Cheapest .22 I could get away with

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potcha

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Hello everyone! I am pretty new to the gun world but very addicted. A couple weeks ago I bought a sig 2022 .40 and love it, but the ammo has been killing my budget for as often as I like to go to the range.

I also have been wanting a ar15 so put one on layaway and now my budget has really sank to nothing.

My solution is to get a .22 LR handgun, but the thing is, I don't have the money or interest in spending a lot on one, simply because it would only be used for plinking and other than the price, I don't love anything about the caliber.

My question is, what is the most inexpensive .22 I could get (revolver or semi auto) that would work for what I need it for. As cheap as possible without having the thing fall apart. Thanks in advance :cool:
 
Have a look at an Iver Johnson TP22. It has the ergos of a PPK (it's actually a very, very close copy). I have handled one but did not shoot it.

It has a firing pin block and euro-style mag release. From what I have read about them, the quality isn't too bad. The slide is still zinc, though, for what it's worth. As with a lot of the .22 lr semiautos you are likely to experience ammo pickiness. There was one selling for $150 at my LGS.
 
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Looks good, has some pretty decent reviews too. Appreciate it!

Does anyone have an opinion on the phoenix hp 22, its going for like 101 dollars LOL. Cheaper than a decent size box of ammo for my .40
 
I have a Phoenix hp22a without the longer barrel. It goes bang. With great use I doubt it would last. Be aware the distance from grip to slide makes slide bite very likely. I don't have huge hands and I still have to be intentional to not get slice open between thumb and forefinger. Loading the magazine will hurt in sort time as its very sharp (seriously). I overpaid for mine years ago. Keep it under 100 if you can.

I put stingers through it which its not really built to handle. The frame is very thin and the slide is of questionable quality. However, I'd rather have that than nothing of course. I haven't used it in a long time as I have a ruger mkiii which is exponentially nicer to use (you can find quality used semi-auto .22 for under $230 if you keep looking) If you get one - get the one with the kit of the longer barrel which gives you a longer and more practical sight radius. The redundant safety, mag. safety and firing pin block are a minor annoyance - but its not a carry gun by any means.

It is what it is, a very cheaply constructed semi-auto pistol. I suspect you would be happier in the long run by saving longer and buying a used Ruger mkkii\iii, buckmark, or similar but its your call. I would not dry fire much as you will quickly notice indentations on the breach wall. Its not dry fire safe like some more expensive .22 designs.

There are some interesting reviews if you do a search both on google and here on THR. A fair number prefer it to its Taurus equivalent. If you start of with something like a Phoenix and want to shoot more just expect you will soon want to upgrade. Don't let its downsides, discourage you or turn you off to pistol shooting. Its entirely possible to do better grouping with a full-size center fire than a small rimfire like this.

If shooting more with less money is your goal and not just pistol time, keep in mind you can get quality used .22 rifles for even cheaper than the little Phoenix. I've had a few good marlin .22's I bought for $75 locally that out-shoot me and will be around for my kids.
 
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Very good info, I will look for something else then, my hands are somewhat big. The only reason im not interested in a .22 rifle is because its the pistol accuracy I need work on, where rifle accuracy is far more natural for me. I would be willing to spend up to 200 on it maybe, but like I said, im trying to limit the price as minimal as possible because really I don't like the .22 caliber and would never use it for anything outside of range time.
 
Cheap reliable .22's

Revolver: Heritage Arms Rough Rider. Under $200 new.
Semi-Auto: Beretta NEOS U-22. If you look around $180. Used for less.

AFS
 
Just another perspective here -

You might find that a better quality .22 will be more satisfying than a lesser quality .22

If you plan to use a .22 to improve your shooting skills, then an inexpensive gun might be working against that goal.

Used .22s hold up very well, so you might keep your eyes open for a suitable model.

You might be surprised at how much fun and range time and learning can be had with a .22.

Have you shot one? You might see if you can wrangle some time with a few different models.

Good luck -

gd

P.S. If you do the math on ammo cost and savings, you will find that an additional $100.00 for a better gun equates to about 5 boxes of .40 ammo or about 3000 rounds of .22 LR.
 
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Searching for the cheapest of anything generally results in an unsatisfying result. Don't confuse "Cheap" & "good value."
My recommendation is to look for a used Ruger mk2 or Mk3. New ones (MK3) start in the mid $200s for the blued models. I'm sure a used one can get below $200. The nice thing about the MK series is that there is a ton of aftermarket support should you wish to upgrade later.
The Beretta Neos is probably worth a look as well. I have no direct experience with them, however.
 
potcha, I think you're coming from this at the wrong angle.

A good accurite .22 is not a place to cut corners. A .22 will give you many more hours of range time to practice what I call the holy trinity. Sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze. This practice will transfer directly to the Sig, or any other hand gun you use. Get a good .22 pistol like a Ruger Mk2 or 3, or a Browning Buckmark, and just practice your shooting and the holy trinity for 6 months, and see if you're not at least 50% better if not 100%.

Trigger time on a .22 is never ever a waste of time. Marksmenship doesn't care what size gun you're shooting. But don't skimp on a .22. It's too important.

Carl.
 
From www.gunsamerica.com


RUGER ( PRE WARNING ) RST-4 990468792

RUGER ( PRE WARNING ) model RST-4 our stock # YA5344 in 22 CAL., with 6" barrel. Color BLUE. Condition 95%. Serial number 277541. (read more)

Seller: YankeeArtifacts $225.00
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Ruger standard model 4.75" barrell & wood grips 997407841

Ruger .22 cal model# standard w/4.75" tappered barrel. with fixed sites. crome trigger & magazine end cap. The grips are made of lt brown smooth wood.some handleing & holster wear ... (read more)

Seller: Brookhurst Pawnshop $240.00
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Ruger P512MKIII 918007254

NEW and in stock- Ruger P512MKIII .22LR, 10 rd. capacity, model# 10107, bull barrel, 5.5" barrel, blued finish, Zytel Polymer grips, lock, hard plastic Ruger box, MSRP $335 (read more)

Seller: Mark Sieh $249.00
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Figure another $50 to cover shipping and FFL fee.
 
