.22LR Pistol or Rifle?

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr22Pistol/models.html

I saw the Ruger SR22 semi-auto pistol in the Fin Feather Fur ad. Many of you know I gave my Remington 597 .22LR to Ben as a birthday/GMA present. I was set on replacing it with a Ruger 10/22 Takedown or 10/22 Bolt action. I like the pistol too.

Tell me what you think would be the pros and cons of each choice.

For a "Survival" situation, I would not recommend a .22 Handgun (unless it is the only defensive handgun that your wife could handle).  Most people cannot shoot a handgun accurately enough, and can definately not hit game suitable for a .22 (rabbits, squirrels) with a handgun.

So for a "Survival Takealong Gun"; Rifle.

However, for training, a .22 handgun can be hard to beat.  All of the Fundamentals of Marksmanship pertain with a .22 the same as with a 9mm or a .45. Shoot 1 shot at a time (even if it's double-taps or triple-taps). Don't blow through a box of ammo, just because it's just a .22.

In looking at that particular Ruger Pistol, I don't know.

I personally think that, for the same money, you may be better served with a Ruger Mark III Standard or Target Model or a Browning Buckmark with a 4 to 5 inch barrel.

They are highly accurate (I have seen them both used at Regional Army Pistol Competitions), and the triggers are near to target quality.

Because of the long track record of those guns, parts and spare magazines would be easier to come-by, also.

I have the River Mark III 22/45 model which has the grip feel of a M1911 (45 acp) instead of the more slanted grip of the original Mark III. I like the pistol overall for the reasons cited by Claymore. Anyone and everyone can shoot it and they are known for accuracy and longevity. I did have to get an aftermarket magazine disconnect bushing because you had to actually pull the mags out with the stock one in place. They fly out with the replacement part installed. Cheap part and a quick easy install if you watch their tutorial video. 

You'll also need a rubber mallet, and short piece of 1/4"wooden dowel to facilitate tear downs. Not a need, but a very nice addition is a magazine spring depressor for loading mags. The springs are tight and the side buttons are small. This device is has a rectangular hole that slides down the mag and catches the buttons. Even a child can load the mags with that little gem. 

But yes, all comes down to what you're looking for. The SR22 has the "cool look" factor, but has a much shorter barrel for less accuracy. Look up YouTube videos of Ruger Mark III long shots. There are some crazy long shots that people are actually able to replicate with that pistol (not freak shots).

Obviously the 10/22 will give greater accuracy and you can get just about any aftermarket product you want for it to make it yours. I think you can even get folding stocks etc. I like the takedown for what it is, but question if it's worth the additional price over a standard 10/22. 

I went with the stock 10/22 because my plan is to modify it beyond what the any model from the factory would be. You can get awesome trigger assemblies, barrels, etc to make it a bad donkey gun.

The Mark III standard or 22/45 models can also be heavily modified. Because of the popularity of the firearm they have a TON of aftermarket parts. Fluted barrels, triggers etc, etc , etc.

I like Rugers....

I was considering a 10/22 takedown for easy storage on the go and concealment. It would fit easily into your guitar case...wonder where I got that idea from! Taking the barrel off would make cleaning it easier imho.

I may stick with the 10/22 as it would be better for hunting and even home defense if need be. For practice a .22 pistol in a lower price point makes more sense.

Ruger Mk III's are excellent guns & the Mk III standard is a touch cheaper than the SR 22.

MkIII Standard

The .22 Pistol that was a big surprise to me is the Taurus PT-22. Its quite accurate even out 25 yards (which is somewhat unusual for a pocket pistol) I can put all 9 rounds into an 8" circle at 25 yards after only 2 practice sessions at that distance. Not good enough for hunting, but hoping to narrow that down to a 4" circle with more practice.

Probably charge more because its 3.5" barrel which is good size for conceal-carry.

Hickok reviews SR22

https://youtu.be/FWNRG7xBPPk

  Philip, translate, "bad donkey gun"...  

Dan,

I looked at your video of Hickock45 shooting the SR22.

A .22 pistol that will consistently hit a pie-plate at 75 yards ain't bad.

Yes very cool. There were a few times it didn't chamber the next round but he said it was probably the slower ammo. The FTL didn't happen often in the over 600 rounds fired. 

Do you still prefer the Mark III over the SR22?

The MK-3 has a fixed barrel and so would probably be more precise.  Also, since the barrel, chamber, & feed-ramp don't float on it, it may be a bit more reliable.

Also;

You mentioned the SR22 not cycling with lower velocity ammunition. That is probably, in part, because it is cycling a full-sized slide (although it is aluminum). On a MK-3, the gun is only cycling the bolt assembly (which is steel) and not the slide.

But

If you want a firearm that will simulate the action of a M&P Semiautomatic, then the SR22 has that training advantage.

Last Christmas my boys jointly bought me a Henry repeating .22. Before I opened it, they played the theme music from The Rifleman (loved that show). I've taken it out a couple of times. A fun rifle to shoot and quite accurate.

Is that Henry the one that loads through the muzzle end of the mag tube?

yes it has a tube magazine that loads just behind the muzzle

Nice!