Looking for a fun, inexpensive .22 handgun

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Mulliga

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I already have a great full-size .22 plinker/practice gun (CZ Kadet). Given the rising price of ammunition, though, I'm looking for more "fun" .22 handguns to add to the stable, preferably under $300. Not really interested in Ruger/Browning .22s.

Currently looking at:

North American Arms .22 mini revolver of some kind

Firestorm .22 pistol

Any options I'm missing?
 
Phoenix Arms makes a snazzy little 22 pistol. It holds ten rounds and is a lot of fun to shoot. They are usually around $130 bucks and they beat the pants off similiarly priced Jennings pistols. They are very reliable and come in a two inch barrel(?) and you can get the extended three inch(?) barrel version. I am very happy with mine and they are well worth the money.
 
The Walther P22 has a bad rap, but mine has been problem free and reasonably accurate (for the short barrel) - and it is neat looking. Like a baby P99.
 
Why not interested in the Browning? It's a really nice pistol (i've owned an S&W 22A, and the Browning Buckmark makes the 22a feel like a toy...i really liked my 22a but the buckmark is more accurate (for me), doesn't have near as many ftf/fte as the 22a i owned, has a nicer grip, easier to rack slide, easier to clean, much nicer trigger, thumb mag release...just...nicer :D) Combine the buckmark with an "Ultimate Cliploader" and it's obscenely fun. My friend and i went out to the range a couple of weeks ago with 2 mags and the cliploader -- i fired, he loaded. Firing as fast as i could while still aiming enough to hit a 1gal jug @ 50yards (not hard!) he was loading the mag considerably faster than i could empty them. Even firing as quickly as i could while hitting targets at only 10 yards away i never had to wait for a mag. Got the bucky nice and warm :D It's a ton of fun. Shotgun shells @ 20-25 yards w/ iron sites are not too difficult to hit with a little practice. Juggle a tennis ball while it's rolling @ 35 yards. I picked up mine on clearance at sports authority for 196$ and it was absolutely the best purchase in my collection; i put more than 3500 rounds through it the first month i owned it! Last time i went out i put 750 through it in a row with only about 10 issues (ftf, bad primer accounted for about 4 of those..had a few fte's at the end as she was getting a bit dirty :D)...that's a ton of shooting for a grand total of 15$ of rounds out of a gun i paid <200$ for :D You could even put a site rail on her and add a red dot or optical scope, though i enjoy the iron sights
 
Another vote for the Phoenix. I bought one for the wife, and it came with 2 10-round magazines, 3" & 5" barrels, cleaning kit & some other goodies, a locking magazine, locking blow-molded case, all for under $200.00. Took it to the range and when she finished shooting some very tiny groups at the 7-yard range, I actually was able to shoot (offhand with the 5" barrel) the three thumb tacks out of the targets to drop them off the fence! I used two mags, but those tacks wouldn't push through with a glancing hit, they'd just rock from side to side...You gotta hit 'em square. But I bet out of 20 shots, I hit them 12 times, at least.
 
When someone compairs a gun to a Jennings to make it look good that's one to pass on. I know 3 people with a Phoenix and I've had to work on 2 of them.
 
Wouldn't surprise me to hear they'd been shooting Stingers or some other hypervelocity rounds in them. Lots of people don't read the instructions...
 
For those why are "talking down" the S&W 22A, there are many different variations of 22A. On the S&W site right now there are EIGHT variations listed. The one I bought isn't even on the site for some reason. My 22A is a 107438 and has a 7" fluted Bull Barrel. It is extremely accurate out to 50 yards and probably even more. It is probably a better gun than I am capable of shooting.

BTW, does anyone know why my Product # wouldn't be listed on the S&W site and not even in the SCSW 3?
 
One of the guns I miss most is my little Phoenix HP22. When I bought mine it was $79, got the extended barrel and mag for another $29. Shot thousands of rounds thru it sitting on the banks of ponds when the fish weren't biting, and they usually weren't. Never had a problem with it. Only real gripe I had with it was that it was more accurate than the sights would let it be.
Also had a S&W 22A that was reliable and accurate, but I really hated the feel of the grip.
 
Plus several for th Walther P22,my wife stole mine and I have to get another,also one of the used guns you might consider is the S&W model 422,love the darn thing Doug
 
If a fun plinker is what you're looking for, I'd count out the NAA mini. PITA to reload. And you better be real close, if you like actually hitting the target.
I'm not knocking them. Have one, and it's a well built little gun. Great little pocket bug. But not what i'd consider a fun plinker.

Tuckerdog1
 
Have you thought about the Taurus 94? Nine shot revolver. Trigger on mine is not all that great. But overall a fun shooter. New is under $300.

Tuckerdog1
 
I have a HP22 and it's amazingly accurate. They have very good customer service and a lifetime warranty. Heck, mine's eaten a diet of stingers without a lot of problems and I also have the 5" barrel. It's strictly a cheap plinker, but I have used it to dispatch snakes. It's a pretty neat gun for the money, snob appeal aside. :rolleyes:

North American Arms .22 mini revolver of some kind
Click to expand...

I've often though a mini master would be a way cool fun plinker. I have a standard 1 and whatever inch .22LR in a folding "holster grip". It's not a tack driver, but at close range I've taken a few rabbits and a few snakes with it. 20 yards is LONG range with the thing, though, but it's very well made and only needs a longer sight radius (as with the mini master) to be a lot more accurate and a lot more fun. Mine's okay, but ain't like I'm going to mow the coke cans down at 25 yards with it. The HP22 is a lot more accurate even if not nearly as well made. I carry that NAA everywhere, though, it's so danged easy to stash in a pocket.

Taurus makes a tip up .22 I know little about. I've read not so great things about it in the past, though.

My favorite gun that fits this category, though, is my Rossi M511 Sportsman, a little stainless "Kit Gun". Think is amazingly accurate and the SA trigger is fantastic if the DA is a pretty rough. It's a good lookin' gun, too, 4" barrel, adjustable sights. It's no longer offered, so you'd have to stumble into one at a gun show. They are not expensive.
 

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Browning Buckmark

Ruger Single Six (shoots 22 win mag with other cylinder)
 
When someone compairs a gun to a Jennings to make it look good that's one to pass on
Click to expand...
Yes I do realize that comparing a Phoenix arms pistol to a Jenning was a poor choice of words, but I could not think of anything else that shot rimfire and was in the same price range. The phoenix arms guns are very cheap but they are a blast to shoot and they are reliable.
 
Another vote for P22.....

waltherp22.jpg
 
Thanks, guys. Ended up scoring a well-used 1-1/8" NAA revolver off of a friend for $100. Looks like it's going to be a lot of fun (though I'm completely lost as to why the pocket holster has space for 5 extra rounds - as if you can reload the thing in the middle of a fight :rolleyes: ).
 
I had one of those little guys once....it was a hoot to shoot. Just make sure you now where all your fingers are before you pull the trigger. It seemed easy to me to forget and have your fingers out waving in front of the gun.

Man they are tiny.

Well built little pocket guns though....mine was a .22mag and had quite a bit of pop to it.
 
Got a used H&R 922 DA 4" barrel 9 shot about 15 years ago for $60. A nice solid all steel 19 ounce gun. Kinda ugly comparded to a Smith, but it is accurrate.
 
For your next purchase keep a P22 in mind, they rock, I see cult following coming on. The NAA's are really cool, I don't know how much of a range gun they are, but everyone will want to try it.

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