I'm not old enough yet, but I'm looking around for a good .22 pistol that's reliable, easy to clean, affordable and fun to shoot. I'm only looking to plink around at the range, but accuracy would be nice. I was considering the ruger MKII, opinions? Suggestions? How often does a .22lr need to be cleaned compared to say a larger caliber pistol? I'd rather buy it off a shooter than the gunstore at the range. I'm planning on saving up 300-400 for the gun and spare magazines, ammo, etc. I do like the style of the ruger, and I've heard lots of good things but I've also got a year and a half to make up my mind. I like the CZ Kadet as well, but that's expensive and I'm sure the range store will rape me extra for other processing and ordering fees. When it comes to style/functionality I love the minimalist approach.

This would be my first gun, and I plan to get it on my 21st bday (free range time ) Make no mistake, I'd be at the range right now trying it out if it weren't for bullshit paperwork, cards, fees, and etc that haven't gone through quite yet. Thanks!

go with a bobcat, fun little guns, had mine a few years, took it to hell and back and it still works fine, easy to field strip.

I've got a MKII. If you can, I'd suggest to go with the 2 over the 3, since it does not have a loaded chamber indicator and a magazine disconnect. It does have European style magazine release, but since this isn't a tactical/self defense pistol, that doesn't really matter. I have the stainless steel 4.5" heavy barrel model. I used it to shoot IDPA style rifire shoots for several years before I joined the corps.

Some will complain how it is difficult to dis/reassemble, but if you have even just a little mechanical acumen, you should be able to figure it out no problem. I've been generally satisfied with reliability (like any other Ruger rimfire, it doesn't like Winchester super-x), and it is probably the most accurate rimfire pistol I've ever shot.

Ruger has great customer service too, so should anything go wrong (at least with minor parts) they'll mail you a new part no questions asked. Seriously, I got a new firing pin and spring with no proof that I actually owned a Ruger firearm. They're highly upgradeable/modifyable and magazines are cheap and plentyful. Even though they only come in single stack 10 rounds, you can cut the follower just a little bit and increase capacity to 12 rounds. If you so desired, you could get one of those pac-lite uppers with a thread for suppressors too. Crimson trace makes laser grips, and a host of custom and commercial grip makers make grips in a wide variety of materials.

This is the gun you want.











..... not a ruger salesman.

That sounds awesome! How often do you clean your mkII? How does it like federal? I'm itching to try it, but I have to give the state a few more weeks to mail me what I need to even rent anything at the range. I love the customization aspect, but I'm not looking to mall-ninja it the fuck out. All things considered I think the MKII will be my choice.

I looked at the bobcat and no offense but it's kinda ugly. Don't get me wrong, the m9 is sexy as fuck but the smaller version just doesn't cut it. It's kind of like how the dwarf/midget version of Scarlet Johansson won't be as hot as the original. Not only that but I read a few reviews and more than a few people have problems with FTF and FTE.

The Sig Mosquito also looked pretty appetizing, and despite the claims that Sig fixed the problems it still need to be fed hypersonic high quality ammo. I'm looking for a gun that will chew up and spit out pretty much anything you put through it.

I have heard people bitching about the reassembly of the MK I, II, and III but it doesn't seem that bad after watching a few youtube videos.

Thanks for the helpful post, I'm looking forward to trying it out. I'm not looking forward to paying 20 bucks for an hour at the range and 10 bucks to rent a gun though

Walther P22 anyone?

When I went searching for a .22 handgun, I started with this:

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z40/ThetaReactor/DSCF040605.jpg

Ruger Mk III Hunter. Very accurate, very reliable. Not half bad to look at, either. And while it was certainly a very practical plinker, I wanted something with more personality.

I traded it for this:

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z40/ThetaReactor/DSCF0413.jpg

Dan Wesson .22. Built on the same frame as their .357s. 6" and 8" barrels, and the option to get 2" and 4" ones if I ever want 'em. Obviously, it doesn't have feeding or ejecting problems. Got a sweet trigger and the tensioned barrel is far more accurate than I am.

I'd recommend both. I'd also, with some reservation, recommend the P22. If you get one that feeds reliably, you get a fantastic plinker. The S&W 422/622 is good, too, and the low barrel configuration makes it an excellent host should you wish to get a suppressor.

Great post/guns! I was thinking revolver as well, but don't the tolerances need to be verified by a gunsmith and have more parts overall? That is one hell of a sexy gun though. If it won't be my first gun then it will be very high up on my To-Get list.

I considered the p22 but from what I read it needs lots of regular lube/maintenance. I know of course that reading about something doesn't translate into real life experience but this is all I have to work with in crook county, at least for now.

Take care

Since the barrels on DWs are interchangeable, they come with shims to set the cylinder gap. The internal lockwork is somewhat complex, but it doesn't require regular maintenance. Revolvers do tend to start gunking up after ~150 rounds, making the DA pull a bit rougher and making the case extraction slightly more difficult, but nothing major. Then again, all .22s get dirty quickly and that always impacts their function.

P22s don't require excessive maintenance. No more than any auto firing dirty rimfire ammo. However, if you get the 5" target barrel with the extension/weight, you've gotta take out a couple hex screws during disassembly, which is a mild PITA. Thus, I tend to rely on a boresnake and a quick scrubbing of the breech, with a full strip only every second or third range visit.

Out of habit, I clean my MKII, as well as my other firearms after a range session or after every outdoor trip. I shoot Federal GMM almost exclusively with the exception of some occasional CCI match.

I'm really not a fan of the P22. Seen a lot of them phail at matches. My buddy had one for a period of time, and sold it to buy a MKIII. Some people like them and have good success, but I would not recommend.

I have the Ruger 22/45, which is basically a MKIII Hunter with a polymer-frame and a 1911-style grip profile.

It's pretty damn accurate and the ergonomics are great. Disassembly is supposed to be hellish, but it's been OK for me, although putting it back together for the first time was tricky.

I've never been a fan of the P22. They're pretty ammo-sensitive and feel really weird in my hand. Plus they're really kind of a gimmick; something you buy for its looks. The price of magazines is also comically high, if I recall correctly.