HAL - You are absolutely correct, even the best of pistols can and do break. I'm glad to read your Ruger, even with broken parts, stills functions. So does this mean you would rather shoot a broken Ruger than load a perfectly good ________?
Kinda sounds like some of the bumper stickers you see on the road; "I would rather push my _______ than drive a ______." Gotta try to keep some humor in this.
I own 3 MKII's and all have been flawless, is that to say the next time I shoot one of them it will not break, not at all. But if someone asks me what .22 I would recommend they buy, depending on use and price - Buy a Ruger. Overall best bang for the buck. (no pun intended)By the way, you failed to address the OP issue; What .22 rimfire would you recommend, if any?