LHRGunslinger
Member
I'm looking for a solid little .22LR pistol NIB for under $400. I'm not particularly familiar with the brands yet so I am looking for a bit of help on deciding which one to get. Any suggestions?
.22LR Plinkers?
- Thread starter LHRGunslinger
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triplebike
Member
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- Mar 21, 2010
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I own the Browning Buckmark Camper, this one in particular
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...2&content=buck-mark-stainless-camper-firearms
It has been flawless. Thousands & thousands of rds fired. It's extremely comfortable, very accurate. Excellent .22 pistol.
MCgunner
Member
Ruger Mk 1/2/3 or Buckmark. You can't go wrong. Academy has buckmarks for 265 and I've been tempted. I already have a Mk2 Ruger.
wally
Member
Beretta Neos is my first choice for a plinker if you can get over the looks. Mainly because CDNN has spare mags for $10-15 each compared to $20-30 for all the others.
To me, plinker = lots of mags ready to go so you spend your time shooting and not stuffing mags.
We've got Beretta Neos, Buckmark, S&W M22A, Ruger MKII, and Ruger 22/45 MkIII
They are all good, but the M22A is my personal favorite.
Ease of cleaning ranking:
Neos
M22A, close second.
Buckmark distant third -- you need two different sized hex head wrenches
Rugers distant last place -- if anything is more trouble I wouldn't ever buy it!
Fortunately the Buckmark is so open (like the Neos and M22A) you rarely need to take them fully down. The Rugers need to come fully apart the most because of all the places crud gets trapped.
My wife and I usually run through 2-3K rounds of Bulk pack a month, and all five pistols get used.
To me, plinker = lots of mags ready to go so you spend your time shooting and not stuffing mags.
We've got Beretta Neos, Buckmark, S&W M22A, Ruger MKII, and Ruger 22/45 MkIII
They are all good, but the M22A is my personal favorite.
Ease of cleaning ranking:
Neos
M22A, close second.
Buckmark distant third -- you need two different sized hex head wrenches
Rugers distant last place -- if anything is more trouble I wouldn't ever buy it!
Fortunately the Buckmark is so open (like the Neos and M22A) you rarely need to take them fully down. The Rugers need to come fully apart the most because of all the places crud gets trapped.
My wife and I usually run through 2-3K rounds of Bulk pack a month, and all five pistols get used.
bigfatdave
Member
Buckmarks and Rugers aren't exactly "little" but they are superbly engineered.
Ruger's website:
http://ruger.com/products/markIIITarget/models.html - mkIII target models
http://ruger.com/products/2245/firearms.html - mkIII 22/45 models
(a note, Ruger posts MSRP pretty high, you should be able to find these at least $75 lower if not more)
I own (and shoot the snot out of) two Ruger rimfire autoloaders, they started out as mkIII* models and I've done some tinkering inside to remove some un-needed safety features Ruger's lawyers added and upgrade some parts to stuff further past my abilities to outshoot.
* (means "mark three" as in the third major design generation)
There are mkII models out there used, and they will probably be in good shape unless someone got inside with a Dremel, Rugers are quite robust. mkII would have a heel magazine latch instead of the button behind the trigger, and are great shooters. I think mounting optics on a mkII is more difficult, I don't have details there except that a mkIII will have a weaver rail in the box with most models.
Ruger makes the 22/45 as well, which is essentially their traditional rimfire pistol with a polymer grip frame and a more upright angle to mimic the classic 1911 angle. While the durability of polymer might be debatable, it is surely robust enough to handle a .22 target pistol's needs.
All of those came in various finish and barrel profile options, I like the 5.5" bull barrel's balance, but I wouldn't turn down any of them except perhaps the 10" model, that one should have a shoulder stock or something.
Browning's website:
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...ag_=006B&catalog_=B&content=Buck-Mark-Pistols
Browning makes a LOT of models of the Buckmark, I hear good things but ended up liking the ergonomics of the Rugers best, so I'm no expert.
BUT ... Browning makes a Buckmark Rifle as well, had I known that when I started out my gun safe might look a bit different right now.
A carbine that shares mags and parts is a great thing, in my opinion.
Thinking of carbines, if you have a 10/22 rifle, Ruger is making the Charger pistol based on the 10/22 action, at a MSRP of ~$380 you could probably find one for $325 or so and it would share magazines.
There are other .22 plinking pistols out there:
Walther/Umarex makes the p22 (search the forum for reviews, I like mine for a trainer, not for precision shooting) it is more like a miniature duty pistol than a target gun.
Beretta makes the U22 Neos, I'm no expert on them but I'm sure someone can give you a mini-review.
S&W makes the 22A, I've shot one and liked it, but again I'm no expert
Avoid the Lorcin/Bryco/Jennings guns in .22, they're supposed to be cheap last-ditch hideout guns, not target/plinking pistols.
Beretta makes a few mouseguns in .22 as well, the Bobcat is the modern one and looks like fun to shoot, although I think that such small guns will amplify any error on the shooter's part.
