New SR22

[Twoboxer]

I'd been looking around for a .22 as well as a pistol my wife can enjoy shooting at the range. Decided that the Ruger SR22 could possibly fill both slots. This little pistol arrived today:

The SR22 comes with thumb safety/decocker, mag safety, 2 rubberized grips, 2 10-round mags, 2 finger grip extension mag floorplates, and a soft case. You can find several mostly glowing reviews around, so I'll skip that and focus on some stuff I didn't find in those.

The pistol is quite stiff overall atm and while the overall fit and finish look fine, initial dry-firing (yes, you can) showed the following:

- The rounded, heavily ridged hammer spur strikes the back of my (medium-sized but moderately overweight) gun hand while racking, and it hurts lol. My underweight wife has smaller, thinner hands and had no issues. We'll see what happens when the pistol is fired.

- The mag release (button) is very tight, not easy to thumb-press without a major reorientation of my gun hand, and doesn't always seem to work without trying the left side, the right side, the left . . .

- The mag currently has to be inserted with force, a deliberate palm-slap. Fortunately, slapping the mag in has not caused the slide to release . . . at least not yet.

- The guide rod spring will not attach itself to the guide rod when "screwed on" as directed by the manual, or at least I haven't figured out how to do it yet lol.

- The mag floorplates are slightly loose and that creates an unsettling shifting feeling at times.

- I'm going to need someone much stronger than I am to remove the rubberized grip. And I'm gonna ask him to hang around while I compare the two grips :)

Some of these things may work themselves out, and we'll see what happens after a trip to the range.

 

[Twoboxer]

My wife and I went to the range today after cleaning the pistol and putting a Crimson Trace Railmaster on the SR22:

The Good:
1. The SR22 is accurate. It's certainly more accurate than I am and I'm more accurate with it than my M&P9. But I'll leave it to other more experienced shooters to describe its accuracy.

2. The hammer spur never made contact with my shooting hand. That it did pinch me several times during dry rack-and-fire at home should be chalked up to inattentive limp-wristing.

3. After cleaning the pistol, a tip given in another forum encouraged me to try harder and I successfully got the spring to mount itself to the guide rod. Twisting the spring clockwise plus fingernail pressure on the last turn of the spring did the trick.

The Bad
We used a new box of Winchester "333 Rounds" 36 grain, 1280fps hollow point copper plated bullets. To say the SR22 did not enjoy the meal would be an understatement. I had 2 failures to load on the first mag. My wife could not fire a shot without the next round failing to load. Before doing anything to change her approach, we switched to a box of CCI Blazers and she fired 2 mags of 5 rounds without mishap.

Long story short - 40 Blazers (no failures) and 270 Winchesters (many failures to load, 1 FTE, 2 FTF likely ammo related). After adjusting my wife's grip, her experience with the Winchesters improved to pretty much mirror mine. By the end of the session, the Winchesters were loading better, but there was still a failure to load on the last mag.

I was disappointed at the range because I believed that the SR22 would "eat anything" lol. I strained to buy this new, unproven pistol instead of the Walther P22 which is described as somewhat fussy. But in retrospect, if I had used only Blazers I would probably be howling with delight over the experience!

The Laser
The Crimson Trace Railmaster installs easily and fits very well on the SR22, just as one did on my M&P9. The manual says just "tap" the switch but it really takes a gentle "push" rather than a tap. In any case, it is very easy to turn on and off using your extended trigger finger. The only negative I have encountered, and its a niggle really, is that both my wife and I had a tendency to think the laser housing was the switch. IOW it takes a little hands-on practice to realize the switch is the thing just below the housing.

Out of the box the laser sighted way low and a little left to my eyes @ 7.5 yds, again just like my M&P9 so me and factory sighting are consistent lol. I brought the Laser dot to a 6 o'clock hold vs the iron sights, and then made minor adjustments at the range. I have noticed no shift in the laser's sighting during range sessions on my M&P9, nor during today's session with both pistols. The dot is bright at the range and seemed a perfectly appropriate size to me.

