We’ve all heard it, and likely even said it a time or two if we’re going to be honest with ourselves. “It’s just a .22.” It’s overheard as justification for putting on a $40 scope that comes in a clamshell pack from a big box store. It’s used to explain the poor condition of an old barn rifle that’s served life keeping pests out of the feed and gardens. It’s used to imply that ammunition should come in big buckets that can be purchased for a couple hours of wages. It can even be used as a way to scoff at the price tag of a nice firearm. ”But it’s just a .22.”
Well, I’m here to admit that I have a problem! Why? Because I like “just .22s”! I get excited about Winchester 52s, Remington 541s, CZ452s, Browning T-Bolts, S&W K22s, Ruger Mark-series pistols and almost anything .22 related. I still shoot an old single-shot Remington 514 that was handed down to me over 20 years ago from a relative who’d had it a long time at that point. Still shoots pretty well, though the iron sights are a bit tough to use on the wooded plinking range.
People check out one of my “nice” .22 rifles or revolvers and generally ooh-and-ahh at them. Nobody has turned down a chance to fire a couple of cylinders through a K-frame .22. Everybody has a smile after putting a magazine through a Browning T-Bolt. (No, seriously, don’t feel bad about using my ammo. Be safe and have fun.) Inevitably the question is going to come out at some point, “How much for one like that?” When I answer honestly, the frequent response is “I can’t spend that on a .22.”
Why not? If you enjoy shooting it and drag it to the range every trip you get, $400 on a used CZ452 is a bargain. Where should your clearest scope go, on the .308 you put half a box of ammo through between sighting in and hunting season? Or on the .22 that you shoot once a month and look through the glass constantly? (Trick question: I’d put good glass on both; I’m a snot and really like good glass.)
The thing to remember is, quality material and time spent crafting the firearm cost the same, whether it’s a centerfire or “just a .22”. It doesn’t make sense to have the rifle or pistol you shoot the most be the cheapest one you own with the worst glass you have. If it’s something that’s going to last for decades, don’t look at it as “just a .22”, look at it as a nice firearm, that happens to be a .22.
And since I didn't want to leave you hanging after reading all of that, some "just .22s"!
S&W M18
S&W M17
Browning T-Bolt with Leupold FX-I 4x28mm
CZ452s
(Left to right: CZ-452 Lux, FS with Leupold VX-1 2-7x28mm, American with Leupold VX-2 3-9x33mm EFR)
Well, I’m here to admit that I have a problem! Why? Because I like “just .22s”! I get excited about Winchester 52s, Remington 541s, CZ452s, Browning T-Bolts, S&W K22s, Ruger Mark-series pistols and almost anything .22 related. I still shoot an old single-shot Remington 514 that was handed down to me over 20 years ago from a relative who’d had it a long time at that point. Still shoots pretty well, though the iron sights are a bit tough to use on the wooded plinking range.
People check out one of my “nice” .22 rifles or revolvers and generally ooh-and-ahh at them. Nobody has turned down a chance to fire a couple of cylinders through a K-frame .22. Everybody has a smile after putting a magazine through a Browning T-Bolt. (No, seriously, don’t feel bad about using my ammo. Be safe and have fun.) Inevitably the question is going to come out at some point, “How much for one like that?” When I answer honestly, the frequent response is “I can’t spend that on a .22.”
Why not? If you enjoy shooting it and drag it to the range every trip you get, $400 on a used CZ452 is a bargain. Where should your clearest scope go, on the .308 you put half a box of ammo through between sighting in and hunting season? Or on the .22 that you shoot once a month and look through the glass constantly? (Trick question: I’d put good glass on both; I’m a snot and really like good glass.)
The thing to remember is, quality material and time spent crafting the firearm cost the same, whether it’s a centerfire or “just a .22”. It doesn’t make sense to have the rifle or pistol you shoot the most be the cheapest one you own with the worst glass you have. If it’s something that’s going to last for decades, don’t look at it as “just a .22”, look at it as a nice firearm, that happens to be a .22.
And since I didn't want to leave you hanging after reading all of that, some "just .22s"!
S&W M18
S&W M17
Browning T-Bolt with Leupold FX-I 4x28mm
CZ452s
(Left to right: CZ-452 Lux, FS with Leupold VX-1 2-7x28mm, American with Leupold VX-2 3-9x33mm EFR)
