HELP! What's the "best" Norinco made 22 rimfire?

Jay

Jay

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Hey Guys;

I'm looking for a "beater" 22 that I can abuse... It doesn't need to shoot 1/2 inch groups @ 100 or look pretty... I do want it to be a "repeater"...

Currently, I am looking at the...

JW 20 copy of the browning semi, I've shot a browning... How's this compare to the "real thing"... $189

JW 21 copy of the winchester lever, I've shot both of my buddies, one gun has occasional problems feeding. It could be the ammo, I've only tried one type in it... $198

Thanks!


Cheers
Jay
 
SIR mail order has a Marlin60 with POS scope for $169.

It is a 14 shot, tube fed, semi auto.

It was my first firearm, and I put a cheap 'real' scope on it. Mine shoots pretty decent and is reliable enough. Hard to beat for the price.


Marlin Model 60 .22 Rifle w/Scope

Features a highly accurate 19" micro groove rifled barrel with precision crowned muzzle, cross bolt safety, manual bolt hold open and a patented automatic “last shot” bolt hold open. The 14 shot brass inner magazine tube completely eliminates any rust problems. Adjustable rear sight. Receiver grooved for scope mount. Comes complete with 4X power scope and mounts. OAL: 40.5". Weight: 5 1/2 lbs. .22 Long Rifle only.

Scope not as shown.

Cat. No. 460127

Price: $ 169.99
 
For that price, you can get better .22's than a Norinco.

Hell, even a TOZ is better than that!

Seriously, if you're looking for a beater, look for an old Cooey model 60 or something similar. Better quality and accuracy than you'd ever get out of a Norinco, and probably cheaper too.

I'm not a Norinco snob either... I've owned no less than 6 Norincos at some point...
 
As an owner of Norinco .22s (a bolt, a pump and a semi), I think you should look for a good price on a Lakefield/Cooey 64B, in good shape it should only set you back about 1C.
Wrong Way's Voere is a really good deal too, if you can find extra mags.

Hell, look for a sale on a Ruger 10/22, you shouldn't have to pay more than $225 for brand new.
 
I don't really understand why a guy would buy a Norinco rimfire. If they were $100 - maybe, but at $200? You can buy many quality rimfires for that price. The only exception to this seems to be the lever action - at $200 I'd be willing to try one. Handled one here at TNT in Regina - and it seemed sturdy - but a little rough (bluing was kinda spotty- and the edges on the hammer, etc. were pretty sharp). I never got a chance to shoot one though, these were just my impressions of the gun.
 
Jay said:
Hey Guys;

I'm looking for a "beater" 22 that I can abuse... It doesn't need to shoot 1/2 inch groups @ 100 or look pretty... I do want it to be a "repeater"...
Click to expand...

You just described a Ruger 10/22 to the letter. Add high capacity mags to that statement, and you have the atomic weight of bolognium....delicious.

Honestly I've owned all kinds of rimfires (Savage, Cooey, Winchester, Ruger) and I love my Savage .17HMR - but my Ruger 10/22 stands head and shoulders above all other .22 rifles. It never jams (unless I use my stupid 50 round MWG teardrop), its a fast shooter, and reasonably accurate. Also - if you want to trick it out later, you can.

But, I'm kind of hijacking the thread...sorry. I'd go with the lever action if you have your heart set on a Norinco.

PS - Anyone out there prove me wrong...I'd really like to know why you'd spend $200 on a Norinco as opposed to a domestic.
 
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Many dealers get these beaters in as parts of estates. They aren't worth the effort to sell so they often give them away. Elwood Epp's actually lists a free 22 right now.
 
I dont think "BEST" and "NORINCO" go together in the same sentence. hehe

But... i do own the jw25a. Only because of its looks. It shoots ok, is heavy and has alot of rough edges around the metal parts... but i got it for a k98 look alike.
 
I've got the Norinco Browning Take-Down Clone and find that it shoots well, except for truncated ammo (like Yellow Jackets) which don't feed well from the tube. I got mine years ago from SIR for $130 and have no regrets.

I also have the JW23 (.22 Mag) which shoots reasonably well and cost me the same as the rifle above. No regrets there either.

As for buying a Norinco at $200, I would have to hesitate in most cases. I recently acquired a Henry Lever .22 for a bit over $250, which far more than makes up for the extra $50 I'd have saved buying a Norinco lever gun. Having a Henry AR-7, the Norinco Browning clone is still good competition for about the same price. I think that my .22 mag might still be avail at the best price for that calibre, and I could picture someone buying Norinco's .22Mauser clone without regret. All that said, there are several excellent Savage/Stevens, Marlin and other .22s available in the same price range that would offer a better bargain than most of the .22 rifles avail from Norinco.

Best of luck with whatever you purchase.

Frank
 
I've had a JW14 for a couple of years now, no regrets. She did have some teething issues with the trigger mechanism which eventually sorted themselves out after a few thousand rounds and a couple of cleanings. Eats anything you feed her and spits out the casings .... Sometimes down SKSCanuck's shirt ... Accuracy is ammo dependant, but if I do my part and she likes the ammo she will keep most shots within the size of a 25 cent piece at 50 meters from the bench with the scope on .... Good enough for me.
 
Jay said:
I'm looking for a "beater" 22 that I can abuse... It doesn't need to shoot 1/2 inch groups @ 100 or look pretty... I do want it to be a "repeater"...
Click to expand...

I've got a Cooey model 600 here that I'll sell you for $50.00, how's that for cheap?:runaway: :runaway: :runaway:
 
Hard to beat.
There are lots of older .22 repeaters around. Marlins, Savages/Stevens, H&Rs, Mossbergs. They are often less than $100. Any of them will be better finished than a Norinco, and will shoot just as well.
I sold quite a few Norincos in my shop, and quite frankly the quality control is sometimes embarrassing. The JW25a Mauser lookalikes are probably the best finished. Some of the 15s and 23s are really rough. Usually praise for Norincos is qualified - a good shooter for the price; less than half the price of a Brno, shoots almost as well, if you don't mind the roughness, etc.
 
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