Wanted: Advice on a .22lr Rifle

[The Highlander]

I have more .22's than anything, just bought a 10/22 this week, and picking up (another) Ruger Mk III to go with it next Monday. Also have Marlins, Rugers, Kimbers, SIG's, Remingtons, Winchesters, Smiths, Colts...you cannot go wrong with a .22. Unfortunately, they are extremely addictive!

My vote is Ruger 10/22, Ruger 77/22, T/C R-55, SIG 522 (incredible fun) and the CZ's. Also LOVE the old Kimbers and any Anschutz, but they are pricey.

 

[MWark]

I have more than a few 22 rifles. By far the most enjoyable is my old Winchester model 63 (fitted with an old Browning 4X). The gun is very accurate the trigger is amazing and you end up with something that feels as nice as one of your old revolvers. A shooter grade 63 won't cost you much more than a CZ and will likely be worth much more when you hand it down to one of the grand kids.

If you want to go off the shelf and keep the cost low 10/22 is hard to beat.

 

[TACC1]

Ruger 10/22 Gets My Vote

I'd go with any of the respected-name mfr.'s above. Just
don't buy a single-shot . All the pleasure of a .22 is in shooting
w/o worrying about ammo cost.
TACC1

 

[Duke426]

I stumbled into a Remington 504 Sporter with Leupold scope - CHEAP! They have a bad rep but mine will put five rounds under a dime at 50 yards, regardless of the amunition, which is plenty good enough for me. Never had an issue with the rifle at all and I would call it my best "score" of a firearm yet.

That being said, if I were actively looking to buy a .22 I'd get a Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 60. Inexpensive, good rep, lot's of fun with both of them.

 

[Speedo2]

removed PC

 

[guy22]

I'm fairly new to gun ownership and shooting, and all of my attention has been on handguns. I find myself wanting an inexpensive rifle chambered in .22lr, but as I have little knowledge, I ask the advice of my more knowledgeable friends here.

What are my constraints? Primarily cost. Secondarily, I'm open to advice on something that can be easily outfitted to other calibers, like an AR.

As AKA Guy22. The 22 doesnt stand for age. I have ~ 40 .22lr rifles. You don't give price range, purpose, semi- bolt, etc

What are my constraints? Primarily cost.
If cost is king you a looking used.
In semi auto you will find a Marlin 60 a best buy. ~ $100.00 home. If you don't find one send me a PM, I have plenty.
Some other ones Ruger 10/22, Whinchester 190, & Reminton 597. Some of these will run you around $200.00
Bolt guns go with a Marlin or Savage. Can grty good ones for ~ $80.00 to $200.00.

"I'm open to advice on something that can be easily outfitted to other calibers, like an AR."

The best is the S&W M&P 15/22. Why do I say that? Everthing I have added on my AR. will fit my S&W M&P 15/22
It sounds like you want to be tactical cool. Price wise the Mossberg, Colt, might sound good. I would save money and get a S&W M&P 15/22, GSG 522SD, Sig 522 SWAT Commando.

JMHO
Guy22

 

[BuckeyeChuck]

It sounds like you want to be tactical cool.

Would it be my desire to minimize costs, or my revelation that I'm badly right handed that led you to this remarkably unwarranted conclusion? Never assume. It makes an... well, you know.

I asked about the AR because I wondered if it might fulfill the interchangeability about which I inquired. I couldn't care less how the gun looks. I am primarily driven by a desire to keep costs low -- which is why I asked about a .22lr rifle in the first place. If I could get a .22lr rifle that would also allow me to cost-effectively purchase interchangeable hardware for larger calibers, I would find that appealing.

Lower costs are why I own an M&P9 and not a Wilson Combat Commander. I've shot both, and I much prefer the Wilson, but if I can have an adequate gun and keep my money for other purposes, this makes me happier overall.

 

[rick6336]

Marlin Mod. 60 it is still my fav. I've had mine since '78 or '79. But I do like my 10/22. Going to start my 9y/o daughter on them this year and see which she likes best. I hope I dont lose the marlin to her, but at least it will be in good hands.

 

[Ironhand]

My other .22 rifle is a Mossberg 340 KC bolt-action that I got for free after helping a buddy clean up his house after a fire. We were dragging everything out of the rooms and salvaging what we could, when he found the rifle in a closet in a room that was untouched by the fire. He rarely went in that room and couldn't remember where or when he got the rifle, so he gave it to me.

It shoots very well, despite the dinky sights, and the dovetail scope mounts make mounting a scope a little tricky. The looooooooooong barrel makes shooting subsonic and the big 60gr. solids a very quiet event.

 

[pistolairo]

I am for the Ruger 10/22. There are many options, configurations to pick from. Size of barrels, mag's, stocks, etc. I own a Belgium Browning Auto take apart that I bought new when I was a young man. That was over 50 years ago. I remember many more hunting experiences that I had with my school buddies than I do with my pistols,hi-powered rifles, shotguns. You will be able to start your kids & their kids off shooting with a nice little 22. I really like the bolt action 22's as you take more time to be accurate and it saves on the ammo, if thats a concern. Accuracy is the most importent factor in picking any firearm. But for a overall 22 I would pick the Ruger. I owned a couple on 22 Ansults which were very accurate and fun to shot. They are expensive and very accurate. I hear the Marlin 22's are very accurate. I think I would look for the used rifles that have a good trigger pull and a clean bore.

You wont regreat owning a 22 rifle.

 

[cowart]

If I could get a .22lr rifle that would also allow me to cost-effectively purchase interchangeable hardware for larger calibers, I would find that appealing.

Its interesting that after 4 dozen or so posts, nobody has actually addressed that need. Take a look at
Rossi Wizard

MSRP is less than $400

 

[zonker5]

My favorite is a Remington pump, model 572. Also have a Marlin 39A. Both are wonderful shooters.

 

[DesertFox]

22LR advice

Got around a half dozen 10/22 in different configurations and may well have fired more rounds out of 10/22s than any other platform. With good magazines, they can function very well. Lousy mags cause FTF or FTE or other failure that ruins the experience. Metal feed lips on the mags seem to be the biggest factor as Ruger's new 25 rounders work great. Extractor tuning can be a bit of trouble in the event your particular 10/22 has extraction issues. Easy to fix and well documented.

One of the biggest problems with 10/22s is what everybody else says is so good about them - so many parts/options/choices one can EASILY end up with a $1,200 22LR built from top-shelf parts. Ouch. Tackdriver, maybe.

The S&W M&P15-22 has, in my personal experience, been a more reliable platform than any of my 10/22s. All your AR goodies will fit right on - move them back and forth between your M4 so you don't have to buy 2. The Ruger SR22 is a heavy option. I prefer the M&P15-22.

Dedicated upper for an AR you already have is a nice option. If you are going to buy a 10/22, I'd recommend the "Compact" model as it has a desirable 16" barrel. One setup for my wife has the 16" barrel and a Blackhawk adjustable stock - superlight setup adjustable from kid length of pull to full size!

I do not have a bolt action 22LR as I move up to 22WMR if I'm going to go bolt action...