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

DizzyJ · Oct 9, 2021

What are the most common semi-auto .22 LR pistols used for the faster type of competition shooting such as for speed steel, etc?

Looking to possibly delve into this arena but would like to do some research first.

Thanks in advance!

Kimber Custom · Oct 9, 2021

Ruger Mark series in all of its variants is probably the most common with the Browning Buckmark being 2nd. That said, there are so many offerings the sky is the limit. Find what you like and run it. Taurus TX22 is getting great reviews. Glock 44 is a picky eater but if you carry Glock it's a great training aid.

Member 34319 · Oct 9, 2021

A lot of Rugers and S&Ws. Some TX22s popping up here and there. Faster folks are running Rugers. Fastest are all rifles.

Oregon Speed Steel (ORSS) @ TCGC Oct 3, 2021 | PractiScore

practiscore.com

CHLChris · Oct 9, 2021

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.

Member 34319 · Oct 9, 2021

CHLChris said:
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.

Capacity can kill times. You can shoot as long as you want to finish the string, which includes as many magazines you need to do so, but you'll want to not miss if possible. Only 10 rounds in a magazine and 6 plates to shoot doesn't leave a lot of room to suck. Harder stages where distance is involved can really hurt pistol shooters, especially those with only 10 rounds to work with.

dangerranger60 · Oct 9, 2021

DizzyJ said:
What are the most common semi-auto .22 LR pistols used for the faster type of competition shooting such as for speed steel, etc?

Looking to possibly delve into this arena but would like to do some research first.

Thanks in advance!

The three most common are going to be Ruger MK series, the Browning Buckmark and the S&W 41. All three share the same three qualities ,
A grip big enough to get a full two handed grip.
Sights that are adjustable and large enough to be easily seen quickly.
And an extended sight radius.
All three also enjoy a good aftermarket for parts.

In my family we have the MK1 and a Buckmark. Both are good choices! DR

CHLChris · Oct 9, 2021

So then, if you want more than 10, you may want to seriously look at the Taurus!

I have and prefer BuckMarks, but they do NOT reload easily. And their mags are all 10rd.

TTSX · Oct 9, 2021

New York reload, son

spookshack · Oct 9, 2021

Capacity is nice, but there are other things I find more important. Such as reliability, ergo's, and aftermarket support.

My choice is a Ruger MKIV 22/45. I also had good luck with the S&W Victory.

spookshack · Oct 9, 2021

If you got the coin, check the Volquartsen offerings.

ron · Oct 10, 2021

You can spend some money customizing 22 pistols.

Number one for me is a dot sight. The Ruger
has a Fastfire 3 and the Smith and Wesson is a Fastfire 2. Also both have aftermarket internals and
grips The Ruger has a Volquartsen accurizing kit. The Smith and Wesson Victory has Tandemkross
trigger, hammer and comp. I prefer the Victory better trigger and grip angle for me.
40 rounds rapid fire @ 21 feet out of each pistol

rWFUY1emTGVZqHC5ceIBqtff6A=w834-h625-no?authuser=0.jpg

NWGlockgal · Oct 10, 2021

CHLChris said:
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.

You are limited to 11 rounds per string, so capacity really isn't an issue. A few people use Barney mags to get to the 11 round capacity, but most people don't bother. The last match I shot (Kimber's DRRC steel challenge) had a 30 second penalty if you shot more than 11 rounds. No reloading on the clock, so 10 round magazines are just fine.

NWGlockgal · Oct 10, 2021

The 22/45 light is probably what I see most of at matches. Buckmarks are popular and I'm starting to see more Victories. I am currently using a Mark III hunter but prefer a Buckmark and will eventually go back to it. The Victories are really nice too and I'm seeing more of them. Try them all and see which seems to feel best to you. You can't go wrong with any of them. Also check and see what aftermarket parts you are interested in and see if the gun you like can get them. Invest in a decent red dot, very few people seem to shoot iron sights any more.

Member 34319 · Oct 10, 2021

NWGlockgal said:
You are limited to 11 rounds per string, so capacity really isn't an issue. A few people use Barney mags to get to the 11 round capacity, but most people don't bother. The last match I shot (Kimber's DRRC steel challenge) had a 30 second penalty if you shot more than 11 rounds. No reloading on the clock, so 10 round magazines are just fine.

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

DizzyJ · Oct 10, 2021

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

How does TCGC run their match?

Member 34319 · Oct 10, 2021

DizzyJ said:
How does TCGC run their match?

Use as much ammo as you want. Limit 30 seconds per string. TCGC is not sanctioned.

If you need to reload to the third magazine, chances are you are already over 30 seconds.

CHLChris · Oct 10, 2021

NWGlockgal said:
You are limited to 11 rounds per string, so capacity really isn't an issue. A few people use Barney mags to get to the 11 round capacity, but most people don't bother. The last match I shot (Kimber's DRRC steel challenge) had a 30 second penalty if you shot more than 11 rounds. No reloading on the clock, so 10 round magazines are just fine.

That's what I thought might be the case. The world of 22 pistols has been a 10-round world for decades! I wonder if a bunch of folks think it is too gamer to barney mag to 11, being embarrassed to do something so few do.

In USPSA, barney mags are SUPER common.

spookshack · Oct 10, 2021

@DizzyJ not to thread drift too much, but if your not dead set on .22 pistols, 10/22's and 15-22's rifles are solid choices as well. Both are used by the folks in my squad (speed steel). I run the 15-22 as I like the 25rd mags and and that it's an AR based platform.

My recommendation would be to come out (if you haven't already) to a match at TCGC or ARPC with whatever you got (just about everyone has something suitable sitting in their safe). Once there, you can get a better idea of the platform/caliber you may want to invest in. Between the members here on the forum that shoot at those two matches, we just about got all the popular firearms covered. With a little advanced planning, you could do some "test driving" of said firearms after the match concludes.

Edited to add:
The weather is going to start to suck, so plan/dress accordingly.

DizzyJ · Oct 10, 2021

spookshack said:
@DizzyJ not to thread drift too much, but if your not dead set on .22 pistols, 10/22's and 15-22's rifles are solid choices as well. Both are used by the folks in my squad (speed steel). I run the 15-22 as I like the 25rd mags and and that it's an AR based platform.

My recommendation would be to come out (if you haven't already) to a match at TCGC or ARPC with whatever you got (just about everyone has something suitable sitting in their safe). Once there, you can get a better idea of the platform/caliber you may want to invest in. Between the members here on the forum that shoot at those two matches, we just about got all the popular firearms covered. With a little advanced planning, you could do some "test driving" of said firearms after the match concludes.

Edited to add:
The weather is going to start to suck, so plan/dress accordingly.

I attended the one at DRRC Saturday. Part of the reason I'm looking at moving forward with more of a competition .22lr pistol. They have pistol and rifle stages. The one I shot was pistol only. Plus I think it's good training.