Ruger mk series. They are amazing. Cheap trigger and action upgrade options.

 

Seems the Pre-MKIV models are not as popular anymore due to the alleged take down difficulties. I have seen a few pristine examples at gun stores for very reasonable prices that were traded in on MKIV models.

 

Those Trailside are still a great value. I bought one new for $400. Recently sold. You can still find the IZH-35M for reasonable prices. I paid $350 for my second one about five years ago.

 

I would love to find a IZH-35M for $350.

 

Very difficult to rule out a Ruger Mk II or IV. The Mk IV is exceptionally easy to break down and clean. I like the steel or alloy versions, but a young shooter might prefer a 22/45 configuration.

Single Sixes I’ve owned were handy and versatile, but were not accurate enough to compete with a Mk series.

 

If you have a 1911 you like you might consider a Nelson conversion. I have one on my SA Range Officer. It’s plenty accurate for bullseye and you get a 1911 trigger.

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+1 on that. I have a Nelson kit on a Springfield Range Officer. Very nice. Another plus is that they custom-cut the slide to direct-mount a Fastfire III red dot for only a little bit extra $$.

Also, as others have said, you could do a lot worse than finding a used Ruger MK II and doing a Volquartsen trigger upgrade.

 

S&W Victory is one to look at as well.

I don't have one, but I have shot them and I have friends that have them and like them.

You could have a nice one, with an optic for under $600.

I've seen them used for ½ that.

Or a CZ Kadet kit if you already have a CZ75. I have one and it is nice. Heavy pistol, good trigger, hard to install a red dot though.

 

I like the Victory so much, I own two. Far more accurate than my Rugers, from Mark 1 to Mark 4, and a 22/45. Less expensive than the Marks, about the same price as the cheaper 22/45.

Nothing added but grips.

 

I completely forgot about these! These are really beautiful, especially the blue one. Its weird that these aren't more prevalent on store shelves.

 

Know it’s not a semi but Ive been looking at the Ruger Single Six for my grand daughter. Her dad bought her a imo cute but crappy shooting Wrangler that does shoot but she can’t hit anything with it. Hell, I couldn’t hit anything with it. But she was ringing steel with a friends Single Six. Check them out, [not the Wrangler]. All my semi .22s are Colts except a M41 and a HS. Don be afraid of older quality pistols that are shooter grade. Good hunting.

 

The trick is finding them. I’ve NEVER seen a Colt .22 for sale. Ever. I mean, except those Umarex 1911’s. No woodsman, no Single Six.

 

I’ve bid on two SSs on GB recently but got beat but in all honesty I wasn’t trying hard. Around 300.00- 350.00 was my limit with the extra 30.00 shipping and 25.00 transfer.

 

The Sig P 322 comp. Isn't bad. I like the optics and compensator on it. I've been trying Eley semi-auto in it and so far it likes it.

 

I would disagree on the reliability issues with the Trailside. My wife has shot hers to a near master classification over the last 6-7 years and I honestly can't remember a single issue with reliability. I bought several of the parts that would experience wear and haven't had to use any of them. She only uses it for a backup or loaner now but she has at least 20k rounds through it with zero issues.

As for other guns...you mentioned the other 2 I would recommend in that price range. If you looked around, you might also find a used marvel or Nelson conversion in that price range too.

 

I would disagree on the reliability issues with the Trailside.

I'll be more detailed on the Sig, it never once failed to fire, couple times when it was under 50 rounds fired it didn't extract ... that went away. I used BKL rimfire 30mm rings with a dot scope on it. But, after about 5 bricks of ammo the safety got hard to rotate and then it locked into the fire position, you could not put it on safe.

I'll be more detailed on the request. It's for a family member who has a youngster who will be ready soon, It just comes down to It's been over a decade since I owned a rimfire again till I put this 10/22 together recently. I sold off the Trailside and she keep the Hi Standard for a little while after the divorce. I have also had a Ruger MK2 and a very early Buckmark (got the MKii in 83 and the Buckmark in 86.) I even worked at an Academy Sports gun bar for a couple years. But I haven't purchased a 22lr pistol in close to two decades, stuff changes!

Dave Z

 

A Ruger MK IV with a Volquartsen trigger kit or a S&W22 Victory with the Tandemkross Thunder hammer and Victory trigger would (did) get my vote.

 

Beretta U22 Neos is another option if you run across one. Ready for optics this thread has some pictures of some. Friend of mine has one and it is pretty nice.

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/just-got-a-u22-neos.1318659/?post_id=13602953#post-13602953

 

I have several Ruger Mks and a SW victory with red dot. Bought all used but like new condition with boxes. Can’t go wrong with any of these for the money.

 

I'd personally go with a Beretta Neos! My kids preferred it over the Walther P22. The Neos is a tack driver, is balanced perfectly so there is zero recoil, noise level it's much quieter, or directed better to seem quieter, and they are quite cheap and easy to take apart and clean. The 6" barrel one is the one I have.

 

I’d buy a Neos if I could find one, but I have not even run across a crappy one, let alone a nice one.

 

GMCfixer,

Of the pistols mentioned in this thread, I have three - a 22/45 MkIV, a Buckmark, and Neos. I might add a supportive shoutout to any of them depending on your priorities. Your first post mentioned "good accuracy"; a relative term, to be sure. Your follow up post mentioned that it's for a young one soon to be "ready" - is that soon to be ready for his/her first beginner pistol, or soon to be ready for entry into competitive shooting? The answer to those questions would also influence my answer to your question.

