.22 WMR Rifle

[jeffrefrig]

I've been casually seeking a 22 magnum semi-auto. I think I posted that a while back. I came across a Ruger Bolt action 22 magnum rifle with scope, sling, 3 mags, soft case & manual. Going up to look at it tomorrow. Not a semi-auto but I think a good buy at under $500.
Then I came across a bolt action 22 mag Colt "The Colteer" for $400 but no sights or anything.
My question is what is a Colteer? It's a rifle, but I never heard of it. Lots of info online for repair, what not, but are these good for decent plinking?
Also, I think I heard good about the Ruger. Any bad reviews on the Ruger? I can get the model number, but I think it's their only 22 Mag Bolt action. I will update this when I get the Model No.

 

[ColbyBruce]

The Colt rifles must be 50-60 years old. I believe those were made overseas for Colt. A friend had a semiautomatic carbine, IIRC it had a straight stock and a saddle ring in the receiver. I personally would prefer a newer gun if I was going to use it frequently.

I know a handful of people who own center fire versions of the Ruger American model and like them a lot.

 

[Llance]

I will soon have two .22 mags. Both of are made by Marlin from the old factory. One of them is a Model 57M, a lever action rifle which looks more like a large caliber centerfire rifle than a mere .22 but let me tell you, it's a shooter and if you are considering going after medium size game (anything up to a wolf) you'd be hard pressed to find a better rimfire. Would I sell it? Sure, if you gave me enough money and I was pushing daisies. My other is also a Marlin and truth be I haven't a clue to its shoot-ability or even its model number, but it's a Marlin bolt action so I'm fairly certain it is also a shooter. I do know it needs some work cuz the stock is as dry as the Acoma Desert in the middle of summer.

Llance

 

[4T5GUY]

My question is what is a Colteer?

There were two Colt Colteers offered, one was a semi and the other a single shot. I’m not sure but I think the .22 mag was only offered in the single shot bolt action.

I have had a .22 mag bolt action one for a very long time. (It’s actually a Montgomery Wards Hawthorn and still in excellent condition.) I bought it when a kid from a friend and still have it. 15 yrs ago I locally got an excellent condition .22 example for nothing. I just wanted the safety for the .22 mag.

The are inexpensively made but of high quality if that makes sense? Basic iron sights but they work perfectly. I put a scope on it for the boys after they learned to shoot but I took it off. The safeties tend to break in half but Jack First has hardened steel replacements. Ironically I recently got one but the sheet brass one I made worked perfectly for 40+ years. My Colteer .22 mag filled many pots with meat. They are capable of pinpoint accuracy.

I personally don’t think a bolt action single shot .22 mag Colt Colteer is worth $400.00 but that’s just me. Then again I already have one though.

Jim

 

[s&wchad]

I've been casually seeking a 22 magnum semi-auto. I think I posted that a while back. I came across a Ruger Bolt action 22 magnum rifle with scope, sling, 3 mags, soft case & manual. Going up to look at it tomorrow. Not a semi-auto but I think a good buy at under $500.

If that's a 77/22 in decent shape, buy it...

 

[mauser9]

Own the Ruger American in 22 magnum for the past 6 years. Is accurate and comes with a glossy bluing. Feeds and ejects great.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out CZs offerings.......I've got two 452 FS/Mannlicher's in .22mag, both are sub MOA shooters.

Edit: I have CZs in .17hrm, .22lr, .22mag and .223/5.56 all are great guns.

 

[beagleye]

CZ is hard to beat. I have 1/2 dozen, no disappointments.

 

[mcb66]

For semi auto the CZ 512 is hard to beat.

 

[DTH]

I have a Remington 597 22magnum. It shoots best with the heavier loads. It will do 1” groups at 100 yards with the Federal 50 grain load if I do my part

 

[M29since14]

I’ve never thought of any .22 WRFM as a plinker. Way too expensive for my tastes. I’d definitely check on the Ruger. A bolt action makes a lot more sense to me than a semi-auto, or an ancient one that was foreign made, and if it’s a 77 series model, could be a pretty nice rifle for the money - and you would be dealing with an American company for parts/service.

 

[Bald1]

If the Ruger is a newer “American” model it’s a nice rifle but not a great deal. As mentioned, if it’s a wood stocked 77/22 it’s a very nice rifle.

 

[2152hq]

The Colteer by Colt has a history that is scrambled to say the least.

The orig Colteer Model 1-22 was made by Jefferson Arms Co, N. Haven CT.
Later name changed to Kodiak Arms Co around 1966. Most people are more familiar with that name. They then used 'Jefferson' as a Model designation on a few guns.

The single shot Model 1-22 was made in .22RF S,L,LR starting in '56 or '57
The same rifle in 22WRM was added in 1959 when that round was introduced.

These rifles will usually have a 24" bbl length and NO Ser#.
Completely legal before GCA68.
One way to tell who actually mfg them.
They may have the Colt name and Model on them. Or a store brand like Western Auto , Mont Wards, and others.

