American-made rifles in .22 long rifle?

[CapnMac]

or look at some old Mossbergs….

My exact thoughts, too.
I'd recommend a Mossberg M44

(except I would not want more competition for the hard-to-find magazines )
The 146B is not a bad rifle--just hard to find on used racks

The Mossberg 340/341 (and 640) series are fine rifles

I'm very cautious about used because when people are selling, it's for a reason

A legit concern. But, people also sell as parts of estates, or needing to move, or for other reasons than "gun is junk."
Now, buying from your Local Gun Shop is supporting hard-pressed Americans (especially when not using a big box store).

 

[.45Coltguy]

I have to admit, I really do like my Anschuetz too,

DM

And a Port sider to boot! Nice

 

[StrawHat]

If you can be patient, scout around for a Springfield Model 1922. One of the nicest rimfire rifles but have not been made since WWII. They are still available and still good shooters.


Kevin

 

[DM~]

I'm starting to realize this. If I don't go American, then I'll look at models such as the Springfield 2020, the CZ457, the Browning T-Bolt, and the Tikka T1x.

The old T-bolts are pretty nice,

but the "new" T-bolts, not so much!

DM

 

[DM~]

Actually, to get away from the rem plastic mag one could try to find a 582.
Removal of the junky rear sight does make for lesser cosmetics

582's are a pretty nice 22,

and they shoot pretty darn good too...

DM

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

If you can be patient, scout around for a Springfield Model 1922. One of the nicest rimfire rifles but have not been made since WWII. They are still available and still good shooters.


Kevin

Excellent rimfires don't get much more 'Murican than a 1922-



Except maybe for a 52 Winchester-



The Winchester has an unfair advantage at range with the big 'ol Unertl up top, but I get pretty much the same tiny little one-hole groups with both out to 50 yards. Can't honestly say one is more accurate than the other. Both have tight chambers and don't like cheap fodder. Both are not great at picking up rounds from the magazines, so I usually single load them.
Got a pile of old Mossbergs, Marlins, Savages, Remingtons, and these 2 crush them all for accuracy.
The only rifle I have that can equal or surpass them is my BSA International- but it's British, lol.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a couple of Ruger American's and they are nice rifles. Not as nice as a CZ or others like that, but nice enough and they shoot great.

This would be a nice addition:

Stocky's Ruger American

And there is always Boyd's.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have a couple of Ruger American's and they are nice rifles. Not as nice as a CZ or others like that, but nice enough and they shoot great.

This would be a nice addition:

Stocky's Ruger American

And there is always Boyd's.

I put my RAR in .22 WMR in a Boyds walnut laminate stock right after I bought it. (The synthetic one just didn’t do much for me.) The new stock certainly improves the look of the gun, and it shoots as well as it did before the swap.



It could be an option for the OP, especially if a used Cooper/Kimber etc. is too $$$.

Stay safe.

 

[CapnMac]

They are still available and still good shooters.

This is very true. They just have a lot of big digits in their price tags anymore.

 

[StrawHat]

Deals can still be found. This is serial number 322 and was built in August 1922.



It is slightly different from when it left the Armory so it does not qualify for what the OP is looking, but it is mine and I like it.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

This is very true. They just have a lot of big digits in their price tags anymore.

Tell me, what good rifle from that era has not appreciated in value?

Kevin

 

[nettlle]

Tell me, what good rifle from that era has not appreciated in value?

Kevin

Times 4.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Tell me, what good rifle from that era has not appreciated in value?

Kevin

I saw a few vintage Mossbergs and store-brand Marlins at the show today for under $300. Condition wasn't perfect, though, and the last few I bought all needed work. By the time you replace the missing sights and swivels, disintigrating trigger guard, cracked butt plate, and maybe a peened firing pin, you've doubled the price of the gun.....

 

[nettlle]

Sometimes when I walk into a Cabela's fine gun room I see some old classics. I think sometimes if only people knew how great these guns looked when they were new instead of the condition they are now.

 

[MOPanfisher]

I have two Ruger 77/22bolt actions, both are clue steel and walnut, one .22 LR and one a 77/22H in .22 Hornet. If you were over I would let you try them. I recently bought a Ruger American Rimfire and really like it and don't worry about dinging up the stock on it.

 

[CraigC]

Got an updated pic of my former LTR. Nodak receiver, Clark barrel, KIDD trigger and factory DSP stock.

