I have a buddy (honest, it ain't me!) who is interested in collecting .22s Rimfires.

He has a 9-shot pre-WWII H&R .22 999-type, top-break revolver from his dad and he thinks he'd like to collect a few more 22s, what with ammo being more available.

Like me he's retired, so he isn't buying anything really "collectable," with original packaging, papers, in 90+%; rather more like shooters.

I know zip about .22s, except for my old Winchester 52D I shot through high school & college and a Ruger Mk IV I play with at the range.

Can anyone give some suggestions of specific rifles and pistols he might consider. He's not looking for modern stuff, but stuff that has some historic value, or is fun to shoot, or is still somewhat underpriced (like that's gonna happen!).

I'm going to suggest he immediately "invest" in a 10/22 of some ilk for the obvious reason and in a Ruger Mk of some vintage.

What else is out there?

He'll be grateful for any advice.

Tell him to checkout RimfireCentral.com for any and every .22 out there.

The 2 you are suggesting are musts. I also would suggest one of the many fine single actions available. As far as rifles go, I'd suggest a Henry lever and some sort of pump like Rossi's copy of the Winchester if the prices of the originals give him palpitations. And a good bolt gun is a must. Many to choose from including vintage models.

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The best I can with what I got

For a rifle, I particularly like the Savage 6a or Stevens 87s (and its variants). They tend to be really well made, and have a very interesting semi-auto action where the bolt remains back after firing as long as you hold the trigger back...then it goes forward when you release the trigger. Nicknamed the "gill gun" based on the exhaust ports on the left side of the action, or sometimes called a "click clack" because of the sound made when you use the action as described above.

I have bought 2 beautiful condition ones in the $75-$80 range, and still see them fairly regularly for around that price.

A youtube video or two:

As mentioned in another post, the Smith K-22 or specifically a model 17 will ALWAYS be my answer to this question. They flat out shoot and are as cool as heck!

This K-22 is from 1952 ....

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Pass it on.
Mark

"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"

This little favor is gonna cost me money, I can tell. I'm gonna like some of these suggestions and wanna buy something. (Lever guns and pumps look like fun.)

Darn.

They are addicting! And there are incredible works of art out there that cost as much as used car. But the good thing is people tended to hold on to .22's. Often because it was their first gun. Then, when they got older, they put it away. So good quality used guns come on the market often. Some of the old ones are reasonably priced but still extremely well made guns. See jmace's post on the Savages.

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The best I can with what I got

Ruger Single Six convertible

Ruger MK-II

Remington Nylon 66

Smith 34

Weatherby MK

.... not sure many are historical but its surely a good variety ....

first new gun i ever bought was a remington pump 22 a day after my 18th birthday in 1976. put a bushnell 4x scope on it. i'll never let it go. it is sighted in with subsonic shorts at the time.

live rural but not isolated. feed the birds so you also feed the squirrels. when the squirrels don't run for their lives when i go outside i break out that little rifle and harvest 4-8 depending. closest neighbors are 200 feet away and they never know it. have other 22s but that one is special. krs/ kenny. thanks for the post. stirred up some good memories.

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Too good

I have the first gun I ever shot. It's Remington .22 pump. My mother held it to my shoulder, worked the action and aimed it and I jerked the trigger at random intervals. And so, an addict was made.
In my family, when you were 8 you got your Boy Scout Knife! Your very own knife! When you were 10, you got a BB gun! Again, your very own. And 12? You guessed it. A .22. Mine was a Remington beehive bolt. My older brother got one too. His was box mag and mine was tube. They're sitting right next to the first one. I have a Winchester pump that was gifted to me by my father. He got it when my uncle got old enough he didn't feel comfortable with it around.
None of those are for sale, nor will they ever be until after I've taken my last ride. They might be "poodle shooters" and they ain't made by the British firm of Winkle and Tinkle in the '20s for the African hunters, but they get into your soul and they put a grin on your face.
"He leadeth me down to the rimfire range. He restoreth my soul with ballistic therapy. Thus am I healed."