For my wife, the laser is a godsend. She has lost a lot of arm/hand control and muscle mass due to neuropathy. With the laser her groups are half the size of iron sight groups because she can hold the pistol lower and exercise more control.

For me and my old eyes, the laser is a signifcant improvement in low- and no-light sighting including some range lanes. It is also useful as a training aid since a spotter - and often the shooter - can trace pistol movement during a shot.

 

[mrasgt]

quick question, how's the dot show up while out doors ?

 

[ronny44]

Your post is very helpful for me as I am looking for a sr22 at this time. Gun shop around here do not have any and have been back ordered. If I have not found one by first of May will eather get one at a gun show or order one online.

 

[Twoboxer]

In shade and over short distances, with my old eyes, visible and useful. On (eg) a gray wall in direct hazy sunlight, visible over short distances but hard to pick up. Any more light or distance than that, not useful.

So outdoors in daytime I would not count on the laser at all. However, in all those circumstances I can see the iron sights very well.

Indoors I haven't found a circumstance up to 75' where the laser isn't preferable to me.

Despite the need for a battery, that makes the laser option better for me overall than other "high vis" sights. YMMV.

 

[edgalang]

Congrats on the new toy. I have the exact same configuration except mine says "pistol" on the slide.

Regarding your complaint on the crimson trace, and the button location...I'm guessing if the railmaster wasn't around, you probably would of went with a LaserMax Micro. The switch would be exactly where your asking it to be. Problem is it doesn't have adaptors that'll allow you to fit it as close to the trigger guard like the rail master. This is important for the SR9c since the rail only has 1 notch, but it may not be a problem on the SR22PB.

 

[Sham22]

Congrats on the SR22. At least you have one. I've not even seen one anywhere for sale, not even on the net. Believe me I've tried. My other choice is the M&P 22. Gunblast gave it it's blessing and that is in stock. I may go with that if as I cant holf off any longer. I see from the many posts here there seems to be a an issue with the barrel screw coming loose on the SR22. Have you had this problem? Great report btw. Thanks.

 

[VA Shooter]

Thanks for your post I'm thinking about getting one for my wife

 

[Twoboxer]

Congrats on the SR22. At least you have one. I've not even seen one anywhere for sale, not even on the net. Believe me I've tried.

Since I had the very same problem - and with Ruger now not accepting any new orders until (at least) May - let me tell you how I got mine.

Ordered an SR22 at my LGS, and after two weeks they had no idea if/when any would come in. Went to Gunbroker.com, and saw several on auction from two vendors, one in GA and one in PA. Due to a glitch in Gunbrokers system, I couldn't get registered on a Saturday in order to make a bid.

So I took the name of the PA vendor, looked up their telephone number, called them, and ordered an SR22. It arriverd at my LGS on Wednesday :) That's the good news.

The bad news is the pistol cost me $21 more than the LGS, $30 more for the xfer than the local LGS, and $15 shipping - a total of $385 vs $319 at my LGS.

But I got one lol. Maybe you can still do that.

And despite the (early) ammo issues, I think it will turn out to be a good buy.

 

[Twoboxer]

Thanks for your post I'm thinking about getting one for my wife

Functionally, there were 3 candidates for me: M&P22, SR22, P22.

My wife has lost significant arm/hand strength/control due to neuropathy. Since .22LR recoil is not an issue, I wanted a lighter weapon that she could control. Further, the M&P22 is not a functional identical twin to my M&P9. That left the P22 and SR22 since they are about 6-8 oz lighter.

The Walther P22 has been around a while, and it seemed to have a decent reputation. Like most every gun, there are residual things that users hope will be fixed in the next incarnation. And it seemed to be at least a little fussy about ammo.

That's what led me to the SR22.

Edit: BTW, no non-ammo issues of any kind so far. I'll update since the SR22 will get several 100 rounds each week for a while.

 

[ptroxx]

If you looking for one you may want to check out this person.. seebs.. I got mine from him....also check out member ACRYLICTNK he had some too....


