but if you ever wish to shoot Bullseye (and most clubs will let you shoot just the .22 match and skip the centerfire / .45ACP is you choose), it will work for that. Only caveat is the grip might be too large for the Lady, if she has small hands.
I had a Buckmark and felt it was an entirely satisfactory pistol. Never had a Ruger .22 but everyone who has one loves it.
edited for spelling
I had a Buckmark and felt it was an entirely satisfactory pistol. Never had a Ruger .22 but everyone who has one loves it.
edited for spelling
Retractable claws; the *original* concealed carry
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mr surveyor
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1919
- Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:42 pm
- Location: NE TX
I think there are 8 out of the 10-12 guys in my "pack" of running buddies that have Rugers in either Mark II, Mark III, 22/45. Every one was spot on, right out of the box, and every one totally reliable with reasonably good quality ammunition. It's hard to not put a couple hundred rounds through these things with every range trip. My 22/45 has been my most fulfilling gun purchase over my 40 year span of gun acquisitions
It's not gun control that we need, it's soul control!
All have made good suggestions, but I'm going to go in a different direction. If your looking for a fun plinking it's hard to beat a Ruger Single six. It is a lot of fun. It comes with two cylinders. One for .22lr and one for .22 magnum. The cylinders change out very easily if you're in the mood for a little more oomph. Mine is very accurate.
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mr surveyor
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1919
- Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:42 pm
- Location: NE TX
I agree with the Ruger Single Action Six as well. I have an original 1971 mint condition model (three screw with no after market safety stuff 
), with the original serial numbered box, and the $69.95 price tag. It is a great shooter, and the one I started my grandson out with handguns. Shooting the SA6 revolver is a much slower layed back event than slamming multiple 10 round mags into the Markxx or 22/45. Still loads of fun, and the 22 mag can be quite potent on small game too 
), with the original serial numbered box, and the $69.95 price tag. It is a great shooter, and the one I started my grandson out with handguns. Shooting the SA6 revolver is a much slower layed back event than slamming multiple 10 round mags into the Markxx or 22/45. Still loads of fun, and the 22 mag can be quite potent on small game too It's not gun control that we need, it's soul control!
I have several .22s and love to shoot them because I can go through 550 rounds for under $10.
The first gun I purchased was a Beretta U22 Neos. It looks like a spacegun, but it fit my large hand rather well. I have put 10,000+ rounds through it. It has brought me many hours of fun and has held up well, but I did have to send it back to Beretta once for some warranty work.
I definitely think that everyone should have a .22, but if I were to do it all again I would purchase either the Walther P22 or the Ruger.
The first gun I purchased was a Beretta U22 Neos. It looks like a spacegun, but it fit my large hand rather well. I have put 10,000+ rounds through it. It has brought me many hours of fun and has held up well, but I did have to send it back to Beretta once for some warranty work.
I definitely think that everyone should have a .22, but if I were to do it all again I would purchase either the Walther P22 or the Ruger.
2nd that SS
I have several .22 pistols, but the Ruger Single Six is the one I'd sell last.
Heirloom quality gun, very accurate, fun to shoot.
If you must have an autoloader, the Ruger Mark series is as good as they get. they are difficult to field strip and reassemble for some people.
the Browning is also highly regarded. You can't go wrong with anything from Ruger or Browning.
Skip the P22. They look good, feel good, and the grip fits a small hand. But there are reports of slides cracking, and if you get the long-barrel model, the extra length is just an extension held on with setscrews and serves no function other than looks.
I have a S&W 22A, and while I like it fine, I would not recommend it over the suggestions above. The frame is plastic, the upper is an alloy, and the grip is terrible, especially for small hands.
It also uses a small plastic slide buffer that must be changed out periodically. That may be true of the Ruger and Browning pistols too.
Heirloom quality gun, very accurate, fun to shoot.
If you must have an autoloader, the Ruger Mark series is as good as they get. they are difficult to field strip and reassemble for some people.
the Browning is also highly regarded. You can't go wrong with anything from Ruger or Browning.
Skip the P22. They look good, feel good, and the grip fits a small hand. But there are reports of slides cracking, and if you get the long-barrel model, the extra length is just an extension held on with setscrews and serves no function other than looks.
I have a S&W 22A, and while I like it fine, I would not recommend it over the suggestions above. The frame is plastic, the upper is an alloy, and the grip is terrible, especially for small hands.
It also uses a small plastic slide buffer that must be changed out periodically. That may be true of the Ruger and Browning pistols too.
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“Sometimes there is no alternative to uncertainty except to await the arrival of more and better data.” C. Wunsch
“Sometimes there is no alternative to uncertainty except to await the arrival of more and better data.” C. Wunsch
Jason,
I have the old 3-screw Single-Six Convertible and a 22/45.
The Single-Six is the first handgun I ever purchased and it has never faild in 35 years. I even sent it back to Ruger to have it reblued a few years back after many years of service as a ranch pick-up gun. Great fun and VERY accurate.
I have had the 22/45 for a few years and it, too, has been flawless and accurate and fun to shoot. The thing I like about the 22/45 is the grip angle which is the same as a 1911. I have found that this grip angle is closer to many popular self defense handguns and if one of your goals is to use it as a training or starter pistol, it might give the new shooter an easier transition.
All of the mentioned handguns will serve you well. Have fun.
I have the old 3-screw Single-Six Convertible and a 22/45.
The Single-Six is the first handgun I ever purchased and it has never faild in 35 years. I even sent it back to Ruger to have it reblued a few years back after many years of service as a ranch pick-up gun. Great fun and VERY accurate.
I have had the 22/45 for a few years and it, too, has been flawless and accurate and fun to shoot. The thing I like about the 22/45 is the grip angle which is the same as a 1911. I have found that this grip angle is closer to many popular self defense handguns and if one of your goals is to use it as a training or starter pistol, it might give the new shooter an easier transition.
All of the mentioned handguns will serve you well. Have fun.