Looking back for something else in my archives, I stumbled across this 2020 article about underrated guns. I’ll spare you the details (follow the link if you’re interested), but the guns are pictured below:
- I have no experience with the R22, but it’s a T/C, looks nice and uses 10/22 mags, so how bad can it be?
- I’m not a fan of the Savage Apex line, because I had a terrible experience with one once, because that skinny little barrel starts to whip after more than a few rounds. But it’s a decent budget hunting rifle. I honestly prefer the 110 Hunter line — more expensive, to be sure, but I think a better rifle altogether. I’ll always suggest the 110 for a starter rifle, because at any price, it’s wonderfully accurate, and their adjustable Accu-Trigger is the bee’s knees.
- If I were looking for a “mid-price” 1911, I’d go with one of the Springfields purely because of long experience with my GI model.
- I carried a Charter Arms Bulldog (.44 Spec) for years, until I got my 1911. Nothing wrong with it — I think I’d take the Undercover over one of the Rossi or Taurus cheapies, to be honest.
- I like the Bersa Thunder, and if I were restricted to the .380 ACP, it would probably be my first choice too.
- Not a fan of the Tomcat, even though I love most Beretta handguns. I think it’s the .32 ACP chambering that puts me off, although his rationale for the piece is quite acceptable. I’d certainly take it over any of the teeny pocket pistols out there, just for the reliability factor.
The article got me thinking about the topic, so in days to come I’ll put up my half-dozen choices of underrated guns, just for the hell of it. Try to contain yer anticipation.
So I got the Thompson R22 a few years back. Pretty much a direct clone of the 10/22. I picked it over the actual Ruger cause a) it was on sale and b) it came with a red dot scope. So first (and only) complaint is that T/C somehow fucked up the rotary magazine. Which is odd because the Ruger rotary magazine is a wonder and true testament to the ingenuity of mankind. But T/C couldn’t just copy that, they had to add some little plastic doohickey to keep the bolt open after the last round. That little doohickey completely fucked it up and caused it to jam every single round. There are instructions on how to “tune” the follower to prevent that, which is your first clue that the magazine is a piece of shit. After about a full day of fucking with it, I finally decided that I already have 5 or 6 actual Ruger magazines and shit-canned the T/C one and just use the Ruger’s instead.
Otherwise, pretty good copy of the BEST .22 RF rifle ever built.
I bought the R22 rather than the 10/22 because at the time it came with a better trigger than the stock 10/22 and there was an access hole at the back of the receiver that allowed one to clean from the breech using a rod .
Very accurate rifle 0.6 in 5 shot groups at 50 yards with ammo it likes. Winchester Super X ,40 gr.
Very light gun …next purchase will be a 10/22 , wooden stocked , heavy barrel model..
Yeah I am old school.
Another reason to stay with Springfield Armory is that the Colt is a Series 80, and probably has the not-so-good trigger pull as the original (and Series 70) triggers that you find on the Springers.
It’s interesting that since Colt was sold to whoever (too lazy to look it up) that they’re now offering Series 70 pistols again.
Savage 110 is a great rifle. Mine was a pre-accu-trigger 30-06 that was my go-to deer rifle for about 20 years. It got beat out by my Mauser, but there was nothing bad about it.
You’ve shot my Springfield Range Officer, so there we are.
Back in 1977, I shot my army buddy’s Charter Arms Bulldog. At that time I had zero experience with snubby revolvers. I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve been tempted over the years, but never enough to reach for my wallet.
Agree that the Bersa Thunder is a decent rig for the price. My answer was (and still is) a surplus Hungarian PA-63 in 9mm Mak. Well, a pair actually, so I have a spare. The PA-63 was obviously inspired by the Walther PPK. Like most fixed barrel pistols, it is very accurate. Back in another life when I had my FFL, my cost for them was $99.