22lr pocket plinker
- Thread starter couldbeanyone
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Ghost Tracker
Member
Dang, you've broken two notoriously rugged guns. If you're not completely soured on Rugers, I agree with some previous posts & suggest you try the new .22 LCR. If you break it, take up bowling (but be gentle with the equipment).
BCRider
Member
I was thinking more along the line of sand castle building....
Sorry CBA, the devil made me say that....
rodinal220
Member
Another vote for the S&W 2214.
Confederate
Member
I don't think any pocket pistol will go 50,000 rounds, but pocket guns aren't usually used for plinking. Ruger certainly has a reputation for making durable pistols, but their LCR and LCP guns have not been adequately proven as yet. I think you should look carefully at the LCR, Ruger's revolver. They have excellent actions as well.
If you can buy a good used Beretta 70S, that's an outstanding pistol. I had mine hard chromed by Mahovsky's refinishing. (Great pricing, too--plugola!)
If you can buy a good used Beretta 70S, that's an outstanding pistol. I had mine hard chromed by Mahovsky's refinishing. (Great pricing, too--plugola!)
BCRider
Member
WOW! Confederate, that is a great looking small gun ! ! ! ! I wish I were able to buy such a thing in .22LR or .308. Sadly such guns fall into our Prohibited category so they can't be imported and only the folks that have been long time gun owners can own such guns of this sort that were already in the country at the passing of the law back in '95.
I think you're underestimating the life span of even a small gun though. With the lower recoil impulse there's no reason at all why the metals in such guns won't easily last just as long as their bigger brothers in heavier calibers. That Beretta of yours should easily last as long as a 92fs with no greater number of usual parts replacements.
The bigger issue is that many small "mouse" guns are NOT made with the same quality of metals as their bigger brothers. But I'd expect companies such as Beretta would not stoop that low.
Oddly enough .22's are so popular that even many of the smaller mouse size or near mouse size guns from the major makers are again made from materials that will live to meet the 50K lifespan IMO. For example that little 2214 noted earlier which is based on the 422 and 2206.
I think you're underestimating the life span of even a small gun though. With the lower recoil impulse there's no reason at all why the metals in such guns won't easily last just as long as their bigger brothers in heavier calibers. That Beretta of yours should easily last as long as a 92fs with no greater number of usual parts replacements.
The bigger issue is that many small "mouse" guns are NOT made with the same quality of metals as their bigger brothers. But I'd expect companies such as Beretta would not stoop that low.
Oddly enough .22's are so popular that even many of the smaller mouse size or near mouse size guns from the major makers are again made from materials that will live to meet the 50K lifespan IMO. For example that little 2214 noted earlier which is based on the 422 and 2206.
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couldbeanyone
Member
Confederate,
WOW, is right, WOW. That Beretta is gorgeous in hard chrome. Anybody know what is a fair price for one of these? How much to hard chrome?
WOW, is right, WOW. That Beretta is gorgeous in hard chrome. Anybody know what is a fair price for one of these? How much to hard chrome?
BCRider
Member
And on top of it all hard chroming should ensure an even LONGER life for the chromed parts. On the other hand the non chromed barrel may wear out after up around 100000 rounds...
A guy locally had a CZ75b hard chromed and it has the same nice "dot'y" texture that Confederate's gun has. It's a nice look to my mind. The slide and frame rails had to be relieved by a couple of thou to make room for the coming chrome. The rails were then honed by some means to dress the chrome and give a smoother sliding surface but with enough of the surface texture dimples remaining to provide literally hundreds or thousands of little oil reservoirs in the surface of the rails.
Of course the amount of prep of this sort is dependent on the chrome buildup. You'd want to work with your plater on such things and get their ideas.
A guy locally had a CZ75b hard chromed and it has the same nice "dot'y" texture that Confederate's gun has. It's a nice look to my mind. The slide and frame rails had to be relieved by a couple of thou to make room for the coming chrome. The rails were then honed by some means to dress the chrome and give a smoother sliding surface but with enough of the surface texture dimples remaining to provide literally hundreds or thousands of little oil reservoirs in the surface of the rails.
