Hey guys im looking for a cheaper way to shoot and was thinking about getting a little cheap 22 pistol. What would you guys recommned?

In advance thanks to all that answer!

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Aim small miss small

Auto or revolver?

With the high cost of ammo , many people are rediscovering just how much fun a good .22 can be.

Ya can never go wrong with a Ruger auto. Reliable , accurate and usually very affordable , only problem is they don't last long on the 'used' shelves at the LGS.

The H&R break-top 9-shot revolvers are reasonably accurate , reliable and affordable.

Besides a couple of Rugers and a Remington I also have an Advantage Arms conversion for my Glock G17. The only reason I mention this is because of the awsome advantage of being able to train with my G17 and use my existing duty gear and shoot cheap .22 ammo. I realize many are not Glock fans but good conversions are available for 1911s as well. The AA conversion may have been the best 300.00 I ever spent.

If you can find a "cheap" .22, please tell me where they are.

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Dennis
He's got a gun!

I got a S&W 22A for $200 at Cabelas. It shoots great and is reliable.It has great sights. I had to take a little file and just break the sharp edges around the trigger guard and trigger. It isn't a match Bullseye gun, but if the trigger was a little lighter and crisper it might be. For a plinker for around $200 it's a steal. I went back and bought a spare.

Walther P22 hands down...not real cheap (around $300 or so), but worth it...lots of fun to shoot and cheap.....

I agree with the 22A, a good pistol for the money. If you are looking for a used pistol, there is the Browning Nomad, the Colt Woodsman, or Huntsman, a Single Six, or something from High Standard. For something really out there look up the Savage 101.

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Vaya con Dios

Would not really matter much if Auto or revolver....i guess revolver i would go through ammo a little slower since im not the fastest at reloading them.

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Aim small miss small

You can shoot a bunch more types of boolets through a revolver.

AKA CTG's

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Dum vivo cano

Cheap??? You can pay up to $20 per box for 22 ammo. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I'm planning on getting an M&P22. Not cheap, but a quality weapon from what I can tell.

I just bought one of the newer Colt/sigarms 1911's
in .22 and its a blast to shoot. Has the same features as the
full-size 1911 so its good for training and practise if you have
a 1911 model .45acp
Though not real cheap at 399.00 It's a heckuva lot of fun and with
4 extra mags i don't have to reload very often.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Ya but how many rounds are you getting for that price....were im shooting at its costing me $25 per box of 50 rounds of 9mm, at walmart its costing me $12 for box of 50 9mm. i shoot 200 rounds per session about 3xs a week with charge of lane at $16...i have my own ears and eyes so they dont charge me for that targets x4 = $6 total for the week shooting 3 different times at 200 rounds per visit using walmarts cheapest ammo (federal ) $12 per box at 50 rounds per box plus lane fee and target fees = to 210 per week x4 to = a month is 840......ya cant keep doing that...its starting to hurt my wallet pretty bad....

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Aim small miss small

22 match ammo can easily run $25-$30 for a box of 50. Last year I was looking at the used gun case at the LGS and found a 5" Phoenix HP22 for <$100 and on a whim I bought it. So far it has not jammed using cheap bulk ammo and has minute of pop can accuracy at 25 yds. Is it as accurate or well made as my Ruger Mk1 Target? Of course not. But it's reliable and fun and has become the family plinker.

However, for a semiauto 22 the Ruger design has proved VERY durable. This year the Ruger has surpassed the Colt Woodsman as the US made 22 semi auto pistol in longest continuous production.

[QUOTE=walnutred;136493918]22 match ammo can easily run $25-$30 for a box of 50.

i thought that you coud get a box of 22 ammo 550 round for like $30 at walmart? im i wrong?

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Aim small miss small

Ruger MkII or MkIII. They're cheap, reliable and accurate enough for competition.

I prefer the older MkII because I don't like magazine safeties.

I tend to take the opposite track with my .22s. I buy only top of the line stuff, revolver and / or auto. You will almost always end up shooting more money's worth of ammo through a well used .22 than the gun cost (no matter how much you paid for it) within a few years, and most people will hang on to a good .22 while selling almost anything else, so used high quality specimens in excellent condition are in demand and not cheap either. IMO the best bet for a guy on a budget is the Ruger auto.

