Advice on a new .22 pistol

[Matto79]

Good morning team,

I'm wanting to buy a new .22 pistol, and like most, I've narrowed it down to a few.

My top 2 choices are the new Ruger SR22 pistol, and a Sig/GSG 1911 .22 pistol. I've held both, I like both. The SR22 is very small, and I think I gripped it with the smaller palm swell. Still seamed like a simple enough gun that has gotten great reviews.

I also have helded the Sig .22 1911 and that feels great. After all, I usually carry a Kimber Ultra so I like the 1911 platform.

This gun will be for almost nothing more that cheap fun/target shooting. I'm not interested in a Ruger MKIII standard .22, and I haven't closed the door on a Ruger 22/45, but I don't really want a gun that you have to really man handle to take down and reassemble. I just kind of want a good/cheap reliable .22 pistol.

What I really want to know is, out of the two, which is overall built better (I know this will be a lot of opinions, but that's what I'm looking for from yall), reliablity issues, strong parts that won't break, accuracy, and anything else worth noting. I know its silly and goes without saying, but I hate when guns fail. FTF or FTE I want to avoid. 1 or 2 here and there I understand, but 10-20+ I will get annoyed with and regret spending the money. Even though I'm not buying it to save my life, I still want something that works all the time.

Any thoughts, opinions, and suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.

[WildBill]

I'd go with the Ruger as I think it's more reliable. The trigger is relatively good.

Don't worry about taking it down and cleaning it. I just clean bore, wipe down the magazine and outside with a silicone cloth and put in away until next time. I usually buy whatever ammo is on sale and I hardly ever have a FTF.

[mescobar_rpls]

I bought the Sig 1911-.22 last month and I love it. I have not had any issues with it and I have tried about six different brands of ammo. I think I have put about 800 rounds through it already. It runs much better than the Sig Mosquito that I have. I highly recommend the 1911-.22.

MEscobar_RPLS

[erick619]

You might already know - the sig 1911/22 is the same exact pistol as the GSG. The only difference is that it's marked with Sig instead of GSG. With that being said, the only qualms I have with my GSG is that it doesn't completely break down the same as a 1911 and tools are required. However, this bad puppy will feed anything (given it's 40grain) I give it. Also, they say about 90% of the parts are interchangeable with actual 1911 parts (which is a plus).

[G.A. Heath]

Well, I've been torturing my sr22 pistol. I put 300 rounds for break in, cleaned it and the put 1000 rounds through it w/o cleaning and using only 1 of the 2 mags. No ftfs no ftes on this gun ever. The sig/gsg 1911-22 is physically smaller than a 1911 but I have not shot 1 so no report there.

[Matto79]

This is all good guys. Keep it coming!

You know, in the end, I'll probably end up buying both. LOL Just trying to figure out which one to guy first.

[74novaman]

I liked the SR22 that I shot, but don't throw out the 22/45 idea completely. I haven't bothered to disassemble mine yet, and its still running flawlessly (last count over 3000 rounds through it)

[doc540]

I can't compare them since I only have an SR22.

While looking for a training pistol for my classes I went through about a half dozen before deciding on the Ruger.

It's my pick of the litter.

Good luck!

[mescobar_rpls]

The sig/gsg 1911-22 is physically smaller than a 1911...

Actually, it is a full size 1911

[G.A. Heath]

The sig/gsg 1911-22 is physically smaller than a 1911...

Actually, it is a full size 1911

Your right, I had it confused with the Browning model of the same name, the 1911-22. Too many manufacturers using the same model name. I will say that the Browning I saw in the gun store was noticably thinner and appeared to be shorter in height (Length looked to be the same).

[Steve133]

On the 22/45:

Despite the bad rap it gets, it's really not that hard to take down and reassemble. A field strip is pretty easy, and I recently managed to detail-strip mine for a thorough cleaning and get it back together with a minimum of fuss. It pretty perfectly suits my needs for a .22, but your mileage may vary.

I've actually been eyeing the 22/45 as my next "project gun," doing some incremental upgrades and seeing how each one affects accuracy and reliability (both of which are plenty good out of the box). If you care about customizability (which you might not), the Mk. III platform is pretty hard to beat.

I kind of regret buying mine before they started using the interchangable grip panels, though....

[Rex B]

I had not seen the SR22. I'd like to see it compared to the Walther P22.
Glad to see more good .22 pistols coming out in a modern design.

[Rifleman55]

I have not fired the SR22, Ruger has had some problrms with the take down lever failing , then the pistol has to go back to Ruger for repair.

[APynckel]

I will wholeheartedly recommend a ruger mark III or 22/45.

I have a 22/45. I recently put in a volquartsen trigger kit into it. 2.5 lbs and is an absolute dream to shoot.

[Jumping Frog]

I will wholeheartedly recommend a ruger mark III or 22/45.

There is a reason this .22 family (MK I, MK II, MK III, 22/45) has been a best seller for decades . . .