Target Pistol rimfire advise

[aekpani]

Hello,

I am in market for .22 rimfire handgun.

Reason: purely competitive shooting and high scores and become champion one day
Budget: just under $700

I have two questions:

1.What should I get Revolver or Pistol?
2. Depending on your answer of Question No.1, which make and model would you recommend?

Thank you in advance.

Best,
AA

[Chronos]

what discipline do you plan on becoming a world champion in?

ISSF? You may need to join a club and see what the others are using. most clubs have club pistols you can use, most likely hammerli

otherwise something like a ruger Mk111 is a good honest gun. there are cheap models and more upmarket target models

there are 1911 replicas like the GSG/sig sauer and the colt gold cup. both fun guns to shoot but won't win too many awards :LOL: I have a GSG 1911 .22 with a trigger job and it's a good cheap fun trainer. I even shoot a few service matches with it as class 4 because it replicates the 1911

a mate has a walther P22 and it's a fine gun too though a little more exxy then the GSG

Chronos

[aekpani]

what discipline do you plan on becoming a world champion in?

ISSF? You may need to join a club and see what the others are using. most clubs have club pistols you can use, most likely hammerli

otherwise something like a ruger Mk111 is a good honest gun. there are cheap models and more upmarket target models

there are 1911 replicas like the GSG/sig sauer and the colt gold cup. both fun guns to shoot but won't win too many awards :LOL: I have a GSG 1911 .22 with a trigger job and it's a good cheap fun trainer. I even shoot a few service matches with it as class 4 because it replicates the 1911

a mate has a walther P22 and it's a fine gun too though a little more exxy then the GSG

Chronos

Thank you for your response. Yes mostly I will be shooting ISSF matches. At Club majority of the mates are using Browning buckmark, and Rugers Mark ii or iii. I use club mark ii or iii but as you know they are abused guns for I am sort of disappointed with them.. I borrowed and shot S&W revolver (with red dot), and found it really accurate.. But Still I am not sure revolvers are accurate or semi autos?

Best,
AA

[Warrigul]

what discipline do you plan on becoming a world champion in?

ISSF? You may need to join a club and see what the others are using. most clubs have club pistols you can use, most likely hammerli

otherwise something like a ruger Mk111 is a good honest gun. there are cheap models and more upmarket target models

there are 1911 replicas like the GSG/sig sauer and the colt gold cup. both fun guns to shoot but won't win too many awards :LOL: I have a GSG 1911 .22 with a trigger job and it's a good cheap fun trainer. I even shoot a few service matches with it as class 4 because it replicates the 1911

a mate has a walther P22 and it's a fine gun too though a little more exxy then the GSG

Chronos

Thank you for your response. Yes mostly I will be shooting ISSF matches. At Club majority of the mates are using Browning buckmark, and Rugers Mark ii or iii. I use club mark ii or iii but as you know they are abused guns for I am sort of disappointed with them.. I borrowed and shot S&W revolver (with red dot), and found it really accurate.. But Still I am not sure revolvers are accurate or semi autos?

Best,
AA

If you have lots of money and intend training hard go out and spend a couple of thousand on a Walther, Hammerli, feinwerkbau etc. But if you just want to start off at club level go out and buy a brand new 22/45, MK3 ruger etc for under $500.

I shoot mid 500's on good nights with my 22/45 in standard and sports pistol, the Morini is worth another 10 or fifteen to my score but that is as far as I go and the ruger is more fun. I have shot sports pistol with my Ruger single six but I generally drop around 50-60 points- but have a lot of fun.

Everyone should have a .22 revolver INMHO.

Just my humble opinions and I would definitely recommend using the club pistols for a while first.

Revolvers aren't suitable for all ISSF rim fire matches(I am assuming you are talking pistol Australia and not simply SSAA?)

[aekpani]

If you have lots of money and intend training hard go out and spend a couple of thousand on a Walther, Hammerli, feinwerkbau etc. But if you just want to start off at club level go out and buy a brand new 22/45, MK3 ruger etc for under $500.

I shoot mid 500's on good nights with my 22/45 in standard and sports pistol, the Morini is worth another 10 or fifteen to my score but that is as far as I go and the ruger is more fun. I have shot sports pistol with my Ruger single six but I generally drop around 50-60 points- but have a lot of fun.

Everyone should have a .22 revolver INMHO.

Just my humble opinions and I would definitely recommend using the club pistols for a while first.

Revolvers aren't suitable for all ISSF rim fire matches(I am assuming you are talking pistol Australia and not simply SSAA?)

