I have both the GSG 1911-22 and the Walther/Colt (Gold Cup Trophy). Both shoot about the same. Neither of mine are ammo picky. I probably have over 10K rounds through the Walther/Colt and about 6K through the GSG. I haven’t broken any parts yet. In my opinion both are pretty solid guns. If you are looking for something that is bullseye competition accurate these are not the ones. The Ruger MK series of pistols would be better choices if you plan on competing. Many parts on the Walther/Colt can be swapped with generic 1911 parts (hammer/trigger/sear/sear spring/mainspring housing/grip safety/thumb safety/grips). Lots of aftermarket parts for the GSG but not sure if they are available to you in Italy.

 

Welcome to Rimfire Central!

Personally I think that the Umarex/Walther/Hammerli offerings are slightly better quality than GSG's and it sounds like you prefer the look, size, and grip angle of the 1911/22.

So, whether you picked the Hammerli Forge or the Colt Walther I'd say you are right, they are basically going to be the same gun.

Hammerli Arms Forge H1

Born from the fires of defiance and the legacy of the iconic 1911. In a world where every shot counts, the Forge H1 is the epitome of reliability and power, ensuring you stand strong amidst the anarchy.

hammerliarms.com

And as @824tsv noted, they are not serious competition guns but plenty capable as plinkers and for informal target shooting.

Here's my Colt Walther with upgraded grips.

Frank

 

I've read elsewhere in this forum that's exactly the same gun, only the branding changed...
I used a 1911 only once, and in 9mm; it seemed comfortable, while I tried smaller guns and "didn't know where to put hands".
I think I'll never be good enough for competitions, I'm just happy if my target is a bit less bad than the previous time...

Browning Buckmark could be a compromise, better gun for a tolerable price, but I'm not sure about the complex cleaning and stripping procedures I've read about...

 

I recommend the Ruger MK IV in the configuration you feel comfortable with. I like the looks of the stainless fluted Hunter they all shoot the same accuracy. I have Ruger target models, all very accurate, but the hunter is the same. Basically, they all have same quality rifling and shoot extremely well. Or mine do. The ergonomic with the slant grip is very natural. You can upgrade the sight, but the Hunter sights are great. You can upgrade anything but no need. Just know you can. Because grips are important. Very important. You are a beginner, so if you trust me on this you wont regret. I am not shooting tin cans, I work at it and shoot on paper. I use good ammo. You got to ask yourself? Are you serious or just plinking?

I get the budget is limited, but don't go bottom of the barrel cheap. This maybe your last handgun for a long time and the little you save is not worth it. Obviously up to you. I have shot some of those plastic junkers and believe me its not just the gun its the fit & feel. NO COMPARISON with the Ruger and any of those cheap alternatives you mention.

I am going to look for a pic of one of my targets. ...

I cannot stop! These guns are reliable and built to last ten lifetimes. In production over 70 years: Standard, MkI, MkII, MkIII & Mk IV. . All the long-term parts and support you could ask for. Get an all steel slant grip version. Ruger did a 75th anniversary model. Very nice.

 

I recommend the Ruger MK IV in the configuration you feel comfortable with. I like the looks of the stainless fluted Hunter they all shoot the same accuracy. I have Ruger target models, all very accurate, but the hunter is the same. Basically, they all have same quality rifling and shoot extremely well. Or mine do. The ergonomic with the slant grip is very natural. You can upgrade the sight, but the Hunter sights are great. You can upgrade anything but no need. Just know you can. Because grips are important. Very important. You are a beginner, so if you trust me on this you wont regret. I am not shooting tin cans, I work at it and shoot on paper. I use good ammo. You got to ask yourself? Are you serious or just plinking?

I get the budget is limited, but don't go bottom of the barrel cheap. This maybe your last handgun for a long time and the little you save is not worth it. Obviously up to you. I have shot some of those plastic junkers and believe me its not just the gun its the fit & fell. NO COMPARISON with the Ruger and any of those cheap alternatives you mention.

I am going to look for a pic of one of my targets. ...