I love mine

 

[Twoboxer]

I'm guessing if the railmaster wasn't around, you probably would of went with a LaserMax Micro. The switch would be exactly where your asking it to be. Problem is it doesn't have adaptors that'll allow you to fit it as close to the trigger guard like the rail master.

100% correct. And the RailMaster comes with 4 adapters. One of them actually worked better for me on my M&P9, closer to the trigger guard, than the one suggested by Crimson Trace in the "manual".

 

[ptroxx]

I'm guessing if the railmaster wasn't around, you probably would of went with a LaserMax Micro. The switch would be exactly where your asking it to be. Problem is it doesn't have adaptors that'll allow you to fit it as close to the trigger guard like the rail master.

100% correct. And the RailMaster comes with 4 adapters. One of them actually worked better for me on my M&P9, closer to the trigger guard, than the one suggested by Crimson Trace in the "manual".

This is what I put on mine... Just an ebay cheap o for plinking around and I have to say it works great..... for 20.00 im please...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tactical-Red-Laser-W-Mount-Fits-Glock-17-21-22-S-W-M-P-/370593031277?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item564910e46d
well Id show you if I could post a pic... I eally hate this forum format..... Oh well Im use to simple machine or Vbulletin

 

[ngzcaz]

Congrats on the SR22. At least you have one. I've not even seen one anywhere for sale, not even on the net. Believe me I've tried. My other choice is the M&P 22. Gunblast gave it it's blessing and that is in stock. I may go with that if as I cant holf off any longer. I see from the many posts here there seems to be a an issue with the barrel screw coming loose on the SR22. Have you had this problem? Great report btw. Thanks.

I bought one last weekend at a gunshow for $ 325. The guy across from him had it at $ 329. These guys had about 50 SR22P's between them.

 

[ngzcaz]

And BTW, no issues with the barrel at a little over 100 rds. Functioning with Federal bulk 36 grain was 100 %.

 

[PAVTXER]

I have the Walther P22 and have been pleased with it so far. No ammo or other issues of any kind so far. I got it mainly for my GF to shoot, since it is quite light in weight. And occasionally I spin on the fake silencer to add more weight for her to change it up.

I am curious to know what significant differences there are between the P22 and the SR22???

Does the SR22 have a threaded barrel adapter available like the P22 for silencer?

 

[Twoboxer]

They are virtual physical clones, with 0.1 or so separating them in physical dimensions and weight. The P22 can be extended/converted to a target barrel; the SR22's safety is also a decocker; the SR22 has a fully adjustable rear sight and reversable giving the option for dots or all-black. The SR22 barrel is replaceable (as is the P22's); a threaded barrel is expected.

The in-store ergonomics are similar (to my hand), though slightly different. I have not fired a P22.

 

[mn_doggie]

I have the Walther P22 and have been pleased with it so far. No ammo or other issues of any kind so far. I got it mainly for my GF to shoot, since it is quite light in weight. And occasionally I spin on the fake silencer to add more weight for her to change it up.

I am curious to know what significant differences there are between the P22 and the SR22???

Does the SR22 have a threaded barrel adapter available like the P22 for silencer?

Physical size is virtually the same.

Internally they are quite different. Note the different slide material, sights, different mag release, safety on the slide on one and on the lower frame on the other. The barrel is way different.

Check an exploded view diagram and you'll see that the Ruger is NOT a copy of the P22.

 

[whtsmoke]

lgs just got in 15 of these and half were spoken for before they were unboxed, just bought two LCR22's but i am thinking seriously about picking one up. I think its like the Three Bears, Papa Bear(SR1911), Momma Bear(MKll) and the twins(SR22, and the LCR22), I hate Ruger with a passion they have to quit bringing stuff out.

 

[mrasgt]

I've got one with the "sr22" on the slide, not "pistol"
I've got around 400 rounds through it with no problems. I checked the
barrel real carefully, seems to be ok, I couldnt budge it with 9/64.
seems to be ok so far.

