the .22 working pistol

Most "serious" .22's on the market are anything but small and convenient to carry. Here is a Browning Buckmark compared to a full-size 1911 in .45 ACP. Weight is about the same, and the Buckmark is at least as large in any dimension. The Buckmark is great for shooting, but terrible for carrying. Similar situation with the other serious .22's, e.g. Ruger MK series, 22/45, S&W Victory, S&W 41, etc.

I have been wanting something different -- a .22 "working pistol" -- a .22 with useful accuracy, high reliability, and a good SA trigger that is small enough to easily carry with me all day, concealed if wanted. The idea is that useful work = convenient size + useful accuracy/shootability. Not a pocket pistol (in the usual sense), but something that can do genuine, accuracy-requiring work at the level of small-game hunting. There is a hole in the market for a pistol like this, though you can always get a .22 version of a service-style pistol with a heavy DA service-style trigger (definitely not what I need -- I want a good SA trigger like the "serious" .22's to promote the speed and accuracy appropriate to the caliber). Here are are couple attempts that failed.

Browning 1911-22. Just about the perfect size, and with a SA trigger. Unfortunately, mine was reliable with only a very narrow spectrum of .22 ammo. And the "shrunk down" grip/trigger/sights did not promote good precision and speed from my end. It also tended to spit burning powder in my face from time to time, and I was never really thrilled about the aluminum slide. It had potential, but from a value perspective, I have to say it was one of my worst gun purchases.

At some point I got serious and tried a true classic -- a first series sport model Colt Woodsman. It is ideal in many ways -- great trigger, great accuracy, great reliability, and at a size I could drop in my coat pocket (the "just big enough" grip makes it possible). But it's also a collector piece worth four figures -- there is a guilt factor in taking it camping or shooting it heavily. That undermines the whole concept of the "working pistol" -- something that is supposed to go anywhere and do work without complaint.

Now for two recent successes. It took me a long time to find these, and I'm very happy I did. First is a High-Standard model B -- a copy of the Woodsman, made in 1940, likely during the Battle of Britian (judging by serial #). This one was fired very little, but water damage had obliterated the finish over 1/4 of the gun. Picked it up for $225 and had it cerakoted. Wonderfully accurate. Like the Woodsman, it is at the high end of the weight range and overall length for my conception of a working .22, but it excels because of its grip shape, accuracy and shootability. It has all-day carryability, and shooting it comes with none of the guilt of the Woodsman. The only downside is that I gave it to my Dad last Christmas, so it stays with him.

My second success came even more recently, in the form of the ex-Israeli Beretta 71's imported through CAI, with the (easily removed) faux silencer. I picked one out on gunbroker for $250 + fees, and it has exceeded my expectations. Nice, accuracy-promoting SA trigger. Excellent reliability with everything from standard-velocity up through hyper-velocity ammo. Accuracy is not quite on par with the Woodsman, but still shockingly good for a pistol of this size (after I spent a little time at the range adjusting the rear sight -- I'm anal about proper sight alignment). It's made out of "real pistol" materials to an excellent standard of quality -- the pistol was clearly taken seriously by the maker. And it can go with me all day, anywhere -- it is very light and conceals well. Like the High-Standard, its history is fascinating and adds some intangible value (Israel used these as "working pistols" in a very serious sense). I cerakoted mine, put on a set of wood grips, and ordered some current-production Triple K mags, which function as well as the OEM mags do. It can be thought of as close to the bottom of the size scale for a working .22 -- the sights and the sight radius in particular -- I can use them well, but I wouldn't want them to be any smaller. The grip is well-designed and hand-filling, leaving no bulky corners hanging out.

Here it is in comparison to the Buckmark. Not even on the same planet for "handiness." You might be skeptical that such a small pistol can perform genuine, useful, accuracy-requiring work. But it does. Its first random rabbit encounter in the desert ended with a dead rabbit somewhere between 12-15 meters away. It took me several shots to catch him, but I hit him while running, causing him to stop. The next shot, at the same distance, ended him. I expect more small game to follow. And, at "self-defense" range, the rate of accurate fire is nearly machinegun-like, similar to what the Browning Buckmark can produce. Okay, I realize that it's "not optimal" for self-defense, but it still has the speed, accuracy, reliability, and concealability to be a useful tool in that role, if required.

I was in such elation at finally discovering this most elusive and desirable (to me) type of .22 pistol, that I ordered a second copy, and it performs beautifully as well. The finish on these have been banged around a bit -- I have not cerakoted this one yet, but plan to someday soon.

I have owned a lot of pistols over the years -- an assortment of .45, 10mm, 9mm, .380, .32, and .22, but none of them are quite as satisfying to me as an accurate, reliable .22 working pistol that can go with me anywhere. I am a happy camper. I would be even happier if someone would produce something like this today.

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the .22 working pistol