Of course the amount of prep of this sort is dependent on the chrome buildup. You'd want to work with your plater on such things and get their ideas.
igousigloo
Member
might try a pocket rocket but I am not sure how long the rubberbands are guaranteed for!
usp9
Member
The small pocketable .22s I've had and recommend include the;
Walther PPK/S - very nice, high quality, high price.
Walther TPH - loved it but you had a bad experience.
Beretta 948 - very nice gun, tiny sights but accurate.
Daewoo DP52 - the best, hard to find but worth the money.
Bersa T22 - a compromise of quality versus cost. Good sights.
Any one of these should fit the bill.
Walther PPK/S - very nice, high quality, high price.
Walther TPH - loved it but you had a bad experience.
Beretta 948 - very nice gun, tiny sights but accurate.
Daewoo DP52 - the best, hard to find but worth the money.
Bersa T22 - a compromise of quality versus cost. Good sights.
Any one of these should fit the bill.
Smith and Wesson model 61-3, pocket pistol 6 rounds and fits in the palm of your hand.
The 61 models are under barrel pistols and contrary to popular belief i've never had a malfunction in a thousand rounds or so. Check out Gun Broker I think you'll like what you see!
The 61 models are under barrel pistols and contrary to popular belief i've never had a malfunction in a thousand rounds or so. Check out Gun Broker I think you'll like what you see!
Coyote3855
Member
If it weren't for bad luck, you wouldn't have any. I have old model Single Six and Bearcat. I bought the SS in 1960. It was carried daily on our ranch in harsh conditions, still going strong. I won't hazard a guess on how many rounds, but many thousands The Bearcat is newer to me, but probably 10,000 rounds without a problem. I did wear out a pair of .45 Ruger Vaqueros. The hammer plunger spring broke on both after 10 years of heavy use in Cowboy Action competition. Sounds like the same problem as your SS, maybe.
I am not questioning your credibility, but it seems very strange that two Rugers would go south after 1000 rounds. I also have an NAA mini, no problems with it either.
I am not questioning your credibility, but it seems very strange that two Rugers would go south after 1000 rounds. I also have an NAA mini, no problems with it either.
Dnaltrop
Member
Good thread with good timing...
My eldest is turning 10 in March, and has told me bluntly that she doesn't want a rifle for her birthday, so instead It's time to buy a .22 pistol for myself that I'll transfer to her when she shows me her CHL card as an adult ( I'm going to pay for it of course!)
I feel the thread regarding wives/girlfriends applies, MOSTLY when buying a gun for a child who has moved from a bolt action and light semi-auto .22 rifles, but you have to herd them to a few purpose specific guns, suitable for proper education. Meaning she needs to learn how to manipulate a hammer, and (probably) a thumb safety, and develop the strength to do so safely.
The Semi auto Rugers were a bit heavy for her, as was the single six. (she should tough it out and get stronger honestly) but the Bersa .22 was about right for her grip. She didn't like the Bearcats on touch alone.
I prefer a heavy revolver for myself, but I'm leaning towards the Bersa for her honestly, as long as it's comfortable to her, and is hammer-operated I'll be Ok with it as long as she's still enjoying trips to the range with me. Nice to see a few good words on that pistol.
She can buy simpler guns when she's an adult herself.
My eldest is turning 10 in March, and has told me bluntly that she doesn't want a rifle for her birthday, so instead It's time to buy a .22 pistol for myself that I'll transfer to her when she shows me her CHL card as an adult ( I'm going to pay for it of course!)
I feel the thread regarding wives/girlfriends applies, MOSTLY when buying a gun for a child who has moved from a bolt action and light semi-auto .22 rifles, but you have to herd them to a few purpose specific guns, suitable for proper education. Meaning she needs to learn how to manipulate a hammer, and (probably) a thumb safety, and develop the strength to do so safely.
The Semi auto Rugers were a bit heavy for her, as was the single six. (she should tough it out and get stronger honestly) but the Bersa .22 was about right for her grip. She didn't like the Bearcats on touch alone.
I prefer a heavy revolver for myself, but I'm leaning towards the Bersa for her honestly, as long as it's comfortable to her, and is hammer-operated I'll be Ok with it as long as she's still enjoying trips to the range with me. Nice to see a few good words on that pistol.
