Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Affordable and Reliable Plinking Pistol?

idzgydz
As the title says, I'm looking for some suggestions for an affordable and reliable plinking pistol. I'd prefer something chambered in .22lr, but I'd look into a .17hmr as well. (Do any manufacturers even make a .17hmr pistol?)

I've looked at the Browning Buck Mark, Beretta 87, Sig Mosquito, and Ruger Mark I, II, and III, but I dont know enough about these models to make an informed decision on which to purchase. Are any of these pistols better than the others? If so, why? I'm looking at accuracy and reliability the most, and if I can find something that will be more affordable that would be a bonus.

My dad has an older Ruger Mark I, and a Walther P22. Both are great pistols, but the Ruger is a little older than I'd like to get, and the Walther is a little too small and inaccurate for my needs.

Thanks,
0

Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • badchris
    I have a standard MKII and it is a great pistol for me. Accurate and the iron sights are easy to see. I'd buy another one if I were in the market.
    You may also want to consider a .22 coversion kit. http://www.22lrconversions.com/ (website for reference only. it was the first site on a google search)
    0
  • rufe-snow
    Recently have done some shooting with a standard S & W Model 22A-1. I came away very favorably impressed. For a inexpensive bare bones plinker, sights, trigger pull, reliability etc., were excellent. They sell at a price point at least $50 cheaper then the most inexpensive Rugers and probably $100 less then the Buckmark. Well worth it for a entry level plinker/utility pistol.
    0
  • beantownshootah
    If you want "affordable" you have to get a .22LR. No point in saving a few bucks on the gun if you're going to be spending 2-3x as much money on ammo for magnum rimfire ammo.


    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
    Recently have done some shooting with a standard S & W Model 22A-1. I came away very favorably impressed. For a inexpensive bare bones plinker, sights, trigger pull, reliability etc., were excellent. They sell at a price point at least $50 cheaper then the most inexpensive Rugers and probably $100 less then the Buckmark. Well worth it for a entry level plinker/utility pistol.

    +1

    With no sense of irony intended, these are probably the best $200 .22 pistols on the market.

    Excellent adjustable sights for the cost, and while you don't get a match trigger, the stock trigger is reasonably good, as good as much more expensive guns.

    They've got a few nice features over most other .22s:

    a. Trivially easy to break down and clean. (Can take apart or reassemble in seconds with no tools).

    b. Top of barrel is a Weaver rail, making it super-easy to drop in a scope or dot sight, and mount it anywhere you like.

    c. Entire barrel and sights come off as one unit and can be swapped with another in a matter of seconds. So if you like, you can have one 6" bbl with iron sights and another 4" bull barrel with a dot sight and swap them at will. Extra sight/barrel combo runs only about $100 from S&W,

    Downsides?

    a. Difficult platform to attach suppressor (though for most shooters this won't matter).

    b. Gun uses little plastic buffer in slide system that gets chewed up and needs replacement every couple bricks of ammo. Not a huge deal, S&W will send you a few for free if you call them.

    c. "Long" (front/back) grip may not appeal to some shooters hands, and replacement grips are effectively not available.

    Edit: I *DO* think the bull barreled Rugers are better than the Smith 22a overall, though again, they generally cost a good bit more money. Again, biggest advantage to the Smith is that by swapping barrels, you can basically get two (or more) guns in one.
    0
  • the yooper
    For cost and availability, I think the 22 LR would be the way to go. As for the pistols, I've shot the Buckmark a bit and can whole-heartedly endorse it from both accuracy and reliability standpoints. While I've not used them as much, the Ruger 22's have stood the test of time. I've read of feeding problems and other malfunctions in the SIG Mosquito, but nothing first-hand and I would imagine getting the "bugs" out of a new model would be somewhat normal. The Beretta's I'm not familiar with in the 22's, but their big brothers sure have a lot of respect. Good luck and have fun with whatever you choose.
    yooper
    0
  • Permanently deleted user
    my choice hands down is the Ruger MkI or MkII.

    while it may cost a little more than the S&W 22A, they will outlast you in all likelyhood.

    JMHO
    0
  • chiefr
    Originally posted by PBJloaf
    my choice hands down is the Ruger MkI or MkII.

    while it may cost a little more than the S&W 22A, they will outlast you in all likelyhood.

    JMHO
    [+1]
    0
  • BowGunHunter
    I highly recommend the Ruger Mark III. It is heavier than most but tough as nails and highly accurate. Off of a bench with iron sights at 50 ft, mine will shoot 1 to 2 inch groups.
    0
  • oldgunman
    My favorite is an old Colt Peacemaker 22. I'll try later to post a picture cuz I mean old. Also love my Ruger Single Six.
    0
  • oldnbald
    As noted from the other posts, there are a LOT of good pistols out there. I agree with us55840 about trying different pistols before buying. I also agree with those who praised the Ruger pistols. I have a Ruger Mark II Bull Barrel target that will shoot right with anything else I've run across. I have had the gun for 15 years and it has NEVER failed to work.
    0
  • Spider7115
    quote:Originally posted by oldgunman
    My favorite is an old Colt Peacemaker 22. I'll try later to post a picture cuz I mean old. Also love my Ruger Single Six.


    I love my Colts & Rugers, too, and they all have the extra 22 mag cylinder.

    22s.jpg
    0
  • bull300wsm
    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
    Recently have done some shooting with a standard S & W Model 22A-1. I came away very favorably impressed. For a inexpensive bare bones plinker, sights, trigger pull, reliability etc., were excellent. They sell at a price point at least $50 cheaper then the most inexpensive Rugers and probably $100 less then the Buckmark. Well worth it for a entry level plinker/utility pistol.


    +1..I have the Smith and it is a very nice and accurate gun. Mine's topped with an ATN Ultra sight and is nice squirrel and grouse getter.
    0
  • 11b6r
    Just bought a 6" pencil barreled Ruger Mk III about 6 months ago- $250 NIB. Shoots quite well. It is keeping my Mk I company- bought it in 1970. For the money, a very good pistol. Stick w/ .22 LR, and you will shoot a lot more. I mean a LOT more. Checked the price of ammo lately?
    0
  • dfletcher
    I have an older High Standard Supermatic with interchangeable barrels. You should be able to find them for a fairly good price as they were made for many years. Quite a few variations but the adjustable sighted, adjustable trigger models are their best.
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity