.22 LR semi-auto pistols in competition (think fast shooting speed steel type).

[spookshack]

TCGC and ARPC are rimfire and centerfire.
pistol/rifle, iron's or optics. No mag capacity restrictions and you can reload on the clock if you want or need to.

Both matches run 6 stages. DRRC is 3 pistol and 3 rifle stages although you can run one or the other, just not eligible for prizes?

TCGC's match uses 3 large bays and 3 small bays. The match director favors carbine's, so a lot of the times a pistol is at a disadvantage in the large bays, as the stages are stretched out and running a pistol can be a challenge. Doable, but you have to work a little harder than with a carbine.

APPC favors pistol in it's stages. Typically I run pistols (RAF and CF) there as opposed to TCGC.

That Victory is very nice and I think they use Volquartsen barrels in that model. I'd be hesitant to start with that out of the gate unless you can get some decent hand's on with it. It may not "float your boat" like you thought it would. Same with any other of the recommended .22's mentioned above. Try to get some trigger time in the one's you are interested in and what's available in the aftermarket for potential/future upgrades.

I've been doing speed steel matches going on six years now and it took a lot of trial and error to finally get where I'm at now my current setup's (Ruger MKIV, M&P 15-22 and my 9mm PCC). I consider myself more of a handgun shooter, but I really enjoy shooting my PCC the most at speed steel matches. When COVID hit, I switched back to rimfire to save on ammo costs. Anyway, best of luck in your search and if you ever make it out to a match, your welcome to try what I have.

 

[spookshack]

I started with a stock Victory that I bought specifically for TCGC speed steel but sold it not long after as the rule was changed to have all guns start the stage with the safety engaged. Being a lefty and the Victory having no provision for a reversible or ambi safety, I ended up with the Mark IV 22/45.

 

[DizzyJ]

I started with a stock Victory that I bought specifically for TCGC speed steel but sold it not long after as the rule was changed to have all guns start the stage with the safety engaged. Being a lefty and the Victory having no provision for a reversible or ambi safety, I ended up with the Mark IV 22/45.

Thanks for the info. Everyone else too. Lots of good information to take into consideration.

Looked for but unable to find a Ruger mark4 22/45 lite in stock. Some say no longer available.

 

[spookshack]

They can be had, just they are out of stock like everything else the past year and a half….

 

[spookshack]

ruger mark iv For Sale – Buy ruger mark iv at GunBroker.com

Buy ruger mark iv online at GunBroker.com, the world's largest gun auction site. GunBroker.com has ruger mark iv for sale from thousands of trusted sellers.

www.gunbroker.com

 

[NWGlockgal]

Good point. Some competitions do limit the amount of rounds you may use. I've shot TCGC so long I've forgotten this!

I believe even at TCGC you are limited to 11 rounds. Seems to be the standard.

 

[Member 34319]

I believe even at TCGC you are limited to 11 rounds. Seems to be the standard.

Interesting, I've never seen it enforced there. You are probably right though.

 

[NWGlockgal]

Interesting, I've never seen it enforced there. You are probably right though.

I don't really think it's really enforced at any of the non-sanctioned matches. Most people don't need a mag change anyway, 11 rounds for 5 (or 6) targets is generally fine.

 

[Member 34319]

11 rounds for 5 (or 6) targets is generally fine.

Hear that @spookshack ?

 

[NWGlockgal]

DRRC is 3 pistol and 3 rifle stages although you can run one or the other, just not eligible for prizes?

DRRC has 4 stages of pistol and 4 stages of rifle. You are not eligible to place for winning (ie, top overall, top lady, top senior, etc) but you are eligible for the random prize drawings. People who shoot rifle and pistol get two raffle tickets, if you shoot only one gun you get one ticket.

 

[Ginnie]

There's so many options and I've seen so many different types of shooters use different guns and be pretty damn successful in their timed .22 steel challenges.

This one guy always used revolvers and I was blown away how quick he was.

Personally I always liked either my (sold now) SW Victory, which was a great 22 pistol for time trials. Very balanced, great factory trigger, and very accurate. Personally I loved the design as well, the only bad was the manual safety was too easily shifted when gripping or having big thumbs. Ruined a whole run with that move.

You also can't go wrong with any of the Ruger Mk IV series, I'm a Ruger fanboy and would shoot any of those in a time trial.

But like I said the options depend on what you shoot well with, I didn't like pistols like an SR22, just never shot good for me.

You should try the casual shoots you'll meet a lot of super nice people, get fed, and have a great time with low pressure get an idea of where your skill level is. Don't be surprised when the 15 year old and the 70 year old guy mop the floor with everyone.

 

[spookshack]

I don't really think it's really enforced at any of the non-sanctioned matches. Most people don't need a mag change anyway, 11 rounds for 5 (or 6) targets is generally fine.

