Lets talk .22LR Semi Autos

I just had a chance to shoot my Buckmark. Minor sight adjustment and it's nice out to 15 yds.
Only ammo it will not cycle is slow target ammo. I'm ok with that since that ammo is for my rifle. Everything else I ran through it not a single hiccup. For an inexpensive gun it has very nice balance and a nice finish IMO. I wasn't crazy about the rubber textured grips but they are actually very comfortable.
 
A used tapered barrel Mk series Ruger gives you that graceful pretty Luger profile with better reliability. Many nice ones out there.
 
S&W 422! I've been shooting Rugers, Mark ii and Mark iii, along with S&W Model's 41 and Hammerli Xesse Sport's regularly for about three years. Three years ago I also owned a S&W 422, a BuckMark Micro Target and a S&W 22. Sold all three. I've fired most of the other 22's mentioned; they didn't appeal. It's a personal thing; the guns that appeal.

Recently thought about the S&W 422 again. Bought two, one with the four inch barrel, the other with a six inch barrel. They are simple, reliable, accurate, inexpensive and fun to shoot. Plus, easy to strip and clean. I've had one of them with me every range trip since their purchase.

I've also considered another BuckMark Micro Target. Haven't found one yet.
 
Bought my Ruger Standard new in 1981. It has been my favorite .22 ever since. Had to send it back to Ruger because I wore it out once. They fixed everything on it, re-blued it, replaced the bolt and sent it back. All it cost was shipping to them. I quit shooting all the hyper-velocity stuff all the time after that. Never another problem with it.
 
Have a couple Stoeger Lugers.....have always been reliable and good shooters. Not ammo sensitive. The one pictured is a target model with adjustable sights.

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Best gun for your money in a semi-auto .22 is Browning Buckmark in my view. Their camper model is pretty inexpensive.... its not always about what gun is the lowest price...
 
Rich -- so you like "old poop." I've been studying the history as well as pricing on Colt Pre Woodsman and series #1 Woodsman "plinkers." Scored an original (it's all there) worn in but not worn out 1931 sweet heart. Been looking for over a month. $600. Maybe a tad more than modern pkinkers noted above --- but I bet my Woodsman goes up in value over the next 5-10 years. Extend yourself a few bucks and buy quality.

My .02

David. :)
 
WOW that's a lot of info to digest; thanks guys!! :) I don't a pistol that I can convert; the Woodsman looks cool but it's out of my price range at the moment. I'll keep my eye open for a deal :) Thanks everyone
 
Or, if you wish to stay in the $80-$100 range investigate a Jennings J22 AKA "Saturday Night Special." If I use CCI Mini Mags it cycles approx 95%.

.02
 
I have a couple of the Stoeger .22 Lugers. Neat guns. The first one I got from a friend, I have forgotten what I gave for it, a trade I think. He had the grips checkered, and very nicely done.

The second one I got (a few years later) from a shop, came with the original box, and was $140 or $190 (I no longer recall exactly, it's been some time). What I do remember is they were selling it "cheap" because they had tried to use it as a range rental gun, and it constantly jammed. It looked ok, but the clerk(s) told me they couldn't get it to run a full mag without jamming, no matter what ammo they tried.

I took it home, did NOT clean it, just OILED it, and fired 2 mags through it flawlessly.

Neat guns, Luger looks, but not precise copies. The Erma .22 "Luger" is more like a Luger but its not a good gun, having literally pot metal parts (though most good cook pots are better allow), and like the Stoeger, long out of print. Parts are non-existent.

I have a Browning Challenger (the grade between the Nomad and the Medalist), inherited from my father. Lovely looking and decent working classic high quality Browning, not a bargain item like the later Buckmark design.

A friend of mine has an absolutely beautiful S&W model 41. The grips feel like slipping your hand into a glove. Gun is scary accurate, you have to WORK at it to miss. However, it is ammo sensitive, doesn't like CCI Blazers.

My favorite is a Ruger Mark I Target that I've had since the early 80s. Good quality, all steel (other than grips) and eats absolutely everything I've ever fed it without issues. Downside? If you want a gun that is easy to take apart and put back together, this isn't it. (and there's no normal reason to take it apart, ever, unless you take a dunking wearing it).

If you want the best .22 semi you can get at the lowest price, I would look into a used Ruger Mk I. About the only thing that ever wears out is the finish.
 
I'm very surprised that no one makes a Luger styled gun in .22 LR these days. With all the AK and AR style .22 rifles, heck they even brought out an StG-44 clone in .22 LR a few years ago.

No doubt a .22 Luger style pistol, one like the Stoeger, would sell these days. Someone needs to make that a thing (again).
 
I think if someone geared up for more than just a limited run of .22 and 9mm Lugers they would sell reasonable well if they avoided insane collectors prices. Guess that goes to show how little business sense I have.

Phoenix has a cheap .22 if you're looking for dirt cheap, I've shot one, it functioned fine but didn't really do anything for me.
 
Get Pine Tree Castings to make the frames and most of the parts, machine some of the important stuff, through some Euro Walnut grips on it and it should be relatively cost effective to make. It's not an actual Luger, it's not like the toggle actually has to be a functioning part and precisely machines.
 
I've owned .22 autos by Phoenix and Ruger. The Phoenix was inexpensive but shot well and was reliable. I have two Mark IIIs, both with the heavy barrel, one a standard and one a 22/45. Both are very accurate and I shoot them in matches frequently. I also have an SR22 that I would say fits the plinker category the best. Not particular about ammo, reasonably accurate, and very easy to operate and reliable. I wouldn't shoot it in a competition, though. I shoot against Buckmarks and a Victory regularly, as well as other Marks I, II and III and all are very accurate. A LGS has a new Mark IV, but for $200 more than a Mark III, I'll pass on getting one. It's not that hard to reassemble a Mark III, and I doubt the Mark IV's any more accurate. If you can get a used Mark III at a good price, I'd recommend it. If not, see if you can find a SR22 and you shouldn't be disappointed.
 
Only one....

Only one American made .22 semi auto has won camp perry (multiple times)

And you like "old poo" the High Standard Supermatic is pretty hard to beat, and there are plenty of used ones.

Stay away from high velocity, and inspect any used specimen for potential frame cracks.

Find a good one, stick with standard velocity ammo, and be happy.

Second choice would be a Ruger MK. if you pick up a MK. 3 remove the little widget that works the loaded chamber indicator or shoot only CCI mini mags.

The LCI is the fatal flaw in the MK. 3, it's easy to get rid of. Had a MK. 2 I loved, it went away and I bought a MK. 3 Hunter. The Hunter is prettier, the MK. 2 was the better gun.

A little practice and following the instructions exactly make disassembly of the MK. 3 and prior pretty easy. Really just follow the directions EXACTLY.
 
I learned to shoot practicing Bullseye with my High Standard Victor. More recently it has been my CZ with Kadet unit and my Ciener units for my Browning HIP and M1911s.
 
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