Hey guys, I am in the market for a .22 handgun for the girlfriend to use.   As of  now we are leaning towards either the Walther P22 or Ruger Mark III, as these are the only .22 handguns she or I have had any real experience using.  She likes the Walther p22 for asthetics and because it fits her hands well; I am leaning more towards the Mark III just because it is a good platform to build from.  I am looking for something reliable that doesn't break the bank.  Are there any other brands or guns you would recommend? 

Go with the Ruger, I picked up a Sig Mosquito, and just like the P22, it's an ammo picky pistol (mine only eats CCI Minimags/stingers reliably). From what I've seen, the Rugers can eat just about anything. Don't get me wrong, the lines on the Ruger are fugly, but after all the problems I encountered with my .22 go with something that works everytime you bring it out...

Just my .02 

I would also recommend the ruger.  Get the 22/45 where you can change the grips.  It now comes with a rail that is easily mounted on tapped screw holes.  You can get her grips that fit her hands, a large reflex red dot sight, and a gun that will be passed on to your kids.  Stay away from the mosquitos, walthers and the glock clone 22. 

Don't let what you hear about dissasembly/reassembly of the Rugers scare you. 

I'd recommend the Ruger as well, great gun at a great price. There are a couple more options though.
The Browning Buckmark is a great reliable .22. I think most people consider it the #1 competitor to the Rugers.
Smith and Wesson makes a 22a that is reliable but IMO more uncomfortable to handle. It is also a little cheaper than the other two I mentioned. I think all three are keepers.

Browning Buckmark (my personal fav)
Ruger MkIII (or MK II or MK I if you come across one used)
Both are reliable and accurate.  Both function on nearly any ammo.  Both are affordable.

S&W makes several good models, but price tends to be an obstacle unless you find one used.

Stay away from the SIg Mosquito or the Walther p22.  Both are notoriously picky about ammo.

I am getting a Walther P22 for my wife when I can -- for many women, aesthetics matter.

The Beretta Neos is a reliable pistol as well.

heh thanks guys for all the recommendations.  She has her heart set on the P22 after seeing my sister's pink one:



I've been reading up about the "picky-ness" of the P22 as far as ammo, but I figure .22lr is so cheap to begin with, even if I'm paying more per round for higher grade ammo it'll still be less or about the same as what I'm paying for 9mm.  The girlfriend wants what she wants, and if this will get her to come out shooting with me regularly so be it. 

Still, I want the Mark III.  Shucks guys, I guess I'll just have to buy two guns instead of one. 

heh thanks guys for all the recommendations.  She has her heart set on the P22 after seeing my sister's pink one:



I've been reading up about the "picky-ness" of the P22 as far as ammo, but I figure .22lr is so cheap to begin with, even if I'm paying more per round for higher grade ammo it'll still be less or about the same as what I'm paying for 9mm.  The girlfriend wants what she wants, and if this will get her to come out shooting with me regularly so be it. 

Still, I want the Mark III.  Shucks guys, I guess I'll just have to buy two guns instead of one. 

I will be looking at either this or the digital camo one in pink for my wife next month.

Cz kadet

The Mark series (1,2&3) are great guns.
I have one of each and have never had one single problem with any of them.
They are built incredibly well.

The only issue anyone ever has with these guns is that they are a bear to reassemble if you don't follow the instructions.

heh thanks guys for all the recommendations.  She has her heart set on the P22 after seeing my sister's pink one:

http://www.vanceoutdoors.com/prodimages/8811-DEFAULT-l.jpg

I've been reading up about the "picky-ness" of the P22 as far as ammo, but I figure .22lr is so cheap to begin with, even if I'm paying more per round for higher grade ammo it'll still be less or about the same as what I'm paying for 9mm.  The girlfriend wants what she wants, and if this will get her to come out shooting with me regularly so be it. 

Still, I want the Mark III.  Shucks guys, I guess I'll just have to buy two guns instead of one. 

I got my 12 y/o a purple one and it's only had problems with Aguila ammo (SSS & super colibri). Other than that it'll burn through a brick of any standard/high velocity with 0 failures. The way I see it, there's nothing wrong with the P22.