The Briefing Room

General Category => Sports/Entertainment/MSM/Social Media => Shooting Sports => Topic started by: Elderberry on May 25, 2018, 12:07:35 pm

Title: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Elderberry on May 25, 2018, 12:07:35 pm
Gun Digest ByElwood Shelton -December 18, 2017

There are few things as accurate, useful and fun as a great rimfire handgun.
These are the precision plinkers that will get you on target:

    Colt Woodsman
    High Standard H-D
    Smith & Wesson Model 41
    Smith & Wesson Model 17
    Ruger Standard
    Ruger Single-Six
    Browning Buck Mark

There can be a vicious cycle when it comes to a good rimfire handgun. Inherently accurate, these pistols and revolvers are like a spring meadow in their ability to sprout tidy little clover leafs. But once a shooter gets a taste for these firearms’ precision printing, they only want more and smaller. Then the obsession begins — check out a precision pistol match to see what I mean.

Thankfully, gunmakers have fueled this mania, turning out true classics in the genre of rimfire handguns. And a shooter needn’t be a competitor to truly appreciate what these guns bring to the table. Whether placing a dead-accurate head shot on a brushy tail high in a beech tree’s boughs or making soda cans dance up a hillside, precision plinkers are truly one of life’s small pleasures.

With that in mind, here are seven of the greatest rimfire handguns to ever pitch small-bore lead. If you don’t have at least one of these in your arsenal, then your collection isn’t complete.

More: https://gundigest.com/article/7-rimfire-handguns-plinking (https://gundigest.com/article/7-rimfire-handguns-plinking)

I've shot 3 out of the 7 many times. I still own one.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: thackney on May 25, 2018, 12:31:08 pm
    Browning Buck Mark

I really, really, really like this one.

My version:
Buck Mark Camper UFX
http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/pistols/buck-mark-pistols/current-production/buck-mark-camper-ufx.html (http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/pistols/buck-mark-pistols/current-production/buck-mark-camper-ufx.html)

(http://www.browning.com/content/dam/browning/product/firearms/pistols/buckmark/buckmark-pre2016/BFA15_051498490.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.835.835.jpeg)

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/05/daniel-zimmerman/gun-review-browning-buckmark-camper/ (http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/05/daniel-zimmerman/gun-review-browning-buckmark-camper/)
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 25, 2018, 03:42:28 pm
I have 2 Ruger single six pistols.

A 22 LR/22 magnum with interchangeable cylinders, and a 38 special/357 magnum/9mm.

They are really accurate revolvers, which is what attracted me to them.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Elderberry on May 25, 2018, 04:04:55 pm
I have 2 Ruger single six pistols.

A 22 LR/22 magnum with interchangeable cylinders, and a 38 special/357 magnum/9mm.

They are really accurate revolvers, which is what attracted me to them.

Before the Navy I had the Ruger Standard Auto.

In college, one day a week, in my "Problem Analysis and Decision Making" course, we shot the High-Standards. I immediately fell in love with them.

In the Navy, I taught myself pistol marksmanship with a Single-Six and a S&W Model 36-3in. bbl. I foolishly got talked into selling the Single-Six to a shipmate.
I ended up replacing it with a 45LC Blackhawk.

 Years later I picked up another Single-Six, but it had a scope on it.  I also have a Stoeger Luger 22. After I bought it, I told a friend, who bought one too. Our guns have consecutive serial numbers.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: RoosGirl on May 25, 2018, 05:19:36 pm
Beretta Neos

(http://www.beretta.com/assets/0/15/DimGalleryLarge/neos_zoom002.jpg)
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 25, 2018, 05:25:56 pm
Before the Navy I had the Ruger Standard Auto.

In college, one day a week, in my "Problem Analysis and Decision Making" course, we shot the High-Standards. I immediately fell in love with them.

In the Navy, I taught myself pistol marksmanship with a Single-Six and a S&W Model 36-3in. bbl. I foolishly got talked into selling the Single-Six to a shipmate.
I ended up replacing it with a 45LC Blackhawk.

 Years later I picked up another Single-Six, but it had a scope on it.  I also have a Stoeger Luger 22. After I bought it, I told a friend, who bought one too. Our guns have consecutive serial numbers.

Nice!
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Elderberry on May 25, 2018, 06:23:08 pm
Review: Beretta U22 Neos plinking pistol in .22 LR

https://www.all4shooters.com/en/Shooting/pistols/Beretta-U22-Neos-in-22-LR-review/ (https://www.all4shooters.com/en/Shooting/pistols/Beretta-U22-Neos-in-22-LR-review/)

The polymer frame is a tell-tale sign that it is an entry-level recreational pistol.

The trigger discharges at a pull of around 2,500 g. Although a single stage trigger, it does not release all that crisply. Anyone interested in a step-by-step guide for complete tuning of the Beretta U22 Neos trigger can visit RimfireCentral, the forum for rimfire firearms.

The sight picture viewed through the mechanical sights is clear.

The handling and balance of the Beretta U22 Neos are okay.

The trigger characteristics are definitely more of a nuisance than the relatively high trigger pull.


