I know I'm probably not going to be able to buy anything soon because everything will be sold due to the "uncertain future", but I'll ask anyway for future reference. I only have one .22 pistol, a Ruger MKll with a red dot I used to use for bullseye. I recently decided I needed a smaller, lighter plinker type pistol that I will use as is with iron sights. It will not have to be exceptionally accurate, but I would prefer it not be a jam o matic as several have been described over the past 10 years. I appreciate all posts and recommendations.
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.22 Plinker Pistol Recommendations
- Thread starter massgun
- Start date
D
Deleted member 67409
Browning's running an 8% rebate for guns bought retail between now and 4/15/20. Buckmark is an option.
Firearms Tax Refund Rebate 2020
Current Production
Firearms Tax Refund Rebate 2020
Current Production
+1 for 617
Regarding the 617, I have given a revolver some thought. After the trouble I had with the S&W Pro Series 9mm 1911 I bought 4 years ago (3 trips to S&W before it was functional) I would not buy a new one, not to mention the price! If I could find a used one in great shape, maybe, but I bet that wouldn't be much cheaper than new.
Tried an older Browning Buckmark a fellow shooter had at the range last week and it was very nice, but still kind of big and heavy like my MKll.
The Ruger MK 4 Lite is nice, haven't shot one, but was kind of hoping to get a different manufacturer than Ruger.
I guess I should have been a little more descriptive of what I was looking for. I would rather get a smaller, lighter, polymer type pistol than a typical heavy, all steel target type pistol, think new Glock .22, Ruger SR22, Walther etc., anything other than a S&W product. Thanks, and keep the posts coming.
Tried an older Browning Buckmark a fellow shooter had at the range last week and it was very nice, but still kind of big and heavy like my MKll.
The Ruger MK 4 Lite is nice, haven't shot one, but was kind of hoping to get a different manufacturer than Ruger.
I guess I should have been a little more descriptive of what I was looking for. I would rather get a smaller, lighter, polymer type pistol than a typical heavy, all steel target type pistol, think new Glock .22, Ruger SR22, Walther etc., anything other than a S&W product. Thanks, and keep the posts coming.
Lennypeters
NES Member
This
Retired-LEO
NES Member
RUGER SR22 or RUGER MKIV LITE
Just read a couple reviews on the SR22 and everything was good except the trigger, very heavy dbl action and not great single action. These reviews were from 2011 and 2014 though, so not sure if they are better now. Also, to clarify, I am no longer a resident of MA, so if there is a better "free state" trigger on these, then I would be able to get it. So far, the SR22 seems to be the favorite.
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The Ruger SR22 is a perfectly adequate small plinker. They work quite well, and they are reasonably priced for what you get. But with that said, my vote is strongly for the MKIV Lite. To me the MKIV is in a different class from any of the smaller plastic guns. It feels right in the hand, has a much higher build quality, and has upgrade options if you ever want them.
Also, a friend of mine has an SR22 and he wanted to improve the single action trigger. His trigger is acceptable, but he would like it to be better. I figured it is possible to do a trigger job on anything, so I did some research. The SR22 has a very unusual trigger mechanism. On most guns, there is a trigger sear, and hooks or a notch on the hammer. On the SR22, the trigger has a hook. The design makes it very difficult to modify the trigger or hammer without changing the engagement angles. And I did not find anyone making trigger parts for the the SR22 or any gunsmiths who do trigger jobs on them. So with the SR22, the stock trigger is pretty much it.
Also, a friend of mine has an SR22 and he wanted to improve the single action trigger. His trigger is acceptable, but he would like it to be better. I figured it is possible to do a trigger job on anything, so I did some research. The SR22 has a very unusual trigger mechanism. On most guns, there is a trigger sear, and hooks or a notch on the hammer. On the SR22, the trigger has a hook. The design makes it very difficult to modify the trigger or hammer without changing the engagement angles. And I did not find anyone making trigger parts for the the SR22 or any gunsmiths who do trigger jobs on them. So with the SR22, the stock trigger is pretty much it.
D
Deleted member 12999
GLOCK 44
-Glock Gang
-Glock Gang
Thanks for the SR22 trigger info, that's exactly the type of info I was looking for after reading the reviews I found where they all pretty much said the trigger blows. I am by no means a trigger snob, but would rather have a decent trigger or one that could be made decent. I do like the look of the MKlV Lite pistols, just thought of getting something a bit smaller and lighter.
D
Deleted member 12999
I have one. I shoot it a ton. I treat it like an airsoft gun and just keep it hosed with Silicone spray. Runs like a champ
slap shot
NES Member
S&W M&P compact based on personal experience with most of the current offerings. It's pretty perfect. Taurus TX-22 based on reviews. Great gun. SR22 feels like a toy to me. Ruger Mark 4, my second favorite .22 but a step above plinker.
If you want an exposed hammer, Ruger SR22 is one no brainer, I have both model slides.
If you want a striker I would get the M&P, actually like the trigger on them a little better, reset is shorter, but not enough to buy one when I already have a nice set of .22 pistols I don't shoot often enough.
Both have mag bumper kits available.
If you want a striker I would get the M&P, actually like the trigger on them a little better, reset is shorter, but not enough to buy one when I already have a nice set of .22 pistols I don't shoot often enough.
Both have mag bumper kits available.
Blackmore
NES Member
The advantage of the Buckmark is interchangeable barrels. You can go back and forth between threaded and non-threaded in about five minutes as well as change lengths.
Both the M&P22 and the M&P22 Compact are hammer-fired guns, albeit internal hammers.
The SR22 would have held more interest for me, but the "up is off/down is on" safety is counter-intuitive, and unlike most (all?) other pistol safeties.
