Which 22 handgun is the most reliable?

9mmfan · 01-11-2008, 12:19 AM

Which 22 handgun is the most reliable?

The Browning BuckMark, Smith & Wesson’s Model 22A, or the Ruger Mark 3?

toolman · 01-11-2008, 12:45 AM

Not the answer you're looking for, but I'd say the Ruger Single Six or Bearcat. Semi-auto .22's are usually pretty ammo-sensitive, of the three, the Browning or the Ruger are probably the better choices. A friend had a S&W 22A and cussed it from day one. By day 5 or 6, it was gone.

mk70ss · 01-11-2008, 04:57 AM

Of the three choices you provide, I'd go with the Ruger. I've had several Rugers (Mark I's, II's, And now a III) and they've all been reliable. I've also had a Buckmark (5.5 Target version) it wasn't bad, but the Rugers were more consistent. Never had a S&W .22.

texnmidwest · 01-11-2008, 06:24 AM

All you mention are great semi autos. However, if you are really worried about reliability then a wheel gun is a much better choice. Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Taurus and a host of others make great little wheel guns that are well made and easy to holster.

9mmfan · 01-11-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9mmfan

Which 22 handgun is the most reliable?

The Browning BuckMark, Smith & Wesson’s Model 22A, or the Ruger Mark 3?

Thanks, I would also like to add the wheel guns like S&W, Taurus and a couple of more simi-autos: The Beretta U22 Neos and the Walther P22.

troylaplante · 01-11-2008, 07:51 AM

I have a Buckmark, a Ruger 22/45, and a Beretta Neos. All are reliable. I have my favorite of the bunch, but I think the Ruger is probably the most reliable thus far for a few reasons.

nathangdad · 01-11-2008, 08:11 AM

They are all high quality guns. Reliability will be more about your proper care, cleaning, lubrication, and firing high quality ammunition than any other factor.

To Big Dog - thanks for the support with your post.
I appreciate it. Have a great day and a great 2008!

Big Dog · 01-11-2008, 08:49 AM

Nathan is very right, and I find the Browning easier to properly strip & clean than the Ruger. Thus, it tends to not get as gunked up.
I also avoid Remington ammo, notoriously inconsistent, in my semi-autos. Some are so under-powered, they fail to cycle reliably.

eddiedeverell · 01-11-2008, 09:44 AM

I like the rugers, I love shooting those!

jerry · 01-11-2008, 10:32 AM

This made me think. I have never had a malfunction with my .22 ruger in the 18 years Iv'e had it.

big boomer · 01-12-2008, 12:45 AM

My browning never fails me. My Amt (ruger copy) always works too. Just don't but a walther p-22 mine was a pain and I got rid of it.

Jimbo Indy · 01-14-2008, 02:58 PM

My vote for the Buckmark but my sons Ruger has been reliable too. We have a 22A that is not as reliable as the other two but not bad. I think most 22 auto problems are ammo related. We have problems with the bulk Remington too. Federal bulk is much better without getting into the high dollar stuff. CCI seems to work great but is more pricey.

offroader1994 · 01-15-2008, 04:22 AM

I have the 22a and have found that ammo makes a big difference most of the bulk winchester and remington both give me problems. accuracy is real good.

sbordogna2000 · 01-18-2008, 08:07 PM

I agree with 9mm fan. I have a Browning Buckmark. I have fired thousands of rounds through it and as long as I keep it clean there has never been a problem. Love shooting the gun.

evilblackrifle · 01-20-2008, 02:43 AM

I'd say they're all reliable (I love my Ruger 22/45). But all 22's are ammo picky it seems. You have to find the ammo it likes and use it. Most 22's like most ammo - the tough part is finding what ammo it doesn't like.

two-70 · 01-20-2008, 04:13 AM

The Browning Buckmark is tops in my book

raveneap · 01-23-2008, 03:58 PM

I've got a SW 22-A1 and a Ruger Mark III. My son has a Beretta NEOS. All three have been excellent. My Ruger started to have FTF problems when I switched to Remington Golden ammo. Called them and before I even mentioned the ammo they said "You're using Remington Golden, aren't you? Guilty as charged. They said that was a common problem with Remington Golden and the Mark III. I'm using Federal bulk from Wallyworld for plinking and no problems with any of them. Of all three, the Mark III is my favorite, but of course it's also the most expensive. I'd really like a SW Mod 41 but that's not going to happen unless I hit the lottery.

But in my experience, for the best reliability in .22's, I've got to go with the Ruger Single Six.

poorbrother · 01-24-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnmidwest

All you mention are great semi autos. However, if you are really worried about reliability then a wheel gun is a much better choice.

I agree 100%.

Bravo · 01-24-2008, 09:28 AM

A revolver is always going to be most reliable, but I've heard that the S&W 22A is very accurate and reliable.

TXplt · 01-24-2008, 09:50 AM

For reliability, especially in the .22 LR, I'd go with a revolver. I've a S&W mod. 317 3" kit gun .22 LR w/hi viz front sight. 8 shot wheelgun and extremely lightweight alloy. Very accurate, especially for a 3" gun. I've put between 2500 and 3000 rounds thru it with no appreciable wear and total reliability. Maybe 1 or 2 misfires, which I attribute to the ammo.

01-11-2008, 12:19 AM	#1
9mmfan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Anywhere The Department of Homeland Defense sends me. Tennessee, is my home. Posts: 425 Trader Rating: (0)	Which 22 handgun is the most reliable? Which 22 handgun is the most reliable? The Browning BuckMark, Smith & Wesson’s Model 22A, or the Ruger Mark 3? __________________ Peace Through Superior Firepower !

