yet another .22 noobie

[9000_red]

this is my first post, i've been browsing the forum in search of info on a good .22 handgun.

i'm looking for something between free and 350 bucks, a gun i could use for fun (shooting cans and the occasional vermine), that looks good and will be a good long term investment in quality and value. at first i was set on a semi auto like a walther p22, or beretta u-22 neos, but in the long run, i don't think i'd like those a whole lot.

i'm sort of looking into either a semi-auto ruger, due to the aftermarket support, or a nice revolver of some sort, maybe a s&w or a rossi. i haven't looked into the revolvers as much, so i'm not sure where to start. just throw suggestions if you don't mind, and thanks for your input in advance.

[Pilot]

For the money, you can't beat the Ruger MKII, MKIII or 22/45 or the Browning Buckmark.

[mica]

P22

[kozak6]

Whatever you do, don't get a Phoenix Arms HP-22.

[Tom2]

I think you would be better taking a survey of what are the duds to avoid. There are alot of nice choices out there that you could make. Larger list than crappy guns. Some are long out of print. You cannot really go wrong with a Ruger but it is heavy and hard to disassemble for cleaning, at least at first. Some of the other choices have polymer or alloy frames. There really is not recoil to worry about so light is alright as long as it balances good in your hand. I had a Browning once, and it did have a better trigger pull than a stock Ruger. You can mod the Ruger for a better pull, but why look into buying something that you have to spend alot more on, to make it good for you? Sig, Beretta, and some other off shore makers are making good guns. The Walthers had teething problems with reliability, but they might be over that now. Best get that one from a shop where you can take it back if it jams alot. There are some nice single and double action revolvers out there too, and feeding problems are forgotten. Only problems I have heard of in modern 22 revolvers might be light hammer hits. And you can fire all sorts of 22 ammo in a revolver, like the CB caps for indoor practice, or any odd bullet shape. Even some have conversion cylinders for 22 mag. That is flexibility.

[Jayb]

handle as many different models/brands as you can get your hands on. A few of them will "feel right" to you. Those are the ones you want to pursue. If it doesn't "feel right", you won't enjoy shooting it enough to become proficient with it.

[CajunBass]

Personally I think it's hard to beat a Ruger, but I admit that Browning is a good choice too. If you happen to have a Gander Mountain near you, check with them. They've had Ruger Mk II's for just over $200.00, and a Smith and Wesson 22 semi (I forget the model number) for just under that. I've never even handled the Smith, but it looked good. Perhaps somone else knows something about them. I think it's a Model 22? 22a? Something like that.

For a revolver, a Ruger Single Six is hard to beat.

[Douglas Chesson]

I've had mine going on 12 years and it is like that battery rabbit "It keeps on going, and going, ..."! Simple, easy to break down, easy to clean,support out the yeass and priced right. I suggested the older style as that is what I'm familiar with; if the 45 frame mimic is as reliable go for it. Get the heavy barrel though, it is the best to control overall.

[dispatcher]

I'm a Buckmark fan, but you cannot go wrong eith a Ruger either

[jamaica]

If you have a hankering for a revolver, a Ruger Single Six with an extra cylinder for 22 Mag is a good one.

I have used the dickens out of mine. It has been 100% reliable.

[Invicta]

The Walther P22 is a nice gun. For plinking its really fun. A lot of people seem not to like em but I've never had any problems with em. Just keep the gun clean and you shouldnt have any probs. If it were my $300 i'd go with a Browning Buck Mark, they have a whole bunch of different models and most are really accurate. Ruger, S&W, Beretta, Walther, Browning, they all make decent guns for $300 or less. Just stay away from really cheap stuff.

[osuflipster]

First .22 should be a Buckmark or Ruger, I prefer the look and trigger of Buckmark so that is my vote. For your needs look at the Buckmark Hunter $330 new shoot it for awhile, then add a scope later for hunting.

[X-RAY]

+1 to what jamacia said on the Ruger Single Six. I'ts the only handgun that I ever bought used and it's one of my most "fun" guns. It'll shoot .22 long rifle or .22 Mags. Easy to maintain and cheap to shoot. Good starter for developing your shooting skills.

[seth]

I got the Beretta NEOS. Sure, it looks like a "ray gun," but I actually like it like that. It comes with an integrated rail, clear sights, and is very comfortable to hold. I have the longer 6 inch NEOS in all black, and picked it up locally for only $360. Online, you can find it for around $250 unshipped from GunsAmerica.

The accuracy, feel, and smooth recoiling won me over, as well as the good looks. I personally hate the silly pencil barrel-German luger looks of the Ruger MK series and Buckmarks, though I doubt you'll find anyone on this forum who disputes their accuracy, reliability, and quality.

[gonziii]

I have a ruger and like it. Pain to break down and clean until you get use to it, but a nice gun. I came close to buying the Buckmark, but haven't shot one so I really can't comment. Maybe easier to break down though.

I think a revolver would be nice as well. I think you can shoot magnums and long rifle out of the same gun with them, so kind of like getting two for one.

[44 AMP]

.22 handguns are the most fun for the least expense. I an very fond of my Ruger MK I, with its' "skinny luger like barrel":D (6&7/8 in, with adjustable sights). More accurate than I am, never needed anything better.

Several people have remarked on the fact that the Rugers are complicated to take down and reassemble for cleaning. They are, but if you are taking them that far apart, you are doing more than needed. The guns will run just fine for thousands of rounds just cleaning what you can reach without take down. At least mine have. Yes, I do take them down and do a detail clean every dozen years or so.:)

Also have a Browning Challenger (another older one), a Stoeger Luger, and somhow I even got a Jennings pocket gun. The Jennings is not in the same class as the others, jams regularly, and mostly deserves all its' bad press. If you want a decent small .22, this is not the one to get.