This particular rifle was dropped in 1966.
Some references state that Kodiak/Jefferson made them for Colt through out the period.
Some state that Colt took over production at some point during that time and made the Model 1-22 rifles at HArtford.
Still others state that Colt farmed out production to other firearms mfg'rs like HighStandard during the period to make some of these for Colt and were continued after GCA68. Those will have a ser# on them if they are in fact out there. I've read where the bbl was shortened to 22" on these as well Collectors Note!

I really don't know what the full story is.
Even the Late Great Larry Wilson had to punt on this one stating the majority of Colteer production was by Kodiak under Colt contract. End.
Not much infor from the Great One. But not a big money gun either so no interest from LW at the time.

Colt also marketed a .22 semiauto rifle called the Colteer. It's name later changed to the Stagecoach.
Many Coltspurts say this rifle was made by Kodiak Arms for Colt. Kodiak being the renamed Jefferson Arms co as of about 1966. The same time that the orig Colteer Mod 1-22 was discontinued.
But...then others say that High Standard was the actual maker of the semiauto and Colt just the Retailer and name on the gun.
But,,,Kodiak Arms did make a semiauto .22 rifle for a time that was the exact same gun as the Colteer semiauto.
Sold as the Kodiak Model 260 and also as the Jefferson.
These are usually jamm-o-matics if the feed throat is the orig and has deteriorated with age. Being plastic they just crack and break. The
Colt Colteer semiauto rifle carrys the same plastic orig part.

Confusing... and there's undoubtedly a lot more to it than this.

 

[CH4]

I just picked up this Magnum Research Barracuda, a 10-22 clone. Sighted it in yesterday at work. Much better quality than a 10-22 magnum, much closer to my Volquartsen, but not nearly as heavy. Easily swallowed everything I fed her. Will be looking for a quality rimfire scope with 44-50 mm objective. Another selling point for the Magnum Research is that it uses 10-22 mags and other cool, Ruger or aftermarket parts.

 

[NYlakesider]

If that's a 77/22 in decent shape, buy it...

I agree! Have had 3 77/22 type rifles and they all were great guns.

Sold the ,17 and Magnum. Only have my first one now (.22LR) It was one of the first sold way back when. Crazy gun thinks its a target rifle, has won me a lot of bets over the years!

 

[22hipower]

If you want the best 22 WMR auto I too would suggest the Magnum Research versions. The one I had was very accurate and smooth functioning, but not inexpensive. Which is why I no longer have it, someone offered me twice what I had in it.

My favorite 22 WMRs though are the bolt actions CZ457 (the model in which they fixed the backassward safety) and the Anschutz 164M. Both are less than MOA shooters and very well built. The Ruger 77-22, the wood stock version as others noted, is nice too although accuracy can be spotty in those, at least the one I had. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[bishopm14]

I’ll probably pick up a .22 Mag CZ or Henry lever this year. And likewise try to get rid of the left hand Savage 93 and the Ruger American. Neither of those have been what I consider reliable. No sense in a bolt action that you need to slowly work and visually check that everything is kosher between shots. Kinda defeats the purpose.

As far as the Ruger, I had a couple factory BX15 mags before even buying the rifle. Neither of those feed worth a darn, the factory nine rounder mostly works, but the rifle acts like the extractor is weak and often lets go of the fired case when it’s halfway out of the chamber. Ruger sent a new stock to try but no improvement there, and I’m on no mood anymore to play shipping tag with factories getting problem gunsback and forth to them.

 

[Rock185]

The little, 16" Bbl., "Stagecoach" version of the Colteer in high condition has become collectible. I passed on one such in high condition at a very reasonable price a few years ago. Still kicking myself. Only .22LR though.

I like the idea of a semi-auto .22WMR rifle, but my .22 WMR experience has been with the Winchester 9422 lever action and Ruger American Compact bolt action. Both fine, reliable little .22 WMRs. Not finicky, both fed all the different types of .22WMR I used without issue..

 

[jeffrefrig]

I looked at the Ruger American bolt rifle today, it is in excellent shape, but I passed. I don’t shoot any small furry animals anymore, as they frown on that in the city, so I really don’t need a scope. I think the rifle new is less expensive and it has iron sights. A semi automatic is out. I grabbed a decent 22 Lr semi automatic last year and my grandson loves it. I can dump 22s as fast as my grandson can pull the trigger, but I’m not mag-dumping magnums! (He only does that with the last two 10-round magazines).
Hey I really appreciate all the input. I’ll write down all the guns mentioned above in my phone so I know what to look for. South Hills area of Pittsburgh tomorrow to hook up with my old work buddy for coffee, or beer, and some drooling on gun cases. Lotsa long guns there, too.
Edit to add: The above post, that’s the Ruger I was looking at today, and a nice pair there.

 

[Farmer17]

To me, the 22 magnum begs to be chambered in a classic, frontier style lever action. I don't know much about what is offered besides the Henry and of course, the old Winchester 9422 would be the gold standard but they are hard to find and pricey.