Inexpensive .22 LR Pistol

[RLZIII]

I am looking for a inexpensive .22 LR autoloader to take to the range. In many cases I want to go to the range to kill some time, but I don't always want to pay the price to shoot a lot of 9mm Para or .45 ACP rounds. I was looking at the Beretta Neos, but they just don't do a lot for me. I haven't handled one in person; maybe that would change my mind.

The size doesn't really matter (full- or compact-size is what I'm kinda looking at), but I'm not looking for a mouse gun. Any suggestions? Obviously reliability and accuracy are necessary.

 

[FastMover]

Patience is your friend! I took my time, shopped around, and ended up with a Ruger mk II for 100.00. It was in dire need of a cleanup afterwhich it looked brand new.

 

[jonnyc]

Like most people, you'll probably get down to the Ruger or Buckmark. Try both, then get a Buckmark.

 

[mstrat]

Yea, Mk II or even sometimes III's can often be had for very cheap, if expense is your primary concern.

But I have to say my GSG 1911 .22 is by far my favorite range gun. Depending your region and supply/demand, it'll probably cost between $300-450, but if that's within your budget then this pistol definitely deserves a good hard look.

It has a couple quirks - most notably: 1) you'll want to buy some faucet washers to use as cachedisks to change out ever few thousand rounds. 2) you'll want to replace the barrel bushing with a steel one, which ATI (the importer for GSG) will send you for free if you ask them.

But otherwise I've had zero issues with it. It's much better than 1911 platform .22s that other companies have released.

Not the cheapest 22 you'll find, but definitely the most fun if you like 1911s.

 

[bigfatdave]

Dig for a used, old Ruger mkII or a not-as-old mkIII, in whatever barrel length and grip style you like.

Inexpensive, relaible, eats cheap Fed550 ammo like candy, works with an "ultimate cliploader", mags are easy to find, newer ones have a standard rail in the box if optics are your style, and cleaning is actually pretty easy if you're willing to understand the internal workings.
(there are endless reviews online from people incapable of understanding the internal interactions and thus boogering up their pistols by forcing things into incorrect assembly positions, disregard them if you are capable of changing a battery in your own watch)


Browning makes the Buckmark, Walther (actually Umarex who bought rights to the Walther name) makes the P22, Beretta makes their goofy Neos thing and S&W makes the cheap 22a and the expensive model 41.
If you want .22mag KelTec is getting a spiffy 30-round autoloading pistol on the market right now, they call it the PMR-30.
And there are too many revolvers to list.

There are also endless "what .22 pistol do I want" threads, do some searching with those models as your search terms and you'll find tons of info.

What I would do if I had frequent time-killing trips to the range:
buy a 5.5" Ruger mkII or mkIII, get some spare magazines and an "ultimate cliploader", and stuff all that along with a few bulk packs of ammo into a large pistol case, ready to go whenever.
... ... wait, that is what I do! I've got a "go shoot rifles" kit, too ... it has a Kel Tec sub2000 in it along with mags and ammo ... I wonder which weighs more?

 

[sakata8242]

Used Buckmark or Mk II/III would probably fit the bill. A new Mk III standard I think would run about ~$250.

I have a Mk III Target and love it. A lot of folks complain about the unnecessary lawyer features the Mk III has, but I don't really think they're that big of an issue. Minor annoyances, maybe, when field stripping or cleaning, but I've got about 1k rounds through mine without a hiccup.

 

[okespe04]

S&w 22a

 

[RidgwayCO]

For "plinking with a modicum of style", get a Beretta 87. Yes, it's not cheap. But it functions 100%, is more accurate than you are, looks terrific, and will last forever. You'll have forgotten the price long before you've come close to wearing it out.

Photo added:

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Check out the Firestorm .22. I have one with the 6 inch barrel and it is a great little plinker.

 

[ms6852]

Stay away from the Sig mosquito as it is very picky and will only shoot CCI mini mags. Other than that I like the buckmark.

 

[realtordoug]

Another thumbs up for the GSG 1911. Just got one, (also wanted to save $$ on my .45 1911). The GSG is a very close clone of the 1911 and shoots the cheap Federal bulk .22 with no problems.

