"Dirt cheap" .22 handgun?

[MrSam]

I've seen a couple of threads regarding cheap .22 handguns. I've been entertaining the idea of a cheap .22 handgun, since I won't be shooting it too often. A lot of people suggested the Phoenix Arms, Rough Rider, and a few others.
I'll probably go with one of the 2, but I'm curious, have any of you managed to snag a .22 handgun for under $100? From where was it purchased. A buddy of mine was shooting a no-name revolver today. I asked him how much he paid for it. He said he got it from a pawn shop for $40+ fees. I'm very tempted to check out a few pawn shops now...

[John Joseph]

Unless Hi Standard is on the roster, get a Ruger Single Six. Nope, neither one are "cheap." Don't waste your $$.
No pawn shops around here sell pistols that are off the roster to Californians.

[44fred]

Sorry but dirt cheap and gun should not be used in the same sentence.
When three bricks cost more than the gun you want to buy, your thinking is off. That said, good luck.

[teg33]

I never see "Saturday night special" in California no more.

[Izzy43]

The Rough Rider revolvers are decent revolvers, not in the league of the Ruger Single Six but for the $$$ they are a reliable firearm. They can be had for $129 to $149 on sale + fees. The Phoenix Arms pistol has mixed reviews, lots of cracked frames (probably caused by the use of the wrong velocity ammo) with many returns to the manufacturer for repairs.

I own a RR and have shot thousands of rounds thru it mostly .22lr and some .22 Magnum (two different cylinders). Lots of fun if you don't mind the loading/unloading process which I don't as it slows the use of ammo.

[Meety Peety]

I had a Rough Rider for a while. I primarily used it to teach my now wife how to shoot. It was a great gun to learn the fundamentals on and it was 100% reliable. I ultimately sold it because she moved on to a 1911 and we just rarely shot the Rough Rider anymore. That doesn't make it a bad gun.. in fact it was much better than some other guns I've owned that were in the $300-$400 price range. My Walther P22 was a jam-o-matic.

[CSACANNONEER]

The Heritage Arms revolvers are a well built (not the greatest fit and finish though) gun and will provide years of service. If you want a super cheap .22, I've got a couple RGs but, I would be doing you a disservice selling you one at any price. There are plenty of sub $100 crappy .22lrs out there but, they simply are not worth it specially if they are your only .22lr.

[MeatyMac]

If it were me, I'd be looking for something used form someone local for a PPT...

Screw the roster, buy used FTF PPT!

[ciscosixgun]

Look for a Rohm. It's basically a cap gun chambered for 22lr with a rifled barrel. About as crappy as you can get.

[kelvin232]

hi-point doesn't make a .22, so nothing i can recommend.

[MrSam]

Look for a Rohm. It's basically a cap gun chambered for 22lr with a rifled barrel. About as crappy as you can get.

I've seen those before...didnt even think it was a firearm.

I think I'm going to have to go with Rough Rider.
In all honesty, the idea of a pocket .22 interests me, but a good portion of them (Aside from the PA) go for $200...cant justify spending that much on a tiny 22 until the 22lr shortage dissapears

[Norcalkid]

I picked up a couple used a while back. I think they were around 100ea on consignment. Ruger MK and a high point(??from memory) revolver. I'm not really a fan of either. They were just there in front of me and I was board and bought them. Probably should have just put the money toward something I really wanted.

[Darto]

Too bad Bass Pro no longer sells the Heritage Rough Rider single action .22. Anyways, one of their guns in the BP store had adjustable sights, and it only cost a little bit more. It also came with a .22 mag cylinder. Just a bit more than half the Ruger price.

Gun Genie has them for sale online, you pick up at a store near you.

EDIT: Wow, just checked Gun Genie $208.02 for the fixed sight, .22 LR only, 6.5" barrel Rough Rider (that includes all DROS fees and taxes/shipping).

[davefromca]

When three bricks cost more than the gun you want to buy, your thinking is off. That said, good luck.

Totally agreed.

To the OP, I was looking at a "dirt cheap" hand gun and was thinking rough rider due to the positive reviews. Seems like a good gun but I decided to spend more. I stopped eating out as much as possible, tried driving less and cut back on the cocaine/strippers binges for a few months (jk) and spent $150 more and got a 2245 and I couldn't be happier. Of course that is off roster now, but a similar gun, the browning buckmark is not. I was also looking at some other cheaper semi auto 22s, but they seem to jam more often.

[zoid52]

If you buy a cheap handgun' you will find out later why it's 'cheap.'