Which 22's to start collecting?

[osteodoc08]

I was given an old Remmy Model 41 Targetmaster from a neighbor 5-6 years ago that didnt want it sold to a pawn shop after giving it to his kids. He knew I was a gun affectionado. He was moving and retiring from a fire department in south Florida when I was there for school and his wife wanted rid of it. I felt honored that he gave it to me. My wife actually named her citron cockatoo (which I hate) after him. He was a standup gentleman and even though I have lost touch with him, I hope that he is doing well.

Anyhow, i had it out of the safe the other day giving it a little message and TLC like I do to all of them on rainy days. This got me to thinking, how neat it would be to start collecting older 22's long gun and hand gun. They are great for collecting because:

1. Relatively inexpensive when compared to other arms. Generally ($75-300)
2. Inexpensive to shoot.
3. Should hold value so if I had to sell, a major hit would not be seen as it would with a new firearm.
4. I'm attracted to the history.

So, what do i start collecting? Older Ruger Mark series, High standards, remingtons, Winchesters, Marlins, Savages, etc.

If someone were to rank a list of "desireability" what would be desireable? Odd, interesting, etc?

Just looking to do a little research first and then keep my eyes out for them. So far I have:

1. Remington 41 Targetmaster
2. Ruger 10/22 circa 1989
3. Marlin Model 60
4. Ruger Mark II Target
5. Remington 522 (POS!!)
6. Beretta 76 (my fathers)
7. Sears Model 25 (Also my fathers)

I also posted this over at RFC as well. thank you for the replies in advance

 

[possom813]

J.H. Stevens Model 26 Crackshot, can generally be found around 250-400

J.H. Stevens Model 16, I've only seen one and I bought it, never found it in any price guide though.

Springfield Model 87a, just because everyone needs a good bat, unless you get one of the 87a's that are setup similar to an M1 Garand, those are neat, but demand a premium. Plain 87a can be found 50-150, the only Garand variations I've seen have all been 500+

Marlin 39a, nice lever action .22, around 400

Ruger Single Six, a nice stainless model with both cylinders can be had for 350-450

 

[Rembrandt]

Top of the list for desirability and investment has to be the Winchester 52's. At one time these could be picked up for $500+......that is continuing to rise. If you are fortunate to have one, Sporters will fetch $4000-$6000 today.

 

[zombienerd]

I love the old Sears model 3T (Winchester 190) Semi-auto .22/.22LR

Mine is a early 70's model, shows LOTS of wear and is missing part of the charging handle, which I'm going to order from Numrich one of these days. Still fires all 18 shots as fast as you can pull the trigger. Never jams when using .22LR, doesn't care too much for the shorts, and hates shot shells.

It was my father's rifle, and he won it from the original owner back in the early 80s on a bet.

Nifty little .22, I'd be hard pressed to find one I liked better.

 

[Carl Levitian]

You just have to get some remington sspeedmasters in your collection.

The Remy 552 is one of the greatest .22 rifles ever made. Very very accurite, very reliable, and it can digest .22long rifle, .22 longs, and .22 shorts, with no adjustments or alterations. Once you take the action down a time or two for cleaning, you'll see that it's a very inovative rifle.

And you have to have a S&W 617.

 

[coosbaycreep]

nylon remingtons

Nylon 66s can be found pretty cheap generally, and are lightweight, comfortable, and extremely fun to shoot.

Remington also made nylon bolt actions, a lever action, a .22 short, and semi-autos with a detachable mag, but none of those seem to be common or cheap, but if you look at what some of them go for on gunbroker now, it would appear that they're desireable to quite a few people.

As for "odd" and "interesting", I'd also add the mossberg brownie (4 barrel .22 handgun), calico, intratec scorpion, feather AT-22, and an AR7 to your list as well.

 

[searcher451]

Take a look at the Hamilton Rifle Co. of Plymouth, Michigan. They made a variety of .22 caliber rifles for youngsters, the most popular of which is the Model 27. If you can find yourself a Model 7, you are really doing something right. Here's a link:

http://home.comcast.net/~jimringbauer/HamiltonRiflesindex.html

Happy hunting.

 

[floridabou3]

marlin 39a would be one to pick up for sure. also hmmm theyhave some nice browning 22's that load from the butt. im really wanting to pickone of them up im notsure of the model..

 

[fireman 9731]

The Remington Nylons were pretty good guns, and have some collector value. It never hurts to add a lever action to the list. Marlin 39A is about the best current one you could get, with Henrys being fairly nice as well.

If you want to go for higher end stuff, pump action 22s always seem to hold their value. The old Winchesters are beautiful rifles. I had an older Remington 572 Fieldmaster that was really nice, and the current Henry pump guns are also very nice and will hold their value.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Mounties, old gallery guns, browning semiautomatics( the high grade ones made in Belgium) 17 HMR semi autos (they're going to be real rare since they were recalled and converted to 22 magnums) Wnchester 52 duh,

 

[22-rimfire]

It really depends on how long you intend to hold these rifles. The collector market is finicky. I would suggest you buy the 22 rifles that appeal to you and let the market do whatever it might do relative to value. With collector stuff, it is all about condition and usually production (ie rarity). Stay away from most commoratives.

