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We liked the S&W M&P 22 (the full sized one made, IIRC, by UMAREX), but the magazines allowed the rounds to rattle a bit and even get "turned endover" if you weren't paying attention; while we expected to like the "compact" version a lot more due to size, etc, we didn't. Maybe if we had smaller hands - or expectations - we'd feel differently.

The SIG (a rebadged GSG?) 1911-22 was the biggest pleasant surprise, as it proved accurate enough for fun with match ammo, and worked flawlessly. This is a fairly large, heavy "replica" type offering, and I sort of laughed at it until I realized how small a group I was making with it. If the takedown procedure didn't stink, I'd get one.

Those were the standouts this week, and all were more "tactical" than "target." I mention this specifically because these seem to be the type of .22 LR pistols that people under 40 or so are particularly interested in. They aren't my cup of tea, but I have to admit that for plinking, firearms familiarization and even (non-bullseye style) training, they are worth considering. We know a lady who bought a Ruger SR22 as her "go-to" pistol and she thinks the world of the little thing*... it certainly seems like that is the direction things are moving.

We went through a bunch of dirty .22 LR rental guns, using indifferent ammunition, and just how did the reliability situation go? No malfunctions. None. We should have bought a bunch of lottery tickets, because we were on a streak.

Mr. niteowl77

*I was one of the early U.S. owners of the Walther P22. To this day, I can say with all seriousness, "If I don't have a good thing to say about a handgun, then I'm talking about the Walther P22." To refer to my particular example as a "lemon" is an insult to citrus fruit... and besides, there is no lemon sour enough or large enough to merit comparison. When I first saw the Ruger SR22, I thought it was a "Rugered-up" P22. Thankfully, that was not the case.