Used rimfires?

[newbie1234]

Below $450 - Buy New
Above $450 - Buy Used
A above $450 .22 rifle is an over price unless it is an Olympic rifle.

[BigPimping]

I just bought a new Thompson TCR 22. It's basically a souped-up 10/22. For not a lot of money. I think it was $299 at sportsman's Warehouse. I recommend it highly

[-hanko]

Thinking of perhaps selling a 10/22 to help fund a Thompson. From revue's I've found, it's got a lot of advantages v. the Ruger which you'd expect since the 10/22's been around for more than a bit. My first .22 was a US Bicentennial gun and I still have it.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Buying used:
I bought several used guns without physical inspection - on Gunbroker and also from a Calgunner who shipped it to me. Some of those were in production so I could have bought them new, but double the cost of an old one. Some of them were out of production so it HAD to be used. Fortunately, they all worked flawlessly.

I've also bought used guns from Calgunners and some worked flawlessly and some were problematic, even though it looked like it was in good condition. I had to send it to the manufacturer to get them repaired.

Buying new:
I've also bought plenty of new rimfires too. I'd have to say that ALL the guns I've purchased new worked perfectly. However, plenty of people report problems with new guns too. But the adage, "They don't make 'em like they used to" applies as well. Certain vintage rimfires were made better in the past or doesn't have unwanted features in the current production. "Better", meaning higher quality materials, better fit and finish, smoother action, to name a few.

Conclusion:
For the peace of mind, I would spend the extra money and buy new. Odds are, it'll function more reliably. If you want the flavor from the past or if the brand/model has a strong reputation of reliability, then buying a used one is low risk. Worst case scenario, you can send it to the manufacture to get it repaired.

I'm sure you've heard of Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin model 60 and 795. Here are some other ones to consider: https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/....php?t=1581307

[jwfire25]

I think a lot of the time buying "used" the gun isn't used that much. We've all bought the gun off someone that took it to the range once or twice and lot interest in it. So I would buy a .22 with 400 rounds through it for a little less that retail to save on the tax. Not to mention the extras a lot of firearms come with. I just got a TCR 22 off a calgunner for 300. Not the best deal right? Except it came with 18 factory 10/22 mags, a magpul bipod, a flash hider, and a set of scope rings. The extras alone are worth well over 300 dollars.

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[Wordupmybrotha]

I just got a TCR 22 off a calgunner for 300. Not the best deal right? Except it came with 18 factory 10/22 mags, a magpul bipod, a flash hider, and a set of scope rings. The extras alone are worth well over 300 dollars.

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[Wordupmybrotha]

The cost benefit of buying used is not paying sales tax when purchased from a private party. However, if you buy used from a gun store, you have to pay sales tax. Plus, you don't know where it's been. That's not worth it in my opinion. At least when you buy it from a calgunner, you get some history behind it.

[Wheellock]

Partly depends on what you want to do with it. If you are plinking, is the occasional malfunction an issue? How much accuracy do you want (newer probably better there)?

I read somewhere (will look for link later) that someone tested wear in a 22 barrel and couldn't measure anything until they were 80,000 rounds into the test. Cleaning damage is a different matter but check out the muzzle and chamber and see.

There are some really fun old rifles, like the pump action gallery guns, that are just fun. I like the Remington #4 rolling block as well, they finished production in the 1930s.

[CSACANNONEER]

I find that new guns are as likely, if not more likely to have issues than used guns are. I prefer to buy used, specially used rimfires. When it comes to .22 bolt actions, it's hard to beat an old Mossberg 42, 44, etc. Most can shoot as well as a +$1500 .22.

[Calif Hunter]

I have heard but have been unable to verify that the Mossbergs from the 40's and earlier had lapped barrels. Like I said - just hearsay, but they do shoot very well despite often horrendous triggers.

[gregorymoto]

Used always. I just bought a hi standard HD military. It was made in 1946 and is close to perfect in condition. I’ve only purchased one brand new firearm in 35 years of shooting.

[jyo]

My 22 rifles are all old, used, but nice condition---a really nice "Pre-warning" 10-22 Deluxe Sporter, a very fine old (60s?) Belgium Browning (FN) 22 Auto bottom eject with the "Wheelsight" and one of my all-time favorite 22s, a real nice Remington Nylon 66---AKA "My teaching rifle"---all run perfectly and just seem to exhibit superior workmanship to todays products.
On the other hand, on my recommendation, a friend bought a brand new, plain-jane, Ruger 10-22 for himself and his kids to shoot---the gun runs 100% and shoots brilliantly---what more can you ask?

[NoHeavyHitter]

I always look at the used guns first. I stumbled onto a Mossberg 46b a few years back for only $80 and it is incredibly accurate, wonderful, light trigger, and match-quality peep sights. It also holds 25 rounds of .22 short and has become one of my favorites in spite of being so inexpensive.

If you don't have the experience to evaluate used guns properly, talk to your friends, find someone who does A gun can have lots of handling wear and very little shooting wear - making for some really good deals..

[GreggieBoy]

Probably buy a semi-auto new, but if you want something fun to shoot get yourself a bolt action .22 rifle. They are a lot of fun. That will give you something you can shoot slowly to appreciate taking your time when shooting. There are older bolt actions out there. Just give them a good looking over. A lot of them will have nice wooden stocks. Clean the stock up a little and its a pleasure to look at as well as shoot.

Whatever you decide just have fun with whatever you buy.

[Calif Hunter]

I always look at the used guns first. I stumbled onto a Mossberg 46b a few years back for only $80 and it is incredibly accurate, wonderful, light trigger, and match-quality peep sights. It also holds 25 rounds of .22 short and has become one of my favorites in spite of being so inexpensive.

I have a Western Field/Montgomery Wards version of the 146B that was my Dad's. It is a very accurate rile, 26 inch barrel with a rear peep sight as well as u-notch rear sight. The front sight has different flip-up options - post, circle, etc. I also have a Mossberg scope, in the box, that goes with it. Mine has a very heavy trigger, but shoots extremely well despite that. Maybe if I took it apart and cleaned out the trigger assembly, it would lighten up. I won a "sporter" rimfire match at or club with it. It is marked 14M 491A for a model number along with the Monkey Wards info.