Cheap .22lr auto

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I'm looking for a cheap, .22 semiauto for fun plinking use.
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There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

You can lay down $79 for a Bryco, Jennings, Hi-Point, Davis, Raven, Lorcin and take your chances but you will make a better investment by finding a good used Ruger or Browning for $150 to $225 and you will never part with it.
 
A Ruger is certainly about best bet - not cheapest of all but - reliable usually and accurate.

I do have a Phoenix HP-22 .... much cheaper but - for me only a fun gun . . would never place high reliance on it - pure range plinker!
 
The previous posts are all good advice. There are a vast number of high quality, major brand .22 handguns out there that can be had new for under $400 (much less in most cases - and especially if you look for used major brands).

Personally, I think a .22 is one caliber of handgun you should look for maximum quality in. .22's are inexpensive, comfortable & fun to shoot. Which means you will literally shoot hundreds of .22's compared to tens of centerfire rounds through similar handguns. So in the long run you are going to want something that is durable, accurate, reliable and smooth to shoot. Ruger, Browning, S&W, Beretta - all the traditional established makers - are going to offer high quality .22 handguns at reasonable prices.

I happen to prefer Ruger .22's - but just because I've been a satisfied user of them for about 30 years.
 
I can't argue against any of the other suggestions already made. I personally just picked up a gently used Ruger 22/45 5-1/2" for $169 and I'm VERY happy with it. I've had a MKII Gov't 6-7/8 for 18 years, so I had an idea what I was getting into.

You may also want to look at the Bersa .22. Built just like the .380 that's winning accolades wherever you look, and can also be picked up for around $200 new.
 
The S&W Model 22A is another one to look at. And it's real easy to strip to clean.

-Bill
 
I've only owned two brands of 22 auto's. First a Browning, then a Ruger. In my case, I owned the Browning about 48 hours and traded it back to the gun store. Now, I have the Ruger 22/45. She's tough, accurate and not too expensive. I should say, that Browning makes a good firearm. I really didn't research the gun. In fact, at the time, I wasn't a member of this forum. Wasn't able to ask questions and opinions about the gun. So, I ended up buying one that was not accurate and the feel was not right for me.
 
Used: Browning Buckmark, Ruger MkI or II, Iver Johnson Trailsman (Colt Woodsman copy), or any number of the European brands like Star F-series, Beretta 70, etc., that've been imported in large numbers over the years. A browse through the aisles of about any gun show should provide lots of affordable options.

The Beretta 'Neos' is about the least expensive NIB option I can think of at the moment. I picked one up with the short barrel, SS, for $239 OTD. Included two mags, nice case, ambi safety, and integral optics mount. There are a number of grip and front sight options available from the factory and some of the larger retailers now, and more in the works. There's even a carbine conversion. All are easily installed by the user with no fitting required.

Ours has been perfectly reliable and is slicking up nicely with use. Good basic plinker/trail/camp gun for the money, IMO.
 
FWIW, I have a Phoenix HP22 that I bought used. It's a beater gun that I've never cleaned, and I'm sure I've put at least 4000 rounds through it.

It has never hiccupped. Amazing.
 
Walther p22's are pretty good option too,
but start off with a ruger. used all over the place less than two hundred.
accurate, functional, reliable.
all steel too for a real one. I do wish the 22 45 had a steel grip frame.
 
Rugers would be the best bet in a quality .22 firearm. And they're "relatively" cheap for a semi-auto handgun.

The P22 would fit your plinking needs.


But I've found the MOST FUN .22 autoloader is........ a Marvel Converted .22 1911. Pure bliss! :D
 
I love my Beretta Neos. Very reliable and the trigger is amazing after fluffing and buffing. Short pull, and it breaks at 4 pounds, 4 ounces. I could polish it more, or go to lighter springs if I wanted it lighter.
 
go rent some at a range, try them out and spend 150 or so on a used, good quality unit that you've tried and like.
 
Ruger

I have a Ruger MKII 5 1/2" bull barrel that I put a red dot sight on years ago. I have over 10,000 rounds through it! It can be finicky with Lightening ammo sometime but I am sure that it is probably in need of a good cleaning (eats Wildcats all day long) Great gun, just about any new shooter will hit the target the first time. Just stay away from aftermarket magazines. I had two that worked okay for a while and then just quit.

I also have the HP22 with both barrels. I haven't shot it since it was back to the factory for an upgrade. The @#%* firing pin safety :cuss: would reset itself after every shot. I am not sure why the felt that they needed to put so many safeties on that little gun. Because of that I never really shot it.
 
But, what about the Browning BuckMark's?
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I have had my Buck Mark Camper for two months. I have only recently started having issues with double feeds (happened twice already). Also, my mag keeps dropping down upon my last shot (fairly often over last few range trips).

Switched mags and it still does it. Cleaned it and it still does it. Will give it few more range trips and possibly switch ammo (currently Federal; Blazer might be next) before considering sending it back to Browning. If anybody else has/had this issue, please advise.
 
Oh, got so caught-up with my Buck Mark's issues ... I just wanted to say that it has otherwise been a pleasure thus far. It was my first gun and was definitely worth the $200 I paid for it. However, a Sig Mosquito looks like a tempting replacement once available. :evil:
 
I have a little Taurus PT22 that works well. But it's more of a carry gun than a long range target gun like some of the others. It's pretty cheap, though...

tauruspt224jt.jpg
 
P95Carry...out of curiosity, how has your Pheonix held up? I had one with the "range kit" after a few mags of regualr remington 22.lr ammo it would blow the hammer clean off. It did it 3 times before I got rid of it. I liked the gun, it felt good and seemed to be ok quality for the sub $100 it was. I sent it back to Phoneix each time, they repaired it without question and sent back an extra mag every time too.



Travis
 
tmacie - well seems to have OK so far except ... had not had it all that long when mag release button came adrift. I was loathe to go to trouble of returning it and so reassembled and carefully peened over the end again to secure (the bit in middle of button). Had to be careful but now has stayed OK (knocks on wood!).

It doesn't come out that often but - still a fun plinker - hammer still in place!! It is a very quick way to burn ammo - as it is crazy easy to slam off all ten at near auto speed LOL!
 
I wouldn't be too afraid to send it out to Pheonix, they always had good timing when I sent mine out. it was a few years ago when I had mine, so they may have fixed the hammer issue by now. it was deffinatley a quick one!!



Travis
 
Thought I'd throw in a pic .... I got the ''kit'' package - with two barrels. I tend to keep this 5" barrel on - more accurate but 3" does make it a very compacy lil' piece.


hp-22_s.jpg

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BlkHawk73 - agreed re the 22/45 ... I find it ergonomically better.

.
 
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