Thanks for your advise, Yes I am seriously looking at Ruger 22/45 because I dont want to spend too much on my first pistol, and I need to buy air pistol for my daughter to start with.

As soon as my license is open for additional pistols, I will definitely add revolver to my collection (if I will buy semi auto as my first pistol).

I am with SSAA, havent been to pistol Australia, can you please explain the difference?
Best,

AA

[Warrigul]

If you have lots of money and intend training hard go out and spend a couple of thousand on a Walther, Hammerli, feinwerkbau etc. But if you just want to start off at club level go out and buy a brand new 22/45, MK3 ruger etc for under $500.

I shoot mid 500's on good nights with my 22/45 in standard and sports pistol, the Morini is worth another 10 or fifteen to my score but that is as far as I go and the ruger is more fun. I have shot sports pistol with my Ruger single six but I generally drop around 50-60 points- but have a lot of fun.

Everyone should have a .22 revolver INMHO.

Just my humble opinions and I would definitely recommend using the club pistols for a while first.

Revolvers aren't suitable for all ISSF rim fire matches(I am assuming you are talking pistol Australia and not simply SSAA?)

Thanks for your advise, Yes I am seriously looking at Ruger 22/45 because I dont want to spend too much on my first pistol, and I need to buy air pistol for my daughter to start with.

As soon as my license is open for additional pistols, I will definitely add revolver to my collection (if I will buy semi auto as my first pistol).

I am with SSAA, havent been to pistol Australia, can you please explain the difference?
Best,

AA

Pistol Australia affiliated clubs are perhaps more competition based and solely concerned with pistol disciplines.

The SSAA is perhaps a little more skewed towards enjoying yourself than solely competition, both have their merits and I am a member of both. Some SSAA affiliated clubs are just as serious as PA ones but many warp the ISSF concept a little.

A good air pistol shot is a good pistol shot fullstop, I am no real fan of airpistol but I religiously shoot sixty pellets each week to enhance my rim and centerfire pistol skills. An airpistol shows all your faults, it is not just for your daughter.

A 22/45 will last virtually forever, some come out with average triggers and benefit from some attention from a gunsmith to get the best out of them but all are shootable.

The main thing is to enjoy yourself.

[Guliver]

The Ruger 22/45 is a good choice, pretty sure they are over $500 new if you want the removable grip model, a few months ago you could find them for less. Buy the model with removable grips.

The trigger is a little on the heavy side, installing a http://www.midwayusa.com/product/380716 ... less-steel will halve the trigger weight. The most improvement for dollars spent.

Don't forget https://www.usedguns.com.au/Guns/used_hand_guns

This is the model I'd choose https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=48873

[Warrigul]

The Ruger 22/45 is a good choice, pretty sure they are over $500 new if you want the removable grip model, a few months ago you could find them for less. Buy the model with removable grips.

The trigger is a little on the heavy side, installing a http://www.midwayusa.com/product/380716 ... less-steel will halve the trigger weight. The most improvement for dollars spent.

Don't forget https://www.usedguns.com.au/Guns/used_hand_guns

This is the model I'd choose https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=48873

$415 from those who shall not be named in Queensland. This is the base model with the moulded grip- same as my MK2 22/45.

[aekpani]

Pistol Australia affiliated clubs are perhaps more competition based and solely concerned with pistol disciplines.

The SSAA is perhaps a little more skewed towards enjoying yourself than solely competition, both have their merits and I am a member of both. Some SSAA affiliated clubs are just as serious as PA ones but many warp the ISSF concept a little.

A good air pistol shot is a good pistol shot fullstop, I am no real fan of airpistol but I religiously shoot sixty pellets each week to enhance my rim and centerfire pistol skills. An airpistol shows all your faults, it is not just for your daughter.

A 22/45 will last virtually forever, some come out with average triggers and benefit from some attention from a gunsmith to get the best out of them but all are shootable.

The main thing is to enjoy yourself.

Thank you so much for all your support!. I totally agree with you on airpistol and fault identifications, I have recently shot airpistol at BIPC..

I am looking at "22/45 Lite Blue" (Cl3@v3r firearms going to import it by late feb, have a look at their website and please advise).

Indeed I will make sure I enjoy this sport thoroughly

Thanks,
AA

[aekpani]

The Ruger 22/45 is a good choice, pretty sure they are over $500 new if you want the removable grip model, a few months ago you could find them for less. Buy the model with removable grips.

The trigger is a little on the heavy side, installing a http://www.midwayusa.com/product/380716 ... less-steel will halve the trigger weight. The most improvement for dollars spent.