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The best I can with what I got

As others have said a S&W K22, or Model 17 should be on his list. A Ruger Standard Model 22 Auto pistol and also in the Ruger line a Single Six. The Ruger 1022. At least one Marlin model 60 or one of its variants. A Marlin model 39. One of the Remington pumps. A Ithica 49, Winchester 190. One of the old Savage gallery pumps. There are others that could be considered I am sure...

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Randy

Some historic guns are a good plan, like the Beretta M70. Example:

Hmmmm.....I thought I had a picture. Well, okay,

Beretta 70 - Wikipedia

(c) Wikipedia 2021


Some current production guns are available that are cool:

Walther PPK/S .22.

Not the best gun I ever shot but, still, kinda sorta iconic:



He might find a suppressed .22 is tons of fun like this Walther P-22:



Then there's the old HK Model 929; they've been around a long time.

Harrington & Richardson's Model 929 Sidekick

©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group

None of those are really expensive but - - - the 929 is likely the least expensive of all.

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Come and take it!!

I recently added this K-22 Outdoorsman to my collection. It took me a long time find one that met my criteria for price and condition.The fit and finish is incredible. The gun dates to 1939. BTW, it is a really fun shooter.

Another one for consideration might be this Colt Officers Model Special, 4th issue (top one in the photo). Not a common gun in the long running Officers Model series, this iteration was only made from 1949-52. This is the most accurate gun I own.

You can never go wrong with a model 17 or 18 either. Lots of great rimfire choices.

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How about a T/C Contender? Start with the .22 lr, and more calibers can be added later. And a brick of ammo lasts a long, long time with a single shot!

How did it take this long for someone to mention the S&W model 41?
Warning, the trigger will ruin your appreciation for a great many firearms.
If you work at it you can find one under $1000.
Colt woodsman is a classic, the target model won Olympic medals until the Walther Olympia pushed it aside.

The GSG 1911 22 seems to work OK for lots of folks.

CZ 452 Full stock or American.

Here is my .22 collection. I am also retired. .22s are a lot of fun.

Remington 572 Field Master Pump 22lr.
Marlin / Glenfield Model 60 Semi-auto Rifle
Marlin Model 39A lever action.
S&W M&P15-22

S&W Model 63 revolver
Ruger SR22 pistol

I am still looking for a bolt action rifle that is in good shape. Mossberg made a number of .22 rifles back in the 1950's and 1960s for Montgomery Ward, Sears, and Western Auto and sold under their privates labels. One in good condition used to be easy to find and not very expensive.

Great question:

Smith and Wesson 22 combat masterpiece/model 18.

Ruger single six new model or old model (.22/.22 mag convertible is fun)

Bolt action .22 rimfire CZ 452/457, Remington 510/580 series or Winchester 69a. (NB, if most shooting at organized range, ”Clip” loading handy; tube loading a pain to unload when range goes cold)

A Beretta 948, the coolest 22 I've ever owned.

Also an NAA mini, and a Jennings. Controversial, but fun. Probably should have a High Standard Derringer on the list as well.

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My gun ownership started (at the tender age of 50 lol) when the inlaws handed down to me their dad/grandpa’s old Colt Challenger. Was not a museum piece as they used it, and it sits in my safe now but i put almost 1k rounds thru it before i started buying new 22’s. And dang if that old Colt didn't still shoot nicely.
I now just shoot my SW Victory or my Buckmark (w/ cocobola grips). Both are reliable and fun and accurate. And someday my grandson will enjoy them.

Some rimfires on the relatively low cost side (during normal times) that I have enjoyed:

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I would also add that CZ Rimfire rifles like the models 452, 455, and the newer 457’s are fabulous shooters at a very attainable price point.

One of my favorites is this 452 FS (full stock) that will shoot incredible groups at 50 yards.

