Your thoughts/opinions on target pistols please

backstop · 08-06-2010 04:09PM #1

Hi all,

I am currently looking for a new target pistol to replace my Ruger Mark III .22LR. I have tried out a number of pistols - all .22LRs - including CZ Kadet, S&W 22A, Walher P22 amongst others.

The Ruger is a lovely pistol to shoot but painful to strip and clean, which is the main reason why the change. I have exhausted most avenues on the S&W 22A with no success to date.

I would love to hear from other pistol users on their thoughts and opinions on the best .22 target pistols available.

Look forward to hearing from ye.

Cheers, Joe

BELOWaverageIQ · 08-06-2010 08:52PM

I have tried the pistols you have mentioned but bought a Beretta 87 target and it is fantastic.
Far superior to any of the aforementioned IMOP.

Really pleased with it and quite simple to strip

bunny shooter · 08-06-2010 09:03PM

backstop wrote: »

Hi all,

I am currently looking for a new target pistol to replace my Ruger Mark III .22LR. I have tried out a number of pistols - all .22LRs - including CZ Kadet, S&W 22A, Walher P22 amongst others.

The Ruger is a lovely pistol to shoot but painful to strip and clean, which is the main reason why the change. I have exhausted most avenues on the S&W 22A with no success to date.

I would love to hear from other pistol users on their thoughts and opinions on the best .22 target pistols available.

Look forward to hearing from ye.

Cheers, Joe

Might be an idea to check what your Super will allow you licence first? Personally I'd love the Kadet BUT it looks a bit "combaty" which may prove hard to licence and my super won't licence a revolver, even a .22lr one as I'd get the S & W 22a

backstop · 09-06-2010 06:31AM

Hi Bunny Shooter,

Have had many conversations with my local Super re Kadet and he doesn't like it because of its appearance! However he is checking with Policy Unit as it's not on the list. Some Supers will licence them as a few lads in my club have them.

I've gone through the list in the Commissioners Guidelines in detail; funny though what I'd like as a target pistol is not included, like the CZ. My Super has indicated that anything on the list is OK with him.

Re revolvers, S&W 617 .22LR is on the list but you would have to plug one of the chambers if you go for the 6 round firearm. I haven't seen a plugged one yet but it can be done/organised through a dealer or your club.

Cheers, Joe

Bananaman · 09-06-2010 09:13AM

The S&W 22a and the Hammerli Xsesse are the ones you see taking the most medals at competition. There are a couple of Pardinis about aswell which are quite good but you are paying a lot then. A certain Walther GSP has quite a few scalps also.

I'm a big fan of the Browning Buckmark

Ideally the 7" barrel but that means you cannot use it in the Olympicky stuff but then I have yet to actually make it to one of those.

Truth be told the best one I ever shot was a Colt Woodsman - quite hard to get as they are very old - looks like it may have been made in the fires of mordor with a smelting hammer - would cycle anything and I easily fired a thousand (dirty Lapua) rounds out of it in a day once with no cleaning and no jams - took a lot of scalps with that one.

B'Man

09-06-2010 01:48PM

The S&W 22a and the Hammerli Xsesse are the ones you see taking the most medals at competition

+1
The best of all of the above mentioed

Target 87 Beretta is great. Reliable, but had a heavy trigger and the grip is too thin and short for many. It even looks cool.

The CZ Cadet looks great but the trigger is anything but crisp and also too heavy.

The Buckmark is great value for money, great trigger and sights. The biggest fault IMHO is that it looks ugly!! The front sight is fibre optic which is nice. Different versions available.

The Wather P22 is cr@p. It is as though it is made of chocolate! Perhaps it would be good as a paper weight, but little else.

backstop · 09-06-2010 02:04PM

Thanks guys for all the intel, will try out some of your suggestions over the weekend!

Cheers, Joe

mickey57 · 09-06-2010 06:19PM

Hi all
Was talking to a gun dealer he said it was very hard to get any amercian guns.....S&W COLT BERETTA and so on Because obama brought in new laws about exporting out of the USA:cool::cool:

bunny shooter · 09-06-2010 07:00PM

backstop wrote: »

Hi Bunny Shooter,

Have had many conversations with my local Super re Kadet and he doesn't like it because of its appearance! However he is checking with Policy Unit as it's not on the list. Some Supers will licence them as a few lads in my club have them.

