best $300 22lr pistol

[257WM_CDL-SF]

Id like to get some type of a 22 pistol for target and home defense.What is a good pistol in the 300$ range

 

[rfurtkamp]

Second, .22 for home defense isn't particularly wise. There's a reason centerfire ammunition is used in serious defensive and hunting calibers - and it's reliable ignition.

You're looking for a 'one size fits all' solution, based on price alone. That's rarely a recipe for success.

That said, if you're positively stuck on this idea and budget, go .22 revolver. At least then you'll generally be able to make a second or third or fourth shot after the first round fails to ignite.

 

[Justin]

.22's are absolutely inadequate for home defense, they are low power, and more likely to fail than centerfire guns, unless you're shooting premium ammunition like Eley.

However, for competition, practice, plinking, and general fun, you can't beat them. For $300, you should be able to find an adequate one. The most popular models are the Ruger Mk. II and III, and Browning Buckmark models.

 

[DiverDown]

Personally I wouldn't go below a .380 for self defense.
My wife carries a Beretta .380, 13rds loaded with Hydra-Shoks.
Look into good used guns or maybe lay-a-way.

In my home we have several firearms
but what I grab when I hear something outside is a Street Howitzer
(Short double barrel shotgun.)

 

[wnycollector]

+1 on .22 not the best choice for home defense. That being said, ruger mkII's are wonderful range guns!

Here are a few very good inexpensive choice's for a HD pistol http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=145069281 Used beretta 96d .40...$240!

or this ruger 944 .40 for $200 http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=144884100

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

You can get a used Glock 17 for around $389. Then you can get a .22 conversion kit for it later and have the best of both worlds. http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9102875&oh=

 

[searcher451]

Not to start a caliber war here; and mindful of the original poster's question in this thread; and mindful, too, that better calibers certainly exist for self defense, it's still worth mentioning that the lowly and oft-criticized .22 round can do the job.

In 2007 and again in 2008 in Finland, 18 people were killed in total in two separate school shootings. The guns used were a SIG Mosquito .22 and a Walther/Umarex P22. The shooter in the Virginia Tech massacre also used a P22 as one of two weapons. The High Road Forum carried a news story and lots of discussion a couple of years back about a retired pastor who used a P22 to kill a would-be robber during a home invasion, IIRC.

Were it me, I'd look for a used Ruger Mark series or Browning Buck Mark pistol; you can't beat the quality and reliability.

 

[chris in va]

But...while 22 can certainly be lethal, it has nearly zero 'stopping power'. Most victims simply bleed out later on.

 

[bang_bang]

If the closest gun I can reach in a HD situation is a .22lr...then that's the one I'm using to send a wall of lead toward the attacker.

Aside from the Ruger and Browning, the S&W 22A is a nice shooter. It's probably the cheapest by around $25 NIB compared to the other 2. Mine works well, very accurate.

 

[kwelz]

If you can find one, how about a Sig P6

 

[dondavis3]

Here's a good .22 for plinking :

It's a Browning Buck Mark - costs around $275.



I wouldn't trust any rim fire gun for self or home defense.

S&W has a sale on their Sigma line of guns in 9MM & .40 Cal for $275 with a $50 mail in rebate = $225 my son bought one Saturday:



If you want to carry concealled carry - the Ruger LCP in the .380 cal is a Excellent choice.



All three of these guns fill your $300 target.

Good luck in your search.

 

[kmrcstintn]

Smith & Wesson Sigma's are becoming prolific since they show up for @ $300 to $350 NIB; only drawback is heavy and long trigger dynamics; trolling your local shops for used semiautomatics and revolvers in very good shape and mechanically sound condition is time consuming but often yields great results; nice to see someone else that likes .257 caliber longguns (I derive that you have a .257 Weatherby Mag; I have a .25-06 that I enjoy more with each range session)

 

[Fremmer]

I'd consider a S&W .22 revolver, except I just did a quick price check and you don't have the cash for that. Maybe a used .22 revolver?

If you want the semi, go with the Buckmark.

Also consider a Rifle chambered in .22 LR; it will provide better velocity with a longer barrel, and it'll be a lot of fun for target practice.

Edited to add:

I have a .25-06 that I enjoy more with each range session

What's the recoil like compared to the .243?

 

[Oro]

For a simple HD gun under the $300 sticker price, I routinely only see two steady options:

1) Police turn-in semiautos like the S&W 910s, etc. in 9mm - usually from J&G Sales and similar wholesalers/dealers.

2) Police/security guard/c.o. turn-ins of S&W Model 10s, 64s, etc., in .38 Special usually starting under $200. J&G has a huge selection of these now, too.

Places to shop include J&G, CDNN, SOG, etc.

