My mother is going to buy my dad a .22 semi auto for Christmas, and my dad has really liked the Hammerli Trailside, but did some research and they aren't that good it seems. So now I'm trying to make a decision on telling my mom what to get my dad. I've been thinking Ruger 22/45 Mk III, Browning Buckmark, or S&W 22a. He wants something to practice with that is cheaper than his 1911. I also suggest to him before a coversion slide, but he wants another handgun, no problem with that. I know I'm splitting hair between the Ruger and Browning, but I thought I'd ask opionions. Thanks.

cyberhick

I really like the Ruger. I have lost count of the thousands of rounds I have put threw it and it still shoots straight.

Duane

If he shoots a 1911 he will find the 22/45 has all the controls in the same places and the grip angle and size the same. I love mine. Rod.

here is mine.....a 6 7/8" fluted hunter model mk III....


awesome piece of machinery imo.


here is my old mk II 5 1/2" 22/45 i traded in for the fluted hunter model....


both are/were great, but i really like the MKIII hunter MUCH better, if for no other reason...."pretty".

a browning buckmark would be purtty dang sweet too imo. a toss up?

KOYDE, In your opinion, which Ruger handles better? I don’t care as much about pretty as is use to. I have a pretty intelligent wife. Nothing is going to compare to that. I have a MII with a 6in competition slab barrel that I have really enjoyed for the last 12 years. I have though about getting another Ruger. I have been debating those exact two pistols. Can you compare them for me? Your .02.

Duane

ok.....you have the slabside. i can compare the fluted hunter to that one. i used to have a MKII cometition target slabby, and i also held a new MKIII version side by side with the fluted model when deciding which one to get. the fluted hunter felt better to me n a lil less muzzle heavy than the slabside. minor...but i noticed.

as comparing MKIII hunter n 22/45.....MKIII fluted hunter, no contest. the 22/45 has to have a hogue grip sleeve before it feels right to me. it loosened up after a while n that was iritating. as far as accuracy differences....can't say yet for sure, but i wouldn't expect much difference accuracy wise.

basically it all depends on how heavy you want your pistol to be, how much you wanna spend, and which feels best to you.

cyberhick, I have 2 Ruger MKII's. Awesome guns with never a bit of trouble. The only thing I had trouble with is a trunkated bullet (step in the ojive) will hang on the feed ramp from time to time. My 10" model has at least 6,000 rounds down the tube. If you Dad real likes the 45, then the Ruger 22/45 would be high on the list to get.

I'm going to tell my mom to get Dad the 22/45 stainless w/ 5 1/2" barrel. Now a few years ago, I saw that someone made a replacement parts kit that made Mk I/II/III's easy to dissasembly, it pretty much replaced the pin behind the rear sight with a SHCS and the block it went into with a tapped one. I can't find this any where, anyone have any information?

Really, it is probably hard to go wrong either way. I think your Dad would be excited about whatever he gets.

Thanks for the help KYODE.

Duane