Sterling 22 Handgun

[Dorin62]

In my collection I have a Sterling 22 L.R. Stainless pistol with black plastic grips. It has a rail sight which is a little different but not terrible as the close proximity use which it was intended for.

This was acquired so long ago I forgot this reason for my need of this gun. If I remember my history, Sterling works died early death due to some unfortunate accident with kids getting their hands on a loaded gun.

So I am looking for any info about this pocket auto, mainly its value as it no longer get used and just sets in its case most of the time. Is its something of a collector’s piece or really nice paper weight???

 

[Onmilo]

I am going to say a Sterling in good shape should be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $150-$175
They still make decent shooter pistols and magazines can still be found.

 

[bannockburn]

Dorin62

The Sterling Model 302 was introduced in early 1973, as a .22LR version of the Model 300 in .25ACP. I think the stainless version came out in 1977 or 1978. It was very similar to the design of an older Italian pistol called the Rigarmi, made by Galesi. The Sterling was a fairly sturdy gun, made with all steel construction. I had a blued model which I bought back in 1978. While my gun was well built, it was not exactly what I would have considered the most reliable. Part of the problem was the design of the rimmed .22LR round, coupled with sometimes faulty rimfire ammo and very tight internal dimensions, all of which could (and frequently did), lead to numerous stoppages and jams. Eventually I got tired of all the problems and traded it in on something else. As to its valuation, I think somewhere around $150 to $200 would be in the neighborhood.

 

[VA27]

I've had a couple of those in blue and stainless. Mine worked fine and were fun to shoot. Wish I'd kept one.

 

[GRIZ22]

I had a Sterling 22 back in the 70s that would slam fire at times. If I found one that worked properly I'd say it would be worth 100-125 at best.

 

[Cowboybootnut]

I bought one in the early 1980s, it was my second handgun purchase (Yes, that was before I got educated on guns). I bought it for my wife, she never saw it, never touched it, maybe she looked at it with disgust a few times. So I fired it, as long as I loaded it with Remington Hi-Velocity bullets it did great. If I experimented with something else, it gave me problems. I traded it a few years ago, and don't regret the trade.

I would say $100 - $125 is a good price. It has no collectable value, I guess the only good thing you could say for it was that it was an economical personal protection gun, that was reliable with certain ammo.