Looking for an INEXPENSIVE .22 auto

[M&P777]

Which .22 plinkers would you avoid? The following are the "negatives" I'm aware of for each model:
1) S&W 22a - Buffer must be replaced every 2,000 rounds.
2) Ruger Mk. II-III or 22/45 - Disassembly challenging (I've done it once).
3) Walther P22 - Early models jam-amatics. Can be ammo picky.
4) Sig Mosquito - Sigforum keeps reporting problems with many.
5) Browning Buckmark - Grips hold parts in place; careful when removing.
6) Beretta Neos - One rail screw may back out over time.

Is there anything else to know about these (like outrageously expensive mags or terrible customer service)? Is there another model I haven't listed. (Forget the S&W 41. I said "inexpensive.") Thanks.

 

[WaterburyBob]

The buffers are dirt cheap for the 22A and couldn't be simpler to replace. The 22A is a great pistol for the money.

As far as the Rugers, put a Majestic Speed strip Kit ($50) in it and it's a snap to disassemble/reassemble. I have the kits in both of my Ruger 22's.

You might look into a used S&W 422. Probably get one for about $250, and they're not bad pistols.

 

[rbert0005]

I have one of those set ups for the Ruger, NIB, that I am willing to part with.

Bob

 

[Old Navy]

My number one choice would be a 22A, with it being a draw between the Ruger and Browning.

From owning all three and knowing owners of all three the 22A is as a rule most accurate out the box and is basically a poor man's S&W 41, in my opinion. The Browning will be close to 22A for accuracy, but the Ruger will need $$$ spent to get close to S&W or Browning and by then you will have twice to three times in the Ruger as you would the Smith.

Now if you just want a plinker that will last forever and never be used for serious punching of paper targets then spend the extra bucks I guess and get a Ruger as it is built like a boat anchor.

 

[Racer X]

Ruger .22. After you actually dissassemble it a few times, it is a snap.

I have both a Mark II 22/45, and a Mark 3. You just need to learn how to take it apart. That's not disqualifier in my book.

 

[Old Navy]

Ruger .22. After you actually dissassemble it a few times, it is a snap.

I have both a Mark II 22/45, and a Mark 3. You just need to learn how to take it apart. That's not disqualifier in my book.

Having a Ruger in my hands since 1959 with a pre-Mk I, and now a Mk II and Mk III Standards and a Mk III 22/45 I am here to say its rare to get one like describe.

 

[Farmer17]

The Rugers are not that hard to dissasemble once you get the hang of it and watch the Youtube demonstrations. The Browning has a better grip angle and ergonomics and the controls are just much easier to reach.

 

[canoeguy]

I bought a Ruger 22/45 target model in 2006, paid $225 for it brand new at a gun show and it has been the best value of any .22 pistol I have ever owned. As far as taking it apart, I haven't yet, and have shot easily 10,000 rounds through it since I bought it. I occasionally run a patch through the bore, once sprayed the mag well and trigger area with gun scrubber, wipe the finger prints off it with an oily rag after shooting it, and that's it.

It will shoot into 2" offhand at 25 yards with bulk Federal ammo, shoots better than most people can hold it.

Just recieved today an El Paso Saddlery Model 1927 holster for it, so will start shooting club level Bianchi Cup competition with it, draw and fire at 6" steel plates from 10 to 25 yards....

 

[Old Navy]

2" group is what my Mk III 22/45 does from a pistol rest at 25 yards with a red dot mounted and it has the best out the box trigger on any Ruger I have ever seen.

My CZ 452 Lux with aperture sight averages about 1/2" to 3/4" at 50 yards and my Dan Wesson 722 (22WMR) will do same at 25 yards from elbow rest on bench.

My 22/45 is almost impossible to get back together, my pre Mk I I can do in the dark and Mk II is another PIA one and the MK III Standard I just gave up on after enough fights with it and just quit shooting it. I have considered a Speed Strip for it because I sent it out unfired and had trigger job (with over travel screw) all springs replace and Volquartsen Claw installed and took it to shoot when I got it back and was very impressed with way it shot. Down side it usually takes an hour to put it together and I just quit shooting the gun.

