Which is the better sub $200 dollar .22 LR handgun

I'll second the Rough Rider suggestion....and the "shop for a used gun" suggestion. Print out a copy of the "Buying A Used (whatever) Checklist" Thread on the Revolver & Semiauto Forums and shop around. Still a few deals to be had.
 
Check around.

Check your local pawn shops. Sometimes you can find a good deal for $200-$250. If, you don't mind buying a used gun.
 
The HP22 is the worst pistol I have ever fired. It wasn't unusual for every single round in the magazine to jam or malfunction, and for most of them to jam in different ways. Accuracy was so poor that soda cans were safe unless you walked up and pistol whipped them. The newer ones are reported to be better (they'd pretty much have to be), but I'd steer clear anyways.

I have no experience with the Rough Rider. It's reported to be no Single Six, but it isn't priced like one.

The best bet is to save a little more and buy a used Ruger semiauto. $250 gets you into the ballpart of a used MKII, which is decidedly a real gun.
 
The best bet is to save a little more and buy a used Ruger semiauto. $250 gets you into the ballpark of a used MKII, which is decidedly a real gun.
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+1
A NIB (basic) 22/45 can be had for $279.
I would add these as well:
NIB S&W 22A starts @ $254. NIB Beretta NEOS starts @ $253. (Prices from LGS)
I'm certain you can find used examples of one of these for around $200 with a bit of effort. You'll be a lot happier.
 
Earlier this year I picked up a new S&W 22A on sale for $229

I'm very happy with it so far and would opt to spend a few extra $$ on one of these or some of the other .22 pistols that have been mentioned.

I think you will be happier in the long run:)
 
I've been looking,,,

And if you want a decent quality .22 revolver,,,
You are going to have to spend at least $335.00 give or take a little bit.

That would be the Charter Arms Target Pathfinder.

You can find Taurus revolvers for around the same starting price,,,
I just can't in good faith recommend that brand.

You can buy a decent Single Action Semi-auto target pistol,,,
Starting around $240.00 give or take a little bit.

Those would be a S&W 22A or a Beretta U-22 NEOS,,,
Kick in another $50.00 to $75.00 and get up into the Ruger Mk-III or 22/45 guns.

If you want a DA/SA .22 semi-auto pistol,,,
One that is more of a combat/self defense style,,
I think the least expensive would be a Bersa Thunder 22 for around $265.00.

Now bear in mind that my personal bias is in full play here,,,
I used the word decent and that does not include Phoenix or Rough Rider guns.

We are only talking another $100.00 to $125.00 here,,,
Do yourself a favor and wait a bit until you've saved up enough cash for a better gun.

Aarond

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Also consider loading hassle

On Gunbroker I see a new Heritage Rough Rider that is Buy It Now for $200 and includes the .22WMR cylinder, which gives you extra "wham" when you want it.

I might have missed it, but what I didn't see discussed is frequency of use and ease of loading. A single action like the Heritage is going to require you to use the ejector rod for every cartridge. That can be a real pain if you intend to shoot a lot of ammo, and being able to shoot a lot of ammo cheaply is a key advantage of a .22.

Similarly, loading a magazine can be less than fun, depending on the model, but you probably can use a Baby UpLula Universal Pistol Magazine Loader and Unloader to make it easier. My vote would be with some of the others, to try to find a good used Smith & Wesson that has a swing-out cylinder and an ejector that kicks out all six empties at one time, or one of the older slab-sided top-break 9-shot .22s that ejects all nine cases when you "break" it open, Schofield-style. The latter aren't the most beautiful handguns ever made, but as I remember them they were well-made and reliable and were pretty darned accurate.
 
sub $200 22lr? pot metal really, you should save another $75 and look at the Mark III base model for $275. I saw a used Mark II for $235ish. Way better than those pot metals for $125ish..

I am so temped to buy the Beretta 21, I have 0 semi auto 22lrs handgun, and liked the 21. But for a little more I could get the Mark III..
 
