Old G.I.

Again, I'm brand new to the forum and re-entering shooting as a sport/hobby. I want to work on accuracy and perhaps take some courses. Looking for recommendations on a .22LR handgun for accuracy shooting. Over the years, the Ruger Mark series have been touted, except that reassembly is an absolute nightmare. Also, I simply cannot afford the Smith Model 41. Thanks for the input....I have the Sig 220ST and love Sigs...I'm thinking about the mosquito but the reviews are too inconsistent. Thanks for the feedback.

"Life Is Still A Song Worth Singing"

one eye joe

Welcome to the Forum Old G.I., from another old GI. Get yourself a clean used Ruger MK II Target Govt. Model. It's a SUPERBLY accurate pistol @ a bargain price, and will shoot competitively with any pistol regardless of price. I've owned one since they 1st came out. With an Aimpoint mounted, I maintained a 293-295 average in Bullseye League competition for many years. Install this speed strip kit, and disassembly is accomplished by taking one allen screw out of the top of the receiver.....Speed Strip Kit

wjkuleck

My second handgun was a Ruger Mark I (the original Target Model) in '64; I still have it. After all this time, reassembly is no big deal. The only problem is getting the bolt stop pin out of the receiver the first few times on a new pistol. It's in there tight!

Your Ruger will run for 2 1/2 forevers and give you a lifetime of pleasure.

Regards,

Walt

Old G.I.

Thanks One Eye Joe and WJ Kulek; I appreciate the prompt response. And, thanks much for the link regarding the field strip kit -- I had heard of those but never saw one in action....sounds like a winner!

Spade Cooley

I have owned a Ruger Mark I almost forever. It has the long skinny barrel and shoots great. I've never had it apart and according to the latest article in the Shooting Magazine, the take down is no big deal. It could use a good cleaning. It is a fine pistol for the money.

one eye joe

You will LOVE the strip kit. It turns cleaning a Ruger from a DREADED chore into an activity you enjoy. BTW, welcome to the Forum WJ Kulek. If there's any doubt about Ruger's reliability--Spade Cooley's NEVER had his dirty old Mark I apart for cleaning. I assume that it's still runnin' fine............

dfariswheel

Another consideration would be a Browning Buckmark in a Target version.

Old G.I.

I've been researching the Browning Buckmark heavily this evening...it's winner too. Also,the Browning Medalist and like models from the late 60's and early 70's with the handmade wooden grips are a wonder to behold--albeit the price is commensurate with the beauty and quality. I will make a purchase soon...I already ordered my new range bag, glasses and earmuffs.

[I]"Life Is A Song Worth Singing" [/I]

jrmcbroom

I've shot both the Ruger Govt. model and the Browning Buckmark quite a bit and both will shoot better than I will ever be able to hold. Don't think you can go wrong with either. If you are thinking about going full-bore into bullseye, you might edge toward the Ruger as the grip is really close to the 1911 (Ruger reassembly really isn't that bad, even without the strip kit - but I think I'm going to try one too.)

Alabaster

I have a Ruger Standard 22 from '78. First gun I ever shot. My Dad gave it to me and I still love shooting that gun. It's what I use to intro new shooters every chance I get. I recently shot a walther .22 with a compensator that was a hoot, too. Personally, I'd recommend the Buckmark or a Ruger. I think the Ruger gets the edge though. I like that you can get it in the 22/45 frame, and the normal MKIII frame. Tactical Solutions makes a nice competition top end for 'em too. Granted, it's almost as much as a new Ruger, and it's the serialized part of the gun, so it's almost like buying another handgun.

Raymond759

I'd owned a 90's slab side Buckmark and it was amazing, so I join in with the minority voice here.

Ray

Old G.I.

Thanks to all who replied. One of my good friends is pushing me toward Eley Ammo. ...I had not heard of it before but RIF. Regarding the pistol, I'm leaning toward the Ruger 22/45 or Browning Buckmark. Currently, the Buckmark has the edge with me...and eventually I must have one of the older Buckmark Medalist pistols!

Rainman48314

Price could be an issue, but the Kimber Rimfire Target is damm accurate gun. I have the .17 Mach 2 (no longer made) but they still produce a 22LR.

The GSG 1911 (or Sig's version) is also very accurate. About $359 versus Kimber's MSRP of over $800

DudleyYoung

A S&W 22A is a good target pistol.

one eye joe

Welcome to the forum DY. I'm not sure what you base your statement on. It very well may be that you have a recently purchased 22A that goes BANG everytime you pull the trigger, can break a beer bottle out on a fencepost @ 50 feet, and even puts holes in the black of a paper target every now and again. The 22As that I have shot (only 2 with 4" and a 6" barrel) were LESS THAN IMPRESSIVE with regard to accuracy. Both of them were carrying stock iron sights. I cannot attest to any diligence on the part of their respective owners to come up with a particular ammo that was MOST accurate in either of them. I shot a coupla mags outta each of them--and shot what was handed me w/o knowing what ammo was being used. IMHO, the 22A is a very inexpensive but serviceable PLINKER/HUNTER, and not a serious target pistol for competition in Bullseye. It appears to me that the OP is interested in a level of accuracy that is beyond what one should expect from a stock 22A. My opinion is based on over 50 years of shooting handguns,and about 1/2 of that time in .22 Bullseye competition, primarily with a Ruger Target Govt. Model equipped with an Aimpoint or a stock 6" Colt Diamondback revolver. OF COURSE--this is just my humble opinion, BUT there has to be a reason why there is such a price difference between the S&W Model 41--A TRUE TARGET PISTOL--and the S&W22A.