Cheap .22 plinker handguns

I have the M93 and mine is not as ammo sensitive as others have mentioned. Keep in mind this is an autoloader, and a cheap one at that, so it is important to feed it powerful ammo. Yes, it jams with the target stuff, but functions perfectly with all high velocity I've fed it. Of all the ammo I've tried in it, at least 16 or 18 different types, it has worked great with at least half or more of them. What’s even more fun is that it works with the cheap stuff, 550 rounds to the brick.

The grip is really small, but surprisingly comfortable for me. I actually like the grip angle much less than the small grips, which is the reason I haven't bought a Ruger. Yes, I know, they both have a similar grip angles, but at less than half the price of a used MkII/III for a new M93, I thought I couldn’t loose.

As others have said, the rear sight loosens and has to be retightened. I think I’ll apply some thread locker to it someday. What I didn’t like much about it was the trigger pull, so I had to do something about it and did. It now has a 2.5/3 lb trigger, although still not as smooth as I’d like. Oh, and I also took the fastidious magazine safety out, as well as the firing pin safety, which helped the trigger pull a lot.

Accuracy wise, I am sure it’s more accurate than I’m able to shoot it. The problem for me is that it is so lightweight (and me not liking the grip angle that much) that I just can’t shoot it to its potential. I’m sure it is more accurate than I am able to shoot it.

So to me it works out like this; Pros:
- Very good value for your money. This one is really affordable.
- Accurate enough for plinking.
- Very reliable with powerful enough ammo, even the cheapest ones like Winchester Expert, Win Wildcat and Federal brick ammo. Mine shoots second best with Federal 36gr bullets at $16.00/550 rounds at Walmart.
- Small size is good for teaching kids to shoot, if you have any.
- Disassembly is incredibly easy, unlike someone else said. Way easier than the Rugers.
- Easy to clean and care for.

Cons, at least for me:
- Rear sight works itself loose.
- As it comes out of the box, the trigger is not what I like it to be.
- Grip size and/or angle might not be what everybody likes.
- Extra mags are a RIPOFF! No, wait, make that a ROYAL RIP-OFF!!!! They don’t cost more than 1/5th of what is being charged for them, but let’s not start another dealer bashing thread here.
- And last, I just hate the magazine safety (that’s why mine is gone).

So, if you like a more refined gun, and can afford it, just buy it. I would prefer a Target Buckmark myself, but just can’t afford it at this moment. But if you prefer Rugers, go for it. Just make sure you are patient enough to wait for a used one at a good price. Most of the ones I find seem to be made out of gold or something, so I’ll keep waiting until I can afford a Buckmark.

Edit: It wasn't the removal of the magazine disconneter which helped the trigger pull, it was the removal of the firing pin safety. I apologize for the confusion.
 
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I have an original 1st series Woodsman and am confused by all of the guys who say it is difficult to clean. Just do a field strip which involves removing the slide and mainspring housing. It comes apart and goes back together in seconds with a small amount of practice. I would reccomend that everybody stops taking the slide apart as it is not reccomended for regular cleaning. This is where guys are getting in to trouble. Just field strip and enjoy your life!

The woodsman was the only rimfire designed by John Browning and the first .22 autoloader made. That doesn't make it better than anything else, but it still has it's place 100 years after the first one was made.

Woodsman is great for what it was intended to do. It is very accurate, but light and so very tough to control during rapid fire. Too bad the norinco's quality varies so much as the original ones are not fussy about ammo. I use standard velocity in mine exclusively and it works perfectly.

As a fan of the Woodsman I would say if you have to have one spend $250 on an actual Woodsman, not a copy, or just get a Ruger, lots of advantages to it as has been pointed out over and over here.

The high standards have much better triggers than the Ruger and lighter pull than the woodsman. They can be had for about the same coin if you look. High Standard did make pistols to compete with the rugers and woodsmans - they are available at fair prices. I would avoid the S&W .22 pistols in your price range. I know lots of guys have them and are happy, but lots of guys are having problems too. Buckmark is another great option.

You need to find a pistol that will work for you; try as many as you can before you buy.
 
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Ruger sigle six revolvers are supposed to be good for the money. Keep your eye out for Ruger Mk.1, Mk.2 and Mk.3 pistols aswell. Ive seen a few Smith and Wesson 422's for sale recently and they are supposidly good shooters.
 
I'm curious about plinking since from what I know of firearms laws, this is only even theoretically possible with a non-restricted on crown land, which is already preeeeeety restrictive. Can you even plink on your own property? Hmm...

Whats the deal with outdoor adhoc target shooting? I imagine there to be an absolute MESS of bylaws, federal laws, and provincial laws all overlapping and making the concept of plinking outdoors really complicated. Whats the deal?
 
I have just spent the last week playing with a friends Ruger mk 11, with 6 inch standard barrel & fixed sights. I had always discounted them as a cheaper gun, so never really looked at them. I was surprised to find it to be very well made, totally reliable, & one of the two most accurate hanguns I have ever fired. It fits my hand & wrist position perfectly. I am now making a trade with him for it. Im in love.
 
Inexpensive, but not cheap, .22 handgun recommendations:

-Ruger Mk II/III
-Browning Buckmark
-Margolin
 
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