Don't forget https://www.usedguns.com.au/Guns/used_hand_guns

This is the model I'd choose https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=48873

Thank you and I just looked at the model you recommended, I must say its a good deal!

[Warrigul]

The Ruger 22/45 is a good choice, pretty sure they are over $500 new if you want the removable grip model, a few months ago you could find them for less. Buy the model with removable grips.

The trigger is a little on the heavy side, installing a http://www.midwayusa.com/product/380716 ... less-steel will halve the trigger weight. The most improvement for dollars spent.

Don't forget https://www.usedguns.com.au/Guns/used_hand_guns

This is the model I'd choose https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=48873

Thank you and I just looked at the model you recommended, I must say its a good deal!

Including post and fees it is a great deal, it is worth getting the model with changeable grips rather than the plain jane one I have.

I would nearly go for it but I do wish you would consider involving some of the other club members, if nothing else it builds connections. And you never know there may be a bargain lying about that someone isn't using.

You now know what you can get a new one for so be guided in the secondhand market.

Just my opinions.

[aekpani]

Guys thank you so much for all the help. I was visiting a gunshop in omeau qld. Found hammerli 208 in good condition. I trust this guy as he shoots with me at my pistol club. I will test it at the range and will revert back with my range review.

[yoshie]

Watch the barrel length, one of the models was too long for ISSF (sight radius was too long), not that anyone will pick you up on it at club level, but you might get pulled up if you were to shoot it in an open.

[Guliver]

Watch the barrel length, one of the models was too long for ISSF (sight radius was too long), not that anyone will pick you up on it at club level, but you might get pulled up if you were to shoot it in an open.

Your most likely talking about the Ruger MkIII Hunter.

[Guliver]

Guys thank you so much for all the help. I was visiting a gunshop in omeau qld. Found hammerli 208 in good condition. I trust this guy as he shoots with me at my pistol club. I will test it at the range and will revert back with my range review.

An excellent choice if the price is right, there's no modifications needed, a fantastic gun in stock form, I had one 3 or 4 years ago, and wish I hadn't sold it.

[aekpani]

An excellent choice if the price is right, there's no modifications needed, a fantastic gun in stock form, I had one 3 or 4 years ago, and wish I hadn't sold it.

Thanks mate..Yes you are correct about keeping it for life
However I am not sure about the price is right or not. but gun fits my grip and it felt so awesome..

[Lorgar]

Everyone should have a .22 revolver INMHO.

Something about revolvers appeals to me. I'd love one, CBF with VIC licensing though

[aekpani]

Everyone should have a .22 revolver INMHO.

Something about revolvers appeals to me. I'd love one, CBF with VIC licensing though

Indeed... once my one year period is over, I will be buying Colt King Cobra and S&W performance centre..

[scrolllock]

Reckon the Colt Python is any good aekpani?

Looks good but I only know it from TV series. No first hand experience.

What do you think?

[aekpani]

Reckon the Colt Python is any good aekpani?

Looks good but I only know it from TV series. No first hand experience.

What do you think?

I used to own King Cobra. It was fantastic to shoot, accurate and reliable.

[aekpani]

took my Hammerli 208 to range, I must say what a wonderful shooter it is. used standard cci and winchester T22 ammo. with winchester had couple of round loading issues..

[Triang]

How were your groups with the CCI standard?

[Guliver]

The double action on a revolver makes the trigger heavy and impractical for a lot of matches, fine for when you can use them sigle action. But I have to agree, nice to own.

[melanie]

Fun to watch the cowboy shoots of the pro guys flying through cocking the hammer and pulling the trigger on those single actions

[aekpani]

How were your groups with the CCI standard?

Here you go the target.. It was 15 meters

IMG_2351.jpg (1.85 MiB) Viewed 8441 times

[aekpani]

The double action on a revolver makes the trigger heavy and impractical for a lot of matches, fine for when you can use them sigle action. But I have to agree, nice to own.

after watching Jerry Miculek, double action looks like butter

[padaro]

Here you go the target.. It was 15 meters

Looks good to me

[aekpani]

Looks good to me

Thanks mate

[aekpani]

Shot first competition match ISSF standard @25 meters with my hammerli.
Not only me but everyone else was impressed with gun's performance too.
I was little on over left but it was due to my own mistake.

Target is attached

image.jpg (812.07 KiB) Viewed 8431 times

[yoshie]

I've got a 208 too, wonderful pistol. I've had it for 10 years now, the guy I bought it off was getting rid of it because it was shot out. He was retiring it, and had 2 more unfired ones left. I've shot a match with it nearly every week since I bought it and I'm always surprised how well it shoots. Did you get the barrel weight with yours?