Walthers P22 or Buck Mark

troutdudes · 08-28-2007, 10:35 PM

Hello, I was thinking about getting a .22 handgun to take to the range for the fun of it.I am having trouble deciding which one to get.The twothatI picked out were the Walthers P22 (430 cdn) and the Browning Buck Mark (380 cdn).I hope you guys can give me some good advice or some personal reviews.Alsohow much would be a good price for either of them used. Thanks Mark

mauser06 · 08-29-2007, 06:10 AM

i have a buck mark standard. good shootin gun. fun to shoot...accurate...reliable. i never shot the walther though...i do know i like my buckmark alot

pig dog 02 · 08-29-2007, 10:11 AM

I have a soft spot in my heart for 22 pistols. I currently have a buckmark and a ruger mk 3. at one point, i was looking to buy a walther p22, but when i held it, it just felt too tiny in my hand. I can tell you that I am very happy with my buckmark. It is a very reliable shooter and remarkably accurate. It feels like a very solid piece in the hand, and the overall design and construction seems to be of high quality.

So, you have a thumbs up from me on the buckmark. I don't know anything about the p22 other than i did not like the feel of it in my hand. you might also think about the ruger mark III (or mark II). Not sure about good prices for used ones.

good luck

jeremyd2012 · 08-29-2007, 11:13 AM

i might get one in march and it will probablybe the buckmark but the gun shop has a used 22/45 but ive shot the buckmark and it was nice

BigJ71 · 08-29-2007, 02:29 PM

I also own a Ruger and a Browning Buckmark. Of the two I prefer the Buckmark, it just shoots a little better. I've never shot the P22 so I can't comment on it but it will have to be pretty good to surpass the Buckmark.

My most favorite .22 pistol of all though is the Browning Medalist. Made in Belgiumfrom themid 60's till 1975, it'sa competition pistol right out of the box, with interchangeable barrel weights,custom walnut grips and adjustable trigger. By far the best shooting factory .22 pistol I ever shot.

Mine is a 1970 and it still has all of the original accessories including the presentation case.

stalkingbear · 08-29-2007, 03:24 PM

I reccomend you do yourself a favor and look at ruger mk3. I've got 1 that will group 1/2" at 50 yards from stedy rest. The things I don't like about buckmark are you need tool(allen wrench) to field strip,the whole top comes off to do so with possibility of it not going back EXACTLY to same poi. Also,buckmark has a somewhat flimsy wire ejector.

demoIL · 08-29-2007, 10:18 PM

Not to mix it up but I like the Walther P22.. Me and several guys I work with at the gun shop all own them. They are small but they are accurate for the size and a blast to shoot.. Free Floated bbls, threaded bbls, right or lefty mag drop, easy to break down and reassemble etc etc..

Just depends on what you really want to do with it..

pig dog 02 · 08-30-2007, 06:58 AM

BigJ12, Beatiful piece...want to sell it?
Stalkingbear, i agree 100% with your assessment of the ruger vs. buckmark. I own both also, and think you are right on.
demoIL, thanks for mixing it up. I have a walther p99 in 40 S&W, and I love the walther platform. Maybe I will have to give the p22 another chance.

59Hunter · 08-30-2007, 07:02 AM

The Buck Mark does need tools to disassemble for cleaning, but the Ruger Mk III fits together like one of those damn chain puzzles.

The Buck Mark feels better with the wood grips...at least to me it does.

The Buck Mark also has a crisper trigger than the Ruger Mk III, and not so much travel.

You can swap barrels out on the Buck Mark but not the Ruger (at least not legally).
http://www.tacticalsol.com/homefast.htm

Stay away from the SW Model 22A...you won't like it...feels likea kids toy.

Also consider, though it is more expensive, the Ruger Single Six revolver. You can swap cylinders from a .22 LR to a .22 Mag. You can also get it it .17HMR if you feel like adding a bit more punch to your hunting.

pig dog 02 · 08-30-2007, 09:06 AM

S&W also has a 10 shot revolver in 22LR. I think its the model 617, although I could be wrong. That will be my next handgun for sure.

I guess the bottom line is that the buckmarkand the ruger each have their own little pros and cons. overall, there is probably not a big enough difference to matter, so it comes down to personal preference and "gut feel" and fit. But, since your original question was about comparing the buckmark to the p22, i guess it seems like the consensus is leaning towards the buckmark.