Inexpensive 22 Plinker?

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fortkevin2

New member
Hey guys,
Interested in picking up a inexpensive (sub $250) 22 LR revolver or semi auto for plinking. I'm open to all options! I prefer stainless for weather resistance but know at this price my options may be quite limited. Soooo... What is it you guys shoot for fun?
 
I purchased this Walther P22 LNIB for $265!! It has been a blast!!

1272162277.jpg


It does require high velocity ammo for smooth operation. You can get a box of 100 CCI mini mags for $7. I have had it about 3 weeks now. After about 500 rounds I have had 2 issues. Actually both were FTEs

It has all the operations of a centerfire pistol. 10 +1 Capacity!
It also has Smith and Wesson standing behind!!!:D

let us know what you choose!!
"JJ"
 
You can often find a used European made SAA clone with a .22LR and .22 Mag cylinder for under $100, even today. OTOH, you get what you paid for. These revolvers often have a "compromise" bore diameter, which means that it might not shoot either chambering that well.

The first handgun I ever owned was one of these, a Jana Bison from West Germany. My father bought it off of another sergeant at Ft. Hood for $10 in 1967. It looks a lot better than it shoots! Of course, it is perfectly suitable for blasting shotgun hulls on the ground.
 
A ruger (used) would be a decent choice, but I will second the P22 from Walther. I've never had an issue with mine, but you can get more information about .22 plinkers on rimfirecentral.com
 
defining value

I've shot a couple Walthers, and I liked them, but I am aware of more than a few Rugers passing the million-rd ct........
 
H&R made many of their .22 revolvers in Nickel. NEF took over for H&R after bankruptcy and produced a nickel plated 9 shot .22 (Model R92). While these revolvers were not finished like S&W's or Colts, they go bang every time you pull the trigger! They can be found easily in the sub $250 range. Here are examples of each type of revolver I mentioned:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=168741147
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=169335103
http://www.gunsamerica.com/925240484/Guns/Pistols/Harrington-Richardson-Pistols/H_R_623.htm
 
Used Ruger 22.
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+1

If you would rather have new.........I would still go with the Ruger. Best bang for the buck you will find.

The Walthers...........I want to like them, and my family really has tried, but we have just had horrible luck with them. Out of 4 in the family, only one will go thru a whole magazine without jamming, and the one that feeds is the long barrel version, and the barrel weight/slide extension falls off while shooting (if it isn't falling off, the front sight is jumping out under recoil). Different shooters, different ammo, different lube, no lube, different weather.........all gets the same results. I really like the size and weight of the Walther, I just couldn't bring myself to buy one after the trouble the rest of my family had. I went with the Ruger 22/45 MKIII, paid $219 brand new, and have never regretted it.
 
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I use a Ruger Mark III, but my buddy chose a S & W 22A, which was about half the price of my pistol. His 7"-barrel pistol shoots extremely well, so for a plinker, I'd have to say it was a smart choice.
 
I've shot a couple Walthers, and I liked them, but I am aware of more than a few Rugers passing the million-rd ct........
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I wonder how long it would take to load a million rounds into magazine. Anyone have a picture of what a million rounds of 22lr looks like. How much would the gun cost per shot? Geeze, a million rounds! That's impressive.
 
A Beretta Neos is your best bet in a new gun in this price range.A Walther P22 or Sig Mosquito are two guns to avoid.They are way overpriced for the materials they are made of and generally dislike inexpensive bulk ammo.The Neos thrives on the cheap stuff. :cool:
 
I just bought a Ruger 22/45 MkIII and is great!!!

The Ruger MK series are considered to be pretty much the champion of .22 plinking pistols. Plus, it is available in alot of different configurations to suite your taste.


Other options:
I've heard good things about the Browning Buckmarks, too. The Berreta Neos have a little bit of a fanbase. The Walther is okay but is out of the price range and IMHO not really any better than the Ruger.

Honestly, the only .22 pistol I see ALOT of complaints about is the Sig Mosquito. It seems to be a constant stain on the otherwise pretty clean track record for Sig Sauer. However, all companies that make anykind of variety of guns seem to have a model that doesn't measure up to the rest of their products.
 
I saw one of those when I bought my Ruger.

I know the S&W high end .22's are suppossed to be great. I wasn't sure about that model though. It felt okay but the Ruger felt better to me. How did you like it?
 
I bought it NIB and it never failed on me IIRC. It was accurate and pointed well. I ended up putting a 2X scope on it (my first glassed pistol). Supposedly they have a problem with the recoil buffers wearing out. I kept a close eye on mine and after several bricks of ammo I saw no issues. I guess my only complaint was that I have short fingers and the grip didn't fit me very well. No after market solution for that one. I traded it for a Savage Striker because I already had my Mitchell Trophy that got most of my attention.
 
The Ruger Mark II or Mark III and the Browning Buck Mark are the standard recommendations. Reasonably priced, well-made, and reliable.

For a bit less there's also the S&W 22A and the Beretta U22 Neos. These haven't been around as long as the Ruger or Browning, so their long-term durability and reliability has not yet been confirmed. But they both seem to be good guns for the money.
 
Really? Nobody mentioned the Heritage Rough Rider?

For under $200 brand new, you can buy a rough ryder single action revolver. It will come with a .22lr cylinder, AND a .22 magnum cylinder. Best deal in the universe.
 
I would buy a Ruger Mark II or III at just a bit over your budget. You'll have it for the rest of your life unless you sell it. Good gun!
 
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