SSAA: Australia’s best hunting and shooting magazines

.22LR target pistols review

Official review in Australian Shooter November 1999

The range
SSAA Para Range - South Australia

Scoring procedure
Scores were given out of a total of 20. The scores from each reviewer were then averaged. Scores were given for value, design, weight/handling, maintenance and accuracy.
Each reviewer shot two groups of five. Each gun’s accuracy was based on a five-point scale. Groups of a 10-ring size scored five points. One point was deducted for each shot outside of the 10-ring size. All group sizes were measured.

Other equipment
• Two Bushnell spotting scopes and one Bisley spotting scope were used for sighting.
• Sandbags were used as rests during the accuracy portion of the review.
• Winchester Pistol Super X .22 long
rifle ammunition was used throughout the review. It was excellent, trouble-free ammunition and excellent value, according to the panel.
• Targets were placed at 25 metres.

Beretta 89 Standard
Beretta 89 Standard
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic, blowback
Barrel: 152mm (5.9")
Weight: 1.160kg
Length: 240mm (9.4")
Supplied by: G&N Guns Pty Ltd
(Note: This model is no longer being manufactured but is currently available.)
Score: 16.6
The Beretta 89 was designed for both competition and range training. The reviewers found the trigger to be a bit heavy and in need of adjustment. Any adjustments on this pistol’s trigger require the work of a qualified pistol-smith. The Beretta is suitable for ISSF and action shooting, but the grip, which could be bulky in certain shooters’ hands, is more suitable for action shooting. Carl Tooth felt that the sights were good sizes and all reviewers liked the ambidextrous safety. The groups shot with this pistol were very accurate.

Ruger Mk II Model KMK-678GC
Ruger Mk II Model KMK-678GC
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 174.6mm (6.8" flat sided competition)
Weight: 1.2kg
Length: 282.5mm (11.1")
Supplied by: Highland Sports Pty Ltd
Score: 16.3
All three reviewers shot clean, tight groups with the Ruger. The magazine was found to be very user friendly. The owner’s manual details, very accurately, the cleaning process and assembly/disassembly - you won’t have any problems if you follow the instructions.

Phoenix Arms Model HP22 Deluxe Rangemaster
Phoenix Arms Model HP22 Deluxe Rangemaster
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 127mm (5")
Weight: 500g
Length: 190mm (7.5")
Supplied by: G&N Guns Pty Ltd
Score: 16.5 Good value for first-time junior or women shooters
The reviewers were a little taken aback with the Phoenix at first because of its unusual safety features; however, after a little examination - even without the owner’s manual - they figured it out and were quite impressed with the gun. While they all agreed that the gun was a little small, they said it was comfortable to hold and would be an excellent first gun for junior or women shooters.
The Phoenix was very good value and had excellent accuracy in an experienced shooter’s hands. Carl Tooth thought the sights were a bit more like rifle sights than pistol sights and Mike Papps made a note of considerable ‘muzzle jump’. This may have been more obvious due to the smaller size of the firearm.

Hammerli X-Esse
Hammerli X-Esse
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 150mm (5.9")
Weight: 860g
Length: 235mm (9.2")
Supplied by: Frontier Arms
Score: 16.5
All three reviewers liked the Hammerli’s adjustable trigger and sights. It had good recovery and shot fairly tight groups. Carl Tooth felt that the point was more military style. The panel agreed it was a light, comfortable gun to hold. The Hammerli comes in a short (4.5" barrel) and a long (5.9" barrel) version.


Walther KSP 200
Walther KSP 200
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 153mm (6")
Weight: 1.21kg
Length: 265mm (10.4")
Supplied by: Frontier Arms
Score: 19 Best overall
A very impressive pistol, as you would expect for this price. Even then, the panel thought it was excellent value for money. The Walther has a manual hold open catch, which means that the breech does not stay open on its own after the last shot. It has a very quick recovery and fully adjustable sights and grip. For a nominal fee shooters can get a left-handed grip. Overall, the panel shot excellent groups. It was the best overall pistol on the day and is well worth an inspection.

Browning Buck Mk 5.5
Browning Buck Mk 5.5
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 139.7mm (5.5")
Weight: 1kg
Length: 244mm (9.6")
Supplied by: Frontier Arms
Score: 17.5
The Buck Mark 5.5 has a fully adjustable trigger and sights. It had a moderate recoil but the general consensus was that the 5.5 was a good gun in all aspects. Carl was particularly impressed with this pistol and went out on a limb, awarding it an 18 out of 20. He couldn’t fault it and shot a very tight group at 25 metres.

Browning Buck Mk Silhouette
Browning Buck Mk Silhouette
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 250mm (9.8")
Weight: 1.5kg
Length: 355mm (14")
Supplied by: Frontier Arms
Score: 18.5
This was the only pistol that had a scope during the review. Ideal for metallic silhouette competition, the Browning Silhouette was fitted with a Leupold 2X scope and could use weaver style rings. This pistol had trouble firing straight out of the box but performed well after a few shots. It is very tight in the chamber, but that is an exceptional quality for silhouette shooting. After 15 shots, the Browning fired without incident and, as would be expected particularly with a scope and in the hands of fine shots, shot extremely tight groups. Carl scored a perfect 10-ring group.


High Standard Supermatic Citation
High Standard Supermatic Citation
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 139.7mm (5.5")
Weight: 1.2kg
Length: 241mm (9.5")
Supplied by: Frontier Arms
Score: 17
The Citation has adjustable sights and trigger and a moderate recoil. The panel thought the sights on this pistol were perfect for 25m targets and that it would do well in ISSF competition. It has a walnut thumbrest grip and the gun is cased with two magazines.

Smith & Wesson Model 41
Smith & Wesson Model 41
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 139.7mm (5.5")
Weight: 1.2kg
Length: 12" with 7" barrel
Supplied by: Grycol International
Score: 16
The Model 41 is a silhouette class pistol and the panel shot excellent groups with this gun. It is comfortable to hold, points well and has an adjustable trigger stop but not an adjustable trigger. It is quite a bit more expensive than the S&W 22S but its design has been around for more than 40 years, proving itself throughout the years.

Smith & Wesson Model 22S
Smith & Wesson Model 22S
Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 139.7mm (5.5")
Weight: 800g
Length: 203mm (8")
Supplied by: Grycol International
Score: 16
The 22S has an innovative magazine release. Groups shot with this gun were fairly tight. It sits high in the shooter’s hand and for people with larger hands, the grip might be a bit short. It has ISSF, silhouette and action qualification.

Other Comments
All the guns were new and shot straight out of the box. Two reviewers had problems with the Browning Silhouette’s extremely tight chamber, designed for specialised target ammunition. After 15 shots, the Browning fired without incident.

In Conclusion
Pistols that have a barrel longer than 6" are considered silhouette class pistols. Pistols with a barrel shorter than 6" are considered ISSF class pistols. According to the reviewers, all the pistols reviewed are action qualified.
As can be seen by the scores, on the whole the pistols ranked at the same level. Seven of the pistols received between 16 to 17 points, but each had various qualities that separated them in style.