In the nearly 6 years I've been shooting the TCGC match, I have never heard of that rule. I also checked orss.org and saw no mention of it.

 

[dangerranger60]

Going to list some I've found online. Feel free critique and send me links to ones you'd recommend too. Thanks!

Browning Buck Mark Field/Target 22LR Suppressor Ready Rimfire Pistol with Crimson Trace Red Dot Sight

Browning: Buck Mark Field/Target 22LR Suppressor Ready Rimfire Pistol with Crimson Trace Red Dot Sight for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Browning Buck Mark Field/Target Micro 22LR Suppressor Ready Rimfire Pistol

Browning: Buck Mark Field/Target Micro 22LR Suppressor Ready Rimfire Pistol for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory 22LR Performance Center Target Model with Carbon Fiber Barrel

Smith & Wesson: SW22 Victory 22LR Performance Center Target Model with Carbon Fiber Barrel for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Browning Buck Mark Contour 22LR Rimfire Pistol with 5.5 Inch Barrel

Browning: Buck Mark Contour 22LR Rimfire Pistol with 5.5 Inch Barrel for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

I have shot both the Contour and the MK1. My preference is the Ruger but I can shoot the Browning equally well. DR

 

[NWGlockgal]

In the nearly 6 years I've been shooting the TCGC match, I have never heard of that rule. I also checked orss.org and saw no mention of it.

I could be wrong, but I will check with NIck. Out of curiosity, not that I care about it really. We never heard of the "use the safety" rule either, yet here we are now, lol.
I just looked at their rules....mostly concerned with safety.. However, here is a strange one. In regards to having a hot gun on a cold range. Only problem with it is that you aren't allowed to have ammo in the safety area, lol "

1. Range officers will escort any person suspected to be in violation of this rule to a safety area, where they will ask the competitor to "unload and show clear." If the firearm is not loaded the competitor receives no penalty. If the firearm IS loaded the competitor will be disqualified from the match."

 

[spookshack]

I noticed that too. If something like that were to happen on my squad, I would tell them not to touch their gun and escort them to the shooter's box and wait for the current shooter to vacate, call a cold range and escort the person to the back berm of the bay and then have them "unload and show clear".

It also helps that there are more than a few of us that are action range certified and current and/or former club RSO's on our squad so that whole process would go a bit more smoothly.

 

[41mag]

On speed steel, is capacity a thing? Are there reloads on the clock, or is everything 10 rounds? All the legacy 22 pistols are 10rd guns.

the ARPC course of fire the last several years (before FLU) was typically "six stages, composed of 6 different bays/target sets; usually 6 rounds on whatever targets are in that stage (usually ONE round per target) (sometimes 3-6 targets),
repeated 5 times (STRINGS) for a score, separated off the clock to reload.
About 30 rounds per stage, total match rounds about 180, plus misses. Toss out the worst group at each stage for score.
Safety is a BIG thing there too. And I've seen everything from 22/9 ultrafast carbines to big bore black powder revolvers. All had fun.

 

[Forester]

Anyone have experience with the FN502?

 

[ORhutner]

Thanks for the info. Everyone else too. Lots of good information to take into consideration.

Looked for but unable to find a Ruger mark4 22/45 lite in stock. Some say no longer available.

Here you go: https://grabagun.com/ruger-mark-iv-22-45-lite-grey-anodized-aluminum-22-lr-4-4-10-round.html

Grabagun has been getting in lots of Ruger Mark IV lately in all the various flavors offered. This was just the first 22/45 Lite I came across.

 

[41mag]

Not talking anything here but personal opinion, as to pistol choice. It's a good thing there's lots of products to chose from. My long time personal favorite was the High Standard 10X or some variation of their Supermatic/Trophy etc. After decades of use, coming to terms with idiosyncratic differences, besides the things I reallyReallyREALLY like about them, there was one flaw I finally just divorced them over. The magazines of whatever flavor, for me at least, were predictably unreliable for no clear reason. New ones, old ones, factory specials, etc. I finally sold my last HS.

Various Rugers have worked well enough, but I finally came up with an unfired Mk II Bull barrel model that sports a red dot & is marvelous. The Lite didn't have enough weight forward for my aiming needs. Then there's a favored S&W Victory that I just can't get enough rounds thru it in these short fall days...

My current real favorite for speed steel, however, is a S&W 10 shot 617 with speed loaders & a small red dot. I prefer it over the bottom feeders, as I can operate it accurately just as fast and with more user satisfaction.

 

[spookshack]

Anyone have experience with the FN502?

Probably not that many in the wild just yet, being new and all. I'm sure somebody here in the forum will eventually end up with one.