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Run Fast, Bite Hard!

[QUOTE=bp231986;136493925]He said MATCH ammunition. The last time I checked, Walmart doesn't even stock anything that could by any stretch of the imagination be considered "match" ammunition.

I've got a High Standard target pistol. I wouldn't shoot anything that Walmart sells in it. I use nothing but CCI Standard Velocity. High speed ammunition might crack the frame.

You could shoot pretty much any safe .22lr in a Ruger MkIII.

[QUOTE=bp231986;136493925]Your correct about the bulk ammo, around here it runs about $20-$25 for 500 and that is probably what most people, myself included shoot. However I have a friend who plays around with small bore competition and Stuff like Eley Tenex runs around $20 per box of 50. Specific lots that have a reputation of exceptional accuracy can bring more.

I do not do a lot of shooting with semi-auto pistols. I have a RIA 1911 that I very much enjoy, but I usually only shoot it with standard 230 gr. ball loads. It is very accurate and easy to use. I have given a bit of thought to buying a Marvel .22 LR top unit so that I will be able to shoot it more frequently. I've not yet reached a decision.

I do very much enjoy shooting revolvers. I very much positively adore my Model 15 and 19 revolvers. However, I cannot afford to shoot them in high volume all the time. No worry! I have a Model 18 that is the ideal understudy. With it I can practice DA and SA shooting to my hearts content. If I shoot 500 rounds in a single session, I've not spent $20 for the whole affair. It weighs maybe 1 oz. more than the 15 and maybe that much less than the 19. The grips are identical as are the sights. I cannot distinguish any significant difference in the SA trigger pulls of the three revolvers. The 18 has a outstanding DA trigger pull, possibly because it has been fired untold thousands of times. The 15 and 19 DA trigger pulls are excellent. The 18 allows me to practice live fire far beyond what I could otherwise afford. When I then shoot the 15 or 19, my on target results are very much improved. This also helps my shooting when using my 21-4, 28-2 and 625-2. They are of course larger, but the principles of SA/DA shooting with such revolvers is the same.

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<><

I have a 617 and a 22a. You can't beat the 22a for good cheap fun with bulk ammo. It's an accurate gun that is fun to shoot.

My Ruger 22/45 works with any ammo and is more accurate than I can shoot.

Hard to beat a Ruger MK anything. My wife has a MK II. I've got a MK III. I can't tell a dimes worth of difference between them. I wouldn't pay any more for one than the other.

MK III



Mk II



But for top of the line 22 fun (IMHO).

S&W 22 Combat Masterpiece



Match ammo? You're kidding? I shoot 22's to shoot cheap. Bulk pack from Wally-World works just fine for me.

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John 3:16 .

I am fortunate to have both a Model 15 and an 18. It is so much fun to shoot .22 as a practice/training round and it certainly does improve the Model 15 results. I have a M&P9 and recently purchased an M&P22 as a companion shooter. Although not as cheap as some of the other .22s mentioned here, it is a fantastic gun. In fact, I haven't shot any of my other guns since I got the M&P22. I was just lucky to come across the Model 18 at a great price, and I had to sell another S&W pistol to afford the M&P22, but I don't regret it. The sacrifice was worth it. (I'm not telling what I sold as to avoid all the comments I might receive) And as for match ammo, who do I think I am, Jerry M.? Bulk pac is just fine for me.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

I have to disagree with this suggestion.
I had one and couldn`t wait to replace it.
There were too many things wrong with it IE:

very coarse sights
mag safety
disassembly procedure-tools needed
questionable material used in the slide- cast aluminum/or pot metal??

I replaced it with a standard Ruger MK2 -all steel, very natural pointing,real good trigger, and a great shooter and actually cost less.

I like the Ruger better than my S&W 34, Colt diamondback, Colt Ace, Colt New Frontier,Walther PPK. Actually I like them all, but the Ruger really does shoot the best!

Just go buy whatever you can find for now . It wont be long you`ll have a bunch of them- >22`s are like potato chips you can`t stop with just one.

I agree, the Ruger 22/45 is extremely accurate. I have a Bushnell red dot on it and paid $286 for the whole set up NIB. has the look/feel of the larger 45 but cheaper and easier to shoot/control.

