I want a plinker...

[fjolnirsson]

Howdy!
I'm looking for advice. I want a .22LR plinker. Been thinking about it for a while, and I might have a little bit of free money soon.
Problem is, when I first started thinking about it, I checked out a sweet little Walther P22 at the gun shop, and really fell for it. Since then, they have become verboten for us in the great communist experiment.(CA)
Can anyone recommend another .22 with a similar feel, look, etc.? Possibly in the same price range? I have thought about the Glock conversion kit, but I would really like a separate firearm for plinking.
All suggestions, advice, etc are greatly appreciated. Of course, I then must compare with the CA DOJ "approved" list, so we'll see.

 

[BamBam-31]

Some of the more common .22 plinkers are the Browning Buckmark and the Ruger Mk. II or 22/45. They're all good choices for plinking.

Personally, I'd go with Ruger because of the availability of aftermarket parts. I own a 22/45 myself and am VERY happy with it. My buddy liked mine so much, he bought the same model.

 

[Zebulon]

Check out the Beretta 87 Cheetah...NOT the 87 Target....Cool little pistol....Zeb

 

[otomik]

Bersa Firestorm .22lr
http://www.firestorm-sgs.com/22LRspecs.htm
price 200-250

 

[standingbear]

try the ruger.theres a bunch of add ons for them too but the bare bones version works just fine.i have the slabside competition model,plenty accurate with the red-dot optic.id consider it the top of the line for the mark 2 model.the 22/45 has a grip frame that feels like a colt 45 auto.i believe the mag release is at the grip and not the bottom as are the other mark 2 models and takes its own magazines(ive never owned one so im not sure).the target models have different barrels(heavy vs tapered)to me,the heavy barrel adds stability,others like the tapered barrel.its your preferance.blued steel or stainless steel.i chose stainless over blued cause scratches dont show up as much and its more corrosion resistant.the stainless is also somewhat heavier.the bare bones version isnt tapped for a scope whereas the more pricy ones are and come supplied with the bases and rings.you can get different grips too.wrap around types,walnut types,thumbrest types and plastic types.there is a speed strip kit that you can buy to aid in stripping the gun for cleaning or simplly learn how to do it a few times without.It can be a chore figuring out how it goes back together but do it a few times and youll see how it works and why it works.

 

[rbernie]

After dorking around with Ruger MkII Gov't Model (reliable shooter but bad ergonomics for me) and the Browning Buckmark (great ergonomics but spotty reliability), I've settled on the SigArms Trailside as my new plinker. Can't tell you much about it - its on order and I get it next week.

http://www.sigarms.com/products/trailside-models.asp?product_id=47

 

[Tropical Z]

Its not similar except in price,but at least consider a Beretta Neos.
Heck im too late!

 

[rbernie]

The Neos suffers from the same issues (for me) as the Ruger MkII - a grip angle that deviates too much from my 'normal' shooters to be useful as a low-cost practice pistol.

 

[Zach S]

I'd suggest a 22 conversion kit for something you already own. If theyre legal, of course...

 

[rbernie]

Roger that - I've been looking for a clean used Kadet kit for my CZ75 for a while now. NIB is just a bit too rich for my blood...

 

[foghornl]

For just plain plinkin' fun, I have a Ruger Mk. 2, and in the revolver category, a Ruger Single-Six. There are lots of 'add-ons' for the Mk. 2, but mine is box-stock.

And I have found that after popping about 2.5K rounds through the Mk 2, my groups from my .45's are tightening up.

Just an added free benny

 

[caz223]

If you already have a CZ75b, the Kadet kit is a no-brainer.

 

[Black Majik]

Sig Trailslide...

Great accuracy, great ergo's (for me at least) and very damn fun. Im in the similar situation as you (california) and that's what I'd go with

 

[Ivy Mike]

wait for the SIG mosquito.
.22lr fun in a P226 at 90% size. Yes folks, this will be the same ammo as the P22, but at half the cost (since the P22 doesn't seem to like bulk ammo) and it will actually work.

 

[Jeff Timm]

If you are gonna plink, PLINK!

I suggest a .22LR version of Dr. Gatlings design.

Geoff
Who has looked at such a beast in great wonder.

 

[SirVette]

Would buy a Bersa or Firestorm .22lr, very reliable, accurate, etc.