Looking for a new .22 Auto pistol.. Suggestions?

[Orion_70]

I'm looking to get a new .22 Auto pistol for plinking and keeping up my skills, they're a lot cheaper to shoot. Anyone own one or know of a good one? I have a Ruger single six I shoot and an older model ruger auto. Don't know if I want a newer Ruger, the Browning Buckmark, Smith , or Sig.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Well I bit the bullet and went with the Browning Buckmark Camper. It comes with open sites and a 5.5" bull barrel. I purchased it from Gander Mtn for $239.99. I took it home and locked it up for the night in my gun cabinet all safe and sound.

The next day I took it out of the cabinet to head to the range. I grabbed a couple hand guns including my 9mm and the Buckmark wanting to send a couple hundred rounds down range. Well...Here is where the trouble started. I loaded a couple 22lr bullets into the Buckmark's magazine and attempted to chamber a round. Well, the round would not enter the barrel and kept popping out the discharge and falling on the floor. I tried to chamber another round and the same thing happened. At this time I removed the magazine and locked the slide in the rearmost position. I examined the breech area on the handgun and found out that the firing pin had been machined a little too long. The firing pin had damaged the rear of the barrel in the breech area and caused a deformation of the rear of the barrel. There was a bur protruding down into the area that would normally house the bullet before the trigger was pulled on a live round. This is the reason that a round would not chamber.

I returned to Gander Mtn that same day and spoke to the person that sold me the gun. He filled out a form for the Gunsmith and informed me that he would have the smith call me on Monday to let me know the outcome of his examination. Well, on Tuesday I received a call stating that the Buckmark is on its way back to Browning. Oh boy...Not I have to wait longer to go after those squirrels...Hopefully the turnaround time at Browning is a short one. I am excited to get my red dot mounted and head to the range for some triggertime...I have my Weigand Scope Mount waiting to go on the gun.

FYI, this gun has been back at Browning for 4 & 1/2 weeks with no word on a return date. I am slowly losing faith in Browning and their products...I figured that since I had just purchased their product that they would be a little more anxious to return it to me quickly. I guess not...

I'll let you all know how it shoots once the gun is back in my hands...If I ever get the gun back in my hands...Squirrel season ends 2/28 and I doubt if I will get it back before the end.

[robk]

take a look athe ruger models they make some great little 22's with long rifle options that shoot very well
rob k

[hangunnr]

I'd stay away from the Smith 22s unless you're looking at a model 41. I've got a model 22A that is frankly a POS. I wouldn't ever own another.

The Sig Trailside is a lesser version of the venerable Hammerli 208. While I've not owned the Sig version of this pistol I do own the Hammerli and can't say enough about the quality and accuracy. From what I've heard of the Trailside it is a winner.

The Brownings are good guns. I still have the first Buckmark that I purchased many years ago. I like the grip and action of the Browning. The trigger leaves a little to be desired but is just fine for casual target shooting or hunting.

I don't think you could go wrong with either the Browning or the Sig. I hope you have alot of patience if you deceide to buy the Smith.

hangunnr

[popgun]

Since you are looking for suggestions, I would easily recommend the Colt Target Semi-Auto Bull Barrel handgun.
I purchased the CC5140 target pistol in 1996 for $220., and it was the most accurate out of the box that I have ever fired. I still have it and use it frequently for squirrels, targets and snakes. It has never jammed on me or failed in any way to function in a perfect manner. .....popgun

[JimT]

I like my Ruger 22/45 alot. Great pistol. I would highly reccomend it.

[spyderpancake]

I like both the Rugers and Brownings. You won't go wrong with either of them.

[ZooBear]

[ QUOTE ]
I like both the Rugers and Brownings. You won't go wrong with either of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree.
I own a S&W mod.41 that I shoot bullseye with, its a great gun but pricey!

[johnf]

This is my plinking toy of choice. The Beretta Neos has been flawless so far. I've had it for about a year and have put about 2000 shells through it. Take down can be done without any tools and can be done in about 30 seconds. I put a red dot on it and can keep a 3" group with the whole clip at 50 yards pretty easily. The gun fits the hand very well and looks cool to me.

The only thing that I would like to be different on the neos is a smaller open sight system.