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Posted: 7/25/2006 11:19:15 AM EDT
I just purchased my first gun, a .380, and am realizing how expensive ammo can be.  It looks like .22 is dirt cheap so I think I'll buy a .22.  I'm looking for something I can just shoot, shoot and shoot with to gain some "affordable training" at the range.  No personal protection or vermant hunting or anything like that.

I've been looking at Rugers .22 and of course the Walther P22.  I'm looking for something reasonably priced.  Both were hovering around $310.  Any other suggestions or are those two the best out there?

Thanks in advance!



Edit:

PS, one more thing.  A few have mentioned getting rid of the mag safety on these guns, why would one want to do that?

Link Posted: 7/25/2006 11:26:55 AM EDT
[#1]

Quoted:
I just purchased my first gun, a .380, and am realizing how expensive ammo can be.  It looks like .22 is dirt cheap so I think I'll buy a .22.  I'm looking for something I can just shoot, shoot and shoot with to gain some "affordable training" at the range.  No personal protection or vermant hunting or anything like that.

I've been looking at Rugers .22 and of course the Walther P22.  I'm looking for something reasonably priced.  Both were hovering around $310.  Any other suggestions or are those two the best out there?

Thanks in advance!



Edit:

PS, one more thing.  A few have mentioned getting rid of the mag safety on these guns, why would one want to do that?



CDNN has Sig/Hammerli Trailsides in that range.  The Trailside is a damned accurate pistol with the best out-of-the-box trigger for the money, IMO.

If you are training for defense, I'd get a Glock and an Advantage Arms .22 conversion.  IMO, you want your rimfire trainer to be as similar to your centerfire defensive weapon as possible.  If you prefer 1911s, Kimber makes rimfires, but they are out of the stated price range.  The CZ Cadet would be a good choice if you used a CZ-75 for defense.  Ceiner also makes conversions for Hi-Powers and other pistols.  Good luck!
Link Posted: 7/25/2006 5:00:31 PM EDT
[#2]
The p22 is a fine plinker, and looks and behaves more like a typical auto pistol then a Ruger. Thats not to say it is better, but it may be more in line with what you are already  practiced with and want to train with.

The p22 is not the .22 pistol to get serious about accuracy with. Between the short barrel, underwhelming sites and the cheap ammo you are likely to use it's just not a tack driver. It may also require a little tinkering and testing with to get running reliably. These days, most p22's just need a hundred rounds or so of break in and then run fine with out all the modifications that used to be mandatory. There is also a good concensus on what ammo works well and what doesn't, so you don't have to bother testing every other brand and type of .22LR out there.

As for the mag safety- it can be an annoyance. With the safety it is impossible to drop the hammer with out the mag in the gun. For me, I prefer to clean and tinker with the magazine out of the gun, which is nigh impossible with the safety still in. I don't like the idea of dropping the hammer on a gun with the magazine still in, even if I just checked it and every other safety step I can take is in place. It's a personal preference and one that I think a lot of people share.

If you have a pistol with a mag safety and want to leave it in, then go ahead. The gun will still go boom when you want it to. But I suspect it will wear thin on you and you'll find it more frustration then it is worth. It is easy to disable and to do so with out having any ill effects.

-Local  

Link Posted: 7/26/2006 5:25:56 AM EDT
[#3]
What do you mean by modifications?  Just the sights or do you mean other modifications?  And what is a good reasonable priced ammo to use on the P22.

I see what you mean about the mag safety.  My Bersa .380 has that feature.  I think it's for people who pull the slide back and check the chamber with their finger still on the trigger.  Designed for the least common denominator I guess!

Thanks for your imput!
Link Posted: 7/26/2006 8:13:59 AM EDT
[#4]
The p22 is a fine pistol. It does however have some short comings. Most, have been corrected over the past few iterations, but some remain.

