.22 Plinker

[El Bucho]

Thinking about a .22 pistol for plinking, etc. Have a nice Woodsman from my Grandfather, but i'd like to baby that thing. Is the P22 a decent gun? What else can you get that is decent for around 200 bucks or so? Thanks..

EB

 

[Craig M. Arnold]

22 Pistol

I bought a Browning Buckmark (my second) a while back on GunBroker. It was a demo at the Shot Show (looks brand new) and I paid $200.00 plus $10.00 shipping. I think the Buckmarks are one of the best plinkers around.

Best regards.

 

[45R]

Ruger 22/45 or a used MKII

I love my MkII pistols. Great .22s for a great price and you can upgrade them will all sorts of aftermarket goodies!

 

[MP5]

I love my Ruger 22/45 http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=192&return=Y Feels perfect in my hand, accurate, looks good, easier to take down and reassemble than some portray it. You're looking at more like $300 or so for a new one, though. Btw, I'd say avoid S&W 22A's. I shot a rental once, and the sights stunk, and the gun seemed quite inaccurate.

 

[Matt Sutton]

I have a Ruger KMK-512, had a Buckmark Micro and a Beretta Neos. They are all accurate, reliable, and a ton of fun. The Walthers just don't feel as solid to me.

 

[BamBam-31]

Double tap. Sorry.

 

[BamBam-31]

I've read bad things about the P22. Never actually shot one, though, so can't really say.

I do own a 22/45, though, and after shooting mine, two of my buddies went out and bought 22/45's for themselves. I mounted an Ultradot on mine, and now it's just about the perfect little plinker. 22/45's are highly recommended. Lots of aftermarket parts for drop-in improvements.

Here's mine:

 

[DMK]

I have to throw in another vote for the Ruger 22/45. I don't own one, but get to shoot a friend's often along with a couple Browning Buckmarks. If I didn't already have a CZ-Kadet, I'd own either a 22/45 or a MKII.

 

[farscott]

My limited experience with one P22 was decidely negative. A dealer was giving me a demo shoot with a P22 with a Gemtech Outback suppressor when I was shopping for suppressors. In the few rounds I shot, the safety kept moving from "FIRE" to "SAFE". I also found that the barrel nut kept loosening during the demo shoot.

For $200, I would look for a used Ruger Mark II.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I like the Ruger MKII. If you can get the target model, you'll have adjustable sights and a much better trigger.

 

[KarlG]

I enjoy my Buckmark Camper and recommed it. It cost me just over $200. I also enjoy my Woodsman, but the grip is not as natural feeling to me as the Buckmark. I have a friend who has the P22, and other friends who have Rugers. All are well liked. I suggest checking them all out and going with the one that feels the best.

 

[Jmurman]

I am also looking for a good .22. Have any of you had experience with the Ruger Mark 2 or 3?

 

[phorvick]

At least take a glance at the Beretta Neos...accurate ...easy to clean...reliable after 4000+ rounds...same story with S&W 22A

 

[cstuard]

Don't know what other pistols you own, but I recommend you pay attention to grip angle. Personally I just can't like the Neos or Ruger MkII angle. The Buckmark and 22/45 are much more natural for me. Good luck

 

[gigmike]

Here's a vote for the Sig Trailside. It's very accurate, easy to break down and clean. I don't plan to mount a scope or anything, so it's as much gun as I need. The price was comparable to the Ruger MkII with a bull barrel.

 

[Titus]

Had a Buckmark. It was a nice gun and very accurate. Finally sold it after having bought a couple Marvel conversions for my 1911s (can only shoot so many different .22s...) The Marvel Unit 2 is about $250, if you're interested in going that route. Otherwise, you could certainly do worse than a Buckmark.

 

[halvey]

I like a Buckmark for a cheap .22.

Don't like the Neos at all.

Rugers would work, but don't like the grip angle.

How about a .22 revolver, say Ruger single Six?

 

[Fulliautomatix]

I have a P22 on loan from a friend, I have fed several hundred rounds of Remington subsonic & Aquila SSS through it with no problems.

 

[22luvr]

I got a NEOS last year and......

it is wearing it's welcome thin. Fussy with certain ammo types (won't chamber and FTE's) Also trigger has not smoothed up at all - still very heavy. Ergonomics may be good for some but it is beginning to fit me like a bad pair of shoes. I'm planning on trading it in on a Ruger Single Six.

 

[wally]

I don't feel strongly one way or another, but had my Neos at the range and a fellow next to me had a Sig Trailside. He said he got it because he couldn't find a Neos when he was buying. We swapped guns for a few mags worth, he said he liked the Neos better, so did I and it was cheaper to buy. I also like the Rugers a lot too.

Its a plinker, don't obsess about it, buy what feels best in *your* hand that's in your price range.

--wally.