The choices are the phenox arms hp22a semi-automatic pistol and the Heritage arms rough rider revolver.
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Not going to jump in like others who obviously didn't bother to actually read what your question was. Or those who have to proclaim their superior choices, and disdain for yours.
I can't speak of the Phoenix Arms pistol, but I have had a favorable experience with my Heritage Rough rider. Very accurate E/A 22 with the option of 22 Longrifle, or 22 Magnum. My only complaint is the safety which has really no purpose on a single action revolver.
 
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i have bought a used ruger mk-11 S.S. ,used ruger mk-11 blue target and a charter arms .22 mag pathfinder with in the last 1-2 years for 200.00 or under in ex used condition. i would shop around. eastbank.
 
Being a super-newbie to this forum, but a 60-year shooter, I'd go with CheapShooter relative to the Heritage and recommend you purposely seek out one that includes the .22 Magnum cylinder if you can afford to buy it. Gives you flexibility that I believe you will like a lot, sooner or later, usually at very little extra cost. Enhances resale value, too.
 
It may boil down to what do you like better, a revolver or a semi-automatic. For the price, you aren't getting a top of the line gun but on the other hand both will serve your purpose. As an owner of my 2nd HP22a (the first one was sold to a buddy after 3000 rounds because he HAD to have it) I can say from experience that it is worth every penny of the $125 it costs and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Change the recoil spring every 500-800 rounds and keep it clean and you'll be very happy. I love reading opinions from people who never owned whatever model is being talked about. They make me laugh. Must be nice to be omniscient.
 
Salmoneye said:
I guess I am not following that...

.22 Rimfire...One of the oldest surviving metallic cartridge calibers in the world, is now only suitable for 'the range'?

:confused:
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Lol- beat me to it!

Btw, if you're playing around the $200 range, I'd look for a gently used browning buckmark!
 
Neither! Find a used Ruger or Smith semi ... they were cheap new and are even cheaper used ... both are excellent trainers and can be used to harvest a squirrel or rabbit if you need stew ...
 
#32
Cheapshooter

Quote:
The choices are the phenox arms hp22a semi-automatic pistol and the Heritage arms rough rider revolver.
Not going to jump in like others who obviously didn't bother to actually read what your question was. Or those who have to proclaim their superior choices, and disdain for yours...
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Agreed, a simple question asking for advice as to 'which one should I choose A or B' is answered with neither, go for C, D, E etc...? It happens actually more often than not (reminds me sometimes of the women and their 'coffee-talk' if you will ;)). Now, if one would answer something to the effect of 'given the choice I would choose A or B' and then qualify that answer with 'but I would actually recommend neither and instead go for C or D' ...

Whatever :rolleyes:.
 
Some one here suggested an H & R - someone thought the Heritage was one step above junk - hmmmm - all in the eyes of the beholder I guess. I own Colts, S & Ws and Rugers - so I know their quality. I had a H & R "Sidekick" that I just traded in on a Heritage RR. The durn H & R shot so low you could plow with it. The Heritage - I got the 4 3/4" barrel length and I love it. No, it's not a Colt, S & W or a Ruger - but it isn't priced like one either. I'm totally satisfied with mine - accurate, solid, locks up tight and perfect timing. It now has a permanent spot in my range bag and always goes with me - it's a nice little shooter and fun.

As mentioned, you might look around and find something used for $200 as well. But talking about the two you mentioned, I would have no hesitation in going with the Heritage RR. In fact, I'll be adding a 6 1/2" barreled model to my herd soon.

And for those of you who "pooh pooh" the RR - I also own one of the "sacred Colt Pythons" - and for me, it does nothing. I'd rather shot my New Vaquero anyway. For rimfire though - I'll stick with my RR and Henry.
 
Of the two handguns mentioned,,,

Of the two handguns mentioned,,,
I would definitely go for the Rough Rider.

I own a HP22A that has never worked properly,,,
Two trips to the factory and no resolution,,,
They told me not to send it back again.

The revolver will have a lesser propensity towards malfunction,,,
No FTE's or jams to deal with and ammo type should not be a problem.

Aarond

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