A s&w 22a may be a possibility as well as they seem a little "less popular" than the time proven Rugers\buckmarks in the semi-auto .22 market. While I have not owned a heritage rough rider myself, they seem to be more hit and miss concerning quality with owners I have known when I've been around them at the range. That would also be in your price range though.
 
If you can find one, a Firestorm FS .22 might work for you as well. It's a Bersa basically,..has a 10 round mag, +1 in the tube, it is DA/SA,..same ergos as the Bersa Thunders and fits in holsters designed for Walther PP whatevers. It is a pretty decent shooter accuracy wise, and as far as reliability,..... I have had one for a few years,..ran a lot,..as in a few thousand rounds,... of CCI MiniMags through it without a whimper or it ever missing a beat.

Though it's not the best choice for a CC handgiun,..One could,..and I havepressed it into service and carried it as such. (If it came right down to it,....those 11 rounds of CCI Mini Mags center of mass,...or in the face is gonna make somebody have a very, very bad day.......) The price should be near the range of your budget as well. YMMV
 
I've been looking at a Phoenix but thanks for the info about, about the slide potential injury. I haven't seen them for $100 but about $140 NIB. Every other .22LR Pistol starts at $225 on up but they are close to a full size pistol, with much better quality. I'd use it pretty much for plinking.

Any members have an Armscor Rifle that uses .22LR. Cheap enough but are they reliable? Thanks
JT
 
You've gotten some good advice. Don't cheap out because it's "just a .22".
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yeah....never once have i ever heard anyone ever say "man, i sure am glad i got the cheap one...."
 
Any members have an Armscor Rifle that uses .22LR. Cheap enough but are they reliable? Thanks
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JT,

Don't have any Armscor myself but for the same price, with rebate you can have an American made Marlin 795 from a local retail\chain stores with a reputable barrel and good out of box consistency. I will vouch for their value & function as I bring them to Appleseeds.
 
Look for a used Ruger Mk whatever(I,II,III) Most accurate I've been with a handgun, so much, that it's boring.
 
potcha
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Cheapest .22 I could get away with
Hello everyone! I am pretty new to the gun world but very addicted. A couple weeks ago I bought a sig 2022 .40 and love it, but the ammo has been killing my budget for as often as I like to go to the range.

I also have been wanting a ar15 so put one on layaway and now my budget has really sank to nothing.

My solution is to get a .22 LR handgun, but the thing is, I don't have the money or interest in spending a lot on one, simply because it would only be used for plinking and other than the price, I don't love anything about the caliber.

My question is, what is the most inexpensive .22 I could get (revolver or semi auto) that would work for what I need it for. As cheap as possible without having the thing fall apart. Thanks in advance :cool:
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H&R 922 for about $100.

They're fixed cylinder, but the cylinder changes out rather quickly and you can unload them fast because the cylinder has an ejector star that can be pushed out (later models) with the cylinder pin or if you're worried about wear - with a plastic dowel. You can also load quickly because speed loaders are available for this model.

I advocate 22LR revolvers over semi-autos because they teach trigger control due to the heavier DA pull.
 
I'd 3rd the Heritage, just for the fun of it. Under $170 in blue with the .22mag cylinder. The only people I have seen dis them either owned one 5 years ago, or never. And my brother, who's still pissed he spent $350 on a single six, and mad because my RR shoots as well.
 
You don't need to spend a lot but as everyone has said so far you SHOULD spend "enough". You want a .22 which is a close match to your center fire handguns so you can do what drills with it that a .22 allows with a good crossover to the center fire guns.

Since you've got semis so far as you've said in this thread a cowboy style Heritage Rough Rider would not be the wise choice in a .22 for your situation. Far better would be a Ruger 22/45, Buckmark or S&W 22A. All of these have grip angles that are more in tune with your Sig so your .22 practice time will be more applicable to your center fire shooting. And all have good reputations overall and the appropriate used or new will keep the budget low.

And yeah, there's not a lot of recoil to them. But there's any number of drills that you can practice with the .22 and save money. Obviously anything along the lines of double taps are not something you want to practice with a .22. But draw, present, sight and fire one round drills can be done with total effectiveness with the .22. And then there's that old bugaboo "Mr Flinch" which a .22 is wonderful for drilling towards evicting the guy from your center fire shooting.

And who knows. Given some time with your .22 and if you can get over the macho part about seeking recoil all the time you may grow to like your .22 like the rest of us. ANY shooting is better than not shooting and a .22 is superb for extending the length of sessions with cheap ammo.
 
My recommendation is to look for a used Ruger mk2 or Mk3.
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Me too. I think you're better off going with "used in nice condition." I paid $229 for a Taurus PT-22 that was on sale at a Gander Mountain store: nice little gun. I paid $225 for a used Ruger MK II, fixed sights, stainless, in pristine condition at my local gun shop: much nicer gun, and one that I expect to still be ticking along when the Taurus has gone to the Great Scrapyard in the Sky. Don't get me wrong: I knew what I was getting when I bought the Taurus, and it's fine for what it is, which is a fun little gun that I can stick in my pocket. However, if I had no .22 pistol and only enough cash for one, it would be the Ruger, hands down.
 
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