I've gone through the list in the Commissioners Guidelines in detail; funny though what I'd like as a target pistol is not included, like the CZ. My Super has indicated that anything on the list is OK with him.

Re revolvers, S&W 617 .22LR is on the list but you would have to plug one of the chambers if you go for the 6 round firearm. I haven't seen a plugged one yet but it can be done/organised through a dealer or your club.

Cheers, Joe

Unfortunately the guidelines are just that, guidelines. Some Supers are not following or abiding by them and they are not legally obliged to. Your Super seems to be very reasonable. Mine isn't :rolleyes:

I had a ruger MK III and as you said a biatch to strip but would love a S & W 22a, so best of luck and I hope it works out for you

Sparks · 09-06-2010 07:57PM

I'd lean more towards the ISSF-y ones if I was taking it up myself (I'm still happy enough plinking away with my Izzy for now), but the only really solid recommendation I'd give is to avoid the P22 like the plague. It's too damn small, it's utterly inaccurate (unless hitting a barn from inside the barn is your definition of a tack driver), and it has a history of catastrophic failure of the slide. It's even had to be banned in at least one range I know of because it is incapable of holding the target board at normal ranges. Steer well clear.

rrpc · 12-06-2010 09:58AM

A good target pistol will last many years so don't limit yourself to new ones, you'll get a very good second hand machine for less than the price of a new Buckmark, X-Esse, 22A etc.

Things to look for (if you're serious about target shooting that is):

1. Adjustable trigger (many pistols don't have this and become a pain very quickly).
2. Compliance with competition rules (The more competitions it's eligible for, the better use you're going to get from it)
3. Availability of spare parts (recoil springs, firing pins, mags etc.)
4. Try before you buy - One man's meat is another man's poison; get around a few competitions and have a look at what's out there. People are usually very honest about the pros and cons of their particular pistol.

And the main rule: if it's cheap, it's cheap for a reason - that immediately should steer you clear of the P22, Mosquito etc.

Grizzly 45 · 12-06-2010 11:12AM

mickey57 wrote: »

Hi all
Was talking to a gun dealer he said it was very hard to get any amercian guns.....S&W COLT BERETTA and so on Because obama brought in new laws about exporting out of the USA:cool::cool:

Tell your dealer he is full of it!! It has nothing to do with the Obama lama.
It is actually the UN and an organisation set up by Billary Clinton called International Trafficking Arms Regulation [ITARS].Supposedly to prevent folks from making an honest buck flogging arms to 3rd world countries so dictators can equip their child soilders all the better.It has become a monster that is affecting ligit gunowners on a global sale.
Can you order ,or your dealer order a gun from the USA.YES they can,although why you would want to add more money to incompetant,lazy,any excuse not to do it because it looks odd and might actually involve them working,Irish gundealers...Is beyond me..
Sounds just like a lazy sod who couldnt be arsed.:(
Even if he doesnt want to source direct from the US Europe a plenty,or can get pretty much any US make no problem.
You can export it yourself,if you put abit of effort into it,find a international exporter from the US who will handle the paperwork for you,etc.Actually it can all be done from your phone line and computor..Bar the Irish side of getting the liscense.With the dollar still reltively weak against the euro it is still a better option IMHO.
What can be exported without any hassle from the US for civvies excluding full auto,short shotguns etc?
Pretty much everything,so long as it hasnt got a muzzle break,or is threaded for one,or a folding stock. Thats the latest.

backstop · 12-06-2010 04:23PM

Thanks guys - that's a lot of good intel!

Am looking for new and/or second hand pistol and think I might have sourced one. Hope to have a serial number early next week to get paperwork sorted.

