What's a good, reliable semi-automatic .22 pistol?

As mentioned previously, Ruger and Browning make outstanding 22lr pistols. Both reliable, and contrary to what an another reviewer may have indicated, extremely accurate ROTB, even better when tuned up. Actually, if you have been doing research and it sounds like you have, Beretta's Neo may not "turn heads" but it is very accurate and easy to maintain. Smith and Wesson's Model 22A is pretty sturdy and fairly accurate as well. S&W's Model 41 is one of the most accurate 22lr pistol's sold, again more of a competition model. But I have seen used models under your stated limit.

But if you want a "Cool" looking 22lr plinker, and who doesn't, then you should check out the 1911's in 22lr. Many different manufacturers, Browning, American Tactical Imports (ATI GSG), Sig Sauer, Puma, just to name a few.

Check out http://www.gunbroker.com/ and type in 1911 22lr in the search box.

Generally, the reliability of any of the pistols mentioned here by me and others really depend on the way the pistol is maintained and the ammo you shoot through it. Every pistol will respond differently with every brand of ammo. 22lr ammo is largely dirty to begin with. Bulk boxes of 22lr will run anywhere from .02 to .04 cents a shot, while the "Good" stuff ( Eley, CCI Stingers and Velocitors, etc) can run up to .15 cents a shot. I will say though the higher velocity ammo is always going to be better for cycling purposes. Good Luck.

Happy Hunting...

A Ruger Mk II or Mk III is pretty much the best inexpensive .22LR semi-auto, and the Browning Buck Mark is right up there from what I've heard. They're reasonably accurate, reasonably reliable, and they'll hold their value more than others.

Despite others telling you that .22LR pistols don't really have problems feeding, they do. Semi-autos, in any caliber, can be a little choosy about what ammo they like. I've fired a Walther P22 at a range, and it did have problems with misfeeding. The current talk about the Sig Sauer Mosquito is the same.

The key for shooting semi pistols in .22LR is in searching for a round that your pistol likes to feed. CCI Blazer tends to get good reviews, and it fed fairly well in that P22. Supposedly the big 500ish round boxes aren't as high quality, but I've never had more than one or two misfires out of a big box when shooting a rifle. (Your experience may vary.) I'm pretty sure that one of the reasons pistols are so choosy is because the shorter barrels don't let the ammo reach full velocity, which means that there's less recoil to operate the action. That makes sense from a scientific point of view (I'm a science teacher) and would explain why the CCI Blazer (a higher velocity round) would work so well in so many semi pistols- it's got a little more kick to work the gun.

You say you don't feel a revolver is practical, but it sure would be funny if you could practice to the point where you could empty a 10-round revolver into a target accurately and reload it in the time it took your friends to do the same with their semis. Just a thought.

22 Semi Auto Pistol

Just go for the Ruger 22. I preferred them before the loaded chamber indicator and all that cruft but it doesn't make a lot of difference. I bought one to teach my mother to shoot and fitted it with a red dot sight, she was shooting tin cans at 25 yards within minutes. I shoot it as often as anything else and I don't remember function or accuracy being an issue.

There are 22 'free pistols' that will shoot as accurately as most people are with a rifle. Shooting tiny groups with a rifle may light some people's candle but it does nothing much for me.

22 Automatic

The Ruger Mark II is my favorite of the bunch, but the Browning Buckmark is really just as good for this price point. They are very accurate AND reliable. The Ruger Mark III and 22/45 are also good pistols, I just can't stand them for other reasons.

Well what are you going for and what is your price point. If you wanna go expensive I would get a Smith&Wesson model 41 but for the average plinker I would reccomend a Ruger .22 with a steel frame. Browning Buck Mark is also pretty good and can be customized, but not as much as the ruger mark II.

I have a Beretta U22 Neos that fits the bill nicely. It's accurate and feeds perfectly with Federal ammo (even the bulk boxes). The price is right, too at about $250 and up.

I dont think i have ever heard .22 pistol and accurate in the same sentence. Dont let some people saying Semi auto .22 rifles jam and fail to eject. Some shoot like this(rare, not often and not a problem), but i dont know anyone with that problem. If you do have that problem change ammo. Some .22s favor certain brands(some high velocity rounds can fix cycling issues). If your looking for fun at the range get a .22lr rifle

Nobody does the "plinking 22 auto" better than Ruger. They are relatively inexpensive and extremely dependable.