"Best" .22lr?

[Fishstiq]

I'm in the market for a .22lr semi auto rifle and am wondering what you folks' opinions are.  Since .22 is so cheap, and really fun to shoot, and quiet enough to not bother the neighbors too much, that's the caliber I'm pretty much decided on for a daily plinking rifle.  I really like S&W's M&P15 .22, that thing is great.  My friend has one, and it's a blast to shoot.  I have always liked the Ruger 10-22 also, very accurate and obviously time-tested.  These are the main two I'm looking at, are there any others I should be considering?  What are your thoughts on these two rifles?  What about a different caliber, say .17?

 

[quadrafire]

Ruger 10-22

[xd2005]

Ruger 10-22.

Personally, I would not get a M&P. If I wanted an 'ar' type 22, I would spend a little more and get a regular ar and 22 conversion kit. Not really 'that' much more expensive, but options open up. 

[kentrek]

go with the ruger

stay with the 22lr

with good shooting skills you can make up for the advantages of the 17 with out the cost

[Holg3107]

Ruger 10-22

  easiest decision in the world when it comes to buying a new gun.

[HazMat]

If I was interested in adding accessories, I would choose the 10-22.  That being said, I bought a Marlin 795 for a lot less.  It shoots just as well and is a lot lighter.

[hillbilli]

10/22, stainless if you can afford it

[Special T]

They don't offer either in 17HMR... it has too much pressure to run the semi auto.. you will only really find them in bolt actions. You CAN be one in the 17HMR2 but that is based off the 22lr case. I would go 10-22. It is like the Rem 700 action, or the AR platform. EVERYONE makes acessories for it. 

[Sportfury]

I have a Thompson/Center .22 semi-auto. Straight shooter and great trigger. The only issue that I have with it is if you don't seat the ammo fully to the back of the magazine it will jam especially with full lead bullets.

I bought a Ruger for my daughter, but I do not like the trigger on it. Super heavy pull on the trigger and a new trigger for it cost almost as much or more than the gun itself.

[Mongo Hunter]

Ruger 10-22! it was my first gun and there are parts everywhere and shoot great!

[gallion_t]

I have a Thompson/Center .22 semi-auto. Straight shooter and great trigger. The only issue that I have with it is if you don't seat the ammo fully to the back of the magazine it will jam especially with full lead bullets.

I bought a Ruger for my daughter, but I do not like the trigger on it. Super heavy pull on the trigger and a new trigger for it cost almost as much or more than the gun itself.

Buy the hammer and sear kit. I believe its about $40 and you can put it in yourself. Drops the trigger pole to about 2.5lbs if I remember correctly. I put one on mine by myself when I was about 14 so its not that difficult.

[gallion_t]

Concerning the OP I would go with the ruger. Like you already stated it is time tested and they are great guns. The only thing I dont like about them are the factory clips. I have 3 or 4 and they have a tendency to get sticky and not feed all of the rounds through after a lot of use. I've heard good things about the Steel lips clips, but haven't tested them yet. Lots of great accesorries to go with it. You can make a really accurate gun for fairly cheap and they are just a blast to shoot.

[magnanimous_j]

I must have the world's most finicky 10-22. I broke 2 magazines before figuring out what ammo it liked (definitely not golden boy), and the trigger is really heavy.

[Woodchuck]

Mags, use a republican trigger pull, will be much better. 

[Fishstiq]

Well, that's a pretty resounding answer!  Looks like I'm in the market for a 10-22!     Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate it.

Mags, use a republican trigger pull, will be much better. 

I don't care who you are, that's funny chit right there!!!