Cheers, Joe

Phractal · 14-06-2010 06:28PM

Even though I have my doubts about it being possible... If you can, try a SIG Mosquito. I fired one in Finland, beautiful pistol. Though it may be too 'military style' or non-guideline compliant or something... The Walther P22 is a pot metal heap of rubbish though. I have been told that by many Finns who made the mistake of purchasing it.

dCorbus · 16-06-2010 08:12PM

try a SIG Mosquito. I fired one in Finland, beautiful pistol.

Beautiful Pistol, Eh? Compared to what?

From what I've heard we're talking proverbial barn door stuff.
If the OP interested in target pistol shooting - there's some good advice above on the various pistols to get a start with.

Was thinking of starting pistol shooting myself so have done a wee bit of testing and research on these, and IMvHO and having shot all these the ones to look at are: Beretta87, S&W 22A, Xesse, & Buckmark.

But from advice I've been given and from what I've read and heard, do not waste your money on a P22 or a Sig Mosquito - By all accounts they're both crocks of sh1te!

And if it's the look you're after (a shallow reason - but valid enough!) compare:

with

Personally I'd buy the more accurate and reliable one - Coz looks-wise there's not a hell of a difference!

16-06-2010 10:13PM

But from advice I've been given and from what I've read and heard, do not waste your money on a P22 or a Sig Mosquito - By all accounts they're both crocks of sh1te!

+1
Yes the Mosquito is also very poor. This surprised me at first as Sig make some fantastic pistols.

rrpc · 17-06-2010 09:06AM

2011 wrote: »

+1
Yes the Mosquito is also very poor. This surprised me at first as Sig make some fantastic pistols.

To be fair, I've heard good and bad reports of the mosquito. Having said that, those who were saying it was good were not in evidence at any target shoots that I saw and I've yet to see one in competition.

For anyone who's interested in target pistol shooting, they should turn up to a few competitions and actually see what people are using and not make decisions on the basis of photos or internet reviews.

Pistols are a very personal choice and there are few enough around, so the more informed you are the better your choice.

I'd also highly recommend an air pistol because that's what will give you the most value for money.

tac foley · 17-06-2010 09:28AM

Second-hand Walther GSP
Second-hand Hammerli 210/230
Second-hand Smith & Wesson Model 41
Second-hand Benelli B36
Second-hand SAKO Tri-ace
Second-hand Uniquw DES-69....

...if you are serious, that is. IMO, look for what the target shooters of the world shoot.

---
Supporter of The ----

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intershoot · 18-06-2010 10:41PM

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Tell your dealer he is full of it!! It has nothing to do with the Obama lama.
It is actually the UN and an organisation set up by Billary Clinton called International Trafficking Arms Regulation [ITARS].Supposedly to prevent folks from making an honest buck flogging arms to 3rd world countries so dictators can equip their child soilders all the better.It has become a monster that is affecting ligit gunowners on a global sale.
Can you order ,or your dealer order a gun from the USA.YES they can,although why you would want to add more money to incompetant,lazy,any excuse not to do it because it looks odd and might actually involve them working,Irish gundealers...Is beyond me..
Sounds just like a lazy sod who couldnt be arsed.:(
Even if he doesnt want to source direct from the US Europe a plenty,or can get pretty much any US make no problem.
You can export it yourself,if you put abit of effort into it,find a international exporter from the US who will handle the paperwork for you,etc.Actually it can all be done from your phone line and computor..Bar the Irish side of getting the liscense.With the dollar still reltively weak against the euro it is still a better option IMHO.
What can be exported without any hassle from the US for civvies excluding full auto,short shotguns etc?
Pretty much everything,so long as it hasnt got a muzzle break,or is threaded for one,or a folding stock. Thats the latest.

From what I can see the problem is most of the Irish dealers bring their firearms in from the UK or Germany. What this new law states is that firearms imported from the states cannot be exported onwards from that point, you have to declare they are at their final destination - for all the reasons mentioned above.

Importing from the states can be a bit of a pain in the arse but can be done reletively easily - but it may take 6-8months for items such as S&W's.

I have had a good number of the .22 pistols in and out of my possesion, and all the advice on avoiding the Mosquito and the P22 is well founded!

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Your thoughts/opinions on target pistols please

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