Hand gun for cheap .22lr ammo.

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Torghn

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I'm looking for a handgun that can reliably cycle the cheap .22lr ammo from walmart. I really like the feel of the Neos, but reliability is my number one concern. I'm thinking a double action revolver may be the best way to go. The Taurus M94 seems like a good choice.
 
My Ruger MK III has cycled everything I've fed it, with the exception of Winchester X-Perts, but they're known for being pretty crappy. I've personally had no other problems with everything from Wal-Mart bulk packs (all brands) to random 50-count boxes of the cheap stuff at my local range.
 
I'm thinking a double action revolver may be the best way to go.
A revolver, single or double action, would negate the possibility of having FTF and most likely FTE as well. Years ago, I had a single action Ruger and finally replaced it with a Ruger Mark I. The semi-auto Ruger rimfires are fun to shoot and I feed mine Walmart bulk ammo without issues.
 
I've the Walther P22, S&W M22A, Browning Buckmark, Ruger MI, MII, 22/45, 22/45 MKIII, and a Neos.

The Neos is the most reliable with the various cheap Walmart bulk packed ammo. They all work fine with the Federal bulk pack so that's what I buy.

CDNN has spare mags for the Neos at $10 each. Downside is the McFadden "Ultimate Clip Loader" only works for Ruger and Buckmarrk mags.

Most of my Rugers have needed Volguartson extractors to function with the cheap ammo.

The Neos with a Red Dot really rocks!

--wally.
 
I fired a Taurus M94 at an indoor range not long ago. It's a great pistol, very accurate and the capacity is only one round less than most semi-autos.

I'd say it's the perfect beginner's .22 LR revolver. The DA pull is heavy, but in SA it's quite nice.
 
The main advantage of a revolver is that it's amenable to use with the whole range of .22 RF loadings regardless of case length or relative power. CB cap, Short, or LR - "gallery" level, SV or HV- it can at least be expected to fire and extract it with about as high a degree of reliability as it's possible to obtain with that brand.

Most .22 RF semiautos are designed to function within much narrower limits. There are several factors inherent in "blow back" actions which dictate this and most designs reflect engineering compromises based on the range of parameters commonly found within a specific ammo type.

With the HS/HV .22 LR being the load most preferred by consumers for the majority of their uses, those numbers are usually the base set for functional calculations. There's always some amount of leeway built into a design to allow for variables, but that must be subordinate to other practical criteria like durability and safety.

FWIW, my Neos functions very nicely with most bulk pack .22 ammo.
 
I just bought a Ruger mk III Hunter and have fed about 1000 rounds through it.

It likes the Remington Golden and Federal plated ammo.

Jammed once in 500 rounds with the Federal, and not at all in about 500 rounds with the Remington.
 
I use a lot of Walmart Federal 550 bulk .22LR ammo. I have no reliability issues at all using it in these semi-auto hand guns: Browning Buckmark, Ruger MkI, Beretta 21A, Iver Johnson TP-22, Unique Corsair D6, Phoenix HP-22, and even three different Jennings J-22's. Of course, all of my .22 revolvers handle the cheap stuff nicely. I plink a lot with cheap .22 rounds.
I do have several other .22 semi-auto hand guns which simply will not cycle the bulk stuff reliably. My Taurus PT-22 only cycles CCI Mini-Mags reliably.
Jack
 
John, there's a quick and inexpensive DIY for the DA pull on the Taurus 94. Brownell's has a "Shooter's Pak" spring kit for "small frame Taurus revolvers" for about $10-12.

It has a reduced power hammer (main) spring and two rebound (trigger) springs. FWIW, the bulk of the extra pull weight comes from the rebound spring which is almost as strong as the mainspring in stock form.

It might take a bit of experimenting to find the best combo in a particular revolver before you get both 100% reliable ignition and trigger return. I got my best compromise with the stock main and the heavier of the two rebound units. The DA pull was reduced remarkably and the SA improved some too.

After a couple of thousand more rounds went through it I was able to go to the lighter rebound spring and still have positive trigger return. That knocked a couple more lbs. off the DA pull which is now very sweet indeed.

IMO, a 4" SS M-94 makes a terrific low-maintenance kit/tackle box/utility RF revolver. Mine's almost 20 yrs old and still runs like a top.
 
How about a Ruger Single Six?

The Ruger Single Six is by far the sweetest .22 handgun I've ever fired. With .22 mag, it's like a laser... it felt like I could hit a fly at a hundred yards with that thing. ;)
 
If you are looking for something to reliably shoot the cheap stuff, then don't go with a Walther P-22. :cuss: My P-22 moaned, griped, and complained with everything except CCI Mini Mags and Stingers. I no longer have it. :D
 
I've had a Neos for 3 years and with over 10.000 rounds through it have never had one problem.

I highly recommend the gun. PM me if you want to know more about it.
 
I bought a Ruger Single Six earlier this year and love the thing...the ability to swap out the cylinders and be able to shoot .22lr or .22mag is nice
 
My Mk 2 Ruger eats about anything. I get an occasional misfire out of the Federal Lightening stuff, but it's cheap and accurate and I don't care. Revolvers are great, too, just all in what ya want, but I think you will get more gun for less money with a good auto like the Ruger or a Buckmark. I have a little Rossi revolver I really like, but the Mk 2 is more gun IMHO and didn't cost that much used, not much more than I gave for the Rossi used. They both have a solid place in my collection.
 
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