With handguns, I would look almost exclusively at Colt and Smith & Wesson. You will pay for these; sometimes dearly. I would consider some of the old Rugers, but generally most Rugers don't have much collector value except for the old single actions. High Standard pistols are probably a sound purchase if bought for a fair price.

But in general, stick to name brand guns (Colt & S&W (mostly handguns), Remington, Winchester) and look at the lower production or unusal models or versions. These days all the Colts are very desireable in 22. Smiths are more common but will retain their value and continue to increase in value. Remington Nylon 66's and the different models of such are popular. Remington target 22 rifles are sleepers in the market and should do well as more and more people get into shooting target rifles and sporter class rifles (541-S, 541-T, 513-S). With the Winchesters, obviously the Model 52 is tops. The Model 75 is good if you find one. Some of the models are pretty desireable such as the 9422. Old Marlin 39A's are sound purchases if you buy at a fair price. Many like the old Mossberg target rifles for value and accuracy. Older Brownings are good if purchased at a fair price.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the price range as the more desireable ones are often valued over $500 these days.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm an accumulator of 22's, not a collector. I get the ones that catch my fancy for whatever reason. I like the Ruger 10/22 DSP style rifles (The Wally World Special is included in that "style"). I think it's one of the nicest looking factory rifles ever made of any kind. The same could be said for the 77/22. Marlin's 39A and an Ithaca 49 Single Shot are my lever guns.

In handguns Smith & Wesson Model 17 & 18, the Dan Wesson 22, Colt Frontier Scout, Ruger Single-Six, Bearcat, and Standard 22 automatic have caught my attention.

I need a Remington Speedmaster too. And a 10/22 international...and...

 

[22-rimfire]

Many like the military trainer rifles in 22. I expect them to continue to go up in price, but pretty much in line with inflation or a bit better.

 

[woad_yurt]

Instead of a Marlin 60, look at the older Glenfield 60s. They hold a few more rounds, they're made a bit better and they don't have that frickin' fragile triggerguard.

 

[Onmilo]

for handguns a S&W Model 17 and a Model 41 are good additions

Winchester .22s in all action styles are always a good choice in collectable .22 long guns.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Colt Trooper MK III in .22lr. Heavy as a boat anchor, but darn fun to shoot.

 

[22-rimfire]

Stay away from refinished guns unless it is something very special. Generally seek guns that exceed 95% condition and approach as-new condition. Values drop off very fast as condition goes below 95%. A very rare piece is the exception. When I say rare, I mean something highly desireable and with total production under a few hundred.

 

[whalerman]

.22's are fun, and there are lots of good reasons collect them. I've got one you guys might know something about. It's a .22 bolt action, and has MAS engraved in the top. It looks like some kind of military training rifle. Full sized rifle, with a ramp adjustable rear sight. I can't figure it out from the Blue Book. Thanks for the help.

 

[22-rimfire]

Sounds like a Mauser 45A rifle. Is it single shot or have a detachable magazine? The 45A has the detachable magazine; 5 shot I believe.

Added: The 45A was manufactured by Mauser in Germany right after WWII. Not many were made as rifle production goes. The French were running the factory as it had not experienced bomb damage. I'm told that the early ones came out of Germany and then the French moved production to France. Is this the rifle you are talking about? http://armesfrancaises.free.fr/CR Mauser mle 45 et CR MAS 45.html

 

[Hansli]

Buy whatever you like, they will be fun to shoot and most everything appreciates to some extent as new .22's become more expensive(which they do) your old walnut whatever will keep pace. I like the Marlin 39a, Browning BL 22 and the .22 Winchester lever guns, Remington 550, 552 autos, Remington 572 pump, there are lots to choose from. As for selling, you may have trouble parting with them anyway, you'll see.

 

[scythefwd]

Like someone said earlier, a Win 52D. Also, a Kimber 82, Mossberg 144lsb, anschutz 64 sporter. Once you have paid off that mortgage, then work on the "cheaper" ones. Everything on that list can commonly be found for 500-3k.

 

[whalerman]

22-Rimfire, you are absolutely right. That is the rifle I'm talking about. I was never able to obtain much info on it until know. Thank for the help.It is magazine fed, has a good trigger, and very well built. I've always wondered what it was. Thanks again. What do you think its worth?

 

[22-rimfire]

In good condition, it's probably worth in the $300-$350 range. I bought one last year for $300 at a gun shop without a magazine. Numrich has magazines for it. There are a few collectors out there who like these. I believe Navy Arms imported them around 1980 or so. I maybe wrong on the date. They certainly have a little history built into them.

As another poster said to me.... can you imagine how the Mauser employees felt after the Nazi's surrendered and they had to work for the French?

There are a couple threads on RimfireCentral that concern these. I knew nothing about these until I bought one. RFC just recently started a Military Trainer" sub forum and most of the threads were prior to that change. Look in "Other Rimfire" or something like that. There are people that know far more than me. They educated me.

 

[Dave B]

Check out a Mossberg 44US , Military training rifle. You can still find nice ones fairly cheap, and they are great shooters. I have noticed that older Winchester 22s have started to rise in value, Rems too.

 

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

I'd suggest the older Remingtons. There are several models to pick from, and they can often be picked up cheap. Best of all, they shoot.

I shot this group at 50 yards, offhand, with Wal-Mart Federal bulk-pack ammo.

Next time I go to the range, I'll have some premium match .22 in tow.

KR