 

[Jed Carter]

Browning Buckmark, or possibly a .22 conversion for your 9mm or .45. My Buckmark is now my wife's, so I bought a Beretta 87 Target for twice what I paid for the Browning. Now I have to pry her mitts off my Beretta, just to get to clean it. C'est la vie.

 

[Bluehawk]

The Ruger MkI is not an option?? I just see advice for the MkII and MkIII. I have a bull barrel MkI which I love to shoot and it's a tack driver!

 

[RLZIII]

I was honestly looking at the Mosquito primarily. Is ammo a common problem with this pistol?

 

[MrWesson]

I would say a mosquito is a no go I had one and they only seem to function well with minimags. That being said I buy a .22 to shoot the cheap walmart crap.

I would stay away from the p22/mosquito dont get me wrong they are fun but why not get something accurate too.

sw22,buckmark,neos,ruger mark series gets my vote the buckmark would be my first choice but I own a sw22(cheapest).

 

[RLZIII]

Well, after doing a bit more research, I think I've definitely decided on the Ruger 22/45 Mark III. The fact that it supposedly feels just like a 1911 is a big plus for me (I plan to get a 1911 very soon). Any tips or concerns with this gun (other then buying that Ultimate Cliploader)?

 

[mstrat]

You know what feels MORE like a 1911? A GSG 1911 .22

But otherwise, you can't go wrong with a Ruger. Nice 22.

 

[Holo]

Last weekend at the range I was able to shoot a p22, mosquito, and a MkIII. Mosquito and the p22 both were too small for my hands and just felt really cheap. I had federal bulk ammo and put about 30 rounds through each and my favorite BY FAR was the Mk III.

As for my choice, I am thinking about the 22a. It gets good reviews (aside from replacing the recoil buffer which is not a big deal to me) and is very cheap. $260 for the 5.5" bull barrel with fiber optic front.

Although I am leaning towards the 22a I still really am considering the Buckmark Camper. MkIII was a tack driver but I just didnt like the grip and from what I hear the take-down is a bit tedious and I like to clean my guns after every range trip.

 

[TH3180]

Like most people, you'll probably get down to the Ruger or Buckmark. Try both, then get a Buckmark.

That is what I did. Today at 30ft off a rest I shot a one hole ten shot group.

 

[Myles]

S&W 422/622, 41, 22a. High Standard Supermatic. Colt Woodsman. Browning Buckmark. My personal favorites, strictly my opinion, in that order.

 

[TH3180]

S&W 422 I have one and love it. It is going to be a great starter gun for my son when he gets a little older.

 

[BamaBarrister]

I have a Neos and have enjoyed it very much. The grip is very comfortable and ergonomic. Yes, you do have to get past the looks. It does have an unusual "sci-fi" look to it but it shoots very nicely and the price is right. That being said, Ruger and Browning Buckmark are also very good is that's what you prefer.

 

[Fargazer]

Since the Beretta 87 has been mentioned, let me bring up the another fine .22 in that price range - the CZ 75 Kadet. Highly recommended by many. If my daughter finds the CZ 75 in 9mm comfortable to operate, I'll probably get her both the CZ 22 and 9mm as a gift.

I personally own a Ruger Mk III, a Buckmark, and a P22:

• Ruger is tied best for accuracy, trigger is good but not as good as the Buckmark, the grip is good. Very reliable. Not trivial to field strip - many people just use a boresnake and swab.
• Buckmark is tied with the Ruger for accuracy, trigger is the best of the three, grip is good. Very reliable. Not trivial to field strip - many people use a boresnake and swab.
• P22 is OK for accuracy, trigger OK, grip is best (though small). Field stripping is easy - only problem is reassembly with the non-captured recoil spring. Mag release is under the trigger, which is not to everyone's taste (I like it). Materials are lightweight (sintered Zinc and such) but adequate for the task.

Hard to go wrong with either the Ruger or the Buckmark; get one of those if your budget allows. P22 is also fun, not bad for the price, but realize you are not getting the same quality or accuracy as you would with the other two.

 

[ET]

My wife shoots a Browning Buck Mark camper and loves it. It is a good shooter for under $300. She shoots the CCI mini-mags in it and has never had an ftf. (I have an Advantage Arms conversion kit for my Glock21. I am supposed to shoot Remington Golden bullets thru it. The stuff is dirty and I get ftf's every so often. I'm changing over to CCIs.)

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Any Ruger Mk series will do.