A nice, affordable semi-auto .22lr (No 10/22's)

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SLCDave

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I'm looking for a nice, affordable semi-auto .22lr (I already have a bolt-action) for plinking, possibly hunting small critters, etc. I prefer magazine fed, but I have not ruled out a tube fed version altogether. I am looking for something brand new, so please only suggest models currently in production. Also, please don't suggest a Ruger 10/22. For this discussion, just assume it doesn't exist.

I am looking at either the Marlin 795 or a Savage Model 64 variant, but I'm leaning toward the Marlin. Let's hear your experiences, any pros/cons with either of these models, and what you would pick within these parameters.

Thanks in advance for your input!
 
How about a Marlin 60? Been around as long as the 10/22. Or a CZ 511, rumored to be of high quality just like the other CZ guns.

For a semi-auto 22, I would strongly reccomed a 10/22. Any particular reason why you don't want one?
 
I've always thought the Thompson/Center Benchmark looked nice:
22_Bnchmrk_Buties_wInfo.jpg


I don't have any personal experience with them, though. If you try one, let me know how you like it.
 
I have a few reasons I don't want 10/22's included in the list. There is already a boatload of information floating around on the 10/22, but I want to know what else is out there, and how people like/dislike the alternatives. It's too easy to say "Get a Glock, 10/22, 870, etc.". I understand what the 10/22 is all about, I get it. If it didn't exist, what would you pick, and why?
 
That T/C is a sweet gun, but locally it's about $350 out the door (before sites, rings, glass, etc.), and that's a little more than I want to go for this purchase. I might hold out for one, but let's hear some other suggestions.
 
In order - most desirable first (to me):

1. Marlin 7000 or 795 (same thing as Marlin 60 except detachable instead of tube mag):
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfLoading22wClipMag/index.htm

2. Remington 552 Speedmaster (great because it feeds shorts & longs):
http://www.remington.com/firearms/rimfire/552.htm

3. Savage 64:
http://www.savagearms.com/64fss.htm

4. CZ 511:
http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=53

5.Browning Buckmark rifle (not known for accuracy):
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/category.asp?value=004B

6. The T/Cs are nice too, but I hear they may have feed problems:
http://www.tcarms.com/TC_HTML/TC_Semi01.htm

7. Mossberg has stuck its name on some semi .22 made in south america which goes for $88 plus tax new in Walmart - plastic abounds on it but it probably works.

8. Remington 597 (also many many horror stories of feed/mag problems - wouldn't recommend it):
http://www.remington.com/firearms/rimfire/597.htm

There's others out there too (non-10/22, semi-auto, detachable-mag-fed). Suggest that if you want more detailed info, go here and ask:

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

The only semi .22s I have are a Marlin 60 and an oooold Mossberg 100 - Mossberg & Sons used to have a kajillion good wood & steel semi .22s over the years, as did other makers, so check out pawn shops & gun shows - a few deals exist out there. I sure wouldn't mind getting a few on this list to add to my existing ones, espec the CZ and Rem speedmaster.

On that list the Marlin and Savage (and the Mossberg) meet your "affordable" requirement best.. I kinda like the Marlin 60 over the Marlin 795/7000 because you can get 14+1 rounds between reloads, and if you drop the clip of the 795/7000, it's gonna be harder to find in weeds/grass than if you drop the longer tube mag rod.
 
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I own a savage 64, it's not a bad little rifle. Pretty accurate and they're are some good package deals out there. I got mine with a scope through galleryofguns.com for around $130. The only problem I've noticed is that when the mag gets all fouled from hundreds of rounds the follower tends to stick. I have no experience with any other, but like you I knew I wanted some other than a 10/22.
 
I suggest a Marlin Model 60. Mine was given to me for Christmas when I was 15. It was always surpsisingly accurate and reliable. 15 Years later it finally broke. A VERY low estimate of rounds through the gun would be 40,000 before it gave up the ghost, it may well have been 50,000 plus. I liked that rifle so much that it never lost its appeal and I shot it frequently. I still have it and would like to have it repaired and play with it again.

I also have a beautiful stainless 10/22 but I know you don't want to hear about them. :D

Just my .02 but for around $100.00 +/- you can have a brand new scoped Model 60 and go out and have yourself years of fun! Good luck.
 
