Why are .22s cheaper than larger caliber weapons?

[rlewpolar]

Just wondering. I have a Browning Buckmark Contour 5.5 pistol that is a big heavy metal gun. Great trigger. Accurate. Hundreds of dollars less than my Sig pistol which has about the same heft to it.

Same with my Sig 522. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars less than my Sig 516 AR.

Is it a demand thing? Cheaper to produce?

Seems like all of the .22 weapons I've seen SEEM like they would involve the same amount of labor and material to produce so why are they so much cheaper?

Are they loss leaders for the manufacturers?


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[pdoggeth]

I would assume it's cheaper to produce. The pressures created by a 22LR don't put as much stress to a gun as does a centerfire round. So technically a manufacturer could get away with using lower quality metals and machining since you're not putting that much abuse through a 22 pistol. Once the pressures start racking up, you've got a lot more to be worried about (correct tolerances, correctly spec'd metal parts). This isn't always true though, as some 22 revolvers are pretty pricey, but those I think those pride themselves on higher quality craftsmanship and being made from high quality metals.

[rlewpolar]

Makes sense. Thanks


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[skywalk7]

much cheaper?

Take a look on actual prices! I was going to buy nice 22lr plinker rifle, but now I'm in doubt:
price.jpg

[Hoshnasi]

Its probably a combination of all you said OP. Plus, companies sell more .22 than practically any other gun. Browning probably sells five Buckmarks (or more) to any one other gun they sell. Which means they get cheaper to bring to market the more they make in bulk.

[Merc1138]

Take a look on actual prices! I was going to buy nice 22lr plinker rifle, but now I'm in doubt:
[ATTACH]434695[/ATTACH]

When you're talking about something that requires a bunch of the same or similar parts, then yeah it's not going to be much cheaper than the cheapest AR out there. You also picked a centerfire rifle that is mass produced so it can cost less due to the scale(nevermind the off the shelf components used, lack of sights, etc.). Without scraping the bottom of the barrel for a centerfire rifle, yes most .22lr guns tend to be on the cheaper side.

That being said, there are also .22lr guns that cost as much or more than most of the common centerfire stuff, without even being particularly rare.

[Garv]

The 15-22 is very nice, do not pass on it for a fun plinker.

Ruger 10-22 cheaper, depends on what you want.

Then there is the Henry lever action....

I shoot mostly .22 and 9mm.

The price of the gun should be much less than the ammo you will shoot through it or you are doing it wrong!

Think I'll go to the range this aft. and add a couple hundred rounds to my 15-22.

[skywalk7]

Without scraping the bottom of the barrel for a centerfire rifle, yes most .22lr guns tend to be on the cheaper side.

Let's compare 2 big handguns then:
price2.jpg

[Merc1138]

Let's compare 2 big handguns then:
[ATTACH]434706[/ATTACH]

LOL, I mention that you scraped the bottom of the barrel for a centerfire rifle, and then you do it again with a 1911?

Try finding a stainless 1911 where the inside of the slide doesn't look like it was chipped out with a wood chisel.

BTW, that's still not particularly expensive for a .22lr pistol either.

edit: Also, that's one of the more expensive buckmark pistols(even impactguns where you're pulling those prices from has a camper for $332), that you're comparing to one of the cheapest 1911s on the market based on nothing but price. Yeah, I could point to a $1700 Kidd rifle, but I wouldn't compare it to a PSA AR-15.

[ojisan]

The main cost savings is the blow-back breech design.
No machining of barrels and slides and other action parts to lock them together.

In a more level comparison to the RIA above, the Phoenix .22 retails at around $139.

[APeter001]

Let's compare 2 big handguns then:
[ATTACH]434706[/ATTACH]

How about 2 within the same price class per caliber.
You can keep that low-end RIA .45 but you must compare it with a Phoenix HP-22A $139 street price

[skywalk7]

In a more level comparison to the RIA above, the Phoenix .22 retails at around $139.

Let's compare apple 2 apple! Hi-Point CF380 for $131

[Merc1138]

Let's compare apple 2 apple! Hi-Point CF380 for $131

A cheap blowback centerfire can cost the same as a cheap blowback .22lr, imagine that

[skywalk7]

How about 2 within the same price class per caliber.
You can keep that low-end RIA .45 but you must compare it with a Phoenix HP-22A $139 street price

I've compared 2 handguns with comparable size and weight.

[Merc1138]

I've compared 2 handguns with comparable size and weight.

What does size and weight have to do with complexity and quality of manufacturing? You aren't buying guns by the pound.