You have gotten some great advice. I have three .22 handguns I like as type examples. They echo some mentioned recommendations:
Ruger 'Mark I' is accurate and infallible. Loves CCI Mini-Mags, yet has unlimited digestive powers. [YMMV, tried Hi-Standard and Browning also - Ruger for me for general use.]
Single Six [3-screw] is wonderful for leisurely plinking. Of course, eats everything.
S&W favorite is a 98% 1959 17, but hard to shoot it and keep ultra-pristine....

Upshot - an old 17 or 18 often gets the call. Have some miles, and many more smiles.

Whatever you do - buy a quality gun, new or used. You only cry once. Action type - recommend revolver for first .22, as easier as a teaching vehicle for me, at least. Ammo? Whatever is available and clean, often CCI for me. Quality 'bulk', CCI, Fed, Win also good, esp when on sale.

All hopefully from a dealer who becomes your friend and keeps an eye out for your present/future want[s] list.

Regards,

Dyson

Yep , I shoot the powder-less .22 Colibri's thru my revolvers in my living room. Was using an old Outers .22 bullet trap , but the little slug hitting it actually made more noise than the report. Now I use a box full of old magazines and newspaper.

I have not held one (yet), but the new Ruger SR22 is getting great reviews on severl other forums (fora?)

Used Ruger MK II. They can still be had for under $300. Last gun show I attended, a guy offered a SS 6" fixed sight model for $260. I passed, I regret that. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I love QUALITY .22 handguns. I've had and sold off these autos: S&W 422, Walther P-22, Sig Mosquito, Taurus PT-22. All were mediocre or worse.

Recommended Semi-Autos: Ruger Mark II- great guns that are normally very accurate and can be easily upgraded. The Mark II is good, to but the loaded chamber indicator and magazine disconnect are un-necessary. The Browning BuckMark is good too. The GSG-1911 .22 is a cool copy of a 1911-A1 .45 that shoots pretty good.

Revolvers- ANY S&W K frame .22. K-22 Masterpiece, Model 17, 18, 617. Ruger Single-Six. Believe it or not -Taurus 970 Tracker .22. Replace to cheap springs and you have a great shooting revolver for $300.

You need to define "cheap". I have several .22 caliber handguns, I also have .22 caliber conversions for several of my service type sidearms. GSG type 1911-22's, S&W M&P 22, can be had for about $400.00 give of take.

S&W K frames are some of the best you could own, but start out around $500.00 and go up.

Ruger Single Sixes, MK's and similiar are good choices.

Do you own a semi-auto service type sidearm? Many can be converted to .22 caliber. There are dozens of choices. My advice is to buy the best you can afford and fits your hand. Low price due to poor quality will leave a bad taste in your mouth in years to come.

Good luck in your choice.

LTC

What else can be said? but I will repeat that .22 hand guns are fun and cheap to shoot. I have 4: Browning Buck Mark, Ruger Mark l, Colt Official Police, and S&W K22.They are all great in their own ways. As said before the revolvers can shoot all kinds of ammo. Also the .22 hand guns are terrific for introducing newbes to shooting.

I like shooting .22's. About 4 mos ago I bought a case of CCI Blazer for 135.00. Thats 5000 rounds. Larry

[QUOTE=walnutred;136493936]Yeah Eley Tenex is ~ $20.00 for fifty.
If you buy it in bulk like the US Olympic team it is a lot less. Some is free.

I shoot ~ 1000 rounds of .22lr a month. I can get 1000 rounds of CCI mimi mags for ~$73.00 OTD. They do well in all my pistols and rifles.

I also buy Federal Champion Target .22LR 36gr Copper-Plated HP by the case. ~ $184.00 OTD for 5250 rounds. These do about as well as the CCI.
As far as good shooting brand look at GSG(German Sport Gun).
I have a GSG 1911, GSG 522, and a GSG Ak47. All are so much fun too shoot!!!
I also have a S&W M&P 15/22. This has to be one of the best22lr I have ever owned. Not for accuracy, just for fun. Kick Brass it will.
The GSG 522 will give the 15/22 a run for the money. I have a lot of .22lr rifles. Just started buying pistols.