I have a "pawn shop" Model 60 with irons that I really really like.

But only for plinking. The fidly bits are put together in a way that doesn't really allow for tinkering or aftermarket parts. The trigger is not great, but not bad, either. I think the tube mag is actually better for just burning through a bulk pack of the cheap stuff knocking over cans and spent 12 ga. shells (your hands don't get as filthy dropping rounds down the tube as they do stuffing them under feed lips, and I'm pretty sure it's actually faster). Even with the iron sights and factory trigger I can get 1-inch groups at 30 or 40 yards--and I suck.

If "plinking" means tight 100-yd. groups to you, you'd be better off with something a little more sophisticated, I guess. But I can't think of a single reason not to own one Model 60.
 
Marlin Model 60

I also vote for the Marlin Model 60. I got one for christmas when I was a young fella and hunted many a rabbit with it. The gun actually was given to my father when he was young. So thousands of rounds later and it's still a sweet little plinking rifle. I actually like it better than "the rifle we aren't allowed to discuss".
 
oops, speedmaster doesn't meet your requirement of detachable mag - doh. :banghead: Good gun though.
 
my 2 cents...

I have a Ruger 10/22 & a marlin 795. it took about $275 to get the ruger to be a shooter. The marlin 795 took about $28 for a cheap scope and some old rings i had around to make it a great shooter for me. Marlins are far superior to many other higher price guns for out of the box accuracy. Its a light little gun that can be carried all day with ease. Mine likes Winchester Dynapoints at $10 per 500 rnds or the CCI mini-mag HP. heck, it'll probably shoot whatever i put through it. i just avoid crap like remingtons.

The only thing to note about the 795 marlin is to not rely all the time on the last shot bolt hold open feature, sometimes it dont work. but for the price of the gun, youre gonna get a real good shooter. If you have a Gander Mountain near you they sell a 795 with a Bariska (right name?) scope on it for $129 or so, great deal. then go to a walmart and pick up a box or two of the winchester dynapoints, you'll have it made! Good luck! -Eric
 
I am also looking for a semi-auto .22LR, and also (for political reasons) the ubiquitous 10/22 is not an option.

I am leaning heavily towards the Remington 597, it appears to have gotten a bad rep on everything except the magazines, which have been redesigned.

Check out Rimfire Central's Remington page.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=21



An a separate note, I am having the same dilemna with a .22LR pistol. Once again, in a perfect world, I would buy a Ruger Mark II, but even if they still made it, it would not be an option.

I have tested the S&W, but didn't care for it, the Walther P22 is considered an "Assault Weapon" here in Cali, and I want a dedicated pistol, not a conversion kit for a 1911, etc.
 
I've read a lot of threads at rimefirecentral. There's a lot of good info over there. I just wanted to pick the brains of folks here.
 
My favorite 22 pistol is my Kimber Rimfire Super. It's not a conversion kit -- it's a complete dedicated 22LR pistol. It happens to be a full size 1911. The top end is probably not much different than the conversion kits, but it comes fitted to a dedicated all-aluminum frame. It is exactly the same size and feel as a full size .45ACP 1911, but it is a lot lighter, recoil is almost nothing and it shoots cheap ammo. 15 round aluminum mags are available for it from Ciener. It was a little pricey, but it's a ton of fun and I've found that it is my favorite gun for beginning shooters.
 
I cast another vote for the CZ... an affordable option with a rep for accuracy out of the box.
 
Mossberg has a new .22LR called the "Plinkster", less than $100 at almost any Wally World (Wal-mart). A lot of plastic, but seems reasonably made.

Marlin is always a good buy.

Haven't seen a new Remington lately.
 
CZ is, like the T/C, about $350 OTD locally, but I think it at least has sites on it. Maybe an option, like the T/C, but more than I planned on spending.
 
As far as the Mossberg goes, I'm not ruling out ever owning one again, but they rubbed me the wrong way at one point. Not enough for me to swear off them totally, but I'm not jumping back on that brand for a while.
 
No Brakes (& others)....if they re-designed the mag on the Rem 597 then that might not be a bad way to go. Still, it's more money for I'm-not-sure-what than the Marlins or Savages.

Yes, I noticed in my NRA magazine that Calif first put the P22 pistol on the approved list, then arbitrarily just took it off. Grrrrr.
 
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