Firefly vs Walther P22 vs Other...

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sarduy

sarduy

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Hello guys,

I’m in the market for a range/fun 22lr i like the look of both but i have zero experience with them. Any advice is greatly appreciated. The budget is the around $250, i also been looking the heritage and ruger revolves but im not a tan of the grip.
 
My dad had a Firefly, worst trigger I have ever seen on any firearm, period. Heritage has a tiny grip, but works. Occasionally, you can find an ATI/GSG/SIG 1911-22. Dang, I wish I hadn't sold that one :(
 
I researched it a lot and my opinion is that only Taurus TX22 is good option. Most of new .22Lr. except Beretta M9-22 and dedicated "sport" 22Lr like Ruger I, II etc.., are kinda finiky
 
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I have had a Firefly for over 2 yrs and take it to the range almost every time I go. Mostly plan my range time for 9mm or .380 and my .45. Many days finish up with the .22 because I like it so much. I'm considering the 1911 GSG or Walther Gold Cup version.
 
Ruger MKIV 5.5
Model: 40107

I paid $309 NIB for mine. Probably has over 15,000 rds fired without a single problem. Easy to clean, eats every bulk 22 ammo I feed it, more accurate than any of the 22's mentioned in this thread thus far and has the best customer service bar none. My Taurus TX22 fell apart before seeing 5000 rds, horrible accuracy and the worst customer service available. I've heard very good things on the KELTEC P17 and it's $199, with a very good customer service rating as well. I watched a Firefly break apart at the range I shoot at, total piece of crap. Ruger owns the 22 market, they last a lifetime, are incredibly accurate, the easiest to maintain and clean.
 
I've read bad things about the Firefly. I have both the TX 22 and the Walther PPQ M2 22. They are both great, however the TX22 has been more durable. The Walther has been sent back twice, with about the same mount of rounds through.
 
Had a Walther P22...without a doubt one of the worst .22 handguns I have ever used. One of my kids wanted a SIG Mosquito for their first .22 but I heard so many bad things about the gun that I kind of talked them into getting a Beretta Neos instead and it's been a very reliable pistol, though the trigger could use a little work done on it.

I would go with a Ruger SR22, a Mk.IV, or a 22/45 Lite before I would consider getting a GSG Firefly.
 
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I have a SIG Mosquito (pre GSG Firefly). It’s ok, mine feels good in my hand and is reliable with CCI mini mags or other decent HV ammo, but the trigger isn’t very good and the sights are fair so I don’t find it anywhere near as accurate as other .22 guns I have.

They may be a bit higher than you plan price-wise right now, but if you save up for a Ruger Mk IV or a bit more for a Glock 44, I seriously don’t think you will be disappointed with either one. :)

Good luck finding a .22 that suits your needs.

Stay safe.
 
I don't have experience with either of the ones you asked about. I bought a Browning Buckmark Camper last year. I like it a lot. It is very accurate & easy to hit with.

You mentioned the Heritage revolvers. If you don't like the grip most of their revolvers have you might take a look at or handle their model with the birdshead grip. I had one of them & sold it off because there was something I wanted more. It was a fun plinker.

Edited to Add: I think I spent around $335 on the Buckmark. It has been a long time since I had the birdshead grip Heritage. They are more expensive than their other models but I think they run around $150 or maybe a little more. If the Heritage you buy doesn't come with a .22 magnum cylinder you can order one & have a second caliber for a reasonable price.
 
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I had a Sig Mosquito. Calling it trash was insulting to trash.

A new grip frame for a Heritage 22 costs revolver $50. You can buy one from their website.

I got a used Ruger Mark II from Gunbroker about a year ago for a $225 bid, plus shipping and FFL.

With time and patience you can get a good quality 22 handgun for $250.

I misremember which one, but one of the S&W 22 autos sells regularly in the low $200 range, used.
 
Neos, Buckmark and Ruger Mark 4 all seem solid and reasonably priced. I like my M&P compact 22, but can't call it highly accurate right now. The GSG 1911 type 22s were built like tanks, but I don't know if they are still in production. No experience with mosquito/firefly, but most reports I have read were not encouraging. Ruger SR 22 may be a good gun since the safety has been changed to work as expected. I do enjoy the rough rider 4 5/8 birds head revolver. I liked the look and feel of the Walther P22s I had, but function was never 100% and they were not built to last.
 
