22 LR Semiauto Shootout: ISSC, Sig Sauer, and Walther

As ammo prices continue to rise and availability remains spotty, more and more firearm enthusiasts are looking for less costly ways to extend their time on the shooting range. A natural solution is the 22 rimfire cartridge. Besides its cheaper price and greater availability, the recoil-friendly round makes it an excellent choice for those who are new to firearms. It's also a good choice as a training round for

Three semiautomatic pistols we tested as low-cost trainers were the single-action-only ISSC M22, $400, top; the full-size Sig Mosquito, $390, middle; and the Walther P22, $400, bottom. All three had blowback-operated actions, ambidextrous safety levers, adjustable sights, and magazine disconnects.

Some manufacturers have begun to recognize this trend, and have begun manufacturing models designed to meet this new demand. We recently evaluated three AR-style rifles chambered in 22 LR in the February 2010 Issue. This…