I'm considering the purchase of a previously owned, S&W .22 for a general fun use plinking/back-yard gun. Don't want to spend much more than $300. Possibly long BBL, adjustable sights, proven reliability. Your recommendations would be most appreciated.

Tnx,
Ray

Buy a 22a. You should get one way under $300. The one I shoot has had only one misfire in 500rds. I think it was just a bad cartridge.

The 22a is not like a 41 but it doesn't cost $1000 either.

Check out the Ruger MKIII. Lots of options/models and a big after market for add-ons if you want.
GunTalk-Online.com

I love my 22A!
Best value on the market. IMO
G

Browning Buckmarks
under $300 NIB
Great shooters

The S&W 22a Shoots with guns costing 2 & 3 times as much. I picked mine up for $209 Tax included, installed a Millot Red Dot and it shoots nickel sized groups at 25 yards with my old shakey hands.

Only problems (2)

1. I have had is bought some WW amo that would FF the second round after firing the first. I only happened with that ammo and would only do it the one time in each mag load. I finally put it down to ammo when CCI, Federal, Remington and some other cheap brand I never heard of before all functioned perfect. I also had some problems with WW 22 Magnum in my Model 48 S&W.
2. When my arthritis is acting up I find it sometimes impossible to dissassemble for cleaning.

Having owned Beretta, Browning, Ruger, Sig, and some brands I never heard of a decade ago, I would rate the 22a as the best buy for a plinker. It is as accurate as all the guns I mentioned, and in the case of the Ruger more accurate. But I still have my old Mk I, but got rid of the Mk III Target long barrel when it was routinely out shot my the 22a for some reason. Probably the most accurate I ever owned was my Browning with same Red Dot mounted on top.

I have a slight preference for the 22S, but either the 22S or 22A is hard to beat for the money. Of course, I would prefer a Model 41, but for that kind of money, I would get a nice O/U.

Thanks for all the replys. Realy like the appearance and construction of the Browning Buckmark. Priced comparable with S&W and Ruger. They seem to be very popular as it's a bit problematic finding a used one, to my liking. Like the slabside, SS w/ wooden grips. Prefer the shorter BBL but would consider the longer BBL at no cost premium. So on with my quest to find one.

Rgds,
Ray

The Buckmark is a good choice. Very reliable and very accurate. Get one with the rail on top as you may want the option of adding a red dot. The Field, Target and Contour models have the rail. The 5.5 barrel is plenty accurate and better balanced that the longer one. The field and target models have wood grips which I find nicer.

For an inexpensive plinker, don't overlook the 422/622 series from S&W. I bought a Model 422 when they first came out and have about 2 gazillion rounds through it with no problems. They can be had very cheaply.

I have a new 22A that I love...it is really a great shooter. However, I love my recently acquired 422 even more. I traded a rifle for it, and it is truly like new and is an awesome shooter. I found an optic mount for it, but I like it so much with the open sights that I'm going to leave it alone. I've got a red-dot on my 22A and it is lots of fun. For what you are looking for, I'd get a brand new 22A instead of something else used.