[RisingPhoenix]

I want a .22 LR pistol such as one of these. I have shot all three. The Mark IV and Victory seemed both nice, and shot well. The Buckmark shot well enough, but definitely seemed at least a slight step down in quality.

I have the following gun on hold at my LGS until Tuesday: Ruger® Mark IV™ Target Rimfire Pistol Model 40159

All three guns are there at the following price:

That Mark IV: $550 I think
Victory: $450
Buckmark: $399

So here's the thing, I DO want an accurate, very reliable .22 LR pistol that I can practice with, have as a backup gun to my 9 mm's, and keep for a long time hopefully. This militates in favor of getting quality and possibly spending more. However, is there a real difference in quality between the Victory and Mark IV? Second, the Mark IV above has an aluminum frame not a steel one. This is probably why it's not in the $600 range like another one there. Will the aluminum frame affect it?

I also like both Ruger and S&W a lot. I have a S&W Shield in 9 mm, and a Ruger 10/22 in .22 LR.

What do people think between these choices? It also would be nice NOT to drop close to $600 out the door given I just did so to get a Glock 19.

Advice welcome

 

[jmohme]

Rugers Mark I, II, & III. I have an excellent track record. I have owned all three, but have no experience with the Mark IV.
Buckmark is also a great platform. I think it has a better trigger out of the box, but my Mark III is really good too after some aftermarket parts.

I have not even seen a Victory first hand, but I would expect quality from S&W.

I really think you would do well with any of the three and it will just come down to what you like the best.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

Rugers Mark I, II, & III. I have an excellent track record. I have owned all three, but have no experience with the Mark IV.
Buckmark is also a great platform. I think it has a better trigger out of the box, but my Mark III is really good too after some aftermarket parts.

I have not even seen a Victory first hand, but I would expect quality from S&W.

I really think you would do well with any of the three and it will just come down to what you like the best.

Yeah, and all three are quality guns. The cheapest one, the Buckmark, is still known as a reliable accurate gun. I almost feel the Victory might be the middle ground between the two. A little more quality at an affordable price.

 

[rangerhgm]

I have the Buckmark and the S&W.....I like both, but the S&W is my favorite.....it' dead nuts accurate and just fun to shoot.

 

[Tuner Sandwich]

I wouldn't hesitate to pick up the MkIV Target.

The Ruger Marks are time proven .22lr autoloaders.

I have a MkIV 22/45 Lite. It's an excellent pistol. I've considered getting another MkIV and the Target is top of the list.

I wouldn't worry about an aluminum frame.

 

[Rotn1]

The Mk4 would be my choice in your price range.

you could consider a Sig 226 22. It surprisingly very accurate and if you shoot Sigs then your get the benefit of a training pistol.

Buckmarks are fine but a pain to clean . I have one and never shoot it.

If you Can wait and save up the SW model 41 is my favorite.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

I wouldn't hesitate to pick up the MkIV Target.

The Ruger Marks are time proven .22lr autoloaders.

I have a MkIV 22/45 Lite. It's an excellent pistol. I've considered getting another MkIV and the Target is top of the list.

I wouldn't worry about an aluminum frame.

Yeah, I like their time tested aspect. And, that one particularly I like the looks of more than both the Victory (although those look good too) and the Buckmark. However, here's the thing:

I just dropped about 2.5 weeks ago $580 out the door for a Glock 19. If I buy this I'd have spent over a $1000 this month on firearms. So those sub $500 two other guns look a bit more affordable. Would I regret not getting the Mark IV? Perhaps.

 

[B C]

The Victory is the better gun straight out of the box and will be the most accurate. You should also be able to get it cheaper than $450.

If you weren't considering one with a threaded barrel you should.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

The Victory is the better gun straight out of the box and will be the most accurate. You should also be able to get it cheaper than $450.

If you weren't considering one with a threaded barrel you should.

I've shot about 200 odd rounds out of the Victory and Buckmarks each. Only 10 rounds or one magazine out of a Mark IV (different model). So far the Victory was the most accurate, although I can't speak to other models of Marks or if it was that pistol. All shot reasonably well and if it wasn't for the insane accuracy of the Victory, I don't think I'd even realize. Is that your experience?