I think your budget is set low and I understand that everyone has different priorities or needs. Personally I would save until you had at least double the amount of cash because it would do a couple of things. It would open doors to quite a few more choices such as the Browning Buckmark or the Ruger MKIV or other guns that in the long run will add to a more pleasurable experience. Secondly by waiting to save for the gun you really want , it buys you time to look around and see what is out there that you might have missed in researching 22's. The market may settle down and reach a plateau where there won't be anymore price gouging .
 
rust collector said:
Neos, Buckmark and Ruger Mark
Click to expand...

All excellent guns. Smith 41 or 422 or victory are ok too.

Jimbo80 said:
71S
Click to expand...
I own a shop. People always come to me saying I have 5 grand, need a trouble free 4x4 or awd car for my kid. What do you recommend. I say a 10k Toyota...... they usually get a subaru that will need head gaskets, wheel bearings, axles and a transmission soon, or a POS like a Traverse or Terrain....oh well. Job security for me...

you just did that. Doubled the budget at least. Lol. I have a 71, several 21, an 87 or two (excellent gun).... even the 21 is usually out of a 250 dollar budget. I did recently get one for 135 in 25acp. (950 I know. Same thing) My top picks if I can double the budget would probably be a Beretta 87, a smith 617, or a trailside/hammerli. Lol

If i wanted more of a combat/ training gun In the budget id try to save a bit a get a Glock 44. Ive been impressed and I know that Glock will take care of anything if it came up. Very light weight and fits any of a billion holsters. Otherwise ifni wanted more of a target type feel I'd go with a Buckmark or Mk or neos (whatever mk #you want). I actually like the 22/45 better. More familiar controls.

The Mosquito was a dirty move by Sig. I bought one early. The box says proudly made my sig Sauer. The book never mentions gsg. It was super accurate. Slide broke probably around 5k rounds. I now have 3. All broken slides. My first one was the ONLY one that was reliable that I've ever seen. Also note that Sig requires you to pay round trip shipping for any gun that breaks after 1 year. Around 100 bucks. On a p-210 that may be tolerable. On a 200 dollar Mosquito.... not so much. I have several Sig. I'll never own another new one. Great guns, terrible company. I see a ton of gsg built guns. Everybody from the sig clone to 1911 to mp5 and grease gun clones. Id be surprised if their quality hasn't improved some. But I'll not chance it.

The cheap Walther aren't known for being great either. Next ppk i see in 22 I'm buying it though. But won't shoot it enough to matter.
 
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bannockburn said:
Had a Walther P22...without a doubt one of the worst .22 handguns I have ever used. One of my kids wanted a SIG Mosquito for their first .22 but I heard so many bad things about the gun that I kind of talked them into getting a Beretta Neos instead and it's been a very reliable pistol, though the trigger could use a little work done on it.

I would go with a Ruger SR22, a Mk.IV, or a 22/45 Lite before I would consider getting a GSG Firefly.
Click to expand...
The Sig mosquito was not made by sig. it was made by the people that make the firefly. It was so bad the Sig canceled the contract. I’ve only heard bad things about them. I had the opportunity to pick up a used one for someone I was buying other shooting stuff from. . After reading about them. I didn’t buy it went for the Ruger SR22 instead couldn’t be happier. So far no problem w anything I feed it.
 
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Well I have a Walther P22 after several modifications/tunes the thing is usable but not dependable at all. It only shoots the Winchester superX in the silver box with about one stovepipe or FTF in every couple mags. Everything else jambs up after the first shot, tried different mags etc, nothing helps. Figure I'll keep it as would not sell it to anyone I want to stay ftiends with LOL. Now I own a couple Heritage RR's and a bunch of Ruger .22's. Once I got my first Ruger I never looked back. They always feed and fire, then looking at the target GTG.
 
IMG_3715 (1).JPG I would say TX22, S&W .22 Compact, or Ruger SR 22 unless your going for a Target model. Unfortunately none of these guns are in the $250.00 range at this time. I bought my last TX22 for $309.00 and you can't touch one for that now.
 
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