WINNINGEDGE soLID ADvIce to KeeP yoU AHeAD oF tHe coMPetItIoN DAve ANDersoN Some of my favorites: clockwise from top right: Ruger Sp-101, Ruger SR22, Walther p22, S&W Model 34, S&W Model 51 (which is a .22 Magnum). Little If you’re planning to own just one .22 handgun it probably shouldn’t be a pocket pistol. Medium-size sport pistols have the most all-around utility. Think weights A traditional knife, a Buck Stockman, fits right of 32–40 ounces and barrel lengths of 4" to 6". Semi- in with the traditional revolvers, while the auto examples include the Browning BuckMark, Ruger Mk modern Buck Bones design goes well with the III, the discontinued Browning Challenger and Nomad, Colt two modern semi-autos. Woodsman Sport and various High Standards. In revolvers, examples are the Ruger SP-101 and Single Six, the Colt Diamondback and K-frame S&Ws. And yet knowing this, I still like my little .22s, but they have their disadvantages. Their small grip size can be a problem for some shooters, especially those with large hands. Their light weight makes them harder to hold steadily, a factor sometimes exacerbated by mediocre trigger pulls and (sometimes) ‘Kit Guns’ fixed sights. They aren’t the easiest guns to shoot. But they are so darn handy s&W and useful. Light weight and compact size makes a small .22 harder to shoot, but also make it more likely you’ll actually have it available. I shoot my S&W 41 and High Standard this little Beretta is an old friend of over 40 years Victor Target .22s better than standing. it shows a lot of finish wear, but it remains any other handguns, but their the most reliable .22 semi-auto i’ve ever owned. bulk and weight means they mostly get shot on the range. The it lacks an adjustable rear sight, which i guess is a shortcoming, but one i’ve learned to live with. . 22s A coUPLA’ GooD oNes s mall .22s can be either revolvers or semi-autos. The first handgun I ever owned is a Beretta, weighing just 15 ounces with its alloy frame. It probably wasn’t a great choice as a first handgun — the S&W K22 I bought a couple of years later taught me a lot more about shooting a handgun. But the Beretta is my favorite handgun and has been for over 40 years. It’s long since discontinued, but fortunately there are currently made, reasonably priced alternatives. Two I like are the Ruger SR22 and the Walther P22. Both weigh right around a pound. Both have polymer frames, adjustable sights, DA/SA operation, manual safeties and 10-shot magazines. Both have proven to be well made and accurate. Not target-pistol accurate of course, but both shoot into 2" for five shots at 25 yards, similar to what I get from my Beretta. This is about as good as I can shoot with a light gun/short sight radius. I once killed a weasel at a measured 23 yards with the Beretta. I’ll admit some luck was involved since only its head and neck were showing. Forced to choose between the two I’d likely take the SR22, mainly because I appreciate Ruger supplying two magazines. It saves me the fuss and expense of acquiring a spare. The Walther is marginally smaller and lighter, and the two are certainly equal in terms of overall quality and performance. If you don’t mind spending a little more money — okay, a lot more — the current Beretta 87 ranks as one of the finest .22s ever made. I don’t have one but do have the similar Model 85 in .380. Great pistols, but dang, they aren’t cheap. My Beretta cost $80 in 1969. Current MSRP on the 87 is more than ten times as much! the original has been chambering its smallframe revolvers in .22 for a long, long time, going back to the old M- and I-frames, and the current J-frame. Great little guns in their own right, they also make ideal trainers for the myriad owners of J-frame centerfires. I once owned a Model 34 with 2" barrel. It made a nice little pocket gun, but I decided I wanted more sight radius and sold it in favor of the 4" model. If I was doing it again I’d likely get the stainless steel version. Currently S&W catalogs several J-frames in .22 LR, and the Model 317 Kit Gun weighs 12.5 ounces with 3" barrel. The Model 63 (stainless steel frame and cylinder) weighs 26 ounces, also with a 3" barrel. Both hold eight cartridges and have adjustable rear sights. There are also a couple of fixedsight models, the 317 and 43C. Virtually identical in appearance and handling to the centerfire versions, they would make fine training understudies. The Ruger SP-101 .22 kind of falls into a category all its own. For a lot of shooters it is “not too big, not too small” — it’s just right. If the size appeals to you it’s certainly a fine choice. I have one and like it. Ruger now offers the LCR in .22 weighing just under 15 ounces. It’s an excellent understudy for the centerfire LCR, and is also available with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. Single-action fans, don’t overlook the slick little Ruger Bearcat, available in either blued alloy steel or stainless steel. But mostly, have fun with them. * For more info: www.americanhandgunner. com/product-index and click on the company name. 42 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • MARCH/APRIL 2013
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