.22LR semi auto pistol for squirrel hunting

[MeltonLaw]

I personally use a S&W 22A with a bushnell 2-6x scope. Went squirrel hunting with my father last fall and took a couple of the bushy tails home. He prefers to use a Ruger Mk II SS with 4" BB. Needless to say his is the better pistol, though I do like my 22A.

[paperboy]

I say a Browning Buckmark with 5 1/2" barrel and a Hi-Viz front sight. Mine is very accurate and will eat any ammo.

[winchester1]

I like my old S&W 422

[roughthumbs]

Man I have a hard enough time with a heavy barrel 10/22. I can't imagine a pistol.

[wolfman]

MKIII Hunter -w- NC Star LER 2x7. Scope cost about $50.00, and love it, but not sure it would take the recoil of anything bigger than a .22.

[Claddagh]

You could order the most excellent Marvel conversion unit if double duty is really what you want. It's available with an optional FO front sight and adjustable rear or an optics rail and no irons. People have been winning NRA bullseye matches at the Nationals with these, so accuracy wouldn't be an issue.

One thing to consider though is that the Marvel 'Match' conversion unit by itself in either flavor will cost you as much or more than you could get almost any of the other options that've been offered for complete with good optics. The last MSRP I recall for the basic 'Match' Marvel was just a bit under $500, plus options and shipping.

If you did some shopping around, it's very possible for you to get into a lightly used example of the others for around $300.

Or less. FWIW, I've hunted tree rats successfully with RF handguns as inexpensive and prosaic as my late grandfather's old H&R pre-999 Sportsman and an elderly Iver Johnson "Woodsman" copy. I've taken a good many with the old 4" Taurus M94 that's been my tackle box and woods loafing companion for about 20 years.

[chizzle]

Originally Posted by Indyal

Looking for suggestions.

I use a Ruger Mark III 22/45 with Volquartsen parts. It's got a 2.25 lb trigger, and works great. I'd get the 5" barrel, so it still fits in a normal holster. I took 2 squirrels with it two years ago; it works great and turns a walk in the woods into a "hunting trip". Good luck!

[chefjerome]

I love my Ruger Mark II 22/45. Even with out a scope it is incredibly accurate. Or you could always just do what % do...wait until I see a squirrel in the road and SPEED UP !! Good luck in your quest.

[patience0830]

I've used a 10" ruger mkII, a slabsided MK II gu'ment model with 4x leupy, a S&W 41 and 617, a buckmark varmint, and a mkIII 22/45 with a bushnell holosight. all scoped except the 22/45 with its red dot. if you do your part they will all kill squirrels. oops! almost forgot the T/C contender with the 14 in bbl. the model 41 is the class act of the group but she is fussy about what I feed her. If I hollowpointed cci green tag she'd do to hunt with. the contender is probably the most accurate but heavy. my only real advice is to carry a long (7' or so) stout stick.( I use a piece of bamboo about 1 1/2" in diameter cause it is light and stiff). if you sit at the base of a tree and lean the stick against the tree angled out in front of you, you can use your fist around the stick as a rest. i still have all those pistols except the 10" MK II and that 617 revolver.
here is last w/e.

and some friends

and my ruger.

[GunnSlinger]

I really enjoy the Browning Buckmark. Mine has a 4x scope, and the sideslab barrel. Also have the camper model with a red-dot that i use too. Excellent balance, great accuracy, not a big price tag (though not as cheap as some) But I think they are a good value.