I also have a Ruger Single Six (with .22Mag cylinder). Great gun. Diffeent from the autos, each shot takes a little more effort, and you don't get as many per loading, and of course slower to reload than an auto (unless you only have ONE magazine:eek: ) but a great gun to learn to shoot on, cause the ammo lasts longer:)

But if you want a real challenge, get a Contenter with a .22 barrel. I finally got one, 10 in, octagon (hexagon?, whatever, the one with the flats). Had a scope base on it when I got it, but I put iron sights on it, just for the challenge. Big heavy gun, tiny little cartridge, and only ONE shot!

I have some steel to shoot at, and there are few things bettger than haveing someone else shooting an auto (usually), fast, and missing alot, then you just step up with a single shot, one hand, classic bullseye stance, and plink! nail it.

The bad thing about .22 autos is they let beginners shoot way too fast, so they miss alot. The good thing is the misses don't cost much (compared to centerfire ammo). Revolvers slow you down, and single action revolvers more than double action. This forces beginners to concentrate more on the fundamentals of shooting, sight picture, trigger pull (squeeze), breathing, grip, each shot. Most folks crawl before they walk, walk before they run. Start slow, get good, then get fast, and you will still be good. start fast, be lousy, learn bad habits, make it extra hard to get good.

Good luck and good shooting:)

[stallion114]

recently picked up a buckmark. It is awesome, and a blast to shoot. I was definetely not working on fundamentals, because the range was closed and i just went in the woods, and blasted throough 300 rounds. I got it at gander, it was on clearance for 300, then another 50 off all clearance guns 300-1000. That was for the nickel one, the black is cheaper.

[joebob2000]

I have to say if you are just looking for a semiauto thats accurate and still looks like a gun, go with the buckmark. I have shot my friend's and the recoil is so controllable it makes shooting accurately effortless, and it chews through the ammo other guns wont even chamber. Another friend has a Neos and I admit I dislike the gun mostly for its ugly, impractical styling. Its still a very good shot.

If you are looking for a more typical look in a semi the walther P22 is nice, the only complaint I have about mine is that its picky about wax-laden ammunition (the remington golden brick shoots flawlessly, cheaper federal and the like are trouble). Personally, I find the huge barrel and heavy weight of the 'target' 22s like the buckmark and neos to be a turn-off, which led me to the P22. If that doesn't bother you, then they are fine choices.

[Bigfatts]

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=45863400

They are harder to find but they are super accurate and handle well. I do not have one but a friend does and I shoot it occasionally. It's pretty sweet. Other than that, I like the Ruger. I am kinda sad to admit I just got rid of mine. I gave it to my wife and she traded it on a new Ruger P93. Oh well. I also just picked up a Buffalo Scout revolver, it looks like a SAA. It has interchangeable cylinders for .22lr and .22WMR. I paid $50 for mine and it's in great/almost new shape. They go for around $100 on Gunbroker. It's a pretty good little gun. Pretty accurate, for a gun with fixed sights.

[ddskehan]

Pick something that fits your hand first. If it doesn't feel right in your less likely to shoot it. I like ruger mark 1s and 11s. They are cheap $$ to boot. Buy it used to for short money if you can. That new one will look old after a couple of bricks of your favorite 22s. If your new to shooting, be safe.

[hogzilla]

First off i want to say hi and im new to this is a great site. I own a ruger mark II for 15 years. I haven't shot it much due to being very busy but i found a new range and i got the itch again. It has a 10 inch bull barrel and I wish i got the shorter barrel because after 100 rounds it starts to get very heavy. If i was to buy it now i would go with the shorter barrel.

[AirForceShooter]

Rugers
Your grandkids will be shooting it

AFS

[zippyfusenet]

I have a Ruger 22/45 and I like it very well. I also have a Ruger SP101 revolver in .22, and like it well too. I once had an Intratec Tec-22, and it was a complete POJ. That's the sum of my hands-on experience. I'm sure there are 22s I haven't tried that are good shooters too.

You don't have to waste ammunition with an autoloader, you can shoot it slowly if you like. You'll be able to get a decent .22 autoloader for less money than a revolver - say $200+ if you shop hard. You'll have trouble finding a good revolver for less than $350.

[warwagon]

I personaly would recomend the Ruger single six . It will teach you both sight alignment, and patientance(something we all could use!)

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

[22-rimfire]

I'd go with a heavy barreled Ruger Mark II or III. The Mark III hunter is a really nice model, but I believe it cost a bit more than $350. Buy a good heavy auto and you will have it for life. It will never let you down and will shoot better than you are capable of shooting (as it should be). Enjoy!

[guntotin_fool]

ok in the price range you listed (or really pretty close)

the SIG trailsides from CDNN.
The SIG mosquito.
Ruger, bearcat, single six, MkII or III, or the SP101.
Smiths, Any of the .22 they make.
Taurus They make a nice clone of the 17/617
Browning, ( they do not fit me but they seem to shot for those how do)
buckmarks or older.
the Kimber .22 1911. (over budget but nice shooting)
old colts if you are lucky frontier, or woodsmans
highstandards. same as colt. if you can find a niceone buy it.
the walter p22. (not really in the same class as the above, bit it is a fun gun., just not a great one to learn on as it is not a tack driver like almost all the ones above,)
finally some older H&R top breaks, the 999 sportsman is a fine gun, some of the others are not so nice.

If you buy a good one, even a decent used one, you will have a blast with it. When i lived on the inlaws farm I carried a ruger mk 1 everday as a rat gun. maybe killed a thousand critter with that gun. raccoons, rats, a few snakes, several feral dogs, pidgeons.