On average, most of the group sizes shot from a range of 25 meters in a seated position with sandbag support were in a range radius of 45 mm. Improving the trigger will undoubtedly improve this result significantly. The two misfires meant a test quota of less than one percent. Leaving out ammunition with comparatively weak loads might even have reduced this quota to zero.

Our rating for the Beretta U22 Neos rimfire pistol

The Neos by Beretta is an attractive plinking pistol at a competitive price. It is predestined for small- to medium-sized hands due to its slender frame. The recreational pistol convinces with its finishing, efficiency and precision, less so with the design of the thumb safety. The trigger characteristics and pull offer room for improvement especially. But the Beretta U22 is not alone in this respect among equivalent models.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Meldrew on May 25, 2018, 06:26:30 pm
For classes we use an M&P compact, a S&W 22A, a Ruger Mk4 and the Buckmark.  The compact gets shot a lot because it looks most like a regular gun, the 22A gets very little love, the Ruger gets shot because it's fancy (target model) but everyone loves the Buckmark. 
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: RoosGirl on May 25, 2018, 06:30:26 pm
Review: Beretta U22 Neos plinking pistol in .22 LR

https://www.all4shooters.com/en/Shooting/pistols/Beretta-U22-Neos-in-22-LR-review/ (https://www.all4shooters.com/en/Shooting/pistols/Beretta-U22-Neos-in-22-LR-review/)

The polymer frame is a tell-tale sign that it is an entry-level recreational pistol.

The trigger discharges at a pull of around 2,500 g. Although a single stage trigger, it does not release all that crisply. Anyone interested in a step-by-step guide for complete tuning of the Beretta U22 Neos trigger can visit RimfireCentral, the forum for rimfire firearms.

The sight picture viewed through the mechanical sights is clear.

The handling and balance of the Beretta U22 Neos are okay.

The trigger characteristics are definitely more of a nuisance than the relatively high trigger pull.


On average, most of the group sizes shot from a range of 25 meters in a seated position with sandbag support were in a range radius of 45 mm. Improving the trigger will undoubtedly improve this result significantly. The two misfires meant a test quota of less than one percent. Leaving out ammunition with comparatively weak loads might even have reduced this quota to zero.

Our rating for the Beretta U22 Neos rimfire pistol

The Neos by Beretta is an attractive plinking pistol at a competitive price. It is predestined for small- to medium-sized hands due to its slender frame. The recreational pistol convinces with its finishing, efficiency and precision, less so with the design of the thumb safety. The trigger characteristics and pull offer room for improvement especially. But the Beretta U22 is not alone in this respect among equivalent models.

I like mine. Never had a misfire, but we always use match grade ammo so maybe that is why.  I want to change out the sights for a little better contrast, but been meaning to do that forever and what's there doesn't keep me from hitting what I want to.  And, like the review mentions, I have smaller hands and this one fits perfectly.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Smokin Joe on May 25, 2018, 08:33:56 pm
Ruger MKII wasn't mentioned?
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Bigun on May 25, 2018, 08:36:11 pm
Ruger MKII wasn't mentioned?

Which is better by a mile than a buckmark IMHO.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Smokin Joe on May 25, 2018, 08:40:47 pm
Which is better by a mile than a buckmark IMHO.
Buckmark is okay, but I definitely prefer the Ruger. The Colt Woodsman had a nasty habit of cutting my hand (base of the thumb/web) with the slide. I shot a couple, but never bought the Colt.
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: roamer_1 on May 25, 2018, 08:48:42 pm
A 22 LR/22 magnum with interchangeable cylinders,

@GrouchoTex

Thanks for reminding me... I've been fixin to find me a pistol in 22LR... for the purpose of ammo consolidation.

That oughta shoot stingers and shot rounds (maybe snake rounds to you) just fine too, right?

Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Smokin Joe on May 25, 2018, 08:51:16 pm
@GrouchoTex

Thanks for reminding me... I've been fixin to find me a pistol in 22LR... for the purpose of ammo consolidation.

That oughta shoot stingers and shot rounds (maybe snake rounds to you) just fine too, right?
Yep!
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: GrouchoTex on May 25, 2018, 08:51:47 pm
@GrouchoTex

Thanks for reminding me... I've been fixin to find me a pistol in 22LR... for the purpose of ammo consolidation.

That oughta shoot stingers and shot rounds (maybe snake rounds to you) just fine too, right?

Not sure about the snake rounds, but I've been meaning to look into that.

Thanks for reminding me......
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: Elderberry on May 25, 2018, 08:57:06 pm
@GrouchoTex

Thanks for reminding me... I've been fixin to find me a pistol in 22LR... for the purpose of ammo consolidation.

That oughta shoot stingers and shot rounds (maybe snake rounds to you) just fine too, right?

I shot both stingers and shot shells in my Single-Six
Title: Re: 7 Great Rimfire Handguns For Pure Plinking Pleasure
Post by: roamer_1 on May 25, 2018, 09:49:32 pm
Yep!

Not sure about the snake rounds, but I've been meaning to look into that.
Thanks for reminding me......

I shot both stingers and shot shells in my Single-Six

Thank you, gentlemen. That's what I'll do.
 :beer: