A quality sportster style .22LR semi-auto that is not Ruger/Marlin/Winchester/Savage?

[HP-Sauce]

I am looking for a fun gun for the range that handle nice and mostly for introducing non-shooter friends to the sport. I already have bolt-action CZ452 and buckmark pistol to compliment the semi-auto.

It seems the offerings from Ruger/Marlin/Winchester/Savage dominates the .22LR semi-auto scene.

Are there other quality sportster style .22LR semi-auto that are worth considering?

 

[rcmodel]

If you mean quality?

Then you are talking about an old Winchester 63.

Or a brand new Browning SA-22.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=022B

There is nothing else much in the same class.

rc

 

[MachIVshooter]

Well, I like my Remington 597 VTR

 

[rcmodel]

That's not in the same quality class with a high quality Browning SA-22!

rc

 

[chicharrones]

Yeah, but RC . . . you went above class with the Browning when you compare to the Ruger, Marlin, and Savage.

The Remington 597 ain't so bad. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/rimfire/model-597/model-597-tvp.aspx

 

[chicharrones]

Hey, HP. Since you have a CZ, how about another?

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-512-22-lr-semi-automatic5-rd-mag/

 

[Skylerbone]

The now discontinued Thompson Center R55 and CZ 512 are worth considering IMO but 100 years of proven history makes the SA-22 my top pick as well. They really are worth every dime and then some. Magnum Research, Volquartsen, Feddersen and a few others produce 10/22 clones but aren't exactly Rugers.

 

[9mmepiphany]

ANSCHÜTZ MSR RX 22

 

[Jim Watson]

The original Weatherby XXII automatic is a nice rifle. Superceded by the bolt action of the same designation, really an Anschutz in a Weatherby stock, but you can find the autos on the secondary market.

Not a deluxe gun, but you shouldn't pass up a chance at a Remington 552. The older 550 is a well built gun but the floating chamber is said not to be good for accuracy.

There was a short run of Miroku-made "Winchester" Model 63s.

 

[Elkins45]

Browning makes a nice one.T/C did as well, but I don't know if it's still being made.

 

[adobewalls]

I have always been partial to these:

Remington 552 Speedmaster

Shoots any flavor of .22 less than the .22 Magnum.

 

[OldBrownDog]

Thompson/Center .22 Classic (R55). It's a great rifle. I have one myself because I didn't want a .22 semi just like everyone else's. They're a great rifle and mine is a 'never sell'. Of course, a Browning SA-22 is on my someday list too...

 

[Sav .250]

Those you listed "dominate " for a reason. There good.

Sure you get find others but what`s your point ?

 

[Onmilo]

Browning Auto 22

 

[highpower]

What's wrong with a 10-22? They largely dominate the market for a very good reason. The other ones aren't bad either.

 

[HP-Sauce]

Those you listed "dominate " for a reason. There good.



Sure you get find others but what`s your point ?

I see you point, and I agree they delivers value for money. However we all have our quirks and like to look for something a little different. After all we don't all drive Toyota Camry.

 

[BCRider]

I know that you asked about semi auto. But if you're looking at something different than a bolt gun what about a lever or pump action? A Henry lever rifle won't break the bank and there's some good used options for pump action around.

I find that with rimfire especially having to do some sort of operation to chamber the round adds to the experience. After all it's not like there's a lot of kick to giggle over. So operating some form of slick handling action takes the place of a big kick.

 

[Skylerbone]

The Marlin Model 60 has far outsold the Ruger 10/22 and its reason for "market domination" is simple, it's cheap. If you find a T/C, inspect the chamber for damage as they were prone to chipping, which will sometimes lead to repair, which can be good or bad.

Mossberg also produced some real sleepers back when which, if you don't mind the chase, hunting down obscure parts and the like, make for very accurate iron that isn't run of the mill. I really enjoy hunting down old .22s for project rifles and find satisfaction in seeing what a sub-$100 gun can do.

 

[Odd Job]

If the Thompson Center was still being produced I would say get that, they are great rifles.

If you send a faulty T/C Classic back to Smith and Wesson, they will honour the life time warranty by replacing it with an S&W 15/22 which is nothing like a T/C classic. That's their preferred strategy, there is no guarantee they can repair your rifle because they rely heavily on cannabalised parts from other T/C classics or R55s that have been handed in on a warranty replacement.

You can get new magazines online and there are some springs available on the Numrich website.

What you can't get:

1) Firing pin
2) Extractor
3) Receiver screws
4) Various other components such as a the recoil guide plate and barrel studs

I've sourced some trigger group screws, trigger plate screws and barrel stud grub screws here in the UK but the receiver screws I ended up having them custom made.

So yes, the T/C semi-autos are good, in fact VERY good but you risk having a lot of headaches if something goes wrong or needs to be replaced.

I have two R55 Benchmarks here in the UK. I am slowly building up a collection of spares, but it is a much more expensive proposition than if I had two Ruger Target rifles.

Here's one of my R55s:

 

[CB900F]

HP;

I'll cast a second vote for the CZ512. Since you've got a 452, you should have a pretty good idea of what you'd be getting. Go over to the rimfire central site & ask around about problems/quality if you care to. I don't have a 512, but do have other CZ's & hang out there myself, though I kinda tend to ignore the 512 threads. Haven't heard of much complaining though.

900F

 

[earplug]

Check out the Browning Buckmark rifle. It uses the same magazines and the buckmark pistol. Some local shooters like them for steel challenge games.

 

[shockwave]

The Ruger 10/22 is such a great platform because, like an AR, you can replace almost every part of it to built a weapon to your specifications.

 

[Manny]

I've heard the Browning BAR .22 has an exceptional reputation for fine accuracy. I found one for sale used at Gander Mountain, but with with rust damage. They still wanted ~ $350 or so IIRC and I just wasn't willing to buy one in that condition for that money. It was a full size rifle and I really liked it. maybe one day...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

What's wrong with a 10-22? They largely dominate the market for a very good reason. The other ones aren't bad either.

Outta the box trigger and accuracy are at the top of my list.

 

[seuadr]

I'm going to second the henry comment.. new shooters will LOVE a lever gun and getting to be a cowboy.

If it has to be a semi, and different norinco/international makes one..