 

[mrasgt]

I've got one with the "sr22" on the slide, not "pistol"
I've got around 400 rounds through it with no problems. I checked the
barrel real carefully, seems to be ok, I couldnt budge it with 9/64.
seems to be ok so far.

Oh yea, check Kentucky Gun, that's where I found mine in stock.

 

[KeithSR22]

Bought the SR22 from KentuckyGunCo.com around 2 weeks ago. At $299 it is tough to find it cheaper. You just have to visit their sit every day until you see it is in stock. Might take you a week or two until they get some in. I have pumped over 800 Federal Copper Plated Bulk Pack Hollow Points and over 500 Blazer Round Nose through it with only ONE failure to fire and that was strictly an ammo issue with the Blazer.
This gun is what the Walther P22 should have been. Sold my P22 a month after I got it because I got tired of screwing with the failures to load, and eject. This is one really nice 22lr semi-auto and it performs !!!
THANKS RUGER !!!

 

[exavid]

I've fed a couple of bricks of .22s through my SR22 and have had hardly any problems, just a couple of failures to eject and that was with one box of old .22s I've had laying around for over fifteen years. It's a fun little gun to shoot for sure.

 

[2wheeler]

The Bad
We used a new box of Winchester "333 Rounds" 36 grain, 1280fps hollow point copper plated bullets. To say the SR22 did not enjoy the meal would be an understatement. I had 2 failures to load on the first mag. My wife could not fire a shot without the next round failing to load. Before doing anything to change her approach, we switched to a box of CCI Blazers and she fired 2 mags of 5 rounds without mishap.

Damn..jsut bought a box of those to try. SHOOT. CCI's only for me then too as thats all that work great in my wife sig mosquito!!

 

[Twoboxer]

After the Win333s, I went to CCI Mini-mags and had no problems. Then I added CCI Blazers to the mix, and still had occasional FTFeed with them, but only on the second round of a fresh 10-round mag.

Then I made two changes: I found out how to correctly fully seat the recoil spring, and I made sure the working parts of the gun were "lightly oiled" as the manual says. Pistol performance improved significantly.

Today, eg, fired 100 rounds of Mini-mags and Blazers with zero issues.

 

[XDM6951]

My SR22
I had a walther p22,and a Bersa T22.I now hav a Ruger SR22.
I can tell you the fit and finish is best on the Ruger .It is also the easiest to field strip .I have not been to range yet as I just got finished cleaning it .I picked it up today .It seems to slide easier than the others not much force on the hammer and slide. This I hope to be a keeper .

 

[exavid]

My SR22... This I hope to be a keeper .

I think it will be. :D

 

[XDM6951]

Cleaned 400 rds of Fed Bulk,winchester and CCI all 100%
Then cleaned again for nex time . I'm real happy all my guns are reliable .
XDM 3.8 Ruger 1022,SR22,LCP, 2245 and S&W 642
I went rhrough a few pistols to get it straight .The shiters were 2 Kel-Tec PF9's the less shiters were Walther P22 and Bersa TR22. The bersa was ammo picky the P22 had a pot metal slide and only a 1 year warranty . The rest are guaranted for as long as I own them . Any questions will be answered

 

[Bill Shank]

Sorry to hear that are being picky out of the box; I'd bet most will break-in fine. I've got about 300 rds of Winchester "525 box" plated HV (which my Henry lever action rifle hates), 200 rds of Remington "500 box" plated HV, 150 rds of cheap American Eagle, and a box of Blazer Varmint through it. No FTFeeds or FTEjects at all, and only a few ammo-related FTFires, which is just they way rimfire is. Super little gun that I can shoot a lot! My Kimber Ultra Carry II is great, but costs literally 10 times as much to shoot. :evil:

 

[XDM6951]

I have a SR22 after 750 rds and two range sessions I have had no failures of any kind . I used FED bulk ,Winchester,CCI .The hungry little beast spit em all out . I had a Walther,and Bersa 22. This SR22 is in my opinion the best .