She can buy simpler guns when she's an adult herself.
No direct experiance with one yet, but I plan on buying a Ruger LCR 22 as soon as I can scare up the funds. I understand Ruger has run one of the LCR's in .38 for over 10,000 rounds so I'm guessing 50k out of the rimfire should be well within the realm of possibility.
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
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I have one of the Bersa .22s, and it's a joy to shoot. Just hope you don't get one that's too finicky (mine doesn't seem to be).
I heard they had a run of tight bores in the last year or so, but I think that issue has been cleared up.
Seems like almost all of them like CCI Mini Mags, so you can pretty much count on those. Most like Blazers, too. They like to be run hot, evidently. Strangely, mine loves Remington Golden Bullet. Some guns are reported to "break in" and like ammo they didn't after awhile.
I heard they had a run of tight bores in the last year or so, but I think that issue has been cleared up.
Seems like almost all of them like CCI Mini Mags, so you can pretty much count on those. Most like Blazers, too. They like to be run hot, evidently. Strangely, mine loves Remington Golden Bullet. Some guns are reported to "break in" and like ammo they didn't after awhile.
Jim PHL
Member
I recently bought a Beretta "Bobcat" model 21a. It's .22lr, a fun plinker and fits in a pocket.
exavid
Member
I'm looking for a Ruger SR22P. My LGS got in five of them and sold them in two days before I could see one. They have 11 more coming so I hope to get a look at one next week. Going by pictures and a couple of reviews they look pretty good and are a lot smaller and lighter than my Buckmark.
http://gunblast.com/Ruger-SR22P.htm
http://gunblast.com/Ruger-SR22P.htm
woad_yurt
Member
How about an old H&R? There are scads of 'em on Gunbroker for cheap and they're built like an old Buick. All of the following are from the early '50s. I have a 6" 922 that I got for $50 but it's so ugly I never thought about photos. It has not one spec of bluing left but, still, it works as well as the rest, which is to say, perfectly.
$100 H&R 922 snubbie:
$59 4" H&R 922:
$200 H&R 922 Camper:
$100 H&R 922 snubbie:
$59 4" H&R 922:
$200 H&R 922 Camper:
Dr_B
member
As someone already posted, the S & W 2213 or 2214 are good options. I've had one of each in the past and they were excellent small .22's.
aaronu
Member
I guess my definition of pocket gun is a bit different. I wouldn't consider a Bearcat a pocket gun.
I second the suggestion of a Beretta Bobcat 21A. Very pocket friendly and well made.
If you want something a bit larger, what about some of the older .22 semiautos? I have a 4" barrel High Standard that never seems to stop, and it is super easy to field strip.
As for NAA -- I like them quite a bit and have owned one for years now. When it was a year or so old, the mainspring broke and needed replacing. Also the cylinder can get out of time and bind up the gun when you try to cock the hammer. On the other hand my experience with the NAA Guardians is that they are drop dead reliable. Too bad there is no .22LR Guardian.
I second the suggestion of a Beretta Bobcat 21A. Very pocket friendly and well made.
If you want something a bit larger, what about some of the older .22 semiautos? I have a 4" barrel High Standard that never seems to stop, and it is super easy to field strip.
As for NAA -- I like them quite a bit and have owned one for years now. When it was a year or so old, the mainspring broke and needed replacing. Also the cylinder can get out of time and bind up the gun when you try to cock the hammer. On the other hand my experience with the NAA Guardians is that they are drop dead reliable. Too bad there is no .22LR Guardian.
PT92
Member
I gotta tell you I agree with this
. For a sub-$200 pistol, you can't beat it (though I do like the PT-22/25's as well). The little Phoenix rocks (good review for what it's worth in guntests ragazine as well).-Cheers
The Phoenix HP22 is a decent little pocket gun but will not hold up to frequent use. Mine cracked the frame on the left side of the mag well about 3k-3.5k rounds in. I never changed the flimsy recoil spring though, it probably would have lasted longer if I had.
Props to Phoenix's service though, I sent in the HP22 and they sent me a brand new one with an extra magazine.
Props to Phoenix's service though, I sent in the HP22 and they sent me a brand new one with an extra magazine.
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