 

[MADDOG]

Another vote for the Ruger MK II. Later on you can buy a gun for self defense.

 

[ccsniper]

The most popular models are the Ruger Mk. II and III

+ a million!!!

most of you guys who say a .22 is inadequate don't know if he has a rabid squirrel problem, them rabid squirrels are dangerous

Seriously I prefer a bigger bullet at a faster velocity something like a 180 grain .40 cal bullet moving at 1100fps. I think you should check out used revolvers or used centerfire pistol for defense. But you could get heritage rough riders in .22/.22 mag for around 200 NIB.

http://www.heritagemfg.com/site/ind...c858c4eed-B17440D3-E4BE-047D-22884E92A371F364

 

[dom1104]

I agree with most everything everyone has said

I would say, get the .22. You chance of having fun with the gun, then eventually getting something with more power is a LOT greater than ever needing it for home defense.


Priority number 1 is having fun. specially when you are just starting out.

And if you actually DO need to use it, the .22 is a LOT better than a sharp stick, and will get the job done. 40 grains at 1400 fps is nothing to snort at.

But yeah, go for fun and economy first.

 

[usp9]

But...while 22 can certainly be lethal, it has nearly zero 'stopping power'. Most victims simply bleed out later on.

I quess I'll have to disagree with the "zero 'stopping power' " comment. Watch the Reagan assasination vid to see the lowly .22lr stops three grown men in their tracks, down on the ground and out. The forth almost done in by a ricochet. I do not underestimate what a .22lr can do.

To stay under $300 I'd recommend the Beretts NEOS or a used Buckmark.

 

[vow]

You couldn't go wrong with a Ruger MK II or III. And take what you read about stopping power with a grain of salt. Who says you have to fire only one round, keep squeezing that sucker till it's empty or the threat stops. You have to play the hand you got. vow

 

[jon_in_wv]

The Bersa .380 is very popular. I bought a FEG PJK-9PH a while back for about 225. It is a great copy of the Browning HP. Mine shoots like crazy. Another great option is the Makarov. Its also a great shooter.

 

[CWL]

Not to start a caliber war here; and mindful of the original poster's question in this thread; and mindful, too, that better calibers certainly exist for self defense, it's still worth mentioning that the lowly and oft-criticized .22 round can do the job.

Searcher451,
You are not taking into account that a SD/HD gun needs to be of an effective-enough caliber to stop the assault, presumably against another armed person(s).

The examples you list are instances of planned murder against unarmed people, not against other armed people intent on doing harm to you and your family.

For home defense, you want as big a caliber as possible for better chances to stop an assault, especially since you don't need to carry the weapon.

For $300, I'd prefer a 12ga shotgun followed by a used Ruger or Glock in 9mm.

 

[tkopp]

I'll echo CWL.

$300 gets you a bottom-rung defensive pistol or a smooth as butter 70s or 80s 870 Wingmaster and a couple cases of defensive ammo.

For $300 you could also get a Tokarev and some ammo (about $250 for the tok after shipping and transfer, then $50 for ammo to practice) but the rounds don't expand and are even smaller than a 9mm. Plus the trigger's heavy, which can be challenging for a beginner.

The current S&W Sigmas, I've heard, are a great value for what they offer. No experience there though.

You could get a high point pistol and a truckload of ammo, but they're so bulky you might as well get the universally acclaimed carbine.

Speaking of which, you could get a Universal M1 Carbine for about $300. I got mine for just under that.

I suppose the point of this ramble is; for home defense on a tight budget, why a pistol? Long guns are less expensive, more powerful, and thanks to a shoulder stock and longer sight radius easier to aim under stress to those without as much training. Plus, if you had to, most can be employed out to 100 yards. Not that home defense happens at those ranges, but still

For a trainer, I do love the idea of a .22, but that's really not what you asked for.

 

[makarovnik]

S&W Sigmas can be had for around $300 (or less I've heard) new with the $50 rebate.

 

[benzy2]

Honestly buy what you want first. If you can only afford one pistol and you want it to be .22lr I would rather grab it and a couple loaded 10 round mags than nothing. It is far from ideal but it is sure better than nothing. A friend died from a .22lr. He was shot through the right shoulder, passed through his heart, and lodged in his left shoulder. He was dead almost instantly. While it may be a rare occasion and certainly doesn't have the energy or wound channel of other rounds it is a HELL of a lot better than nothing. Ask any of these people who claim the .22lr to be far too weak to aim at a person if they would mind standing on the other end of one and see how many volunteers you get.

 

[Dazen]

You cant go wrong with any Ruger Mark I, II, or III. The same goes for any of the Browning Buck Mark pistols too. If a .22 pistol is what you are looking for I would choice one of those two.