Looking for .22 handgun

[whm1974]

Ok I'm looking for a .22 handgun, I prefer a revolver over an auto but I would get both if I could afford to. There a gun shop that has a High Standerd Sentinel for around $200. This is a aff.ordable price for me. But if they sold that by the time I go there again what other handguns should I look for? I'm looking for somthing to shoot and go plinking with, no target pistols and no backup guns. My price range is around $200 to $300.

I have shot a Buckmark and Ruger 22/45, and would consider getting them if the price was right.

-Bill

 

[otomik]

Good Affordable Trainers/Plinkers
Revolvers: Taurus 94
Autos: Walther P22, Bersa .22lr

Good Affordable "Target"/Plinkers:
Autos: Browning Buckmark, Ruger Mark II or 22/45, Beretta Neos
Revolvers: Ruger Bearcat or Single Six, Heritage revolvers

a little more expensive but worth it:
Beretta 87 (regular or target)
Hammerli Trailside

My personal opinion is with the Bersa .22lr (perfectly reliable but it's a real conniseur when trying to find rimfire it likes, must be a 007-type thing). The Taurus 94 is great too, and if defense is a consideration revolvers are the only way to go when it comes to rimfire.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Cheap used, very good quality revolvers are the Dan Wesson series.

Mine is amazingly accurate, built to handle 357magnums on the same frame and was quite cheap to buy used. Sorry to say the Dans do not hold the resale value very much so the first buyer takes a bath when you sell it. If you buy used they are quite cheap.

50 shots, 15 or 20 yards as I remember it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All:

You most likely will get some good input and varied opinions
on this subject. All I can do is tell you what has worked best
for me. With that said, lets look at three different makes and
models:

Smith & Wesson Model 18- long since discontinued,
and can be hard to find. Its a 4" barrel "Combat Masterpiece"
in a 6 shot format, available only in .22 LR caliber. Folks, too
me this is the "Crown Jewel" on six shot .22 LR caliber
revolvers. The DA trigger pull is usually a lot better than its
closest competitor, the Colt Diamondback. LNIB model 18's
are gett'in kind'a pricey; and I have seen one a few months
ago go for $509.95 + sales tax. To me, its a weapon well
worth the treasure hunt!

Colt Match Target Woodsman: another oldie, but darn
goodie. Also, Colt discontinued this fine self-loader a few
short year's ago; but one from the Colt stables that any
Colt collector (or .22 caliber shooter for that matter) should
be proud to own. You hear a lot these days about weapons
being so called "tack drivers"! Well friends guess what? This
weapon definitely qualifies as a member of that list. Again,
it may be out of most folk's price range; but well worth
emptying the kid's cookie jar to obtain!

Ruger MK-II KMK-512: a very practical .22 LR self loading
pistol. Yes, its not easy to reassemble from its field stripping
components; but once you master it, you can do it blindfolded.
Very accurate little weapon with most ammunition; just keep
the breech clean with an old toothbrush from your range bag.
Price: Usually can be found from the $225- to 279.95 mark.

There you have it friends, my choices in .22 LR caliber weaponary.
I've personally owned all three at one time or the other, and
none of them has ever let me down! Good Luck and Stay Safe!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BlackJack]

The High Standard Sentinel is a much better revolver than it appears to be but that price ($200) is a little more than reasonable in my opinion. Still the gun is worth having if you can afford it. Accuracy and reliability are both there for a small investment.

 

[whm1974]

Cheap used, very good quality revolvers are the Dan Wesson series.

Mine is amazingly accurate, built to handle 357magnums on the same frame and was quite cheap to buy used. Sorry to say the Dans do not hold the resale value very much so the first buyer takes a bath when you sell it. If you buy used they are quite cheap.

I didn't know Dan Wesson even made .22s, and not to mention that a used one can be had cheap. How much did you paid for yours(if you brought it used)?

The High Standard Sentinel is a much better revolver than it appears to be but that price ($200) is a little more than reasonable in my opinion. Still the gun is worth having if you can afford it. Accuracy and reliability are both there for a small investment.