Ruger's website:
http://ruger.com/products/markIIITarget/models.html - mkIII target models
http://ruger.com/products/2245/firearms.html - mkIII 22/45 models
(a note, Ruger posts MSRP pretty high, you should be able to find these at least $75 lower if not more)
I own (and shoot the snot out of) two Ruger rimfire autoloaders, they started out as mkIII* models and I've done some tinkering inside to remove some un-needed safety features Ruger's lawyers added and upgrade some parts to stuff further past my abilities to outshoot.
* (means "mark three" as in the third major design generation)
There are mkII models out there used, and they will probably be in good shape unless someone got inside with a Dremel, Rugers are quite robust. mkII would have a heel magazine latch instead of the button behind the trigger, and are great shooters. I think mounting optics on a mkII is more difficult, I don't have details there except that a mkIII will have a weaver rail in the box with most models.
Ruger makes the 22/45 as well, which is essentially their traditional rimfire pistol with a polymer grip frame and a more upright angle to mimic the classic 1911 angle. While the durability of polymer might be debatable, it is surely robust enough to handle a .22 target pistol's needs.
All of those came in various finish and barrel profile options, I like the 5.5" bull barrel's balance, but I wouldn't turn down any of them except perhaps the 10" model, that one should have a shoulder stock or something.
Browning's website:
http://www.browning.com/products/ca...ag_=006B&catalog_=B&content=Buck-Mark-Pistols
Browning makes a LOT of models of the Buckmark, I hear good things but ended up liking the ergonomics of the Rugers best, so I'm no expert.
BUT ... Browning makes a Buckmark Rifle as well, had I known that when I started out my gun safe might look a bit different right now.
A carbine that shares mags and parts is a great thing, in my opinion.
Thinking of carbines, if you have a 10/22 rifle, Ruger is making the Charger pistol based on the 10/22 action, at a MSRP of ~$380 you could probably find one for $325 or so and it would share magazines.
There are other .22 plinking pistols out there:
Walther/Umarex makes the p22 (search the forum for reviews, I like mine for a trainer, not for precision shooting) it is more like a miniature duty pistol than a target gun.
Beretta makes the U22 Neos, I'm no expert on them but I'm sure someone can give you a mini-review.
S&W makes the 22A, I've shot one and liked it, but again I'm no expert
Avoid the Lorcin/Bryco/Jennings guns in .22, they're supposed to be cheap last-ditch hideout guns, not target/plinking pistols.
Beretta makes a few mouseguns in .22 as well, the Bobcat is the modern one and looks like fun to shoot, although I think that such small guns will amplify any error on the shooter's part.
MCgunner
Member
Being a cap and ball/black powder nut, this argument has always seems SO silly to me.
Impatient kids, I guess, gotta be. I'd as soon reload one mag and in fact that's all I have for my Ruger. Load it at home, load it at the range, it's still got to be loaded. Maybe if you don't like loading mags, you could get a revolver. I have a rimfire revolver I love shooting, too.MCgunner
Member
Bolt on....
MedWheeler
Member
I've had my Ruger MK-II since 1987, and it's always been a hoot. However, I came into possession last year of a Phoenix HP-22A, and I found this cheap, heavy little brick to be as much fun, if not more. Some of these come with an optional longer barrel (I think 4 or 5 inches), but mine didn't. I wouldn't recommend it as an only plinker but, for shooting cans around (watch your backstop) and general field popping, it's neat to have around. The Ruger is the much-better target gun of the two, though.
bigfatdave
Member
MCgunner, I didn't say it was impossible or even all that hard ... but the weaver rail goes on a mkIII in about a minute, how easy is it to bolt on that mount you showed, and did it come in the factory box?
Armored farmer
Member
ruger,
I don't remember when I got it maybe 20 yrs ago. Very accurate, and reliable.
I have hunted, plinked, carried, abused, ignored, and never had it apart to clean it.
(embarrassed to say it, but it's true)
I don't remember when I got it maybe 20 yrs ago. Very accurate, and reliable.
I have hunted, plinked, carried, abused, ignored, and never had it apart to clean it.
(embarrassed to say it, but it's true)
MCgunner
Member
I bought the gun used. The mount, you just drift the rear sight out and it slides into the dovetail and has a set screw to keep it from moving. It's solid and quick and easy. Guy I got it from said the mount was a little over 30 bucks. I was going to take the scope off and put it on a Contender barrel and put the rear sight back on it, maybe ebay the mount. But, then, I shot it with the scope. That ended those thoughts.
This thing groups bulk pack federal into 1" at 50 yards and when I get a chance to chase squirrels again, I think it'll take the place of my rimfire Contender even though the Contender is even more accurate. 1" at 50 is more accurate than my 10/22, after all, which really ain't sayin' much, but still.....bigfatdave
Member
Sounds like a good deal, MCgunner.
The mkIII mount is easier, and doesn't mess with the sights, though.
Of course, the OP may or may not care about optics on a handgun, for me optics are a rarity beyond slapping on a cheapo red-dot sight once in a while.
LHRGunslinger, don't take too much from claims that a Ruger is hard to strip/clean/assemble. After the first few times you'll understand how the internals work together and assembly is quite simple.