 

[ms6852]

A Remington 513T Targetmaster or a 52C Winchester, never realized I don't have a photo of my 513T

 

[CraigC]

And my 77/22 .17HM2 (I call them all 77/22's).

 

[Hookeye]

I still get the urge to build a 1022 on a fingergroove stock. Urban Rifle Supply used to make repro stocks, but that was long ago.

Heck if Ruger made a synth copy id do one.
Think they missed the boat by doing the newer style.

 

[I6turbo]

Another recommendation here for a Winchester 52. I kind of accidentally lucked out when I ended up with the version of the Winchester 52 that I have, a Standard Target model (not as heavy a barrel as the Heavy Target, and a more trim stock that's not as wide in the fore end) from 1938. It also happened to have a Leon Thomas trigger which (contrary to what some internet people say) is just excellent when compared to my several rifles with very nice set triggers, target triggers, etc.

I say that I lucked out because I didn't know all that much about the 52s when I acquired this one, but after I got it I REALLY liked it, so I dug into the history and details of them a lot more. I figured out that this particular version is my favorite of all of the models, so given that it's a somewhat rarer version, I got lucky. It's heavy enough to shoot amazingly good groups consistently, it has outstanding quality of build (like all of them), and happened to come to me with a fantastic trigger. All things considered, it's perhaps my favorite rimfire to shoot among the numerous ones that I have.

I'm also pretty big fan of CZ rifles and handguns as well as their predecessor, BRNO, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend one of those. (Full disclosure, all of my CZ and BRNO rimfires are of the BRNO/452 style, which I prefer to the 455 or 457. I've handled most of the 457 models and I like them, but I just prefer the old-school type of build on the BRNO and 452 guns.) I also admire the Czech Republic as a country. Both of these points factor into my satisfaction with owning a number of CZ handguns and rifles, and not owning some other nice guns from countries that I no longer respect (I'm looking at you, Germany).

 

[ParadiseDweller]

I'm looking for a .22 caliber rifle for casual target shooting. I like the classic look of walnut and blued steel. I'll consider bolt or lever action and semiautomatic, although I'm leaning towards bolt right now. I'd like it to be precise and accurate, of course, but as I said, it's for casual and fun use, not competition, so I don't want something on which I have to do lots of aftermarket modifications. I want it to look a lot like this:
View attachment 1193472
And finally, I'd like it to be American-made. (I'm not crazy about the looks of the Henry models, although I'll consider them if I go lever action.) The photo is of a Browning, and I don't think it's made in the U.S. Can anyone give me some recommendations? Thanks!

Maybe buy a brownells brn22 receiver and build up from there just how you want it. Worked for me. And you can still stay with any woodstock that fits a 10/22 you want. Triggers,barrels, sights,whatever.

 

[CapnMac]

Tell me, what good rifle from that era has not appreciated in value?

Well, at the show yesterday, I saw an M-22, in decent condition, not great, but decent. Price tag: US$1475

Not a 21 overstamped 22, not an M-2, not even exceptional condition.

And, it was the only one there on the 1400 tables.

 

[ECVMatt]

@Riomouse911 -

I love the look of those stocks.

One of my all time favorite rimfire is a Ruger 77/22 Mag VBZ. Mine is super accurate and the perfect weight for hunting.

I just found out that it looks like Ruger has discontinued the 77/rimfire series. That is a shame, but the prices got ridiculous.

I am going to take good care of this one.

 

[StrawHat]

Well, at the show yesterday, I saw an M-22, in decent condition, not great, but decent. Price tag: US$1475

Not a 21 overstamped 22, not an M-2, not even exceptional condition.

And, it was the only one there on the 1400 tables.

The one I show was built in August of 1922, serial number 322.

Prior to my purchase, it was converted to centerfire and chambered for the 22 Hornet. It is a tackdriver with the peep sight but when you put the Litschert on it, WOW!

Kevin

 

[kidneyboy]

I'm starting to realize this. If I don't go American, then I'll look at models such as the Springfield 2020, the CZ457, the Browning T-Bolt, and the Tikka T1x.

At one point I had a CZ 452, An Anschutz 64 (don't remember the model), 2 Bergara's and a Tikka at the same time. The Tikka was the best of the bunch followed by the Bergara B1R. The Annie and CZ, while decent, were distant thirds. Earlier than those I had a Savage bolt action FV-SR that shot as good or better than the CZ and the Annie. Currently I have a Mossberg 144 LSA ($350) that shoots 3/4" groups at 100yards. If I had it years ago I wouldn't have purchased any of the other 22s.