.22 Semi Auto Rifle Variety?

[Thrash1982]

I'm curious what various makes and models of semi auto .22 rifles are out there. About the only two I can think of off the top of my head are the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin Model 60. I'm starting to look into buying one in the near future but I'm not sure what my options are. I'd appreciate any help you guys can give me.

 

[ftierson]

I have a couple of the Remington M597 rifles, and I like them better than my Ruger 10/22...

(That should get me some hate mail ).

 

[Cindog]

Off the top of my head I can think of the Remington 597, Walther G22, Browning Buckmark, Savage 64F, and the CZ 511. I am sure others will give you more. In the meantime, check out Rimfire Central.

 

[Jesse308]

Look at the Savage, Marlin, and Remington websites

 

[Ross Man]

TC Classic!

Don't forget the Thompson Center Classic! It usually sells for around $275 and is one sharp looking little rifle. It also balances real well.

 

[Sactown]

Rhineland Arms and possilbe soon to be Accelerator in .22lr

 

[kyoung05]

I have a Marlin 795 that is like the Marlin 60 except with a removable magazine instead of the tube fed one. I mounted a Simmons ATV scope on it on a Weaver base and added a bi-pod on it and I like it better than the 10/22 I used to have. I like the lighter weight of the synthetic stock and the non-rotary magazine (and since I'll never take it into the field, the fact that it protrudes out doesn't bother me any.). Also, the trigger seems nicer than a stock 10/22 trigger, although it doesn't have as many aftermarket parts and customization options as the 10/22. There is also the Marlin 7000, which is the heavy-barrel version of the 795 if you wanted something more accurate for target work. I think of mine as just a handy little plinker, and for that purpose fills the role well.

 

[Onmilo]

Doesn't anybody here own a Gun Digest or a Shooters Bible?
Both those books catalog just about everything on the market plus a few new designs, some that do make it to consumers and some that never get that far.

 

[JohnBT]

Browning Auto .22

 

[jcarey]

I also own a Remington 597. Doesn't shoot bad, but the clip is the cheapest thing ever. I'm not sure if ftierson has a problem with feeding, but I sure do. Mine jams often.

 

[ftierson]

I'm sorry to hear about the feeding problem with your M597. Out of the many thousands of rounds that I've fired through the two .22LR ones that I have, I don't think that I've ever had a feeding malfunction. And I've put some severely underloaded stuff through them too, like some Win. Dynapoint that clocks at 1015 fps (and it's supposed to be hi-velocity stuff too).

I've never shot any exposed lead ammo in these guns, only copper plated bullet stuff. I also purchased a bunch of extra mags when I bought the guns, but, to the best of my ability to remember, I think that I've only used the mags that came in the guns. According to what I've read about the M597, I think that some of the initial batch of mags suffered from splits along the glue/heat fusion lines. Most sources say that the splitting mags problem was quickly fixed by Remington. I haven't had any problem with that...

I clean my guns every time that I shoot them, which probably contributes to my good luck with them. I don't think that I've put over 300rds through one at one sitting before cleaning...

I also have a M597M in .22WMR, which I've also had good luck with so far, although I've only put a little over 150rds through it (which isn't much of a test).

I hope that you can find the feeding problem with yours, jcarey.

(And I agree, the mag looks and feels pretty flimsy... But it's worked for me so far).

 

[jcarey]

That's comforting. I initially used Remington ammo that had no plating. What a mess. I guess 22's are naturally 'dirty' but there was residue all over the place no matter how regularly I cleaned the rifle. I have switched to copper plated Federal ammunition, but I haven't fired many rounds with it. I may need to get a new clip and start fresh. Maybe that will take care of the problem. It wasn't uncommon to find a shell caught in the action because it hadn't been properly expended . I'll cross my fingers with the new ammo. Other than that, I've been satisfied with the gun's performance. Thanks for the info ftierson.

 

[WhiteKnight]

I've put some severely underloaded stuff through them too, like some Win. Dynapoint that clocks at 1015 fps (and it's supposed to be hi-velocity stuff too).

Umm, actually it's not "underloaded" whatsoever.

If you're looking for velocity, I don't suggest borderline target ammo. I suggest that you stick with CCI Stingers and don't worry about stuff like group sizes, trajectory charts, or ballistic coefficients.

 

[ftierson]

Actually, any 40gr .22LR ammo that is advertised as high velocity that only produces 1015fps out of a rifle is "underloaded," no matter what price you pay for it.

But you're right, use better ammo...

 

[BluesBear]

Don't forget the venerable Remington 552 Speedmaster.

Still going strong after 40 years. And currently the only American made semi-automatic .22 rimfire that will function with .22 Short, Long & Long Rifle cartridges "interchanagably and without adjustment".

 

[KarlG]

Weatherby

Weatherby made a MK XXII. There was a tube fed varient of this gun and a detachable magazine model. The gun has a unique little switch so you can make it a single shot (it locks back the action afetr each shot). They could be had with a matching Weatherby MK XXII 4-power scope. They look and feel like a "real" rifle. The line changed manufacture between Italy, Japan, and the USA I believe. I read that they did this in order to maintain 1 MOA accuracy out of the gun. When the tooling got old, they moved on and had somebody else build them. I would really like one of these guns, but they are more $ than I care to spend for a .22.

 

[rugerdude]

Henry survival rifle (ar-7)

 

[TexasRifleman]

Another vote for the Browning Auto .22

This is my favorite plinker, I have 2 of them, one I got when I was 10 years old, and a new Japanese built version I picked up last year.

I have run literally 100,000+ rounds through this model since I was a kid.

 

[Jalexander]

I got a Marlin Model 60 recently and it has rapidly become one of my favorite guns, period. Good for plinking, incredibly accurate, and if I decide to go for a walk I can load it up and put a handful of ammo in my pocket and be loaded for any number of coyotes. I figure if I can't knock them down with two or three of the fourteen rounds the Marlin carries, I didn't need to be shooting at them in the first place.

James

 

[Sistema1927]

The .22 rifles in my safe are:

Ruger 10/22
Browning
Taurus 63
Winchester 1906
Marlin 39A

All of them are fun, but the "non-semi-automatics" (1906, 39A) are just as quick as the others, with the added advantage that I can shoot any .22, to include Aguila Colibris, out of them. Also, you have to love that the 39A's tube holds 19 long rifles.

 

[gazpacho]

This is one of my favorites made by a company called Lakeside Guns .

Vindicator BF1

 

[whm1974]

This is one of my favorites made by a company called Lakeside Guns .

Vindicator BF1

2 Grand is kind of high for .22 isn't it?

-Bill

 

[CZguy]

I own fourteen .22 rifles. My two favorites are a Marlin 39A with Lyman Peep sights, and a CZ 452 Lux.

 

[gazpacho]

Yes, they are kind of expensive, but we are talking belt fed!

They are also coming out with a 22lr belt fed upper for an m16/ar15. Mated to a Class 3 lower will let it shoot full auto.

 

[greg531mi]

Didn't Remington come out with a metal mag for the 597? I heard bad things about those plastic mags. It seems that Remington, like a lot of other manufacturers, are trying to cut corners, saving a few dimes, making their products cheaper to build, and making them less reliable, becaue of it...ala Kimber with their cast parts....