One Rimfire: Rifle or Handgun?

[Günter]

I am considering buying a .22 LR firearm, but have been indecisive what kind to choose, particularly between a rifle or a handgun.

I currently own multiple mil-surplus bolt-action rifles and a few semi-automatic pistols with one pump-action 12 GA shotgun.

Although I have experience shooting them, I don't own a semi-automatic rifle, revolver, or any rimfire firearm, but I have experience shooting them. I am interested in acquiring at least one example of each eventually.

For personal enjoyment I love to shoot handguns the most, my favorite being my 92FS. I appreciate the aesthetics of a revolver but I shoot semi-auto pistols better.

However skill wise I tend to generally be a better shooter with longarms than any handgun, and it seems that rifles are considered to be more practical. I have no preference over manually operated or semi-auto in longarms.

I don't really enjoy shooting shotguns or rimfire guns much, however I do see the advantages they possess as a versatile survival/training/affordable to shoot type of firearms, a "must have". I guess I desire versatility and value (more performance for less money) in these kind of firearms. I also currently live in an urban area. Considering my current budget and priority in storage space, I don't plan on owning more than one rimfire. My shotgun already doesn't see much range time and I don't expect I will be shooting rimfire more than my center fire rifles/pistols at least as of now, but I like the idea to be able to fallback to them if ammo becomes very scarce.

[jfifer]

I prefer pistols. Why not a 22 conversion for the beretta?

[Chaos47]

Rimfire has bargain firearms next to anything else. (Sure there are pricy ones as well)
So really if you could get a couple rimfire for the price of one centerfire.

As a general guide to budget minded rimfire:
Dedicated .22 Semi-Auto Pistol
Low end:
HP22A
Middle road:
Ruger MK Series
Browning Buckmark

.22 Revolver
Low end:
Heritage Rough Rider
Middle road:
Ruger Single Series

.22 Semi-Auto Rifle
Marlin 795
Ruger 10/22

.22 Manually Operated Rifle
Marlin XT-22
Savage MKII

If your into mil-surp you could look into trainers.. but those generally are not budget friendly.

[roger1022]

If you had none and can buy only one, I'd say a pump/lever 22. Semi auto would be a close second.

[ViciousJellyfish]

10/22

One of the most versatile firearms out there. Customize it to your desires. Budget friendly (depending on how far you want to go).

[VegasND]

Get a .22 rifle for cheap practice and just plain fun.

Add a .22 pistol for cheap practice.


Before you know it you'll have a bunch of 'em!

[MyOdessa]

I cannot see not owning one of each. .22 LR handgun and rifle.

[bkk6869]

if you mostly enjoy shooting handguns, i see no point in a rifle. it you prefer handguns, the rifle will just sit in the back of the safe. i'd choose a dedicated 22 handgun because everyone i know with a conversion for their AR has ended up getting a dedicated 22 just for the convenience of not having to switch back and forth. and God forbid you get back from the range late, decide to put the 9mm barrel back on in the morning, and someone breaks in while your handgun is still in 22 form.

[korny351]

I'm with jfifer on this one. I currently own a CZ SP-01 and purchased a Kadet .22 conversion for it several years ago. The CZ spends more time in .22 garb than 9mm. Currently thinking of a conversion for my Kimber Custom II. More trigger time with less expense. Storage requirements just a bit more than an extra mag. No background check or 10 day wait involved either. Can be shipped direct to your house. No FFL.

Now that you haven't stressed out your storage capacity with the conversion, take a look at the Marlin semi-autos. Model 795 or Model 60. Both very affordable and accurate out of the box. I've got both and shoot them often. The 795 has the edge in accuracy by a slim margin. It's also 30 years younger and countless rounds newer. The 60, with it's wooden furniture, just feels better in the hand and has a 17 round tubular mag. I'm still looking for the "magic bullet" that will bring it up to the 795 performance level. Both have exhibited exceptional reliability with a wide range of ammo. Truth be told, I now go to the range to shoot rifle and bring the handgun as an afterthought.

[rimfired]

For versatility and value I'd recommend:

Henry lever .22 - $250-$300, will take lr, l and short ammo. No mags to mess with as it's tube fed.

Marlin 795 - $120-$175, semi auto mag fed, great value, accurate and reliable.

Ruger 22/45 - $279-$300, 5.5" bbl makes this a good target and small game pistol. Not ammo picky, reliable and very accurate.

That being said, out of the 3 I recommended I only own the 22/45. Soon I will get the Henry as well.

[safety-1st]

I would prefer a rifle. Much more fun! you can hit long range targets with a rifle. With a pistol its much harder and not made for long range shooting. You will get bored shooting a 22lr at target 5 to 10yds. A .22lr rifle you can practice a 50 , 100, and maybe 200yds. Taking it outdoors and shooting long range is fun and challenging. You could also take the rifle indoors as well since its only .22lr and also shoot at 5 -25 yds indoors.

Get the marlin, i just picked up one at turners for $120

[glockman19]

Rifles
Ruger 10/22, semi-auto (magazine fed 10 rounds)
Marlin 981t, bolt action (tube fed, 17 rounds, Also shoots .22long and Short)
Henry Golden Boy, lever action (tube fed, 17 rounds, Also shoots .22long and Short)

Revolvers
S&W 637
Ruger Single 6

Semi-Auto Pistols
.22LR conversion kits for 1911 (Kimber), Glock(Advantage Arms) & Beretta(Ciener)
Ruger Hunter 6-7/8" fluted Barrel

[Furncliff]

I have two conversion pistols. A CZ75b in 9mm with a Kadet ,22 conversion and an RIA 1911-45 with .22 conversion upper.Both switch very easily. The CZ is very accurate in both calibers the 1911 a little less so (still breaking in). I usually warm up with one of the .22's before switching to center fire.

If you choose the rimfire rifle route consider going with something that has exceptional accuracy and trying out that game.

[Bastard]

get one, or two, of everything!

I think that everyone needs at least 1 10/22 & 1 22 pistol, being in CA I prefer the Buckmark over the any of the Rugers mainly for the ability to swap barrels.

the 22 bolt actions are fun as long as you get a good one - huge fan of my CZ 452 Varmint, only regret is not buying an American to go with it.

and don't forget to look at the lever actions as well - if you can get an old Marlin 39a at a decent price; do so... quickly


if I could only own one 22 firearm, I would probably have to go with my Marlin 39a, though it would be a very difficult choice to make.

[DVSmith]

Lever action rifle. They are a blast!