For instance- Part of the trigger group contacts the slide during normal operation. From the factory, this part (trigger disconnect bar/ears) can be still sharp and burred. The steel ears will slowly wear away the softer zinc slide every time the pistol is fired. This isn't a show stopper in it's self, but the zinc slides are not terribly strong, and extra wear is never a good thing. The modification is to remove the part and file/debur it either by hand or carefully with a dremel.

I have not yet done this one, as my trigger disconnect ears are pretty dull to start with. I can see the wear starting in the slide however, so I will probably get around to it sometime.

Like I said, a lot of the issues have been resolved by now, but there are still some things that Walther should fix. I am not going to get up and jump and shout about the pistol, but I am happy with it. The first few models of the P22 rightfully earned a bad rap, but the newer models make up for it. My AF coded pistol works near flawlessly after a break in period.

As to the mag safety- I was under the impression that the mag safety first originated in pistols used by prison guards or other guards who might have their guns taken from them. Being able to drop the mag out of the gun and render it safe, even with a round in the chamber, could be a life saving move. It might just buy enough time to get out of dodge or some such. I don't think it really makes handling the gun any safer and might create a loaded situation. It seems to me like one of those insane set of switches you have to hold to get a saw to turn on- Safetys just for the sake of having more safetys and not to make the device safer.

Ammo choices- Like all .22's the Walther can be picky on what you feed it. You're best bet for reliable operation is either CCI minimags or Remington Golden bullets. Either can be had at Walmart, and the 550 round Remington bulk pack is a steal.  There are many brands and types of subsonic ammo, but don't bother unless you are using a suppressor. Otherwise you may have some short stroke problems with the weaker ammo.

Local
Link Posted: 7/29/2006 12:42:45 PM EDT
[#5]
A Browning Buckmark with the Standard configuration should be exactly what you're looking for, IMO.

The Walther .22s have a list a mile long of problems & unhappy owners. The Sig & Beretta .22s either look too goofy for my personal tastes or there's issues with them as well. Ruger's have sold a million of their .22s, but I'm not a fan of Ruger, personally.

The S&W series is another option you may wish to look at as well. Their 41 Model is probably priced too high for your plinker level, but their Sport series should fit what you want/need, IMO.

My .o2    
Link Posted: 7/30/2006 7:26:11 AM EDT
[#6]
Whats your Budget?? this may not seem like a big deal but if you want to spend over $500 get an olympic pistol by Hammerilli, beretta, walther, high standard or colt

they are more expensive but shoot like match rifles they are worth every penny as long as you don't go over $800
Link Posted: 7/30/2006 7:38:10 AM EDT
[#7]
Another vote for Buckmark. They are well made, cheap and VERY reliable.
Link Posted: 8/23/2006 10:25:44 PM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:
Another vote for Buckmark. They are well made, cheap and VERY reliable.


+1

I am somebody that really tried to like the Walther,  but I really want one of the Brownings.
Link Posted: 8/23/2006 10:31:39 PM EDT
[#9]
I am very fond of the Ruger Mk I, Mk II or 22-45 models. They are pretty technical to disassemble and reassemble though. And lots of people just plain don't like 'em.

For a wheelgun, again Ruger: the Single Six. This can be bought with cylinders for both .22 long rifle and .22 Magnum, which increases its versatility. It is a single-action revolver though.

I own both of these. Both are tack drivers IMO.
Link Posted: 8/24/2006 5:29:50 AM EDT
[#10]
I didn't realize there was a difference between .22 LR and .22 Magnum.  (I thought it was just a marketing thing.)  Are they the same length?  I have mini mags, are those the same as .22 Magnums?  
Link Posted: 8/24/2006 7:55:43 AM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:
I didn't realize there was a difference between .22 LR and .22 Magnum.  (I thought it was just a marketing thing.)  Are they the same length?


No, the .22 mag is both longer & slightly bigger diameter than the .22 Long Rifle. That is why when revolvers shoot both calibers, one has to change out the cylinder to swap back & forth.



I have mini mags, are those the same as .22 Magnums?


No, the mini-mags should be .22 Long Rifle. It will be clearly marked on the box, usually on the front label.
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