reliable .22 semi-auto pistol

[grumpyMSG]

I've just got a little warning about the Rugers, if you are used to shooting other pistols, make sure it is pointed at the target before you touch the trigger. I have seen numerous people used to shooting Beretta M9s get ready to fire one and the pistol surprised them by going off when they went to take the slack out of the trigger.
I really don't think you can go wrong with the Rugers, but Colt has the Woodsman, I cant remember the model for Walther, Browning's got the Buckmark and Sig has it's Mosquito. If you already own a pistol, you could look into a .22 adapter kit, so you are practicing with a pistol that is your big pistol. I know Sig makes some, so does Kimber and I believe that will fit on most 1911 style pistols, Ciener makes one for Berettas and Advantage Arms makes them for a number of different Glocks...

[shootergdv]

ANY of the Ruger MKI,II,III have to be the best choice all round. The III has the mag release more like a 1911, as does the the .22/45 Ruger that has a grip angle closer to the 1911. But you can't put better fitting grips on the .22/45 frame 'cause nobody makes any. The MK III's also come with a scope mount that's much lighter than the B-Square clamp-on I have on my MK II. The basic Ruger in any configuration will serve you well for plinking, and the bull barreled versions can be upgraded easily for bullseye competition if you get interested. A GREAT piece to start anyone on , any way you cut it.

[user]

The Ruger Mark III is about as reliable as you can get, and awfully accurate, too - but I sold the one I had because it took me two to three hours to put it back together every time I went to clean it. And, being a .22 that gets smudged up pretty badly, and won't work right if it's dirty, that was fairly often.

I prefer the Smith & Wesson model 617, ten-round K frame revolver, or the model 63 J frame.

[Palladin]

@ user - I think Bill Ruger had a penchant for those darned blacksmith puzzles with the horseshoes and rings, so he built one in...

[SgtBill]

I have to tell y'all I spent the last 40 or more years working on firearms and even went through a Ruger Armorers School for Law Enforcement. I also owned one and loved haw it shot. But like everyone else it seems I hated to put it back together after cleaning it and sold it many years ago. I stll shudder when someone shows up at my house with one for me to look at.
Bill

[acguy45]

the .22/45 Ruger that has a grip angle closer to the 1911. But you can't put better fitting grips on the .22/45 frame 'cause nobody makes any.

They do make a Mark III 22/45 with removable grip Panels now. it saves having to take a dremel to your pistol if you want to put other grips on it. I just wish they would sell the lower frame assembly as a seperate piece. Of course it is a reason to buy another one

[gunderwood]

I always heard how hard they were to work with, but never really understood the fuss now that I own one. Basic cleaning is not hard IMHO. Yes, things only go back together if you perform the tasks exactly like the manual says, but the steps are not hard. Unlike some other firearms, you can't really do things "your" way, which is what I think throws people for a loop.

[nickf829]

Gunderwood said it. It's a gun with a "one way and one way only" strip and assembly process.. Some people just don't like that. Take your time the first few times you strip/assemble the gun, pay attention, and you will quickly learn that it's simple. You can strip a MK fully and reassemble in 5 minutes. I sold my MK2 this summer and showed the buyer how to strip and reassemble, in the parking lot of Sheetz, in about 5 minutes. Most people get so fed up with the mainspring housing that they swear off the gun forever.

I admit, I had trouble reassembling mine the first time i stripped it, but the trick is nothing more than turning the gun upside down at a 45 degree angle and dropping the hammer, then it slides right in. Everything else is held in with a few pins and springs, and is incredibly simple to strip/assemble.

Don't let the nay-sayers scare you away from the MK, give it a little time to learn the trick to strip/assemble and you will love your gun forever.

All this MK talk makes me miss mine, that new 22/45 is becoming mighty tempting.

[Palladin]

No naysayer here, I like blacksmith (or gunsmith) puzzles.

[Diomed]

I've tried putting them back together with the instruction booklet in front of me, just can't do it. Whatever the perfect angle is to get everything aligned, I can't attain it.

Of course, one of them is so freaking tight the gunsmith has trouble getting it back together...