[jmls1994]

I'm not a handgun guy, but am thinking about buying a .22 pistol just for me & my boys to have fun with. So I'm looking for some help from people in the know! Not looking to break the bank. Semi or revolver? Reliable brand? Length of barrel? Or anything else you think important.
Thanks!

 

[Clinton County]

If you want to hunt with it you need a revolver. Never had a pistol but I go to a site where a lot of folks use them for squirrel and to them it is hands down the single-six which I think is a ruger. They say they are real accurate. I saw a pistol here on the classifieds that looks like my father-in-laws 22. It can shoot mags also if you change the cylinder which comes with it. His shoots good and is fun to shoot. Don't know if it is still on there. I think it is a Heritage?

 

[Injun]

IMO, look for a Ruger MKII or a MKIII, there's not much difference between them. MKIII's have a chambered round indicator and a few other mods, both are semi w/ 10rd mags. I have a MKII that has literally 10's of thousands of rounds through it with out any issues. MKII's can be found for under $300, MKIII's will be new and about a $100's more. The after market is flooded with parts & accessories for them. BTW, don't listen to anyone that says they're hard to tear down...once you've done it once or twice it's easy.

 

[Birch812]

+1 on the Mark II. I have one with the bull barrel and its fun to shoot and trouble free. Keep it clean and you will have no problems. This is a pistol your great great grandchildren could still be using.
Good Luck

 

[TRAPJAW]

If all you plan to do is plink then most any gun is up to the task. Find one that fits and feels good. If for some reason you think you may end up doing more then look at the higher quality guns. The MkII & III are good, but my personal favorite is the Browning Buckmark. They are probably the best out of the box pistol out there. Mine is an absolute tack driver. I used to drive the guys at shoots nuts. They had high end guns that had been customized and there I was with a stock gun, shooting just as good or better then they were. Just some food for thought.

 

[outdoors man]

jmls1994, If you and the boys are just starting out with a handgun, I would recommend a revolver. Just a tad safer. All the semi's listed are very good but for a beginner, revolver with 5-1/2 or 6" barrel.

 

[Andy1]

I own a few .22 handguns, a Ruger Single Six, a Taurus 94, Ruger MKII, A Phoneix Arms HP-22.

For pure enjoyment I shoot the Ruger MK II the most. It has a bull barrel and is 5.5" in length. It has a good trigger and really nice adjustable sights. I also hunt squirrels at times with the singel six but with the 22 mag cylinder in it. The Taurus 94 revolver feels and handles like a nice revolver but just is not as accurate as the MKII. Someday I would like to get a S&W revolver. I seen a few of them that were scary accurate....

 

[HOGGHEAD]

For just a fun gun to shoot with the kids it is pretty tough to beat the Ruger Single Action 22. They are not the most accurate, but are more than accurate enough for fun shooting and short distance squirrel hunting. I do alot of point shooting with a couple that I have, and they are a great inexpensive way to learn how to shoot.

If you want a semi then I would take the advice from the fellow above and go with the Browning. Yes the Ruger's are nice but the Browning's will out shot the Ruger's. He is correct. I have a Buckmark silhouette that will drive 20 penny nails at 15 yards. And that is not a joke, the pistol will do it. And yes I realize that is a 1/2" group-but this is not just internet talk. The Browning's really will shoot. Tom.

 

[Tuckerman]

jmls1994, I have a .22 revolver for sale in the hunting and fishing for sale section. H&R 9 shot 22 revolver. Its in great shape. Pics in the post

 

[mauser06]

if you wanna semi, i favor the browning buckmark over the ruger...its a personal thing..both shoot equally well..i just could never figure the trick out to cleaning a ruger...it was a royal pain....

 

[hunt/fish365]

I have a heritage rough rider with a 6" barrel. It's fine to plink with, and it accurate enough out to about 20-25 yards to hunt squirrels with. The sights are not adjustable like the single six, and the fisnish is nowhere near as good. It does only cost around $200 where the single six is around $450.

 

[PossumBackstrap]

Beretta 87T

 

[fjp110]

I would say to hunt you should go single six. for the all out most reliable shooter in an auto you go Ruger mark I,II, or III. the walther p22 and sig mosquitos are great if you use really good ammo. I have to say the heritage is a great value, I love mine but they are not super pretty.

 

[jmls1994]

Thanks to all for the reply's. A lot to think about. I really was thinking semi, but now am thinking revolver so I could hunt with it. Since I have 2 young hunters, I have been back chasing the bushy tails again. I also have to think about how much I want to spend. Once again thanks for all the good info.!

 

[Doubledog]

Smith and Wesson 422 is a great gun that is not terribly expensive. Lately, I've been shooting a Kimber rimfire pistol (1911 configuration) that is a really, really nice gun. Problem is they are north of $700 for the non-custom and over $900 for the custom shop treatment.

 

[uncle buck]

Hunting and trapping gun...The Ruger Single Six

Plinking the Ruger Mark 111

 

[snappertrapper]

I have an H&R 9 shot revolver that makes a great trapline gun

 

[1100]

Easy, go with the Ruger Mk 2 or New 3 series. Will last forever and reliable.