View attachment 542947

I cannot stop! These guns are reliable and built to last ten lifetimes. In production over 70 years: Standard, Mi, MkII, MkIII & Mk IV. . All the long-term parts and support you could ask for. Get an all steel slant grip version. Ruger did a 75th anniversary model. Very nice.

Hi, surely the Ruger is a better gun, no doubt about this... But here a MkIV costs more than twice a GSG or Umarex, and anyway I'm almost sure the limiting factor is my ability, not the gun...

Maybe I will buy "top level" guns when I'll be sure that my results are "limited by the gun I have"

 

MKII bull barrel was my first gun and I love it.

 

The GSG 1911 is a super gun, reliable, inexpensive and okay accuracy. I have a Ruger MkIII with a Red Dot very accurate and not ammo sensitive. My GSG 1911 never gave me any problems. I did a complete accuracy job on it, and now it is equal to the MK. I was using Aquila 40gr. high velocity but that ammo although very accurate was extremely dirty, I switched to Federal Automatch, not as accurate but reliable. I am going to shoot iron sight speed plates with the gun once winter is over with.

 

As Fourbore alluded to above, fit and feel of the gun is very important. Once you have decided on guns you might buy, go to a gun store and handle each of your possible choices. No matter how much you pay, if the gun doesn't feel comfortable in your hand, point naturally, etc., you will regret having bought it.

 

A Buckmark would be a step up in quality and they're not hard to field strip for cleaning.

For you stated purposes though I think any of the guns you mention will serve you well.

Frank

 

So, let's say Buckmark is not perfect but the best, Umarex is a bit better than GSG, Firefly is the first one to exclude?

 

Hammerli Force

 

Do you know anything more about that gun? Does it work fine with standard velocity ammo? Is it fast to strip and clean?

Seems almost not existent... Even the website is just "self promotion", for example I looked for the PDF user manual and it just wasn't there ...

 

Buckmark or Ruger... either will serve you well.
Ruger MK II is more fiddly to breakdown and clean, but good shooters otherwise.

Enjoy the hunt! Let us know what you decide.

 

Don't be afraid to break down a Mark II. I just got done about a week ago deep cleaning mine and I had no problem. Lots of good You Tube videos that will guide you. Shoot straight and be safe. Doug

 

Of the ones you mention, my vote would be for a Browning Buck Mark. Very easy to clean and very accurate. I have over 60K rounds through mine without any problems. Parts and aftermarket upgrades are readily available everywhere. If I were in Europe, I would also look for used higher quality target pistols. Krale has some very nice used guns for very good prices:

Small Bore Handguns | Krale.shop

 

Have you had issues removing parts? Do you just clean without stripping or you remove the slide?

This is the part that makes me unsure, I'm accustomed to my 9mm that field strips in 10 seconds...

 

Since the Mark IV doesn’t make your list, I suggest the Buck Mark. It’s a well built and very accurate pistol with decent aftermarket support if you want to do a little customizing later. It might be a little pricier than the other options you list, but it is head and shoulders above in quality, IMO.

 

Getting the M&P22 is a good idea. I went to the range today and took my TX 22. It is a fun gun to shoot, love the 16 round magazines. When I was buying extra mags they were running about $20. I also have a Ruger MKII that is a great gun. I don't know anything about the SR22, but never heard any bad about.

 

I have both the Ruger SR-22 and M&P 22 Compact. Excellent. No problems. Same with Walther PQ22. Same with Smith and Wesson Victory 22. Excellent.
Had two TX-22s and one Sig P322. Nothing but problems. Hit or miss success with either of these two. Trashed both of them. Used parts-magazines... sold them on EBAY.

 

Do you have access to old revolvers? My Harrington and Richardson Model 999 Sportsman is very accurate and can be shot double or single action. You can buy one in the U.S. for less than $500.

 

Hi, at the moment I'm looking only at semi auto, I still need to learn using them well...