01-11-2008, 12:45 AM	#2
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,290 Trader Rating: (0)	Not the answer you're looking for, but I'd say the Ruger Single Six or Bearcat. Semi-auto .22's are usually pretty ammo-sensitive, of the three, the Browning or the Ruger are probably the better choices. A friend had a S&W 22A and cussed it from day one. By day 5 or 6, it was gone. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

01-11-2008, 04:57 AM	#3
mk70ss Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mass Posts: 69 Trader Rating: (0)	Of the three choices you provide, I'd go with the Ruger. I've had several Rugers (Mark I's, II's, And now a III) and they've all been reliable. I've also had a Buckmark (5.5 Target version) it wasn't bad, but the Rugers were more consistent. Never had a S&W .22. __________________ Life is a contact sport, play hard.

01-11-2008, 06:24 AM	#4
texnmidwest Senior Bear Fluffer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 2,951 Trader Rating: (0)	All you mention are great semi autos. However, if you are really worried about reliability then a wheel gun is a much better choice. Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Taurus and a host of others make great little wheel guns that are well made and easy to holster. __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

01-11-2008, 07:51 AM	#6
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223 Trader Rating: (0)	I have a Buckmark, a Ruger 22/45, and a Beretta Neos. All are reliable. I have my favorite of the bunch, but I think the Ruger is probably the most reliable thus far for a few reasons. __________________ troylaplante.com

01-11-2008, 08:11 AM	#7
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,184 Trader Rating: (0)	I feel it is pretty much a tie They are all high quality guns. Reliability will be more about your proper care, cleaning, lubrication, and firing high quality ammunition than any other factor. To Big Dog - thanks for the support with your post. I appreciate it. Have a great day and a great 2008! Last edited by nathangdad; 01-11-2008 at 03:25 PM. Reason: additional input

01-11-2008, 08:49 AM	#8
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,020 Trader Rating: (0)	Nathan is very right, and I find the Browning easier to properly strip & clean than the Ruger. Thus, it tends to not get as gunked up. I also avoid Remington ammo, notoriously inconsistent, in my semi-autos. Some are so under-powered, they fail to cycle reliably. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

01-11-2008, 09:44 AM	#9
eddiedeverell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Aurora, CO. Posts: 241 Trader Rating: (0)	I like the rugers, I love shooting those!

01-11-2008, 10:32 AM	#10
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,757 Trader Rating: (0)	This made me think. I have never had a malfunction with my .22 ruger in the 18 years Iv'e had it. __________________

01-12-2008, 12:45 AM	#11
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 717 Trader Rating: (0)	My browning never fails me. My Amt (ruger copy) always works too. Just don't but a walther p-22 mine was a pain and I got rid of it.

01-14-2008, 02:58 PM	#12
Jimbo Indy Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 68 Trader Rating: (0)	My vote for the Buckmark but my sons Ruger has been reliable too. We have a 22A that is not as reliable as the other two but not bad. I think most 22 auto problems are ammo related. We have problems with the bulk Remington too. Federal bulk is much better without getting into the high dollar stuff. CCI seems to work great but is more pricey.

01-15-2008, 04:22 AM	#13
offroader1994 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: east Tn. Posts: 83 Trader Rating: (0)	S&W 22A I have the 22a and have found that ammo makes a big difference most of the bulk winchester and remington both give me problems. accuracy is real good.

01-18-2008, 08:07 PM	#14
sbordogna2000 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Charles MO Posts: 9 Trader Rating: (0)	I agree I agree with 9mm fan. I have a Browning Buckmark. I have fired thousands of rounds through it and as long as I keep it clean there has never been a problem. Love shooting the gun.

01-20-2008, 02:43 AM	#15
evilblackrifle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 194 Trader Rating: (0)	I'd say they're all reliable (I love my Ruger 22/45). But all 22's are ammo picky it seems. You have to find the ammo it likes and use it. Most 22's like most ammo - the tough part is finding what ammo it doesn't like.

01-20-2008, 04:13 AM	#16
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,755 Trader Rating: (0)	The Browning Buckmark is tops in my book __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

01-23-2008, 03:58 PM	#17
raveneap Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MAINE Posts: 121 Trader Rating: (0)	I've got a SW 22-A1 and a Ruger Mark III. My son has a Beretta NEOS. All three have been excellent. My Ruger started to have FTF problems when I switched to Remington Golden ammo. Called them and before I even mentioned the ammo they said "You're using Remington Golden, aren't you? Guilty as charged. They said that was a common problem with Remington Golden and the Mark III. I'm using Federal bulk from Wallyworld for plinking and no problems with any of them. Of all three, the Mark III is my favorite, but of course it's also the most expensive. I'd really like a SW Mod 41 but that's not going to happen unless I hit the lottery. But in my experience, for the best reliability in .22's, I've got to go with the Ruger Single Six. __________________ ... ed ... MAINE - The Way Life Should Be ... NRA/C&R

01-24-2008, 09:28 AM	#19
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,749 Trader Rating: (0)	A revolver is always going to be most reliable, but I've heard that the S&W 22A is very accurate and reliable.

01-24-2008, 09:50 AM	#20
TXplt Lost in the Ozone Again Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,218 Trader Rating: (0)	For reliability, especially in the .22 LR, I'd go with a revolver. I've a S&W mod. 317 3" kit gun .22 LR w/hi viz front sight. 8 shot wheelgun and extremely lightweight alloy. Very accurate, especially for a 3" gun. I've put between 2500 and 3000 rounds thru it with no appreciable wear and total reliability. Maybe 1 or 2 misfires, which I attribute to the ammo.