Thread: What is a good semi auto.22?

Other than a ruger 10/22?
Been looking at a marlin model 60.
If its an older model that doesnt bother me, Im finding so many models these days are so full of plastic parts, even ruger has swapped out alloy parts for plastic.

Any suggestions on what to look for are appreciated.

Agreed. Ruger a nice wee carbine 22, but later models have dropped off in production quality over the years. We had about 6 and while ok, they were limited by consistent poor accuracy. The best of the stock 10/22s from memory averaged 1.1" for four consec groups at 50m. Alright but not for 60-100m field shooting. Older model was best. A fun little plinker and good if you like modifying.

Marlin semiauto trigger not as easy to adjust, but they have v good microgroove barrels, and can offer serious accuracy in a stock 22. Of about 15 Marlin semis of all types (60, 60DLX, 70HC, 75, 7000, 795, 990 etc) the least accurate Marlin was better than the best stock Ruger. Best examples two model 60s - one averaged 0.295" for four 5 shot groups (my standard) off the bench, and the other averaged 0.34". That's touching match rifle accuracy. With model 60s - of course you get tube magazines which some like and some don't. Best model 795 with box mag is my present one - 0.59" average at 75m, and 0.4s at 50m. That all translates to precise shooting at 100m.

There are Brazilian models around - Magtech, Rossi etc. Quality is average here - you may get a good one or you may not. Stock Ruger fine for plinking, but if you want now some 'old school' accuracy the Marlins are well ahead. Has been a problem with lack of parts supply (spring/pin/trigger kits etc) for Marlins but have spoken to Delta Mike in Inver and they're inporting kits from Mcarbo in next month or two.

CZ 512 an accurate little 22LR semiauto, but watch cocking handle. Earlier models (unsure about later ones) could break off handles - plastic polymer from memory.

Again - don't be tempted to buy 'names' - you could spend 2-3x as much and get less. In our team there are past and present club/provincial/NZ champions - and not one of them will go out and buy by brand, to have the must-have latest 'name'. Match rifles - yes.

Pretty well impressed with my wee Tippman to be honest. Most accurate semi 22 I've had, has never failed to feed and functions with anything I've put in it

I’ve bought a Bergara last year, it’s wicked. Thumb hole sized, 10 shot groups at 50m. Cycles everything fine and isn’t picky with ammo. It’s a 10/22 copy basically with factory add ons you’d do to a standard 10/22 to make it decent.


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I had a tube magazine 22 Marlin, the flip up feed mechanism never behaved itself.
I couldn't get it not to miss feed so hit it with an axe.
Perhaps the box magazine version should be better.
Other than that, when it did poke one up the spout, it was very accurate.

alloy trigger type ruger 10/22
the newer plastic type ones just dont group at all

Tippman

I've got 3 Marlin .22lr's and highly rate them. I got the bolt action over 30 years ago and after having a shit time with a brand new 10/22 I ended up with 2 795's, Highly reliable and a lot more accurate than I am.
I go to Tauranga sometimes If you want to borrow 1 to try for yourself.

I lucked in with a New 10/22 maybe 2 years back, basic stainless Houge stock model. Gundoc did 10 mins of tweaking some small touches .
Took it out to a farm to sight in , 3=9 scope . 50 mtrs , 6mm 3 shot group.
Some 10/22 can shoot very well,

Yes odd Rugers shoot well. A retired gunsmith acquaintance - another rimfire hobbyist - told me Ruger at times outsourced for barrels and even got some from Ed Shilen - a prominent US barrel maker. Get one of those and you'd have a wee gem. Common barrelling issues were sloppy chambers, uneven rifling (you could push a slug down barrel and it would be properly tight, then loose, then tight etc), and most commonly poor barrel receiver pinning/connection.

@muzza - Winchester of course made the 190/290 semis and they enjoyed no great regard. Do you know anything of the Winchester model 490 semi? This was supposedly made to higher standard by winchester at time they made the 9422 levers. They only made a few - know anything about them? The 9422s from that period are gems.

Originally Posted by Old_School

Other than a ruger 10/22?
Been looking at a marlin model 60.
If its an older model that doesnt bother me, Im finding so many models these days are so full of plastic parts, even ruger has swapped out alloy parts for plastic.

Any suggestions on what to look for are appreciated.

Begara good reports all round

KIDD 10/22s are amazing but costly. Trueflight 10/22 mounted on an aftermarket receiver/trigger and magpul stock are also insanely accurate and a little less costly.

I've got a Heckler & Koch 22 that's pretty fun, mega high quality but extra mags are harder to find than dinosaurs. Lol

Thanks...our resident US rimfire buff! The 490 looked/read a step above the preceding 190/290 - and obviously is. Def looks like the Winny 88.

A very good American 22 semiauto that we see less and less these days is the Remington 552 Speedmaster. Very nice full size rifle - and well regarded. See them occasionally but I suspect they're disappearing into collections. Grab one if you see it.

Yep Browning SA 22 semi, and also the Browning Trombone pump - though from memory both had to handled with care as the timber at the stock to receiver connection could break.

Still very worth buying and they do pop up from time to time.