Comparison – Review on the top 10 Pistols in 22 LR Caliber

For Target or Practice

This list is in no specific order – I am sorry if I left off your favorite gun or a gun that you wanted an opinion on.  Feel free to email or call me if you want feedback on a specific gun.  I chose guns that were both popular and some of my favorites to do this comparison.

Walther P22

 PROS

 * Lightweight
 * Smaller Grip Size
 * Great for Youth or Women
 * Perfect Backpack or 4 wheeler gun
 * They have a longer barrel available – Some models can be purchased with both barrels (Short and Long)
 * Walther Laser included with some models (Adds 100 to gun, 179 if bought seperate)
 * Good Accuracy – multiple people have mentioned that it is more accurate than they expected
 * Walther has introduced multiple colors and designs to appeal to everyone

 CONS

 * Some complaints of it being ammo specific. Some ammo types cause Failure to feed and Eject issues. (this seems to be gun specific as I have heard that some guns will shoot everything)
 * Couple people have mentioned that it needs to stay clean and it will fire anything. 100 rds, dirty and jams
 * Magazines can be hard to find (Most magazines are hard right now) – around $25-30
 * CCI or High velocity seems to work well in this gun

Sig Sauer Mosquito

 PROS

 * Durable
 * Feels like a standard size pistol – Similar to some Pi
 * Very Dependable

 CONS

 * Heavy frame – Both a pro and con in ways
 * Trigger pull is long and heavy. Some complaints of tension at the end of the pull. (A few have said it loosens up over time)
 * Hard to get parts and most gunsmiths can’t or won’t work on them. (Adjusting trigger, feed, extraction, etc.)
 * Can be ammo specific/sensitive. CCI work fine, but are more expensive

Ruger SR 22 – Comes in Black and Stainless – You will also see Lilac (Purple) (Distributor Exclusive)

 PROS

 * Lightweight
 * Similar size and grip to Walther
 * Shorter for easy carry
 * Very few complaints from buyers and online research
 * Available with a laser (About $80.00 extra)
 * Great for Backpacking – ATV’s – Etc.

 CONS

 * Some say that they have had a few issues with FTF (Failure to Feed) and FTE (Failure to Eject) in the first 50-100 rounds, but that it works its way out. We have had very few complaints about Feeding issues. Most say it shoots everything.
 * Some complaints about the trigger in the beginning, but it works smoother after a few hundred rounds.
 * Popular and somewhat hard to find.
 * Shorter barrel may not appeal as much for someone looking for a target pistol.
 

Ruger Mk II – Multiple models available – From Target to Standard

 PROS

 * Volquartsen Upgrade available
 * Very accurate
 * Target style with multiple barrel options
 * Smooth trigger in standard pistols and plenty of upgrade options from after market companies
 * Target and standard style grips (1911 45 angled grip available)

 CONS

 * Longer barrels don’t conceal very well.
 * Heavier and not optimal for packing.
 * Hard to clean – Most Rugers Pistols are complicated to breakdown and put back together.

Ruger Mk III – Multiple Models available – Standard, Target, 1911, etc.

PROS

 * Reliable – Seems to be a given with these pistols.
 * Accurate – Longer Barrels add accuracy and distance to your accuracy.
 * Plenty of Upgrades available
 * Target and Standard Grips available.
 * Improved Mag Release – Different people seem to see this as a positive and a negative.
 * Added the “Loaded Chamber Indicator” – Another thing that draws a positive and negative response from reviews. (It is supposed to be a little harder to clean the gun with this feature.
 * A lot of people recommend a Clark or Volquartsen Trigger Upgrade for the Accuracy fanatics.

CONS

 * Target Pistols are heavier – They are made this way for stability, balance and for the firearm to function long-term.
 * I see a lot of comments online and hear from customers that they prefer the Mark II Pistol – Some say the Cleaning process, some prefer not to have the indicator. I personally like the indicator and see it as a safety feature.
 * Cleaning of the MK Pistols has always been a challenge.  Once you learn the “Secrets” of the process, it gets easier.

Colt Woodsman – Multiple barrel lengths and models available – 3 generations with changes at each.

 PROS

 * Value seems to always go up on Colt’s – Collectors are always looking for older Woodsman pistols.
 * Well made and very reliable – Shoot everything and seem to be very accurate.
 * Comfortable and made with great parts.  These guns should outlast the owners.

CONS

 * Smaller guns were not optimal for target shooters.
 * Collector value makes them expensive.
 * These pistols are hard to find – They stopped making them back in the 70’s.
 * Parts and Gunsmiths that have experience on them can be hard to find.

Colt Challenger

PROS

 * Cheaper than the Woodsman – Similar in the design.
 * Very reliable and well made.
 * Classic pistol that should do nothing but go UP in value.

CONS

 * Because they are not currently in production, parts and gunsmiths can be hard to find.
 * Collector value drives up the price.

Browning Buckmark – Tons of models and variations to choose from

PROS

 * Tons of models, colors and options to choose from
 * Good value for a quality gun
 * Some of the older ones are valuable
 * Older ones seem to draw a lot of interest online

CONS

 * Some complaints of newer models being ammo specific (Picky)
 * Accuracy issues in some of the later models – Seems to be gun specific – Not related to any model or year.

S&W Model 41

PROS

 * Great Trigger.
 * Target Style Grips.
 * This gun is on almost every top ten list online.

CONS

 * Expensive and hard to find.
 * Good gunsmiths can be hard to find.
 * Some parts may be hard to find.

Hammerli – (Includes other Target Style Custom Pistols)

PROS

 * Great Target pistol – Very tough to beat in a competition setting.
 * Great accuracy.
 * Very versatile with a great trigger and multiple grip setups/options.

CONS

 * Very Expensive – Options just make it more expensive.
 * Not very attractive – In my opinion.
 * Most models that are target are large and not easy to carry.
 * Great for the range, back yard, etc. Not a great gun for camping, kids, etc.

Article Written by

Jason Pollard
Beaver Sport
www.beaversport.com