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Pass it on.
Mark

OH MY GOODNESS! Where do you even start? There are literally thousands of good .22s out there.
The Ruger 10/22 is a good rifle. Shoots decent enough. But honestly, I consider the stock factory model as nothing more than a starter kit. Once you start adding aftermarket goodies, it can be a tack driver.
I highly recommend a Marlin Model 60. These things have been around forever, inexpensive, work like a charm and are far more accurate than they have a right to be.
I'll second the Rossi 62 pump action. Pretty much a Winchester clone. Reliable, accurate, not overly expensive and just plain fun!
For a revolver, its gotta be a S&W. Any model would really be just fine. My personal favorite is the 4" K-frame Model 18.
As more of a collectible and more expensive, the Colt Diamondback .22s are also outstanding.
In semi-auto handguns, at the top is the Model 41. However, I'm extremely fond of the Browning Buckmark as well. Great guns, superbly accurate and reasonably priced.
My two most accurate .22s are both older guns no longer in production. They have become collectibles in their own right. If you can find them, snatch 'em up quick! These would be the Ruger 77/22 and the Winchester 9422.

Honestly, any decent .22 is a great gun. They can be had from mild to wild and dirt cheap to extremely expensive. Just grab whatever catches your eye and have fun!

I like 22s, both rifles and handguns. Here are my current rifles,

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We could list our favorite 22's all day long. I'd say buy whatever he likes or he could specialize in a certain brand or style. Here's a group of U.S. military 22LR training rifles. Everyone one in this photo is different model.

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Evidently great minds think alike. In the last month I picked up a new MK VI, a 1995 manufacture stainless 10/22, and have a very nice Model 18 that I paid way too much for waiting to be picked up. Love the 22LR.

Adding my small but enjoyable collection. The TC/R rifle was chosen over the Ruger mainly as I liked all the stock features it had, and it can use most 10/22 accessories. This thing is a blast to shoot.
The Buckmark is probably my overall fave, 5k rounds thru it and it just feels right with those thick wood grips. The Colt doesnt go out to play anymore. And the Victory has become my daily range toy. Just as accurate as the Buckmark but easy to take down to clean. Bonus points for that lol.

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Winchester 61 and 63, Ruger 10/22 and 22/45, Smith 17 and 63

A lever action Henry rifle would be both Cool & Classic and a shooter to boot. I love the way they will shoot 22 Shorts , Longs and Long Rifle ammo .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Historical EH

Has a H&R already

Ask Julian Hatcher about perfect

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Plus one on the suggestions of a Browning Buckmark and a S&W Model 41. Add a S&W Model 17 in one or two different barrel lengths and you'll have a pretty classy start to some old classic .22s.

I know it's bit on the high end but lets not forget the venerable S-W Mod. 41

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My suggestion would be reaching out for High Standard .22 target pistols. Between the grip frames (slant or military), barrels (5 1/2" bull or 7 1/4" fluted), main models (Supermatic or Victor), sub-models (Trophy, Citation or Tournament) and factories (Hamden, East Hartford or Houston, TX), there is a multitude of combinations to look for. And that's just the factory configurations. Add to the factory configurations the customized models by John Giles and Jim Clark. And these could be taken to a match and stand up to anything.

A lot of 50 year old High Standards are now turning up for sale as the former owners are leaving the bullseye competitions. I found one that the prior owner had already set up for optical sights so I put a new red dot on it and use it as my match back-up gun rather than altering another original gun. Use only standard velocity ammunition and they can be a shooting collectable.

If your friend is just starting out and has limited funds, I'd not go with one of the classic .22s like the old High Standard "space guns" of the 1960s. Way too pricey now.

I'd pick a currently available accurate and reliable .22 pistol like this current Ruger Mark IV target model. Fun to plink with or use as a serious target pistol.



As for fun, reliable and accurate .22 rifles, I'd look for a used Remington Nylon 66. They are reliable as sun up, very accurate and fun to shoot. I've modified this beater a bit, but it will still put 'em where you want 'em reliably every time.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Here’s my Beretta 70s.
If it’s good enough for the Mossad-
22 Rifles - endless possibilities.
Like the Rem 34 that old Buddy Milt gave my Son.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I still have my Marlin 781 bolt action that I got for Christmas 1979.

