TargetTalk

I'm interested in purchasing a .22 auto pistol that I can use for competition once I acquire something resembling skill. I was thinking about a Ruger as they seem fairly common and not overly expensive. Can anyone suggest some sources for pistols with better prices than the local Gander Mountain? :) I'd also like to hear any opinions about other pistol possibilities. Thanks!

~ Matt

mjgericke wrote:I'm interested in purchasing a .22 auto pistol that I can use for competition once I acquire something resembling skill. I was thinking about a Ruger as they seem fairly common and not overly expensive. Can anyone suggest some sources for pistols with better prices than the local Gander Mountain? :) I'd also like to hear any opinions about other pistol possibilities. Thanks!

~ Matt

In a sense you picked the wrong forum for information on a budget .22 auto pistol for target shooting since most of the experts believe that the current crop of budget .22's are mediocre at best. Instead, the experts will recommend a used IZH-35M, which are unfortunately difficult to find since they are no longer imported into the USA.

However, I can pass on my non-expert knowledge based on having gone through the same drill a few months ago. In the Budget (sub $500 category) you really only have two choices (my opinion). The Browning Buckmark Target 5.5 and the Ruger MKIII512. The Browning has a better out of the box trigger and is easier to reassemble. However, only the Ruger has extensive aftermarket 'parts' support that allows you to inexpensively upgrade the Ruger into something 'ok' for bullseye (not Olympic) competition. Also, there are a few what I'll call on-line 'support sites' (www.mkiii.org) for the Ruger that will quickly provide the necessary coaching on how to easily reassemble your Ruger as well as install the 'necessary' upgrades. Also, don't take my word for it, one of the members on this forum previously pointed out (to me) that the NRA publication Shooting Sports USA Vol 18 No. 5 May 2005 recommended the Ruger MKII512. [if you email NRA Shooting Sports they'll send you a copy of the article]

As for where to purchase your pistol. Buds had the lowest online prices (~$260) for a MKIII512.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/adva ... ords=mkiii


As for low cost upgrading, the experts (on MKIII.org) recommend replacing the grips with the ones from Volquartsen ($50) - see photo below - and also replacing the stock sear with the Volquartsen sear ($20) to reduce the trigger pull from the stock 6 lbs to about 2 lbs. I did the sear install a few weeks ago and it was fairly easy and actually did work as advertised. If you're curious, one online source for the Volquartsen parts is rimfiresports.com

http://www.rimfiresports.com/merchant.m ... y_Code=VC2



Side note: pilkguns linked a great article by Ed Hall that includes a series of practice drills to improve your shooting (for competition) that I just started working my way through.

http://www.pilkguns.com/eh01.htm

Now if you're willing to spend more than $1200, then you can quickly forget about the Ruger and go for a Pardini or Morini and so on.

You might get lucky and find a Clark accurized ruger on the secondary market , they are extremley accurate . They do not have the Ergos of the euro guns , things like recovery time in rapid fire etc .

Another option might be a S&W 41 , or Hi Standard . I dont know about parts and service on Hi Standards in your area . AMT still makes them , but not sure about older /all models .

Another option - a Benelli , least expensive of the Euroguns . Keep an eye on the secondary market , read the archives here . Guys are always trading up , older shooters are getting less active . These guys will often cut you a good deal , if they think old betsy is going to a good home .

Chris

In case you are interested - the 'targettalk' recommended IZH-35M .22 target pistol just came up for auction on gunbroker.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... m=63296809

This pistol even has the much desired Walter KSP grip instead of the stock 'tractor handle' grip. It will be interesting to see what the final bid ends up at.

That's a bit out of my price range for a beginner. :) I got a good deal on a KMKIII512 and I'll be picking it up tomorrow. Just one more toy for my wife to roll her eyes at. :)

~ Matt