[voilsb]

I'm looking to get a reasonably reliable (ie: no Jennings, etc) .22LR handgun (doesn't matter if semi-auto or revolver. probably prefer revolver, really) for use in pest-control.

I recently finished an ordeal with a few stray cats, and figured that in the future some silent Colibri .22LR rounds might solve the problem a lot quicker.

And even if a similar situation never materializes, it would still be nice to have a .22LR plinker I could use on the campus range (a .22LR only range).

Any reccomendations?

[VHinch]

You don't see them all that often, but if you can locate a High Standard Sentinel they tend to be fairly inexpensive (saw a couple recently on GB go for around $150) and they're nice little revolvers.

HTH
Vance

[makdaddy03]

I have the Heritage Rough Rider 22lr/22mag combo and LOVE it.
Paid $149 for it brand new. GunTest mag Rates the Rough Rider a "Must Buy" over the Ruger.:D Alot of fun is to be had with this little revolver.;)

[firestar]

Your going to have to look long and hard to find a better gun for the money than the Ruger semi-autos (any model will do). The 22/45 is the cheapest and it is just as good as the other ones. $199 NIB on sale near me. Comes with 2 10 round mags, cable lock, fitted plastic lockable box and it will shoot better than 99% of all shooters right out of the box. I prefer the MK II because of the extreme grip angle but some don't.

Why bother going used when for $50 more you can get new with all the extras? I have seen rusty, used, beat up 22/45s with one mag selling for $150-200. so you won't lose too much money if you decide to sell. They hold their value when used.

[arinvolvo]

Im gonna second the 22/45 ruger...that was my first handgun, and I doubt I will ever get rid of it. It is a great plinker, very accurate...and a perfect teaching gun for beginners or women. Oh, and besides a toothbrush over the extractor every 1 billion rounds, dont worry about having to clean it.:p

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=202878

[Southern Raider]

How about a 22 conversion kit for a pistol you already have? I was recently impressed with the 1911 Ciener kit I just purchased used. A new kit would set you back $199, but the available base pistols are limited.

http://www.22lrconversions.com/

[4v50 Gary]

Conversion kits are fun (I have one for a Colt Series 70, Series 80, CZ-75) but if you must have another gun, then go Ruger. I prefer the Ruger over the Browning Buckmark (which I also have) because the rear sights are never played with (take the Buckmark apart and you take off the top strap that has the rear sight).

[fatboyclone]

walther p22

[10-Ring]

I've got a Taurus revolver that has been a fun little gun (since break-in).

[22x9]

Phoenix Arms HP-22. Inexpensive(~$100) and reliable. Both of mine were.

[huaco]

Having cleaned out the trunk of my car and removing 8 to 10 brick containers of fun numerous times I'll have to stand up for a Browning Buckmark. It requires simple tools to take down and clean but it's accurate, reliable, and fun...a well spent two hundred bucks when I bought it.

[drod]

Heritage Rough Rider. Around $150.00 NIB.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/pa4c585716ba3703d06f64db7bdd24f30/fcbce483.jpg

[Nick96]

New Ruger .22 auto (no matter the style). Absolutely the best value in a .22 handgun out there - bar none.

Don't go with some foreign junk. The "All American" Ruger .22 auto is of a basic design that goes back 50+ years - and they're selling more now than ever. Get one and you'll never wear it out - and never be dis-satisfied with it.

[Tropical Z]

Beretta Neos is a real sweet shootin .22lr!

[tbeb]

I taught my wife how to shoot with a used Harrington & Richardson Model 922. I paid $80.00 for it. It had a 4" barrel, fixed sights, and cylinder capacity was nine.

[Sunray]

While I personally think the Ruger .22 is a piece of junk, you can't beat the quality for the price. Trigger is crap and it's a nightmare to take apart, but it always works. And dealing with stray cats is best done with moth balls, not a pistol. Chances are that what you think is a stray is just Fluffy looking for her home. You may have shot some little girl's pet.

[vanbeast]

Get a Walther P22 and then bring it to the club :)

I'm not a huge fan of the rugers... just don't feel right to me.

[CB900F]

H'mmmm;

Since I haven't seen the Ruger .22 Single six mentioned, I'll do it. I have a blue 6.5" version. Wouldn't mind getting the stainless either. Might have to think about that. In any case a decent used one can be a little hard to find, nobody seems to want to get rid of them. I wonder why?

900F

[popeye]

Moth balls, never thought of that. What caliber are they, and how much black powder do you use behind them. I like cats, sort of. But keep em in the house. I went to my cat ownin nieghbors and told em I was callin animal control to set out traps. Presto no more cats killing birds in my yard. See if you can find an H&R 6". I just bought an H&R 3" .32 magnum nib for $160 off auction arms. My new cat popper.