Still shoots like a champ.

Regarding the Ruger Mark pistols, I prefer the Mark I and II. The Mark III and Mark IV have more nanny features.

The Mark IV is a departure from the original gun in that it is much easier to disassemble.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Between my son and me we have a 17-1, 34-1, 63, Ruger standard 6.5", Ruger single six(Blue steel), and a Ruger 10/22. Sold my Weatherby XXII and regretting it.

I would suggest getting a couple old Gun Traders books. As short time ago as the 60s, 22s were like snow flakes. All major manf had a 22 line of rifles.
No counting plastics there were many more choices in handguns too. For shooting purposes many good 22s can be had Store Branded if you know what to look for. The Winchester line of pre 64 models are like gold but if you are willing to take one with extra holes and such even they can be had right.

A MUST have is a Marlin 1892/39/39a.

Longest running 22 in continual production, until production ceased in 2019 IIRC. Below is my 1973 vintage pre safety. Lever guns that shoot like target guns. It shoots S, L, and LR and I think it can hold around 50,000 22 Shorts.

And since he already has a pre war H&R 999 Double Action, how about a pre war H&R 199 Single Action to make the set. Below is my 1932 Model 199. Also a tack driver.

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Remington bolt action rifles are a good place to start if you want to collect 22s.

Cost is usually less than Winchesters, good shooter grades are reasonably priced.
There is the 510, 511, 512.

Of course that morphs into the 510P, 511P, 512P (peep sight) models!
Older models would be the 34, 341. Then onto the pumps! On and On!

He would be starting a lesser expensive good shooting gun collection. Unless of course he prefers the newer guns.

Ed

I have a model 17-2 from 1964. Recently purchased a Browning Buck Mark. Both shoot well. Put a Buck Mark red dot sight on it. Bob

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I had a very rough [pawnshop] Whitney Wolverine .22 in my hand just the other day. Had a beat up aluminum slide. I would love to own one but at $499.00 plus 7% tax I don’t think it will be that one.

The older Winchesters (1934 - 1963) are a good place to start. The single shot Model 67 is somewhat common, the peep site version Model 68 a bit less so. The magazine fed Model 69 will run a bit more but is still affordable (Well, they were before Covid at least). We would see them regularly at the WAC shows each month in Puyallup. Hopefully they start having shows again soon.

I seemed to evolve into a classic 22 rifle fan. In the last few years I have added

Marlin Mountie
Marlin 1897 Deluxe
Savage 1914 pump
Remington 12C pump
Win 62A pump
win 61 short Octagon bbl
Browning Semi auto
plus mulitple CZ bolt guns.

Except for the CZ's, most were made 1900 - 1950's. They are wonderful classics and most are still quiet affordale.

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Charlie

I’d second the Remington bolt actions and Winchester 62a. I’d also add a Ruger Bearcat with the brass trigger guard. Even the new ones are great. Also second an early Ruger 10/22 and any version of the Ruger Standard.

I’d suggest a lever action. I don’t know much about vintage 22 lever guns but even the Henry is rapidly becoming a classic and a ton of fun to shoot.

My first 2 firearms,
Rifle-Ruger 10/22
Pistol-Ruger MKII
Still have'm, still shoote'm.

Well I’ve been known to acquire and gather some less than perfect guns from time to time. You can’t go wrong with the following.

Winchester 9422
Browning BL-22
Marlin 1897-39
Remington rolling blocks
Stevens favorites
Ruger bearcats and single six’s
Smith and Wesson K&J frames.

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Dave
Regulators mount up!

Here are my picks:

Polish WZ48 trainer
Romanian M1969 Trainer
Cz 452 and 455 Trainer
Cz 452 455 457 Lux and Ultra Lux (There's no 457 Ultra Lux)

Beretta 71s with the threaded barrel are still around and somewhat cheap

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Thread Killer.

I'm voting for Colt Woodsman or the Huntsman
and a Remington Nylon 66.
Steve W