What's a good, reliable semi-automatic .22 pistol?
I'm looking for a semi-automatic .22LR for plinking, but I've heard a lot of them tend to have a tendency to fail -to-feed or fail-to-eject, due to the low recoil generated to operate the gun. Does any one have FIRST-HAND experience with any semi-auto .22's that are accurate, and don't malfunction a lot? This will just be for some competition amongst friends and range shooting, so I don't need some sort of match-grade pistol that will break the bank. All the information I've found on the internet is from forums that seem either biased, or based on speculation.
My friends and I do some "speed" firing, so a revolver isn't really practical.
2011-11-29T20:00:00Z
Price point isn't really a concern. I guess under $750? I'll look into the Ruger Mark II, and I'll call around and see what shops have that, or a Browning Buckmark to rent.
kidkaraoke2011-11-29T20:40:22Z
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As mentioned previously, Ruger and Browning make outstanding 22lr pistols. Both reliable, and contrary to what an another reviewer may have indicated, extremely accurate ROTB, even better when tuned up. Actually, if you have been doing research and it sounds like you have, Beretta's Neo may not "turn heads" but it is very accurate and easy to maintain. Smith and Wesson's Model 22A is pretty sturdy and fairly accurate as well. S&W's Model 41 is one of the most accurate 22lr pistol's sold, again more of a competition model. But I have seen used models under your stated limit. But if you want a "Cool" looking 22lr plinker, and who doesn't, then you should check out the 1911's in 22lr. Many different manufacturers, Browning, American Tactical Imports (ATI GSG), Sig Sauer, Puma, just to name a few. Check out http://www.gunbroker.com/ and type in 1911 22lr in the search box.
Generally, the reliability of any of the pistols mentioned here by me and others really depend on the way the pistol is maintained and the ammo you shoot through it. Every pistol will respond differently with every brand of ammo. 22lr ammo is largely dirty to begin with. Bulk boxes of 22lr will run anywhere from .02 to .04 cents a shot, while the "Good" stuff ( Eley, CCI Stingers and Velocitors, etc) can run up to .15 cents a shot. I will say though the higher velocity ammo is always going to be better for cycling purposes. Good Luck.
A Ruger Mk II or Mk III is pretty much the best inexpensive .22LR semi-auto, and the Browning Buck Mark is right up there from what I've heard. They're reasonably accurate, reasonably reliable, and they'll hold their value more than others.
Despite others telling you that .22LR pistols don't really have problems feeding, they do. Semi-autos, in any caliber, can be a little choosy about what ammo they like. I've fired a Walther P22 at a range, and it did have problems with misfeeding. The current talk about the Sig Sauer Mosquito is the same.
The key for shooting semi pistols in .22LR is in searching for a round that your pistol likes to feed. CCI Blazer tends to get good reviews, and it fed fairly well in that P22. Supposedly the big 500ish round boxes aren't as high quality, but I've never had more than one or two misfires out of a big box when shooting a rifle. (Your experience may vary.) I'm pretty sure that one of the reasons pistols are so choosy is because the shorter barrels don't let the ammo reach full velocity, which means that there's less recoil to operate the action. That makes sense from a scientific point of view (I'm a science teacher) and would explain why the CCI Blazer (a higher velocity round) would work so well in so many semi pistols- it's got a little more kick to work the gun.
You say you don't feel a revolver is practical, but it sure would be funny if you could practice to the point where you could empty a 10-round revolver into a target accurately and reload it in the time it took your friends to do the same with their semis. Just a thought.
Just go for the Ruger 22. I preferred them before the loaded chamber indicator and all that cruft but it doesn't make a lot of difference. I bought one to teach my mother to shoot and fitted it with a red dot sight, she was shooting tin cans at 25 yards within minutes. I shoot it as often as anything else and I don't remember function or accuracy being an issue.
There are 22 'free pistols' that will shoot as accurately as most people are with a rifle. Shooting tiny groups with a rifle may light some people's candle but it does nothing much for me.