Thread: Trying to decide between 22 pistols

Thinking of adding to my carry and fun guns. A 22 pistol for plinking and what ever comes up out in the woods. Squirrels snakes and so on.. I've looked at the smith and wesson model 41 and it is a fine looking and feeling weapon. I also have handled the Ruger MK11 in the heavy barrel 5 1/2 and 6 1/5 barrel lengths and trying to make up my mind between the two. The smith is about 2 times more expensive. Just wondering what others think about the comparison . As a lot of things we accumulate as we get olded it would be more or less another toy. So what do you folks think.

I have owned a S&W model 41 and it was a super fun gun. Just a fine point and hit piece.
I haven't used the other pistol so I cannot compare.

I have owned the Ruger MKII in the 5 1/2 in Bull Barrel since about the time it was released..

Flawless operation with just about anything you want to feed it
Atrocious breakdown operation they actually make kits to make it easier
The factory sights were simply to sloppy for the weapon, it is way more accurate then the sights allowed for, I put on a 1.5X pistol scope and love it..


JMHO

Had a Woodsman, and regrettably sold it years ago, when I bought a Hi Standard Victor. Have shot the 41 a bunch and own a Ruger mk II, Blue Steel, bull barrel.

The Ruger is a shooter, I have put a lot of ammo through it, do get the heavy barrel, balances the pistol much better, but then I like bull barreled pistols. It is a great pistol to teach someone to shoot.

Yea, sights can be improved, but that goes for most pistols. It is a good buy and will out shoot most folks.

Just watched the you tube video on the Ruger take down to clean. didn't seem too bad. I believe i will ask my gun dealer to get me the ruger in stainless steel. Here in Tn. the climate changes with the humidity i really don't want to worry too much about rust. I think the wife will enjoy shooting it also.

I had a S&W model 41 back in the '70s. Had a 5" bbl with a groove in the top of the slide and you could extend the front sight out a ways. Tighten the extension with a couple of allan screws. I sold it and got a Hi Standard Supermatic Citation and had it accurized by a guy named Giles out of Tampa FL. Good guns both. Sold that one too somewhere along the way.

Now I have a S&W, forget the model # and too lazy to look it up, but it is a 6"bbl revolver with a 10 shot cylinder. Patridge front sight, and just a real nice plinker. For semi-autos I have an old Colt Woodsman Mk IV, and one of the newer Brownings that is a mini clone of the 1911. Aluminum frame and slide. Nice shooter but very light weight. Took some getting used to.

A lot of ranges around here rent guns. If you have the chance to rent before you buy that might be a good idea. IME any Ruger or S&W is going to be a good gun. Just a matter of whether you are comfortable with the feel and what have you.

I have the Ruger Mark II bull barrel, for over 20 years. Extremely accurate. No jam problems.
Have an aimpoint scope on it.
Only taken it down about a half dozen times in the 20 years. Needs little maintenance.

Originally Posted by bouschie

I have the Ruger Mark II bull barrel, for over 20 years. Extremely accurate. No jam problems.
Have an aimpoint scope on it.
Only taken it down about a half dozen times in the 20 years. Needs little maintenance.

I have the regular Mark II no bull barrel factory sights I can hit anything I aim at with it. I've had it since I was 18.

Originally Posted by bouschie

I have the Ruger Mark II bull barrel, for over 20 years. Extremely accurate. No jam problems.
Have an aimpoint scope on it.
Only taken it down about a half dozen times in the 20 years. Needs little maintenance.

AFAIC you don't clean 22 LR pistols. IMHO .........

Shot a Walther P22 the other day at the range. Not too familiar with 22 hand guns but i did enjoy it!.