Well I can cough up ~$200, just not anytime soon... He had another .22 revolver made by H&R, it's a ejector with 7 1/2 barrel. I perfer a swing out cynader.

-Bill

 

[Majic]

If you happen to run up on an old H&R 999 then jump all over it. It has the old top break action and is a very good revolver. Some of H&R's other models (swing out cylinders) are good revolvers at a relatively low price.
A basic look alike of the H&R handguns would be the New England Firearms models. All these revolvers are long out of production, but there are many in circulation on the used market.

That ejector you saw was probably a H&R 999. It's a lot more revolver than most people gave it credit for.

 

[whm1974]

That ejector you saw was probably a H&R 999. It's a lot more revolver than most people gave it credit for.

Next time I'm there I'll give it another look. I didn't like the feel of it.

-Bill

 

[whm1974]

Oh I forgot to mention. the gunshop also had a couple of Walther P22 in both barrel sizes. I liked the feel of them, but is the info on them?

-Bill

 

[Peter M. Eick]

The DW you see above was about $300 used in virtually brand new condition with a pistol rug. My other DW md15-2 was about the same price with 2 barrels and a pistol rug. I bought them from one of the more expensive dealers in my area and I am sure you could get them cheaper elsewhere.

I have seen 722's (dan wesson stainless steel 22's just like mine) on Gunsamerica for around 225 to 250. You will just have to search a bit.


One last thing, you know the DW can swap barrels? I have seen 4" barrels and shrouds for less then 75 on gunsamerica also.

Good luck. They are exceptionally accurate little beasts!

 

[Majic]

A couple of years ago I found a fellow on the dreaded "Alphabet -bay" selling a brand new DW M22 4" barrel and shroud for $49. I couldn't get my money to him fast enough.

 

[otomik]

Oh I forgot to mention. the gunshop also had a couple of Walther P22 in both barrel sizes. I liked the feel of them, but is the info on them?

plenty of info, use the search tool if it's working. i disagree in that they felt cheap in my hands. other than that they're picky on ammo and the trigger is cheap feeling, i'd have liked to open it up and see how it was made but the overall feeling is they cut the wrong corners (i heard the design was based on a the parent company umarex's blank firing pistol). still most report it's a good buy for a trainer/plinker.

 

[whm1974]

plenty of info, use the search tool if it's working. i disagree in that they felt cheap in my hands. other than that they're picky on ammo and the trigger is cheap feeling, i'd have liked to open it up and see how it was made but the overall feeling is they cut the wrong corners (i heard the design was based on a the parent company umarex's blank firing pistol). still most report it's a good buy for a trainer/plinker.

I did read a few reviews mentioning the P22 is picky on ammo.

I think I'm going to either get a Buckmark or a .22 Revolver.

-Bill

 

[Berg01]

I have shot a Buckmark and Ruger 22/45, and would consider getting them if the price was right.

Looks like you answered your own question; either one of these can be had for under $300.00; not a bad choice to be made between the two.

 

[JimJD]

I wrote a little something about My Neos here:

Neos at the range- THR post

I picked it up for $240.00.
Since the time of that post, I have put another four hundred rounds through it. Bringing My total so far to eight hundred and fifty. No malfunctions. It's sooooo easy to clean too.
The trigger has gotten better, and I am very happy with this pistol.
Just have to get a red dot to play around with.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Hands down, my favorite .22 is a Beretta Model 70S. Only problem will be finding one, but they are worth looking for and saving $ to get.

lpl/nc

 

[D7tho]

I prefer size-wt relevant guns. Smith 2214

about $200 used,is a sweet little kit gun. 6" long, 18 ozs. very accurate, nice Sights, nice trigger pull. Do a search for GunsAmerica.com. Dont pay a dealer more than $20 to get it for you, either. The safety is a bit awkward, and not really "smithable' to a better format, either. Sometimes the mag release spring is way too stiff, but Smith fixes that for free, and it can really help the trigger pull (or so I'm told). There's both blued and Stainless versions.

 

[whm1974]

Thanks, Well I'll be saving my money up.

-Bill