22 target shooter - Good one?

This is one of the great mysteries of the world - why aren't there more good and affordable .22 pistols. A decent .22 revolver will set you back about $600 or so. You can get used Ruger and Browning autos for less than $300 if you shop around.
 
At under $300 I'd say it's the Beretta NEOS hands down. If you don't like the size, it can be had in a 4" barrel as well. I have the 4" in INOX and love it. The INOX pushes the price to about $369 but in black it's under $300. For a little over $300 the Buckmarks are really nice too (although I still like the NEOS better). Also under $300 is the Smith 22A. It's a good gun and a lot of fun to shoot but doesn't measure up to the NEOS. Both are reliable, lots of fun to shoot, seem well made, and look good (the Smith looks really cool and you get used to the look of the NEOS). But in leagues at 50' I can group the Beretta much better even though the Smith has better sights on it. I think it's due to the great grip on the Beretta. Also on ammo, the Smith shoots almost everything, the Beretta shoots everything (even the cheap bulk stuff).
btw - Both the Smith and the NEOS have a Weaver rail on them for options like red-dot scopes.
 
.22 lr means ".22 long rifle," a rimfire round and the most common in .22 pistols. If I were you I'd opt for a Beretta Neos or a Buckmark. The cheap S&W .22s often get bad reviews but there are a few satisfied owners. When you get $800 to $1,000 saved up then buy a S&W model 41, a high end pistol that won't disappoint you.
 
@ KRP - many years ago ('98), SGN mag offered a 4" used 686 in "very good condition" for $259!:eek: You would have a hard time finding one today under $559! Times have changed! In my area a good used Ruger was bringing around $350. But there weren't many to choose from. You might be able to do better online. While it does't have the rep of the Ruger, the Walther P22 can be found around the $300 mark new. Either way, with a lot of leg work & some patience, I think your gun is out there! ;) Happy hunting!
 
Thats at the top of my list, but heard it's difficult to disassemble and clean.
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Used Ruger Mark II's can be had for under $300. The better ones are going to be between $300-$400. The first time you take a Mark II apart and put it back together, it's a little tricky. But, there are plenty of step-by-step instructions all over the internet on how to do this. Follow the instructions and you won't have any problem.

They do get dirty (after all they are .22LR rimfires) and after about 300-500 rounds you will need to break the gun down completely to clean all of the trigger components. Still, they are inherently extremely accurate guns, very durable, very reliable and hardly ever break. I also like their curb appeal.
 
I would try to find a cheap Ruger Charger and then put an aftermarket match grade barrel on it. That's going to be my next project.
 
Watch for sales - I got a Buckmark Camper at Cabelas for $289. Then I got their points which helped with ammo.

Don't buy their cargo pants though - total crappola.
 
I saw this the other day at Buds...
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id=49851
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Whew, that gun is so ugly it hurts to look. Another vote for the Ruger, my circa 1987 MKII512 Target in great shape was about $300 used with two mags and is shown below with a J-frame Smith...

MKIIand637.jpg
 
I recently picked up a used Beretta Neos with five mags and a couple of hundred rounds of ammo for $250. At that price, shooting cheap Walmart ammo, the Neos is paid off by the price differential between 9 mm and .22 LR in 1K rounds. We (myself, wife, daughter, and daughter's friend) put half that through it the first time out. Everyone had fun with it, too, including my daughter's friend who had not been shooting before. And it eats every cheapo ammo I have thrown at it.
 
I would highly recommend that you shop around for a used Browning Buckmark. It is the cat's meow for .22lr auto's IMO.

But, the S&W 41 is the king of .22's... However their price tag is usually reserved for royalty as well...
 
I really like my Ruger Mark III Hunter, but unless you find a used one, it's going to top your budget. You might consider what my buddy bought recently, the S & W 22A with the 7-inch barrel. He mounted an inexpensive Tasco red dot sight on it and it's a pretty impressive shooter. Even with the red dot, he stayed under your $300 limit...;)
 
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