Those first 2-3 times can be a threat to sobriety, particularly with a tight new gun or a crusted-up old gun that's never been cleaned.
If you intend to skip cleaning, a mkII doesn't have a loaded chamber indicator to get gummed up and screw up ejection/feeding ... of course neither do my mkIIIs, I removed that useless obstruction to the smooth trading of empty brass for full after I saw how easily it became a liability.
The mkIII mount is easier, and doesn't mess with the sights, though.
Of course, the OP may or may not care about optics on a handgun, for me optics are a rarity beyond slapping on a cheapo red-dot sight once in a while.
LHRGunslinger, don't take too much from claims that a Ruger is hard to strip/clean/assemble. After the first few times you'll understand how the internals work together and assembly is quite simple.
Those first 2-3 times can be a threat to sobriety, particularly with a tight new gun or a crusted-up old gun that's never been cleaned.
If you intend to skip cleaning, a mkII doesn't have a loaded chamber indicator to get gummed up and screw up ejection/feeding ... of course neither do my mkIIIs, I removed that useless obstruction to the smooth trading of empty brass for full after I saw how easily it became a liability.
browningguy
Member
CDNN currently has the Walther P22 M3 Target model on sale for $299, that's a fine shooting pistol for the price.
bigfatdave
Member
P22 or SP22?
The P22 looks like a miniature P99, the SP22 looks like something from a bad sci-fi movie, they are very different guns but I don't think the P22 has variants labeled "M#".
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...&ITATR_list[8]=&ITATR_list[9]=&ITATR_list[0]=
Pick you out a nice one here. I'd stay away from the Taurus and P22 long barrel Walthers. Just about every other one would be a lot of fun. I like that Ruger mod 10132, but it's $471 delivered. Get an Ultimate clip loader and some bricks of .22s and do some shootin'!
Pick you out a nice one here. I'd stay away from the Taurus and P22 long barrel Walthers. Just about every other one would be a lot of fun. I like that Ruger mod 10132, but it's $471 delivered. Get an Ultimate clip loader and some bricks of .22s and do some shootin'!
bigfatdave
Member
I forgot to mention the "target" p22 configuration, I agree with burley, avoid the long p22, the extension adds nothing to functionality but makes cleaning harder and adds the liability of the front sight moving around with every shot.
The short version is cheaper, and swapping for a short barrel made MrsBFD's p22 into a gun we didn't want to get rid of ... that extension was so annoying I was looking for a buyer to take it away at one point.
The short version is cheaper, and swapping for a short barrel made MrsBFD's p22 into a gun we didn't want to get rid of ... that extension was so annoying I was looking for a buyer to take it away at one point.
I wish there were some good current production PP/PPK clones in .22LR. I just think it is a great form factor for throwing in the pocket and heading out on the 4wheeler. The only one I see out there is the Firestorm but don't know much about it. I have a Daewoo DP52 that is fantastic but I only have one mag for it and replecaments are impossible to get.
LHRGunslinger
Member
Please allow me to clarify a few things. I am looking for a NEW firearm. I do not have enough practical experience to be comfortable purchasing a used firearm in a gun shop let alone online. I'm looking for something that's going to cost $400 with taxes, shipping, handling and other costs.
bigfatdave
Member
Huh?
Local gun shops have plenty of .22 target pistols in stock pretty much everywhere, you should NOT have to special order one, and if you do it shouldn't cost extra.
Hit up your local shops (not the national retail chains, the owner operated ones) and handle a big pile of guns, see what you like and don't (take notes!) and if you haven't made a choice after that post back here with what you liked and didn't like and we can offer more constructive information.
Don't be afraid to buy online. It's just like any other online purchase except you pick up your purchase at your LGS (local gun shop). They'll charge another 20 - 30 bucks and that's it after some paperwork. I can understand you being hesitant to use gunbroker and bid on a used gun, but Buds is good to go.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/55875
330 bucks and money left over for transfer fees, a brick of 22s and a holster. It's a stainless steel Ruger, good to go as is or trick it out with aftermarket stuff. One of these is cool too;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAN_v8pDr4w\
You might want to visit http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php and do some lurking there.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/55875
330 bucks and money left over for transfer fees, a brick of 22s and a holster. It's a stainless steel Ruger, good to go as is or trick it out with aftermarket stuff. One of these is cool too;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAN_v8pDr4w\
You might want to visit http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php and do some lurking there.
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bigfatdave
Member
burley, there's nothing wrong with buying online, but local shops have Ruger pistols in stock everywhere, and the OP doesn't even know what he/she wants ... links to Bud's are great for pictures but that's not exactly the best way to pick out an unknown pistol.
You are absolutly right of course. LGSs are great places sometimes. I've been about 50/50, online vs LGS. Sometimes you can save a little dough buying online though and the OP is on a hard limit of 4 bills. I really like my SS Ruger though. This one looks a little funny because it has no sights on it. I have an Ultra Dot Four on the way for it.
LHRGunslinger, let us know what you get and how you like it
LHRGunslinger, let us know what you get and how you like it
gordy
Member
Here is on vote for any of the S&W 22 out there.
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