If we're talking about "good accuracy" in terms of pop can plinking, or hitting a 2-inch shoot-n-see bullseye at 10 or fifteen yards, I'd pick the Neos. It has a smallish grip that still sits okay in my average-sized adult hand, but might be better for a young shooter's hand. It's the most reliable 22lr pistol I've ever had; it shoots anything and everything and never, ever chokes. It can be disassembled for cleaning without tools, although it breaks down into enough parts that I'd say adult supervision is probably a necessity for functional as well as safety reasons. It otherwise meets your criteria - far below the $600 mark (like, somewhere closer to half of that), and adjustable sights, although you'll want to get a $25 aftermarket fiber optic front bead replacement.

If "good accuracy" means good enough for entry level competitive shooting, I'd choose the Buckmark. A more refined pistol than the other two, and in stock form, the most accurate of the three I'm comparing. Very good trigger (especially after the DIY Heggis flip), and functionally reliable, as in, not terribly picky with ammo, but not the 100%-no-malfunctions-of-any-kind reliable that the Neos is. In my locale, the Buckmark is the most expensive of the three, but still to be had for less than $600, usually for less than $500, and sometimes a good deal less.

Somewhere between the Neos and the Buckmark - but closer to the Buckmark end of the scale - is the 22/45 MkIV. Its claim to fame relative to the other two is that it's fabulously easy and simple to disassemble for cleaning - literally seconds to disassemble and reassemble, tool free. More accurate than the Neos and close to as accurate as the Buckmark. A heavy trigger that most experienced shooters don't like (5-6 pound pull, I think??), but which might not be a real detriment for a very beginning shooter (for $125 or so, Volquartsen's trigger kit turns it into a really, really good and crisp 2 pound trigger). I don't think it balances in the hand as well as the Buckmark, but that's a picky observation. It's not so imbalanced as to be a dealbreaker - you have to hold each in a head to head comparison to really notice the difference. I haven't priced a 22/45 MKIV since I bought mine several years ago, but I'm pretty sure they're well below the $600 threshold.

Other than my personal experience with the three above, I'd only add that from time to time I get the itch to purchase a S&W Victory, and all my consumer homework on it says good things, including but not limited to almost universal rave reviews from Victory owners.

Last, I don't see anything that jumps out as a lemon among the recommendations in this thread; best of luck on the choice of pistol!

 

You’re right about the High Standard Supermatic Citation. It’s the favorite target pistol that I own but you’ll pay close to a thousand for one. The same for a vintage S&W Model 41. Mine is accurate but also a jamomatic. You can get a used Mark IV for less than $600 with enough left over for a Volquartzen trigger job which you’ll need. Mine now runs smooth with its new trigger.

 

I’m surprised nobody mentions the S&W 422 or 622.
Yes, only available used, but the alloy frame makes for a light weight and accurate gun.
When searching, hold out for the longer barrel and adjustable sights.

My kids had a blast shooting mine (I’ve more than a few).
Unlike some other options, missing was never blamed on the gun.


Barry

 

I had High Standards in the past, including an original Victor, that I bought new, and also had a lot of Rugers. The only Ruger I still have is a “Government”. More accurate than any other semi automatics I’ve shot, with the exception of Marvel 1 conversions, which would shoot sub-inch groups at 75 yards but were really finicky

 

I was recently looking for the same. Was down to the Mark IV, S&W Victory or Browning Buckmark.. Bought the Mark IV, and could not be happier. Biggest selling point was the ease of take down for cleaning. Saying that it's super accurate is an understatement. YMMV

I bought the Hunter version with the Target model grips because I really liked the esthetics, so I did pay more but for your budget you shouldn't have any trouble finding a Mark IV.

Happy shopping!

 

Based on my experience, I’d be patient and find a Ruger Mark 2 Target in very good condition.

 

I own several Hi-Standards and this Sport King was picked up at auction for $350. Doesn't have fully adjustable rear sight, just left-right windage but it is super accurate. Also have Browning Buckmark UDX and Colt Woodsman(expensive) plus several Colt Officer Models in .22 but again pushing the $600 mark. You can get a lower level Buckmark for good prices right now. Good gun to have.

 

In your budget..I will also say the Neos. That will leave you plenty leftover for an optic if that is needed.. They are fantastic underrated Pistols. Both accurate enough and super reliable. People put down the Neos as odd looking, ugly, bad trigger, bad grip. and so on..I find none of these offending to me. No one really wanted them so they discontinued them..Now people have realized how good they are and want them. Probably no one will outshoot my SBRed version with the stock, with a Ruger or SW. Much more accurate and deadly that way you know..LOL

 

Love my MKII but yes A pain to take down! It is a tack driver with the rite ammo !

 

Ruger Mark IV. I have 2 , only way to go. So easy to take apart and clean. 3 minutes. Plus valquartsen has so much after market stuff if you really want to dial it in. MD

 

I agree with Sig Trailside, my wife's shoots lights out-better than mine. Also, a Marvel .22 conversion for a 1911 if you have one is a possibility, although magazines may be a problem. I believe they're guaranteed to shoot 1" at 50 yards. That said, the Buckmarks and Rugers are hard to beat and more than accurate enough for most shooters.