The 22/45 is not as bad as the Standard Mk III, but it is why I don't field strip it or shoot it much any more, and will probably end up buying robert0005 Speed Kit if it is the one I want and priced is good. Tried to buy one last year from a guy on Ruger forum and it had been installed and removed and he wanted more then I could buy it new. Then I just kind of forgot about till just today.

 

[Trippy]

i just bought a Walther p22, i have put 200 rounds though it no jams or fail to feed and i am running cheep bulk ammo in it. in my opinion this is a fun cheep and accurate little gun.

 

[kytown2]

I love my 22A. My gun came with a couple extra plastic white buffers, they are cheap and easy to replace. I clean mine off when I clean my gun. My 22A shot great right out of the box. My wife has a Walther P-22 and really likes it. My vote is for the 22A, like someone else stated, it's a poor man's S&W41.

 

[bigpoppop51]

I have the P22...great .22 can be picky, but a couple of bucks more on ammo and no problem. I also have the Mosquito. It is great. same as P22 on ammo. Now that I have said that. I have a S&W model 41. It likes CCI's and lead .22's. Couple of extra bucks is not an issue when you can get the enjoyment they give. They all field strip easily.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The Ruger has long been an outstanding buy. Jim Clark once won the Nationals using a stock Mk I (he wasn't very picky about triggers). 1958, I think.

After a while, you'll get the knack of holding the gun at 58.5 degrees from horizontal, or whatever the proper angle is, while closing the whatchamacallit.

I've owned two Mk I pistols, and they were both fine guns.

 

[FirebirdV8]

I had a 22/45 once and even though it can be a pain cleaning it, they are fun and accurate pistols. I have a buddy who has a buck mark and swears by it. I think any of those on your list would probably work just fine.

 

[Old Navy]

i just bought a Walther p22, i have put 200 rounds though it no jams or fail to feed and i am running cheep bulk ammo in it. in my opinion this is a fun cheep and accurate little gun.

Mine started having aluminum shavings after shooting at about 200 or 300 round count so I turned it loose.

 

[wbw2]

I have a smith 422 I am selling in the classified section right now.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/101285-wts-t-smith-422-6-a.html

 

[Old Navy]

The Ruger has long been an outstanding buy. Jim Clark once won the Nationals using a stock Mk I (he wasn't very picky about triggers). 1958, I think.

After a while, you'll get the knack of holding the gun at 58.5 degrees from horizontal, or whatever the proper angle is, while closing the whatchamacallit.

I've owned two Mk I pistols, and they were both fine guns.

Mk I didn't happen till late 60's or early 70's and were stamped Mk I, prior to that they were just Ruger Standard, Target or what ever like Government model. In '58 that would be a pre Mk I just called a Standard at the time. My '59 model Standard is not stamped Mk I, I'm not even sure it is stamped Standard. It hasn't been shot in about 15 years.

 

[Munsterf18]

Browning Buckmark.

No issues.

 

[Bat Guano]

I learned how to field strip the old Ruger standard autos as a teenager in the 1950s. There wasn't much to do up on the prairies in the winter those days and I got pretty good at it...

Some can be stinkers but the procedure is pretty straightforward if the gun is not excessively tight. The factory instructions aren't the greatest, and there are a couple of tricks to make it easier.

As to suitability for plinkers, I have picked up a few used ones for family members. About 50% of the time I have been able to put decent triggers on them myself, and when I couldn't I put in Volquartsen hammers and sears; Clark steel triggers in all. Having very foolishly sold the first one I had I ultimately replaced it with an ugly beater and rehabilitated it as described. Best shooting .22 pistol I own.

 

[Half Scale]

I have 2 S&W 41's, a 22A, Ruger Standard, Browning Challanger III, and a Walther P22.

As the old saying goes "the best bang for the buck" is the 22A.