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I've decided that I want 22lr pistol for cheap shooting at the range, both for plinking and improving my technique. However, I'm having very little luck finding a cheap pistol in this caliber. The cheapest I've seen is the beretta neos 22lr, selling for $200+tax at Academy (slightly cheaper on gunbroker.com). I've had even less luck at the two gun shows I've been two, finding no "deals" from either dealers or individual sellers. At those prices, I might as well buy a conversion kit for my 1911.

I'm not looking for something super fancy or super accurate. I find it hard to believe that I can get a hi-point 9mm for $120, but the lowest end 22lr pistol costs nearly twice as much. Does anyone have suggestions for where I can find a cheap 22 pistol? Are there any pawn shops in the Houston area that would have what I'm looking for?

I don't have an answer to your question, but I was on the same quest until yesterday. I finally caved in and bought the Advantage Arms conversion kit for my Glock 19. I shot it today, and I'm convinced that I made the right choice, especially since my main objective is to improve my skills with the Glock and to save ammo cost.

Go ahead and get a $200 one. You will probably put thousands of rounds through it because the ammo is so cheap.

There's a lot of merit in getting a Ceiner conversion for your 1911. If you want less expensive than that, you'll have to look at NEF revolvers in .22.

I would stay with a Buckmark, Ruger or the S&W 22A. They will be a little over your $200 range but you should find them for under 300. It is no fun being at the range with one that does not function. I have 3 "hi-end 22 pistols" but I still take my Buckmark to the range almost every trip. I paid $189 for it several years ago and it's a great pistol to have.

Houston1944 wrote:I would stay with a Buckmark, Ruger or the S&W 22A. They will be a little over your $200 range but you should find them for under 300. It is no fun being at the range with one that does not function. I have 3 "hi-end 22 pistols" but I still take my Buckmark to the range almost every trip. I paid $189 for it several years ago and it's a great pistol to have.

DITTO

I bought the Ruger 22/45 at Academy for a little over $200. It has the bull barrel and is extremely accurate and fun to shoot. I bought a cheapo red dot sight (from Wally mart) and it makes shooting even better.

For an inexpensive plinker, I've looked at the SW 22A. Bud's Gun Shop has them here for $184.21. I've seen them locally on occasion for about the same price. And i wouldn't thumb my nose at those Ruger Mark II/III's and Browning Buckmarks at around $250. They have a sterling reputation for many reasons.

You really can't go wrong with a Ruger Mark series. They have some cheapies out there.

I just bought a walther p22 for 250 on saturday and already have 700 rounds through it. just a thought for you

I also bought a P22 and it was around $250. You might find one cheaper at the gun show, but I haven't seen anything worthwhile for less than $200 lately. If I did I would probably buy it.

govnor wrote:I also bought a P22 and it was around $250. You might find one cheaper at the gun show, but I haven't seen anything worthwhile for less than $200 lately. If I did I would probably buy it.

I bought mine at a gun show .... 250 is the best i saw. its cheep and fun to shoot, not to mention that i cant really see much noticeable weir after 700 rounds

I bought a 22lr cowboy gun at academy for $159 or something close to it and its turned out to be a very fun gun and only cost pennies to shoot compared to my 45 or my 50desert eagle [ which is a almost useless gun but looks kool]

killerfly128 wrote:

govnor wrote:I also bought a P22 and it was around $250. You might find one cheaper at the gun show, but I haven't seen anything worthwhile for less than $200 lately. If I did I would probably buy it.

I bought mine at a gun show .... 250 is the best i saw. its cheep and fun to shoot, not to mention that i cant really see much noticeable weir after 700 rounds

I got mine at Bass Pro, but last time I was there they didn't have any at that price. Mine is the OD green. Don't know if that made a difference or if it was on special. It didn't have an on sale sign or anything.

The good thing about the P22 is that there are tons of add ons. Not to mention the barrel comes already threaded for a suppressor. Now if they'd only come out with a .17 mach 2 version!

I see a bunch of Heritage "Rough Rider" .22 revolvers around here. They're single-action, and in accordance with their name, are generally kind of "rough," but they seem to be round about $200.

For a bit more, though, I'd go with Ruger. A Single-Six convertible revolver shouldn't cost terribly much, and has the added bonus of a second cylinder chambered for .22 Magnum.
Or, you could go for a used Ruger Standard Mk. II. They're solid guns, quite reliable.

I know S&W and Walther/S&W have a few inexpensive .22 autoloaders out there as well.

My personal favorite is an old High Standard H-B semi-auto I found at a gunshow. That thing is accurate enough to not only shoot a fly in the head at 10 paces, but to call which eye it's going in. The downside to the old High Standards is parts availability - mine was made before WWII, and hasn't really been made since. If I break it, it's broke for good.