Current best buy .22lr target/plinker?

[WillaminaOR]

I'd really like to get a .22 for plinking and target shooting for the obvious ammo cost considerations. Of course with cost being a consideration for ammo, the cost of the gun is a consideration too. I really like the Buckmark but those would be on the high side of my budget. Is there other .22 target pistols for less money that I should look at?

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[tiro6]

The buckmark is a great gun imo but something that rivals it and could be had for a bit cheaper is a ruger MKIII or 22/45. I like the 22/45 over the traditional MKIII, but it could vary for you. You can usually find a very basic ruger model for about 250 new, which is about what a S&W 22A or Berreta Neos is about but dont come even close in accuracy or build to compared to the ruger's mkIII.

 

[Hanshi]

I bought a bull barrel Ruger MK1 back when they were going for $75. I know they're a lot more now but they are fine shooters.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have a 5.5" bull barrel Ruger Mk II and it works very well.

If I were starting from scratch, I think I would go the Buckmark route...mostly because it would be easier to upgrade to a Tactical Solutions upper

My .22lr that gets the most use is a conversion unit for my Sig 226

 

[usp9]

The "best Buy" may be the Beretta NEOS. It can be found for just a bit over $200. It is a reliable and pretty accurate pistol.

 

[crestoncowboy]

The 22/45 is the way to go.The buckmark is the only other currently made 22 that comes close and it is overpriced. I have put a scope on my neos and 22/45 and shot at 100 yards and there is no comparison, plus in my opinion the neos just dont feel right. If you buy a used neos you may have to send it in to get it fixed due to a recall, which I still need to do. The biggest con of the 22/45 is it is a real pain to put back together when you take it down for cleaning.
If I want to go out and shoot I usually take my sig mosquito because it feels like a normal defensive pistol and is just fun to shoot, however they are not terribly reliable. They are just as accurate as a neos but still not on the same page as the buckmark, or the 22/45. (or the old high standards but they are most likely out of your price range too)

edit: BTW the 22/45 and MK II and MK III are the same action with a different grip.

 

[bri]

+1 for the Ruger MKIII 22/45, plus this gives me an excuse to post a pic of my newly modded stainless

They are a pain to disassemble/assemble at first, but just like anything else, once you do it a few times you're gtg... And removing the mag disconnect helps a ton as well.

 

[dewalt-2]

Another Ruger vote here. You can keep it stock, or there is a world of mods/upgrades available to make it anything you want it to be. A best buy IMHO.
My highly modded MKIII...

 

[Kingofthehill]

Gotta agree with the Ruger.

I HAD the mosquito (way too ammo picky), sold that off and now have a NEO, Buckmark and MKIII 22/45.

I would say that between the 3, accuracy is all pretty similar. They all have ammo they like and some will let you produce tighter groups if you do your part.

What surprises me is the dependablity of the Ruger MKIII 22/45. The Buckmark and NEO are close but I can literally buy any .22 ammo on sale and the Ruger will feed it and fire it off with no problems at all.

One that has caught my attention though is the S&W 22a. I'll be picking up one of them next gun show i think.

JOe

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Another Ruger vote here.

 

[bannockburn]

1) Beretta Neos

2) Browning Buckmark

3) Ruger Mk.II

 

[AndrewST]

I think this thread is pretty well covered, pretty much what everyone else has said and you are golden.

 

[neededausername]

We love our Ruger MKIII 22/45. Recently went shooting with the father-in-law we probably had about 15 guns between hand guns and rifles and we both kept wanting to shoot the 22/45

 

[WillaminaOR]

All good advice and I do like the Ruger's. Thing is if you get one of the bull barrel or more target oriented models they seem to be about the same price as the Buckmark if I remember right. Both I was looking at at Wholesale Sports were in the $350-$400 range. I haven't started looking for used yet. I'll see if I can find the Beretta and the S&W to take a looksy and hold 'em.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[MaterDei]

WillaminaOR, you seem to be trying to talk yourself into buying the Buckmark. Good call! The Browning is a great pistol. I've got a total of 7 22LR handguns, four of which are autoloaders. My stock Buckmark Camper is my personal favorite of the bunch.

 

[Steve C]

If I was in the market for an inexpensive .22 lr for plinking and practice I'd consider one of the ISSC .22's imported from Austria. They're similar to the Glock/H&K in appearance and if you go to Youtube and do a search you will see some videos of people shooting them.

J&G Sales in Prescott AZ has the basic version on sale for right at $200. Check out some local gun shops and see how much they want for the transfer or they may be able to get one for you at less than ordering on the net, paying shipping and their FFL transfer fee.