Thread: What is a good semi auto.22?

not a semi, but i have a miroku (browning) blr-22 grade 3. octagonal barrel, nickel plated receiver for sale . its totally unfired but modified to 10 rounds (internally)
$1500.

Here's another Browning 22LR semiautomatic made by Miroku in Japan. This time with conventional tube mag - the BAR model. This is one trademe with a Weaver scope and is a very interesting semi. Appears to have a good rep but some mixed comment in there too. Have not fired one..

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...2?bof=PGQlObCi

Hmmm...another classic semi 22 on trademe:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...0?bof=PGQlObCi

and yet another:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...9?bof=PGQlObCi

Love my 10/22 but I’ve got 2 (had 3) Bullpup Walther G22’s - the most fun you can have with a 22. 100% plastic except maybe the barrels.

wow, a ton of good suggestions mentioned here, I have been looking at some mentioned such as the browning

Originally Posted by mudgripz

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.

Yes, I agree, it seems there is a huge cult following among some brands. Now I wouldnt rubbish the Ruger entirely, its popular for a reason but as you say, quality has dropped off in recent years. I was looking for an older one for a while (pre 2007?) before they switched parts to plastic such as the trigger housing.
Only thing that puts me off with a model 60 is the tube mag, makes reloading a pain in the dark, Ive always been fond of box mags, they slip into your pocket and are not as bulky as the rotary mags on the Ruger. I know you can use those tri-mag adapters, but its still bulky. I had looked at the close cousin the 795 which is supposed to be the box mag version, but then I also see the others you quote like a model 70.
Im not too sure whats the best out of these, but im not in a rush, im happy to wait until something turns up for sale.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

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

Interesting, not the first time ive heard this!

Originally Posted by No good names left

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.

Alas, many names in the states have all gone belly up. Im not too sure what the reason why, have gun sales dropped that much in the US? I get the feeling most of their market is handguns?
We see the likes of remington (and even marlin) are now absorbed into Ruger I believe. I wonder what the quality of the newer marlin rifles will be?
I will keep you in mind if i want to try one out.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

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.

Interestingly i was given a crummy old winchester 190 that has been stored in a coastal area and in good need of a teardown and clean up, despite the bad reputation of these rifles, this one has not missed a beat! I was told they had very poor quality die cast alloy parts inside.
The winchester 490 looks like a very good rifle from what I can tell and may be worth me getting one if i can find one. They were made in Canada and because of that simple reason they are not too well known apparently, but quality is supposed to be exceptional. It seems to tick alot of boxes for me too, full steel receiver and box mag.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

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.

These look a good rifle, they are showing on remingtons website, but are they no longer in production?

Good info across alot of semis there... you seem well onto it Old School

Regarding Marlin semiautos - I got a helluva a shock when I bought ($225) and tested a model 60DL on the bench about 15 years ago. I was of the opinion which most share that sporter semi 22s cannot match bolt actions for accuracy. To my colossal surprise it was not the little Marlin semiauto that was crap - it was my opinion that was. Had bought the 90s 60DL from Gary (and Tim) at Talon Arms with a Tasco 3-9 on it. Immediately it shot down to 0.25" groups (5 shots) at 50m, and averaged close to that. In ensuing years I bought/tested maybe a dozen variants - and with minor variation they were all very accurate.

I like the old school tube mags but they are not everyone's cup of tea - understandably. The Marlin box mag models I had were:
*Model 70HC - early model - not recommended, least accurate.
*Model 995 - model preceding the 795s, often with wooden stock. Nice - most don't have LSHO (last-shot-hold-open)
*Model 7000 - a heavier barrel, better stock semi. VERY nice, very accurate. A wee beauty.
*Model 795 - an basic little unit but has LSHO, and very accurate wee field shooter.

All but the model 70 was a sharp little shooter. As with Marlin semis the little verse applies - run em clean, run em dry, then feed em CCI. I currently run a Marlin 795SS and this averages down in 0.4"s with HV ammo at 50m. Loved my model 60s but sold the last as too difficult to read how many rounds leftin it after the 10 round mod, and top up right number in truck at night.

The Marlins may need fresh springs from time to time. Don't leave the action open - weakens both recoil and hammer spring. We could not get replacement spring kits from Mcarbo in the US for a time there, but now Delta Mike in Invercargill will be bringing them in in month or so. Good to keep a spare set. That's something on Marlins but lots of options coming up..

If you want something old school . semi , exotic and very accurate then the French Unique is a very cool .22
Also has the ability to be turned into a single shot . Very high build quality and something different that's lovely to shoot.

@muzzaone of these just came up on retarded. Didn't go for 800. I made a comment about modifying a mag to be compliant and got a fixed offer of 700. Wasn't in the market but didn't reckon that was too bad

The ruger 10/22 is my choice of gun when rabbit shooting using subsonics.
Brought brand new a couple of years ago and havehad no problems with her.

I've had a model 60 and a 795 marlin. Both very accurate. the older model 60 was a much nicer finished firearm than the 795. 795 was pretty plasticy and cheap feeling. Laser though. Trigger on both kinda sucked even after some finageling.

I've got a Ruger 10/22 competition now, which is a wicked little rifle. Shoots very well and feeds flawlessly. Has a decent laminated stock and adjustable cheek rest.

Also has a muzzle brake for some to tame the massive recoil.

Originally Posted by muzza

The sports shop in Taumaranui had a rough one about six months ago. It was cosmetically rough but would have cleaned up.

Or there is a nice Winchester model 77 in H and F in new Plymouth at present.

that Winchester 77 Muzza - any good- I was looking for a winter do up project - finished my BSA Martini conversion

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@muzzaone of these just came up on retarded. Didn't go for 800. I made a comment about modifying a mag to be compliant and got a fixed offer of 700. Wasn't in the market but didn't reckon that was too bad

Yes I bought it. Good buying. It’s in very nice shape. One owner. The mag doesn’t need modifying as they are only 10 shot. Has a 5 shot with it as well and the original unique silencer. I’ve got my fair share of classy .22’s and the Unique in my opinion is up there with the best in quality and uniqueness ( sorry). I have a Gevarm A6 made by the French as well and it also is high quality.

@Southcity nice one. Only reason I commented about his magazine was because he thought it was an 11 shot

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Southcity nice one. Only reason I commented about his magazine was because he thought it was an 11 shot

Yes he had this misconception. You cannot get 11 in that mag even if you tried to force it. I bought 3 new 5 shot mags in France a few years ago after doing some detective work. Some subtle differences with the Unique mags and easy to get one that doesn’t fit from another model.

Originally Posted by mudgripz

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.

Just thought would jump back in here.
I've been seriously considering a marlin 795
I would have preferred a 995 but unable to find one 795s are at least obtainable.
I'm looking at retrofitting a 995 stock onto a 795 and upgrading the trigger mechanism to an aftermarket metal one.
I would have to import the wood from the US, which are available.
I've also been looking at the savage/lakefield 64, these are still made but not sure how they stack up.