[ChrisBennet]

The 2nd (or 4th or 5th) the recommendation for the Ruger 22. I've had 2 or 3. They've all been fine shooters.

Smith and Wesson on the other hand, some shoot great (love my 629 .44 mag and a .357 I used to have) some shoot poorly (my .22, a .357 silhouette version "Pinoccio" I used to have, and one my Dad had).

S&W quality seem to be hit or miss. When my father's was spitting lead out the sides because the barrel was out of alignment with the cylinder, S&W's warrantee "solution" was to increase the size of the breach "funnel" so the bullet could find the bore.

As for expensive target pistols: Spend your money on ammo not the pistol and you'll be a better shot. Sort of the same argument for spending your money on track time instead of a high dollar motor.
-Chris