22 Handgun for Practice

Patrick Palmer

Patrick Palmer

Well-Known Fanatic
Joined
Aug 23, 2012
Messages
68
Location
Lake City, MN
I have three options in a local store, where the pricing would be fairly close to Bud's if you included the FFL fees. I think that I want the one with an external hammer to more closely match my CZ but I also tried shooting a friend's Ruger (looked like the 22/45 Lite, but without the gold color) and it felt really nice. I've tried 2 of the 3 available and enjoyed both. Unsure of the 3rd, but it was similar to the guns that I "tried on" when I shopped for my CZ. Any overall thoughts on which one would be a better choice assuming all three feel comfortable to me?

- SW MP 22 12+1 with 4.1"
- Sig Mosquito black
- Ruger 22/45 Lite

Thanks,

Medicius
 
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Mosquitos don't have a good reliablility track record

love the way it feels , but too many fte's a fail to feed issues for mine
 
Ok, thanks Steve. I'm going to add one more option to the total list (ruger mark III standard). I have no experience with this one but it's the least expensive of the whole bunch.

- SW MP 22 12+1 with 4.1"
- Sig Mosquito black
- Ruger 22/45 Lite
- Ruger Mark III standard (black)

Thanks,

Medicius
 
Those Rugers are high on my want list too.

I have never heard anything good about the reliability of that sig mosquitoes either.
 
I've been using the Ruger MkIII hunter model and M&P22. Both have over 1,000 rounds each, mostly suppressed. Both are very reliable and the Ruger has the edge in accuracy. When dirty they each start having cycling problems but that is expected with the extremely dirty .22lr cartridge. A quick wipe down with a cloth and a drop of oil and you're back firing for another 400 rounds. Practicing sight picture, trigger prep, and follow through are what I'm getting out of it. The triggers are way different than my M&P40 and 2011. I can't say I've seen improvement in my pistol shooting directly relating to shooting .22lr pistols, but it sure is cheaper and a lot of fun. And the wife really likes it so that's a plus. If I were to choose just one, I really don't know. They're both good, the Ruger more accurate, the M&P extremely easy to break down and clean were the Ruger is a pain in the ass. I like the M&P but only time and more rounds will determine if it's going to last in the long run.

And That's my two cents.
 
Ok, thank you for the advice/feedback. The Ruger(s) it is. Here's the last question.

- Would you choose the Lite or the Mark III if the Mark III is just under $100 less? Please remember, the Mark III is just the standard version with non-adjustable sights. But both are new with expected accessories (Mark III has case + 2 mags, not positive on the Lite). I know many of you mentioned the Mark III, but some you also specified the Hunter version. I'm a "want-it-now-with-no-waiting" type of person, hence I plan my purchases on what's available near me. I know it's probably a bad idea, but the inner turmoil and profuse use of Tums is the downfall if I have to wait.

Thanks,

Medicius
 
not sure what they changed on the mk III, but i've had a mk II target for about 20 years that has fired god only knows how many rounds of every kind you can imagine. It still shoots great, never had any problems with it (even though i might go a few thousand rounds between cleanings), and it's still way more accurate than I am... highly recommended
 
Mark III goes to slide lock and has a slightly different magazine to facilitate that.
The mag release was moved from the heel position to the grip, similar to a 1911, and there us a loaded chamber indicator that is really usefull.
 
Well, I hit the store today and they only had three options available. I had a choice between a SW 22A, a Ruger MarkIII Target, and the gold anodized Ruger Lite. I chose the Ruger MarkIII. It felt more comfortable than the other Ruger and my research never hit on the SW so I had no idea what to expect from it. The Target has adjustable rear sights, the picatinny-style rail (maybe it is picatinny), and it was NIB. There was no buyers remorse on the drive home which is a nice feeling. Now i just want to get the front sight replaced with a FO option.

EDIT: Removed rifle reference. I thought it was cooler that it was. And per GB, it's over-priced.

Thank you for the feedback and assistance. I appreciated the help,

Medicius
 
I've heard that the Mosquito is a great gun IF you use the fancy ammo, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a .22 plinking gun if it costs as much to shoot as your .40/.45.

I've also heard good things about the Ruger. My dad has had a Ruger 22 since before I was born and it still works great. And he's not really one for cleaning guns, so that thing is pretty nasty. :)
 
If its NITB, expect to see a couple of malfunctions. Some from the "new gun syndrome", and some that may be caused by the mags.
When/if you buy new mags, make sure they have the red Ruger emblem on the base of the mag.
I have one that is the black logo. It rarely comes to slide lock.
Others that I shoot with at steel challenge, etc have experienced the same.
Enjoy your shooting day!
 
I shot another 500+ rounds through my M&P22 pistol yesterday, 95% of them suppressed. Got the slide so hot you really couldn't touch it. That baby ran and ran. I am more impressed by that pistol each time I shoot it. And my wife loves it. She shot at least 400 rounds through it yesterday and near that many two weeks ago. Anything they gets her out shooting is nice.
 
I put 200 rounds through it and had to stop because my thumb was sore from holding the load lever down each time. I started looking online for new magazines, used magazines, pretty much anything that would fit. Meh. They're not easy to come by. A 22 loader is definitely in my future. I think I saw one when I purchased my UpLuLa.

As far as shooting, it was really accurate. I still think I need a smaller FO sight still. Actually, since it's just for practice and fun, maybe I should get an inexpensive electronic sight instead. Hm.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice. I'm really liking the 22.

Medicius
 
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