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Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 2:03 am
by TinkerPearce
Recently down at Aunt Mary's picking up some more of my inheritance from Uncle Jim, which included the box of ammunition Mary found since my last visit. Six boxes of .30-06, a few boxes of twenty and 12 gauge and a bit of .22 LR. By 'a bit' of .22 LR ammo I mean 7 bricks of 40+year old Ted Williams brand solids. I parted ways with my last .22 last year; I didn't like it and wanted something else more... Sure, I have a home-made target pistol and derringer but I really need something with greater utility so Linda and I had a look at a couple of our favorite gun stores today.

Linda isn't much for long-arms, and was not swayed by some classic .22 rifles. She was quite taken with a new Ruger SR22, and I have to admit there's a lot to like there. Nice size, excellent ergonomics and by all reports not fussy about ammunition. I came across a Colt Frontier Scout in decent shooting condition for $325 and that would get my vote. We saw a scattering of very nice old High Standards that were decently priced as well and there was a 3-screw single-six that wasn't outrageous, but the Ruger and the Colt were the favorites.

The Colt is a classic with excellent handling and a fantastic trigger pull, and no worries about ammunition compatibility. The Ruger seems to be a great little gun, and I have no doubt Linda would have more fun shooting that then the Colt. Anything the encourages Linda to come shooting with me is a good thing, of course but we did just get her a Kahr E9 that will be here in a few days...

What are your thoughts?

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 7:37 am
by SailDesign
I have an SR22 - great little gun, loves most ammo that goes "Bang!" and as an added bonus, can take accessories like this :D

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I did have to "trim" the handle a wee bit to get it on there, but if any pygmy zombies come for me I'm all set...

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 9:05 am
by lurker
phoenix hp22! i have 2, one for each hand! :wall: if you get the 5" barrel, you can cut it! :roflmao: (or, you could just get the 3".)
https://www.phoenix-arms.com/

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 11:38 am
by Bisbee
The SR22 is the least attractive of the bunch but since the goal is getting her to the range more often, get her what she wants. Then spend your time looking for a classic bolt action .22 rifle. One's that can be had for under $150 any day of the week. Every American home needs one of those for plinkin'. Working the bolt is part of the fun and "settling in" to make the next shot count. The auto-loaders are great but tends to encourage ammo-waste and lack of concentration on the target since .22's are "cheap". I'm almost certain Linda will gravitate toward the .22 long-gun after a few magazines of not ringing anything with the SR22.

In the same vein, a .22 revolver is good for teaching personal discipline and mental focus. With a light SA trigger and a negligible recoil, there is no-one to blame for missing the target than the person holding the gun. The challenge soon becomes fun so you need a .22 revolver also.
:w00t:

What you really need for the survival scenario is a take-down 10/22 which comes with it's own carry bag. But that gun is so effective at hitting things that it quickly becomes no fun to shoot for lack of any challenge involved. The Ruger 10/22 is the one gun I enjoy owning which I don't paw & ogle nor shoot hardly at all.

On a side note, I can guarantee she will not like shooting the Kahr 9mm for the recoil.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 11:55 am
by drigeba
There's a reasonable chance that the SR-22 won't like your 40-year old ammo if it is standard velocity.

You may want to check this out with someone who owns one or rent one if available and test the ammo in it.

I have found solid tip CCI mini mags are the most reliable ammo for modern semi-auto pistols.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 12:34 pm
by senorgrand
There was a S&W 34 snubbie with adj sights on gunbroker I've had my eyes on. Get that.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 12:36 pm
by highdesert
Colt Frontier Scout is a very nice single action revolver, a little classic. I have an SR22 and I'm very happy with it, I like it better than the similar looking Walther P22.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 1:44 pm
by Bucolic
I agree with Bisbee: get the SR22 for her and start cozying up to a CZ 455 or the CZ Trainer. Wonderful rifles and great value for the money. I bet they will steal her heart.

(Or do what I have done and spend $thousands on Kidd 10/22s)

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 5:22 pm
by TinkerPearce
Bisbee wrote:
On a side note, I can guarantee she will not like shooting the Kahr 9mm for the recoil.
Actually this is a steel-framed gun and is remarkably soft-shooting. She owned one before and loved it, but let her best friend talk her out of it and has regretted it ever since. The only real deficit is that take-down is a PITA... but that's why she has me!

