what .22LR handgun for under $200?

[wlemay]

So I am looking for a .22LR handgun but I really do not want to spend more than $200 (preferably less than that...). I would really just like a nice little .22 to add to my collection for plinking, varmint shooting, and the fun of it, but to me I can't justify spending a bunch on such a little pistol.

I am pretty open minded about whether it is semi-auto or a revolver although I am kinda leaning towards a revolver because I just do not see a .22 auto-loading handgun (especially a cheap one being very reliable, although I could be wrong since I have not shot many of them.)

I would prefer something with a relatively shot barrel (4 inches or less) and something fairly slim. But I am not against something with a little longer barrel.

Any suggestions? I have heard the ruger single six is nice but it seems a little pricey for a new one. REMEMBER think low price $200 or less.

THANKS!

 

[planetmobius]

Under $200.00? Unless you chance upon something used, very used, I can't think of anything that would fit that description. Even a used Ruger sells for well over $200.00. Save up a little more scratch.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

A quality revolver will last a couple lifetimes. Save a little more money and buy a used Ruger single six.

 

[Geckgo]

I bought a Pheonix Arms HP22a, oh yea, let me start by saying all suggestions to fit that price are going to be accompanied by people bashing "junk guns" and "saturday night specials", now back to the regular programming, I haven't got it down to the range yet, WMA is still flooded.

It's got some pretty shotty casting, but nothing that can't be cleaned up with a dremmel. I've read a lot of opinions from people who own then (been reasearching the little thing for a while) and the concensus I get is that they actually hold up pretty well, and if something breaks you just call up Pheonix Arms and they'll fix the problem for you, often just sending the part you need to you. From the utube reviews it seems to be more reliable than the bobcat, which costs more. There are a lot of ring of fire guns though, and I don't think the HP22a is the 'norm' for these weapons, as most people have tons of problems with the others.

Have you looked into little 22 derringers? Those can go on the cheap cheap!

 

[DNS]

Close.

The Smith and Wesson 22A is usually around $225 around here.

 

[Trader Ray]

I too have a Phoenix Arms HP 22A. I have had it a year, it is a awesome little gun, a LGS sells them new, black or shinny for $139.00 and when and if this ever gives up, I will get another. The come with lots of options including a range kit that includes a 5 inch and a 3 inch barrel or can be bought in either barrel without the kit. I have shot everything through mine. I bought a optional 5 inch barrel and extended clip for mine, they are offered by Phoenix on line. I bought my kit latter after owning the gun. Mine has probably been shot every day at least a few times. No problems, cracks or other problems. I have shot all types of ammo with it, from CEE PEE's to Stingers and it shot them all fine, it loves the CCI mini mags the best. But it does take the federal 555 bulk all day too. Good luck and have fun shopping. I am going to shoot mine right now, it pays to live in the country!

 

[woad_yurt]

You want inexpensive?

H&Rs are plentiful, inexpensive, robust, double action, accurate, etc, etc, etc. Browse Gunbroker.

All of the below guns can be had while keeping within your budget. They all perform flawlessly and, the convertible, magnificently. The 922 on bottom only cost about $100, I think. Except for the convertibles, most hold 9 rounds. I'd take a well-used 50 year old H&R over pretty much any new gun in its price range. I'll admit that I would like to get my hands on a nice, old S&W .22 revolver some day but, until I can plop down a lot of money for one, I'll be content with these:

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[goon]

There is a blued Ruger MKII and a used Browning Buckmark at a local shop for $249 each. I checked both over and they both seem in pretty serviceable shape.
So IMO, instead of trying to go cheap, you should add another $75 (I know it's tough, but if you can get $200 you can get $275 eventually) and get a much better used .22.

 

[ForumSurfer]

There is a blued Ruger MKII and a used Browning Buckmark at a local shop for $249 each

I see that all the time.

Find a used entry to mid level ruger single six, browning buckmark or ruger MKwhatever for under $300 and put $200 down on it. Surely in the next 3 months you can cover the $100 or less difference and get a quality 22 that will last a lifetime. Buds has entry level ruger 22/45's starting at $257 so you should be able to find some new sub $300 22's rugers locally and get one 90 days same as cash. Just my opinion...

 

[Snowbandit]

A friend of mine passed away a couple of years ago and his son ended up with the gun collection. I called the son to see if there was maybe a .22 pistol he wanted to sell and he said he had one. Didn't know for sure what it was but I could have it for $200.00. Turned out to be a new in the box Walther P-22. The box hadn't even been opened and was still covered in the original plastic. Well, I got mine for $200.00 and you're going to just have to be in the right place at the right time to get yours too.

 

[Bush Pilot]

Save up a little more coin until you can afford more gun. There is nothing worse than settling on a lesser gun when for a few dollars more you could get what you really wanted.

 

[Onward Allusion]

woad_yurt
You want inexpensive?
H&Rs are plentiful, inexpensive, robust, double action, accurate, etc, etc, etc. Browse Gunbroker.

