better plinker Beretta Neos or S&W 22A

[JAB]

I have a 22A that I have had for several years, now. I originally bought it because it was a little cheaper than a Ruger. I recently entertained the notion of trading it for a MKIII because I like the 'Luger-ish' look of the Ruger. As part of making the decision, I borrowed a MKII to shoot side by side with the 22A. In the end, I found that my 22A feels just as good in my hand, shoots just as well and is just as accurate. I decided that I would not trade my 22A for a Ruger. I might still just buy a Ruger one of these days if I find a good deal on a used one but the 22A stays.

The 22A had feeding problems at first. I ended up taking a piece of very fine sandpaper to the feedramp. I polished the ramp up nice and have had no problems with feeding, since. The only 'major' problem I have had was ammo related. I had a case rupture while shooting Aguila Supermaximum ammo (about the third shot of the first mag of that stuff I ever put through it.) The result was that my extractor assembly was blown out of the slide. I ordered another, replaced it and won't be buying any more Aguila Supermaximum (I shot most of the rest of that box through a revolver and found the empties very hard to extract.)

My 22A does just as well with Winchester or Federal bulk (and just as poorly with Remington bulk) as any other .22 semiauto I have fired. All of my .22s seem to prefer Federal.

Edited January 17, 2012 by JAB

[KJ48]

I bought a new 22A a year or so ago so for use at the plinking range by my two sons. It has had around 10000 rounds through it so far with ONE failure to extract that I was aware of using bulk Federal Champions and some CCI mini-mags I had left over. I had to replace the plastic buffer thing after 5000 rounds, there were two extra with the gun and I called S&W and they sent me three more for free.

While that seems like a lot of use my kids can go through three 10 round mags in under a minute, I toss them a box of 525 Federals and they are done with that in 30-45 minutes and are well into another box before we leave lol. I have had an aimpoint, pistol scope and reflex sight on it and its a pretty good shooter. The black finish (powder coat or some kind of paint) on the slide, rail and barrel is about 1/2 worn off but it hasnt been babied, I do keep it clean. Takedown and assembly is easy as could be also.

I like the 22A, but I have been right next to others with them at the range that had feeding issues, couple people have borrowed my mags and the same ammo and still had problems. I did polish my feed ramp on mine when it was new, not sure how much it helped. So there are 'good' ones 'bad' ones, seen it first hand, but my last MKIII was a 'bad' one IMO, light strikes (went back to Ruger) and wouldnt work reliably with anything except mini mags so it goes both ways.

Honestly though, the standard MK series Rugers are what I consider a 'lifetime' gun, all steel and they never seem to wear out. For 50-70.00 more you are getting something that will last a lifetime if cared for, plus it has some nice luger-like lines and is nice3 to look at as well as shoot. The 22A uses modern parts, finishes and plastic and is a good gun IMO, but the Ruger is a classic.

[Guest Papabear]

I have owned a Beretta Neo's for many years. For a plinker it is a very good gun. Easy to break down and clean and has chewed up every type of ammo I have fed it over the years. Maganizes are stainless construction and can be picked up pretty cheap. I like the gun and so does my wife.