Looking for a reliable .22 pistol

[i6pwr]

This could be a unicorn, but I'm looking to find a good, reliable semi auto .22 pistol that can also function with subsonic ammo. The TX22 feels nice but I can see why some complain about the gritty trigger pull, wish it was smoother but not a deal breaker.

I have used a Buckmark, I remember a higher amount of gas discharge that I could smell when firing....may have been nothing but it shot well.

Is the Ruger Mk (pick your series) the best option? Seems whichever one I research there's always a group of owners who complain about FTF....I doubt you could limp wrist a .22 but never know. I'm open for all input.

 

[Astro14]

The Ruger has a loyal following for good reason. I would buy one in a heartbeat for your use. I know guys, like @wwillson, who have thousands of rounds though one with not a single malfunction.

 

[Rand]

What's you budget?
For cheap There is nothing better than the tx22.

ruger mark IV (esp the competition model) is nice for the price. and single stack mags are pretty bulletproof.
Browning buckmark if you catch a good sale.

My sig p322 loves 45grain federal subsonic... the mags are still a work in progress..
although last time I had it out.. I had 0 problems with 180rds all performing as expected.
I think they updated the mags silently.. since I exchanged mine back to sig for new ones
they have been much better.. although I haven't dared to leave them loaded.

The tx22 competition if you can get used to the red dot being in the middle vs the rear.
the red dot isn't slide mounted so of course its more accurate.

Plenty of other options .... why a budget $$$ is essential for recommendations.

Edit:
You mentioned subsonic. Are you thinking of a suppressor with tax stamps going to $0 next year?

I was pondering a Savage mark II FV SR for that reason.

 

[dnewton3]

IMO, any decent brand which makes a long-established .22 pistol/revolver is going to be OK.
I have an old S&W mdl 422 which has been great over the decades.

As a generality, the reliability of shooting .22lr is much more a function of the quality of the ammo and not the gun.

 

[dubber09]

Browning Buckmark is a good one too, you may not find too many aftermarket stuff for it thou.

 

[supton]

Manufacturers occasionally make lemons; 22's can be picky beasts, preferring only 1 ammo. Once in a while someone comes out of the woodwork and insists that their 22 just loves an ammo that everyone else seems to hate. And of course, 22 tends to run dirty, so if someone lets their gun get super dirty and gets the expected results, their complaints ought to be ignored. With "lots" of 22's having been made over the years, there will be some complaints in the mix.

Been a while since I looked but I'd go for the Ruger, they seem to run well with subsonic. Mine won't cycle with CB's for obvious reasons but seems fine with all else I've given it.

Are you looking to use subsonic for less noise or more accuracy? Quick look (Ruger forum) has someone's MkIII using HV at sub 1000fps speeds and SV at just slightly less.

 

[Pablo]

I’ve not tried it on my 22/45 but I am skeptical.

Revolver.

 

[i6pwr]

why a budget $$$ is essential for recommendations

Oh, my bad. ...would like to stay under $500 but open to all options under $1K, but aiming around 500.

To clarify my 1st post, it wasn't the Ruger that I was making a mention towards a FTF, it was just all of them in general.

 

[Rand]

Oh, my bad. ...would like to stay under $500 but open to all options under $1K, but aiming around 500.

To clarify my 1st post, it wasn't the Ruger that I was making a mention towards a FTF, it was just all of them in general.

I edited. my post too.

 

[CarlB]

S&W Model 41

 

[i6pwr]

Are you looking to use subsonic for less noise or more accuracy

Mostly for noise, usually if one eats subs well, then the rest seem to work.

The P322 does look sweet.

 

[i6pwr]

S&W Model 41

I probably should grab one new while I can.

 

[opus1]

Another vote for Ruger. Dad has one (well, had, I guess it's mine now) and when we'd go to punch holes in paper targets, that was his preferred gun.

 

[shortyb]

For a benchmark pistol with accuracy in mind, either the S&W Model 41 (either "new" or "old" model) or a Ruger MkIII (512 if you can find at a decent price). For a super reliable plinker at a great price point, the TX22. I threw a Tandemkross Victory trigger on my gen 1 and it's worlds better than the OE trigger. Very smooth and zero "grit". Still on the fence about the lighter trigger spring, and may go back to the stock spring, but getting used to it. For $60, it's well worth the cost, as well as the time and patience needed for install.

 

[Hohn]

S&W Model 41

incredibly accurate, but I wouldn't say it's super reliable. They tend to be a little ammo picky for function because of the tighter clearances consistent with the intended match shooting usage.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the SW Victory 22. It's cheap and very good, and has a huge aftermarket from Tandemkross, Volquartsen, and others.

 

[nwjones18]

Another vote for the Rugers. The 22/45's are nice guns. I haven't attempted to run subsonic's in them though..

 

[CarlB]

incredibly accurate, but I wouldn't say it's super reliable. They tend to be a little ammo picky for function because of the tighter clearances consistent with the intended match shooting usage.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the SW Victory 22. It's cheap and very good, and has a huge aftermarket from Tandemkross, Volquartsen, and others.

Drop of oil on the first round of the magazine.

I run them on bulk or box for steel challenge.

 

[AZjeff]

By subsonic ammo are you meaning standard velocity ammo under 1,110 fps or ammo like CCI quiet that shoots around 710 fps? I have a number of .22 pistols that all shoot standard velocity lead ammo fine, have never tried the low velocity in any of them. Never use high velocity, stingers, etc.

As far as the TX22 I got one a year ago and don't have a bunch of rounds through it yet wouldn't consider it broken in and don't think the trigger is terrible, especially for a pistol that I think cost $259 at the time and they had a deal with more mags. It holds like a full size pistol and holds 15 rounds if that means anything.

The Ruger Mk III Target shoots extremely well, but some don't like the grip angle. It had a few FTFs with standard velocity ammo but a LCI (loaded chamber indicator) delete kit fixed that.

 

[Hohn]

Drop of oil on the first round of the magazine.

I run them on bulk or box for steel challenge.

My buddy's PC 41 loves cci standard. Shoots that stuff butter than even the premium from eley, SK, and RWS. Sort of neat how that expensive pistol loves affordable ammo.

 

[Paco Pena]

You won't go wrong with a Ruger Mk_ in the flavor of your choice. Some people have trouble with disassembly/ reassembly but as long as you don't have 10 thumbs you should be fine.