[cool45auto]

Another vote for the Neos.:cool:

[Okiecruffler]

I've got one you can have cheap and with a little practice you can chunk the thing 30 yrds pretty accurately. I'll even throw in some kite string to tie to it so you can just pull it back to you.

[Rob62]

Another vote for the popular Ruger.

Used Ruger MK II's can be found for around $150-$180. Dollar for dollar they are a great deal.

Rob

[WhoKnowsWho]

I was going to get a Heritage Rough Rider .22LR SA or a Harrington and Richardson .22LR SA but ended up finding a Hawes .22LR SA for $85 used. At least I can say my .22 plinker is pure German made! :D

If I didn't have that, I enjoy my wife's Walther P22 and like the Ruger 22/45 okay.

[Apple a Day]

Another vote for the Heritage Rough Rider.
It's nice and heavy, comes with a 6.5"bbl. I got mine for $135 NIB with all the extras, including a couple boxes of shells and .22magnum cylinder. It's simple, inexpensive, and lots of fun.
http://www.heritagemfg.com/traditional.shtml
You can even horrify your shooting friends and get one with the mother of pearl handle. :evil: Wasn't it Patton who said that only a New Orleans pimp would carry a pistol with mother of pearl grips? :neener:

[Leaky Waders]

For a .22, I'd by a Ruger Mark II. I have three and they are all standard models that are a pleasure to shoot.

Takedown is very easy - don't let anyone fool you who gets frustrated easily.

As for a revolver, the single six or the taurus model 84 are very good guns. The taurus is hit or miss on the reviews but Jim March has a nice revolver purchase thread to guide you for picking out a good one.

As for the title of the thread...I wouldn't worry about price when looking for your .22 - I'd save up and get the one I wanted.

The .22 you buy now will probably be the most shot pistol you ever use - you might as well save up and get the one you can pass to your grand kids some day.

v/r,

LW

[Cortland]

This little puppy has turned out to be my favorite .22 pistol ( :scrutiny: ), even more so than even my Mark II:

http://www.savagearms.com/images/centerfire/striker/501fxp.jpg

I consider mine a bargain at under $200 new (including scope & case). Far and away the funnerest plinking gun for at the range, plus you'll be able to take out those cats at 100 yards or more. It's every bit as deadly as that aggressive looking banana mag would seem to imply. Additionally, I'd assume a bolt action would be quieter than a semi-auto.

Not particularly well suited for any manner of carrying or offhand shooting (in case you couldn't tell).

[Coot]

Friend of mine got one recently and I gotta say, it has the worst trigger I've ever seen in a .22 plinker: must be at least 12 lb pull. Ruins an otherwise fun gun.

Does anyone know if that could be improved?

[VictorLouis]

Is about as inexpensive as I care to go anymore. I know they're durable enough to take the years of shooting that .22s get subjected to(With me and my boy doing the sujecting.):) I've recently offed my second go-round at a Rossi, as it just couldn't hang.

I thing Taurus may be an OK choice at DA, just watch out for timing issues on the 9rd. wheel. Ditto the H&R, or Hi-Standards. For me though, I'm convinced it has to be one of the Wessons, a Colt, or a Ruger in DA.

[CB900F]

Cortland;

OK, I'll bite, what is it? Our here in the depths of darkest Monatna, we don't get to see all the new whiz-bang stuff, ya know.

900F

[Mr Jody Hudson]

That bolt action, with magazine, is a Savage.



Savage Striker .22 Sniper Pistol :) (http://www.savagearms.com/centerfire/striker/striker_home.htm)

Notice: Left Hand Bolt and Right Hand Ejection... a Great Idea! And, these should be very quiet, should you use CB Caps, etc.

Meanwhile, beware of anything but mothballs... In this country at this time you will get in more trouble killing a feral cat than you will killing an unborn baby human! FAR more trouble. :uhoh:

[Cortland]

Should you be considering the .22 Striker (unlikely, I'm sure), you should also plan on getting a Rifle Basix replacement sear. The out-of-box trigger on the Striker flat out sucks. Happily, a replacement Rifle Basix sear is $65 from Midsouth and turns a mushy 6 lbs. into a crisp 10 oz.

[tatters]

I have a Heritage Rough Rider, and absolutely love it. The wife bought it for me on Father's day. I bought mine for around 139.00.

I also have a Phoenix Arms HP-22. Great 100.00 gun. In fact, they haven't gone up much since 1995, when I bought mine.

I also have a S&W 22a. Also a great value.