 

I have the Buckmark and like everyone has said, it is very accurate with a great trigger. In the U.S. the Buckmark Camper sells for under $500. Great choice if that is your budget limit. For around $300 you can get a GSG 1911-22. They are fairly accurate and reliable and a lot of fun to shoot. Probably have the best 22 pistol mags out there. They use to come with a threaded barrel as a standard feature. Not sure about that now.

 

I'm a big Buckmark fan, that is what I would recommend. I don't think its that difficult to clean.

 

What about the Tanfoglio Force 22L pistol, might be affordable in Italy.
Beretta 92 rimfire conversion slide or full pistol.

Out of your list the Buck mark is the highest quality and will last. Its not difficult to field strip for routine cleaning. Usually reliable with assorted ammo and accurate for its class.

The cheapest guns are not great long term and high round counts. I have 2 Umarex 22 pistols branded Walther and they are each sub-par.

 

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Review: Tanfoglio Force 22L TB

Few shooting experiences are more satisfying than firing a full-size .22 Long Rifle-chambered pistol. Most instructors agree that this is the best way to introduce new shooters to the fundamentals of firing a handgun.

www.americanrifleman.org

https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/pistols/caliber/10000844-22+long+rifle/manu/1119/cond/new/finish/0

 

Id highly suggest taking a look at a kel-tec p17. It's the cheapest pistol in my safe, and can be had for under $200. It's surprisingly accurate and light, and despite being a kel-tec, it's remarkably well put together. Comes with three 16 round magazines too!

 

KelTec P17 Review - Not Recommended [2022] ⋆ Primer Peak

After futher testing, I've come to my final thoughts on the KelTec P17 pistol. Is it good, or is it a stinky wet fart?

www.primerpeak.com

 

Hi all, Tanfoglio is more expensive than the others, and the kel tec is almost impossible to find here...

In the meanwhile I've seen that the Buckmark Contour URX 5.5 and 7.25 are both discontinued in the US, so maybe that's why prices are not so terrible even here...

 

Might look at Taurus TX-22, the KelTec P-17 is also worth a look. Hopefully they are not that expensive in Italy. The Beretta line might be reasonable, but I’ve got no ex with the NEOS line. I do like the small double and single action 22s from Beretta I’m sold on the SIG 322, but I’d bet they are expensive there. Let us know what you end up with.

 

Had two TX-22s and one Sig P322. Nothing but problems. Hit or miss success with either of these two. Trashed both of them. Used parts-magazines... sold them on EBAY

 

All of the previous posts address the many options you have in choosing the best .22 handgun for you. The one factor I will add is the old mantra "Buy once, Cry once"! Simply stated, don't spend money on an inferior product that you will not be satisfied with, wait until you can afford a quality handgun.

 

The 7.25 Buckmark is fascinating and I think it could become "collectible" in the future, at least here... But I don't know if it's more difficult to grip and balance, being a beginner I don't want to buy something I cannot master...

 

Again, I strongly encourage you to buy only after you have actually handled one of the guns you are considering. If you do not do so, you run the risk of exactly what you mention. If it is impossible to find one of those guns and you have to order it," you pays your money and you takes your chances". The Buckmark is a good choice, however.

 

I'm a fan of the Ruger MK lV. Just choose a model you like. Also, the Ruger Wranglers look like a lot of fun and are cheap.

 

A Ruger Mark IV 22/45 basic model with the Bull Barrel and the Polymer Stock might make your budget. They are very reliable, and extremely easy to break down and clean.
There's a lot of decent reports on the GSG 1911. There are things you can do to keep it running. Again, you get what you pay for.
Merry XMAS from an Italian in the USA!

 

Ruger is much more expensive here, I've d another thread in the Buckmark subforum for a Contour URX 7.25 I've seen, but also the 1911 is still an option...

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

 

i think the ruger mk IV or a buckmaek mught make the OP happy

 

going cheap is not always the best approach , i think you need to read more here - look at all the different choices , i have most of them these days , im a fan of most but most of mine get shot seldom , thats what happens when you have many and really like a few , i really like shooting my sig P322 , it always goes to the range ,