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 5:26 pm
by SailDesign
Or - if the purists here think the SR22 is too ugly, get her the prettiest semi-auto 22 ever built. The Beretta 87. :)

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 5:31 pm
by senorgrand

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 6:18 pm
by TinkerPearce
senorgrand wrote:I'll just put this here

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/649177144
Yeah, that's a wee bit out of my price range...

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 7:22 pm
by richardw
I just listed a M&P 22 Compact for sale in the Trading Post. Comes with extras.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 8:16 pm
by highdesert
senorgrand wrote:I'll just put this here

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/649177144
I would have bought it at the minimum but not at $950. - it is beautiful revolver.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 8:52 pm
by SailDesign
highdesert wrote:
senorgrand wrote:I'll just put this here

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/649177144
I would have bought it at the minimum but not at $950. - it is beautiful revolver.
My LGS has one of these... 4" bbl, 22WMR. I'm working on a price reduction/horse trading kind of deal. It has been there for a while and it is time it sold. :)

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-48

Image

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Fri May 26, 2017 11:02 pm
by TinkerPearce
Linda insisted it was my turn to choose, so I should get the Frontier Scout. It's on layaway; she very sensibly pointed out the we could get the Ruger anytime but Colts don't show up at that price all that often.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Sat May 27, 2017 1:17 am
by drigeba
The same guy has a 19-6 snubbie that is to die for..but it is forbidden fruit to us Califolks.. :ras:

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 4:31 pm
by Larch
TinkerPearce wrote:Linda insisted it was my turn to choose, so I should get the Frontier Scout. It's on layaway; she very sensibly pointed out the we could get the Ruger anytime but Colts don't show up at that price all that often.
That's a good buy at that price. I have a first year Frontier Scout that I bought 10 years ago for $295. It's a sweet shooter, but the only thing I don't like about it is that the base pin latch is a screw, rather than the spring-loaded version, that has to be removed to take the cylinder out. They may have changed that in subsequent years. I really like the size, just a bit larger than an old Bearcat.

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 11:59 am
by TinkerPearce
Larch wrote: That's a good buy at that price. I have a first year Frontier Scout that I bought 10 years ago for $295. It's a sweet shooter, but the only thing I don't like about it is that the base pin latch is a screw, rather than the spring-loaded version, that has to be removed to take the cylinder out. They may have changed that in subsequent years. I really like the size, just a bit larger than an old Bearcat.
This one also has the screw; I didn't really look at the serial number to determine it's age. I was more concerned with it's function and condition. I have to say I am really looking forward to getting this out. A friend, knowing of my dilemma and not aware that we had put the Frontier Scout on layaway very kindly sent me this- an H&R 922. Nice, simple old gun but everything works, and the trigger is quite decent for an H&R.
Image

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 12:44 pm
by pokute
TinkerPearce wrote:
Larch wrote: That's a good buy at that price. I have a first year Frontier Scout that I bought 10 years ago for $295. It's a sweet shooter, but the only thing I don't like about it is that the base pin latch is a screw, rather than the spring-loaded version, that has to be removed to take the cylinder out. They may have changed that in subsequent years. I really like the size, just a bit larger than an old Bearcat.
This one also has the screw; I didn't really look at the serial number to determine it's age. I was more concerned with it's function and condition. I have to say I am really looking forward to getting this out. A friend, knowing of my dilemma and not aware that we had put the Frontier Scout on layaway very kindly sent me this- an H&R 922. Nice, simple old gun but everything works, and the trigger is quite decent for an H&R.
Image
Not a fan of the solid frame H&R's, but they sure can shoot. Ah, I was just going to point you to something on Ebay, but it was gone... But I found this and bought it! Who'd a thunk it?

Re: Dang it, now I need a .22 again!

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 12:45 pm
by Larch
Cool. That's a nice clean old H&R--and evidently a very good friend. Here's a link for the Frontier Scout serial numbers. Mine's actually a second year.

http://proofhouse.com/colt/frontierscout.htm