Compact .22LR semi auto pistols, what are my options?

Robert.B

Robert.B

Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
5,283
Hey guys,

Each year me and my wife buy a pair of guns for each other for our anniversary, same model, same caliber, same hardware...this year we want to do something cheap to shoot, we do not have any .22 pistols at present but would like some. Main requirement is it must be steel (stainless or otherwise), no polymer guns.

Looking to spend $250 - $350 each (so around $700 budget) but always open to cheaper but reliable options in .22 long platforms. Any ideas?
 
Beretta 948 and Walther TPH come to mind, though the TPH will run a lot more for some reason. They are both not in production anymore.
 
I believe that the Beretta Model 21 Bobcat is still available and in your price range.
 
Depending on your definition of "compact" a Ruger Mark II or Mark III with standard taper barrel is very high quality and fun to shoot.

Browning still makes the Buckmark, which can be had in your price range, and is also quite nice.

Taurus makes several very small .22 pistols which are styled like Berettas and which meet your criteria.
 
In the price range you've set, there's not much. About the best choice wold be the Ruger standard MK3 with the 4.75 inch tapered barrel that sells for the upper 300 dollar bracket. I've had an old Ruger standard model I bought not long out of high school back when they were 39.95. It's shot way up in the tens of thousands of rounds, used to teach my chldren and then grandchildren to shoot. It's still in goo shape, accurate, reliable, and fun.

I don't believe you can do better than a Ruger .22.
 
My vote will always be the Buckmark. Reliable, accurate, and you can abuse the hell out of them and they keep trucking along. I'm a little over 6700 rounds since the last time I cleaned it or lubed it. Buckmarks IMO have only 2 flaws, both easily fixed. One, take the damn mag safety out (which is very easy). Two, your rear sight bar needs some locktite on the screws so they don't back out. Other that that, perfect and I'd take it over a Ruger any day of the week.

If you go for a Ruger, don't get a Mark III. Their mag safety system sucks to dick with (with a couple washers you can remove it though), and I think that loaded chamber indicator is ugly as hell to look at. So, for simplicity and less lawyering, Mark I or Mark II.

But I'd still pick a Buckmark.
 
I love my buck mark, but it's not really compact.

For a compact pistol I'd look at the Ruger SR22 pistol. I've also heard decent things about the Bersa 22's, but never shot one.

I also like my Beretta 21a, but it's a bit small for fun plinking.
 
If you're looking for compact, then I'd recommend either a Bersa/Firestorm .22lr. Mine is way fun to shoot.

Phoenix Arms makes a .22lr compact that's cheap (less than $150) but mine has been reliable.
 
Looked at vids and the Phoenix Arms Model .22LR Rangekit and at present we are very keen on that! :) Thanks a lot guys, keep recommendations coming as I have 4 months to get them.
 
Smith and Wesson 2213 or 2214 also, if you can find one.

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I would go with the Ruger semi auto. You can get one for around $300 and they are about the beast on the ,Arlen for the money. Very accurate, reliable, and lots of good holsters available too.
 
Don't buy a .22lr unless it was designed to have 500K-1MM rounds through them. With this said, either Ruger MKII or MKIII or Browning Buckmarks can be had in your price range. Both are accurate enough for squirrel head shots.

I own both a MKII and a Buckmark and I can happily state that I have not cleaned either guns for close to 12 years now -beyond some occasional break cleaner, bore snake and some lube (just something that started as a personal test of their reliability). They both still function without fail.

Either pistol will last you several lifetimes.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger MKII. I have had mine for close to 20 years and never had a problem with it.

Bruceter
 
Ruger is about as reliable as it gets. I've only had my MKIII 22/45 for 3 years now but have 1,000's of rounds through it, the thing just runs. It has a polymer lower but the standard MKIII is all steel (though at the higher end of your price range probably).

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Haven't heard anything good about the phoenix arms other then, "well at least it was cheap and I didn't waste too much on it". The thing has so many safety's that it's actually less safe IMO then most other firearms (here's a video I'd suggest you watch before buying one).

-sh00ter
 
I'm a huge fan of the Buckmark. With that being said there is nothing wrong with a Ruger either. If you want something compact you might like the NAA Black Widow or S&W 317 with a 3 inch or 1 7/8" barrel. The Phoenix arms are serviceable( reviews can be a bit mixed but I've seen some that really enjoy them and the opposite ) given the price, but I wouldn't want one as a designated range gun, much to small. Same with the 21A Bobcat. Still both are nifty pistols.

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I have decided against the PA guns, will be doing more research though into all options.
 
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Rugers IMO have mushy triggers, they have that classic look, but feel isn't great and neither are the stock triggers; accuracy I think the Buckmark beats it. I've never been outshot by a Ruger, but at the same time there's people who've never been outshot by a Browning.

The Taurus PT22 are a neat little up close thing, but they tend to put overkill springs in them. Sold a brand new one to a guy, he was back 3 hours later. I shot it, it wouldn't cycle (slide would only move a quarter of an inch and the case would be stuck in the chamber). Hell, it even did it with Velocitors. That was only 1 case though, most work well.

I had to fix a Beretta Mynx before, for shats and giggles put 100 rounds through it. It was a fun little thing for a .22 short, but Beretta does make them in .22LR.

They're decently compact so a Sig Mosquito could be an option. Some are picky on ammo, so the first couple hundred I'd run nothing but CCI though it, but after that Federal should do just fine. If you get a standard (no threaded barrel) you should be able to pick up 2 for $700 or less.
 
http://www.mouseguns.com/hp22a/hp22a.htm

Here is a page from my research into guns recommended by you guys, as much as I liked the range reviews from some people the fact that its mostly pot metal, no machining, etc has scratched that off the list. If it does open up more options I may also look into some of the polymer/steel slide pistols.

But if anyone sees this thread and considers a Phoenix arms pistol like I was, just check that link out.
 
Robert.B said:
http://www.mouseguns.com/hp22a/hp22a.htm

Here is a page from my research into guns recommended by you guys, as much as I liked the range reviews from some people the fact that its mostly pot metal, no machining, etc has scratched that off the list. If it does open up more options I may also look into some of the polymer/steel slide pistols.

But if anyone sees this thread and considers a Phoenix arms pistol like I was, just check that link out.
Click to expand...

I would definitely examine a pistol in person before I get focused on one from the error'net. As you noted, what one person finds to be a great value another may find is a piece of junk. The reason someone buys a specific firearm are vastly different too.

Finally, when you buy at the bottom of the market you generally get what you expect. We wouldn't recommend a cheap poorly made asian/chinese pocket knife as a great value would we? ;)
 
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