With inflated gun prices everywhere, I haven't seen a Victory cheaper in-person

On gun broker there is one for $399 and one for $419:

SMITH AND WESSON S&W SW22 VICTORY KRYPTEK HIGHLANDER CAMO 5-1/2" BBL .22LR - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 887208440

S&W 108490 SW22 VICTORY .22LR 5.5" STAINLESS F/O S - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 882208564

By the time I pay the FFL fee and shipping though they will cost no less than the one at my LGS right?

 

[B C]

I've shot about 200 odd rounds out of the Victory and Buckmarks each. Only 10 rounds or one magazine out of a Mark IV (different model). So far the Victory was the most accurate, although I can't speak to other models of Marks or if it was that pistol. All shot reasonably well and if it wasn't for the insane accuracy of the Victory, I don't think I'd even realize. Is that your experience?

With inflated gun prices everywhere, I haven't seen a Victory cheaper in-person

On gun broker there is one for $399 and one for $419:

SMITH AND WESSON S&W SW22 VICTORY KRYPTEK HIGHLANDER CAMO 5-1/2" BBL .22LR - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 887208440

S&W 108490 SW22 VICTORY .22LR 5.5" STAINLESS F/O S - Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com : 882208564

By the time I pay the FFL fee and shipping though they will cost no less than the one at my LGS right?

The Victory makes me look like a better shooter than I am due to the accuracy. Insane accuracy for a stock barrel is on point.

Didn't think about the inflated prices hitting 22LR's, but I guess they are.

 

[SDGlock23]

I've had my Buckmark Camper since the late '90's and it's digested a lot of .22LR and still does. I put on a Tactical Solutions threaded barrel so I could suppress it, but I love it, to this day it's a joy to shoot.

 

[jeff22]

I have a buckmark and victory. I like the victory better. Never handled a mkiv so can’t help you there.

 

[captcurly]

I have a Ruger Mark IV Hunter in stainless steel for almost two years. This a tac driver and unlike the Mark III is very easy to disassemble for cleaning. I also like the balance and it really feels good in me hand. I am very satisfied with this pistol. Regards to all at GT and be very careful out there.

 

[Mikey the Barbarian]

I have the S and W 'Victory' and am totally happy. VERY accurate.

 

[ScottMn]

When I was looking for my latest 22 the Mark IV wasn't out yet. The Mark III's looked like they were a little bit of a PIA to disassemble, other than that, fantastic guns. I was thinking about a red dot and IIRC the Buckmark required the removal of the sight for cleaning which would mean a rezero. I ended up with a Victory. Great gun and accurate as heck but with the Mark IV's takedown it would have been hard not to get if I were shopping today.

 

[GlockTrader45]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of those options. For me, I chose a Mark IV, because I liked the way it shot, how it felt, and I think it looks cooler than the others.

 

[g30nut]

Love my buckmark.

 

[Maccabeus]

I have and like the Buckmark and it is much better than the SR22 it replaced. Unfortunately, I can't comment on how it compares to the others that are actually in the same class.

I was eyeing the other two, especially the S&W, but a sale on the Camper intersected with the Browning rebate the other year and the Buckmark won out.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

When I was looking for my latest 22 the Mark IV wasn't out yet. The Mark III's looked like they were a little bit of a PIA to disassemble, other than that, fantastic guns. I was thinking about a red dot and IIRC the Buckmark required the removal of the sight for cleaning which would mean a rezero. I ended up with a Victory. Great gun and accurate as heck but with the Mark IV's takedown it would have been hard not to get if I were shopping today.

Yeah, the Mark IV apparently fixed that with easy takedown button.

 

[RisingPhoenix]

I have and like the Buckmark and it is much better than the SR22 it replaced. Unfortunately, I can't comment on how it compares to the others that are actually in the same class.

I was eyeing the other two, especially the S&W, but a sale on the Camper intersected with the Browning rebate the other year and the Buckmark won out.

The pricepoint of the Buckmark is attractive. Most affordable of all of them. And, it shoots well enough. It feels more barebones but well made.