Good .22 gun for plunking?

[timmerk]

Hi!

Anyone recommend a VERY cheap .22 gun that is still pretty accurate for plunking and target practice in the backyard?

How loud are .22s? I don't want to scare anyone. Will I need hearing protection?

Thanks!

[Rich357]

Hi timmerk,

Since you are asking your question in the "Handguns" section of the forum, I assume you are asking about shooting a .22lr handgun.

Maybe a Walther P22.

Yes, the usual high velocity .22lr (long rifle) cartridge is pretty loud when shot from a handgun. While not nearly as bad as some of the center fire cartridges I think it is a good idea to wear hearing protection when shooting .22s from a handgun.

You can get CB and BB caps. They are very short, low pow, .22 cartridges and not as loud as a .22lr. But, they still may upset your neighbors.

If you miss your target in the backyard where is your bullet going to go? How far is it to where your neighbor may be walking around?

Then there is a matter of the law. Is is legal for you to shoot in your backyard? In some towns it is not. Better check.

You might want to look into a good air pistol. Although they may be loud enough to bother your neighbors and you still must be careful about where you shots may go.

Be careful and be safe,
Rich

[Majic]

Rich gave you some very good advise and things to think about. Now you should define your meaning of cheap. Post a rock bottom price and people can suggest models in your price range.

[Tropical Z]

My NAA mini is as loud as any handgun i shoot.

[DontShootMe]

Well there's cheap:

Phoenix Arms HP22
Accurate (especially w 5 in. barrel)
$125-165

Here's what it looks like:

http://www.ssaa.org.au/OFFICIALREVIEWS/22lrpistol/phoenixhp22.jpg

And then there's low-cost to high:

Ruger MkII
Highly accurate
$250-500

I got an MkII like this for $275:

http://pix.gunbroker.com/pixhost/2002-02-17/BigMax_1014391935_ruger2.jpg

I shoot more .22lr since I got it than I ever thought I would. FUN!

:cool:

[10-Ring]

My first thought was for a 10/22, but since you posted here I'll recommend the Ruger Mk II.

[Denver]

I really like the Browning Buckmark series. 'Put about 200,000 rounds (Forty cases) through one of their 'camper' models so far.

I got mine for about $220, used. They're about $270, new.

[Keith]

What's "plunking"? I sometimes go plinking, but I'm unclear on plunking...

I think plinking comes from the sound a tin can makes when you shoot it - "plink".
Plunking sounds like shooting mud - "plunk".

I suppose any gun good for plinking would also serve for plunking.

Keith

[Browns Fan]

Another vote for the Ruger MII, with a bull brl. Very accurate and reliable .22. Only complaint is that assembly after cleaning is a little puzzling at first, but you get used to it after a while.

[Okiecruffler]

If you're just shooting tin cans in the backyard and want to go cheap, that Pheonix HP22 works very well. Wish I had never gotten rid of mine.

[sm]

Not Inexpensive, but a great classic. Really teaches one to shoot revolvers well, accurate , and the fun factor is thrown in as an added bonus.
old smith model 18.

[Standing Wolf]

How loud are .22s? I don't want to scare anyone. Will I need hearing protection?

.22 caliber shots often fail to impress people as loud; they will, however, leave you with permanent holes in your hearing at certain frequencies after as little as a few hundred rounds.

[wardog]

Another vote for the Browning Buckmark. Accurate, comfortable, controls in the right places. I bought mine new years ago for around $200, but I think the prices have gone up a bit.

[Dave R]

If noise is important, I would recommend a .22 revolver. You can shoot the lower-powered shorts, CB Caps, etc. Those rounds generally won't cycle a semi-auto.

I see a lot of used S&W's in the $250 range...haven' shopped much beyond that, but I'll bet Rugers are a little less.

Either way, I recommend hearing protection. And for "full-powered" .22's, its mandatory.

[foghornl]

I am kind of a Ruger fan, so if you want an auto-loader, the MKII Rugers.

Want to have one similar to the 1911 "feel"? the 22/45 series Ruger.

Single-action revo? Single-Six series, has both .22LR & .22Mag cylinders.

Smaller SA, with fixed sights? Ruger Bearcat



////smarmy Wise N. Hiemer mode on

plinking is shooting at targets informally. plunking is sound of hitting said informal targets

/////smarmy Wise N. Hiemer mode off

[Pumpkinheaver]

I like my ruger 22/45, accurate, reliable and fairly inexpensive.

[yzguy]

love my MKII.... and 22/45's are a bit cheaper...

[mec]

"What's "plunking"? I sometimes go plinking, but I'm unclear on plunking..."

" Plunk" is the perfect past participle of the irregular verb "Plink"
At least that is what I have always thunk.

[justdavid]

If you already have a BHP, certain 1911s, certain Berettas or Tauri, or certain Glocks, Ciener makes and sells top-ends and magazines that will convert the pistol to .22 LR. They list the kits for all of them as $199, with kits with adjustible sights for the 1911 or the BHP for $249.


D.

[Leatherneck]

mec: :D :D :D

TC
TFL Survivor

[mod12]

a friend has a taurus 9 shot double action revolver. don't know model # but fairly inexpensive with acceptable acuracy. what was that you said about hearing protection?

[Slow]

Any Ruger MarkII with at least a 6" barrel, always wear eye and hearing protection when firing handguns.. preferably earmuffs that allow you to hear voice tones/commands and mute out when muzzle blast occurs

[45R]

Go with a MKII

[timmerk]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I like the idea of a .22 revolver.

Sorry, I meant plinking - I am a newbie! :-)

[mod12]

i sorta liked plunking, i'm going to try it the next i'm out. the taurus 9 shot is a model #94:D welcome to thr, come back!

[telomerase]

The best guns for plunking are the Lorcin autos. Just unload, then hurl them as far out into the sea as you can and listen to them "plunk".

[4v50 Gary]

Ruger Mark II w/5" bbl. If not that, then the CZ Kadet.

[Stevie-Ray]

I prefer autos like the Ruger Mk II, but then you're generally limited to shooting long rifle ammo, as the shorts and longs won't cycle the action. For quieter shorts and CB caps the revolver is the way to go. A long rifle sounds almost exactly like a standard inch and a half firecracker when coming out of a rifle barrel. It will be even louder coming out of a pistol. If you really want to keep your neighbors happy, it's the revolver and the short.

[CWL]

I bought a used Browning Buckmark with bull barrel for $139.00. It's accurate enough for plinking and small game headshots. If I drop/scratch it -so what? I may have sprayed it a few times with brake cleaner & bore snake -but I have never properly cleaned it in the years I have owned it.