The old H&Rs are probably the best deals out there for decent quality all steel revolvers. H&Rs can definitely be had for less than $200.

The High Standards are ok too with their alloy frames, but triggers on 'em are usually pretty heavy.

 

[ForumSurfer]

The High Standards are ok too with their alloy frames, but triggers on 'em are usually pretty heavy.

I was gifted a 9 shot high standard sentinel as a kid. It has never failed and is plenty accurate. If there were a way of mounting better sights or optics on it, it would be really neat since the factory sights are horrible. I still have it and use it occasionaly, but strictly as a single action because the trigger is horrible.

 

[doubleh]

Cimmaron Arms has a single action 22/22mag revolver that I have seen for $179. It's made by Chiappa. Not a bad little gun at all but it isn't a Ruger or Smith. Lady at the GS said she has sold a boat load of them to the guys in the local cowboy action club with no complaints. It's a way to practice cheaply.

 

[BCRider]

Other than a few of the revolvers the odds are that you're going to like shooting a less expensive semi over a less expensive revolver. The revolvers in the lower price range do OK as single actions but if they have a double action trigger then they seem to be invariably very heavy and just feel bad. On the other hand even the cheap semis seem to have nice feeling triggers.

There's a number of semis made by companies that copied the Colt Woodsman style. I've shot a few from both Iver Johnson and the lower end Hi Standard models. They shoot well and tend to be quite cheap.

Do be sure that you can source a few mags to go with the gun for fairly cheap. I consider it almost essential to have at least two. And four is a handy number if you should choose to try out any local club level competition matches.

 

[goon]

I didn't think of the H&R's. Never owned one, but I've never heard any complaints about them either. I might start watching for one of those myself...

 

[kludge]

I have a Sears and Roebuck JC Higgins Model 88 9-shot double-action, made by High Standard in the '50's I think. Value is probably $125. Has a sweet trigger in single and double action and is just as accurate, if not more, than my Single Six.

Honestly though a S&W 22A for $225-$250 is probably the ticket. For $300 or less I would take the Buckmark Camper (my favorite) or the Ruger Mark III 22/45 (mine has the Cocobolo grips and feels much nicer in the hand that the straight plastic grips).

 

[Walkalong]

It can be done for under $200 if you are patient. I would look for an H&R or a Ruger

A Ruger Mk I, II, or III in the $200 to $300 range is very doable.

 

[TonyT]

You wlould have to look for an old H&R revolver. Nothing from any current reliable manufacturer.
In the old days when cars had radio antennas some people used them for 22 barrels and rigged up a firing pin from a coat hanger using rubber bands for the "spring" - not recommended for anyone. I believe they were called zip-guns.

 

[usp9]

A new Beretta NEOS will cost you about $225, so a good, quality, reliable used NEOS may be available for less than $200.

 

[BCRider]

For around $230 a S&W 22A is a nice gun. I've had a fair amount of trigger time on one and despite being a Rent-A-Gun range pig it was not doing all that badly. Keep in mind that stuff used at rental ranges sees a lot harder life than any gun owner would subject it to.

Having said that the S&W is long gone from that range. On the other hand the Rugers that were there at the time are still there and continue to shoot reliably and seldom break down other than crying for some cleaning and oil. I'm not all that partial to the look and feel of the Ruger Mk II or III's but there's simply no doubt that they are tough and hellishly reliable. Even used unless it had been left to rust in a field or driven over by a tracked vehicle on rocky terrain they would be a good investment since at most you'd only need to clean and oil them or replace a spring or two to restore the gun to full operation.

 

[jackblack86]

well i could recomend the phoenix have 1 over 2000 rounds no problems go for around 125.00 but if you have 200 to spend look around for a sale on s&w 22a seen local on sale for 199.

 

[woad_yurt]

There's one no one has mentioned, the Star Model F. Every now and then, they pop up on Gunbroker et al. They're a very high quality gun yet are overlooked and, thus, sometimes sell for very little money. Most of them were plain but I was lucky and came across a factory-engraved piece from 1954. I took a gamble and traded for one with a gun that cost me $235.


It's got a little weight to it, which helps to make it a very accurate gun; it's hard to miss with the thing. It's also been 100% reliable with Mini-Mags. I don't know how it'd do with the cheap-o bulk stuff. They come with 7" barrels, btw.

I'm ordering repro grips, btw. The originals were smashed on their way to me.

​

 

[wally]

Pick up aluminum cans along the side of the road for recycling to get the extra ~$25 to get the S&W M22A. Great pistol with the best warranty in the industry.

 

[tango2echo]

I recently bought a NEF 9 shot 4" revolver for $105 at a local shop with a leather holster. It shoots great and looks new. My last 22/45 and Single Six cost under $250 each used. I also bought a NEF.32H&R with over 200rds of ammo, two holsters, and a padded case for $175 out of the newspaper. Oh, and a S&W K22 Target Special for $400 with a brick of .22LR and a holster.

Deals are out there if you have cash and are ALWAYS on the look-out. Save up until you find a deal, then save for the next one.

T2E