The GSG 1911 although not a target pistol is very accurate at 10 yards. Fifty yards at a bench, I am able to hit a 9" pie pan almost every time.
Good enough for me. Plus it makes me shoot my .45 cal better.
Guy22

Have all the 22 revolvers I will ever need so maybe a used semi will call my name if the price is right. Guess the old Woodsman is the classic.

Find (Gunbroker has a few) an old 422 or 622. Great designs and will feed anything.

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All Rights Reserved

Excuse me while I reach for the Kleenex. I'm going to cry that I don't find stainless Ruger .22's for that price when I have any money!

I have seen a couple of pretty good blued ones for that sum, but a really clean used one is often more. I seldom see nice used stainless ones. People keep them.

I've owned several Colt Woodsman and Woodsman Match Target guns, but really prefer the Ruger MK II.

I often see used Ruger Single Sixes for around $250. To me that is a pretty good value for a gun that will outlast your kids.

Ruger 10-22 a lot of bang for the bucks..my first pistol, shot 50 rounds a day for about 6 months, finally got good enough I didn't embarrass myself in front of my buddy's. Some of them still claim I am an embarrassment..

For what you save in ammo, splurge and get a classic S-W or Colt Woodsman. While far from a "cheap" .22 they are built like tanks, and provide a ton of fun for the dollar. If price is a factor I fully agree with the Ruger option mine is going on 30 now, and never a lick of trouble.

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always trust your cape...

I purchased a 22a with a 7 inch bbl. last fall. I dont know how many rounds I put thru it but dang its fun. It is very accurute. I have not yet scoped it. I paid around the 150 range. It has feed most everything I have put through it. I have some very old 22 ammo and it has only about 5-10 FTF and or FTE. Other than those has been awesome and I would reccomend to anyone.

Great stuff guys!!! i might just end up getting the M&P22....not sure though because i would like to also have it in a revolver......

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Aim small miss small

This GSG 1911 was about $300 new, and it's put a lot of smiles on our faces.

I saw the M&P22 recently for just over $300, might have been a black Friday special. I have one. I use CCI blazer in it and it works fine. didn't like the cheap stuff at first, but might be OK now. It is a ball to shoot. I also have a Kimber rimfire conversion on a Rock island Armory 1911. I like it, but the combo is pricy. I paid $375 for the .45 and $200 for the conversion kit. Both used as new. The only reasonable revolver I am aware of is the Taurus and the trigger pull is awful out of the box. As someone said, you'd have to replace the springs. A really nice K22 masterpiece will run just shy of a grand.

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Luke 22:36

I won't agrue that the Rugers are fine pistols, but I much prefer the Browning Buckmark. About the same price and feels so much better in my hand.

My favorite .22 revolver is the good old S&W Model 18.

As already mentioned, forget cheap. Spend the bucks to get yourself a good .22 handgun. You'll never regret it.

I have a S&W 41 and a Hi Standard Supermatic; the kind with the two holes on either side of the front sight. Splendid guns, and I enjoy shooting them as well as a friend's Ruger Mk II.

However I went through three Colt 22/45 convrersion units and a very expensive, very pretty Colt Service Model Ace, to find none of them were reliable as the floating chamber fouled too quickly. I was looking at the new run of Colt look-alikes in 22 when it dawned on me that I can shoot my 45s with cast bullets for about the price of 22 ammo and be shooting a real 45 at the same time.

As a result I've lost interest in most 22 autos, although my most recent pistol purchase was a Hammerli-Walther Olympia Pistole in 22 short. Wow!! what a pistol.

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My Son calls me the "King of the turds 22's" because I love inexpensive 22 handguns. I have good ones; Smith, Colt, Ruger, ect. I also have inexpensive H&R's, High Standard revolvers, Hawes, Iver Johnson, ect. Some shoot better, usually the good ones, but all shoot well enough for everyday plinking. I love my "turds".

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Big Fred

I have an M&P 22 and man is it awesome. It costs just a bit more than many other .22 pistols but it is accurate and fun to shoot. It's also a great trainer because it is an actual M&P pistol in every way.
The M&P 22 is one of those rare .22's whose bolt actually locks to the rear after the last round. Don't know why I think that is cool, but I can't help it.

My wife has a Browning Buckmark Camper and it's so accurate there really isn't even much challenge in shooting it. It's a real sweet gun and will only cost you $299 at Academy.