[Telki]

Well, I wanted a pistol, but I wanted something I could practice with and use cheap ammo with, so instead of going for that SA 1911-A1 Mil-spec right off the bat I opted to first buy Fugger Nutter's Beretta U22/NEOS off him. It's always nice getting new stuff, but in this case I really trust FN's ability care for and modify his weapons and knew that anything in his armory down to the cheapest thing he owns is maintained immaculately.

Now I know there's nothing real impressive about .22 pistols, but this thing is a treat to shoot! I hit the range today and pumped about 600 rounds through it. The trigger is smooth and breaks cleanly with a minimal of effort, the red dot scope helps ensure I'm holding the gun properly, and the weight is minimal despite a fat 6" barrel.

I'm not a real good shot, but I can tear the center out of my targets at 15 yds with some effort and even with "rapid" shooting most of them will stay within a 3-4" radius. I think this speaks more for the balance of gun than for my skill, though.

What with running 600 rounds through it in 2.5 hours (that's 4 rounds a minute I guess not factoring in the pauses every 15 minutes for people to change targets and such) I did have a few jams with the Winchester Dynapoint .22lr ammo I was using, but I think it had more to do with how the rounds were sitting in the mags than anything. I was taught to tap the mags to seat the rounds agains tthe back of the mag so they'll load correctly into the chamber (not for this fun specifically, just generally), but I found I got fewer jams if I simple turned the mag on it's back and released tension on the rounds a few times to let them settle in where they wanted with gravity. *shrugs* Dunno, it's a less than scientific method, but it works for me. :)

Over all, I'm very happy with this pistol. It disassembled easily for cleaning, the parkerized finish is nice and durable, and it's looks draw some attention at the range. Great gun for learning and plinking.

[Marinesg1012]

22 pistolas are all kinds of fun becuase they are cheap to shoot fun to shoot and as you can attest accurate.

:up: :up: good deal

[Antlurz]

And, in fact, they can do serious duty if pressed. Them big bores are nice, but there area million favorable things to say about a .22 as well..

Ron

[armoredman]

Yep! A 22 is both fun and practical, and BGs don't like getting shot with a 22 any more than we do.

[Fug]

Thanks for the kind words Telki. I am sure that pistol will do great for you and am glad you like it. Squeeze a stock NEOS trigger sometime to compare ;)


I hope this thread does not turn into another what caliber will do what thread so let me try to pre-emptively strike against that. Some forums have really rich guys that give you all sorts of data from all sorts of test and blah blah blah no disrespect to them but here is as real world as you will get:

A .22lr round is a lethal round:
A single sole round from .22lr bulk hollowpoint kiled my one and only sibling. Never doubt the lethality of a .22lr!

A .22lr is an anemic round:
I have a scar on my side (it's in between other scars and ugly tattoos) from a .22lr out of a pistol. I believe if it had been a .45acp I would not be writing this.

I'll always take a .45 over anything else but: The first round of a gun fight is to bring a damn gun. Any gun looks the size of a howlitzer when you are looking down it. I have looked down a .22lr, a 9mm (twice), and .45acp and never once did I stop and wonder the ballistics - if you get my point.

Proper shot placement is key. Practice, Practice Practice. Most importantly avoid the situations in the first place.

PS - and carry a GSD ;)

[Telki]

Why would I carry an animal that's got 4 perfectly good legs? :)

I don't doubt the lethality of a .22 round. The difference between a .22 and a .223 is .003 and the power behind it, but the .223 round is known to bounce around off bone once it penetrates and so I've always suspected a .22lr would do the same. The initial impact may hit in a less than life-threatening spot, but an inch movement either way is likely to really tear up an organ.

[Antlurz]

Proper shot placement is key. Practice, Practice Practice. Most importantly avoid the situations in the first place.

I've always ascribed to the idea that a 22 round in someones forehead is much more interesting than a 44 mag in his arm.

Ooops..careful there Ron, or you will be going down the road FN wants to avoid... and avoid for good reason. That arguement is NEVER resolved.

Ron

[Fug]

However a 44mag in the forehead is really really neat!!

(and now I really am gonna go out and practice, later bros!)

[Antlurz]

Telki... what you say is more influenced by the normal issued military ammo than would be reality in a non-military setting, using other than mil ball ammo.

Ron

[Telki]

Guess I'll just have to fire more rounds to find those organs then. :BG:

[Big Bill 357]

In my humble opinion..Having and shooting a 22 allows you to be a better shooter just because you can do it all day for $10. Its hard not to get better with a accurate gun that doesn't make you flinch. imho :cool:

[Nes]

Big Bill 357
Couldn't said it any better.
Nes

[Telki]

Well, I sure look like a good shooter with this thing. :)

[Dav]

Congrats on picking up that NEOS, Telki.

I have one of those, also with a red-dot type scope on it.

Very fun at the range, and waaayyy cheap to practice with. :up:

[Telki]

What ammo do you use in yours, Dav? I'm considering trying a few other brands to see if I get less jamming.

For the most part, it shoots the Winchester Dynapoints just fine, but every so often a round gets caught on the upper edge of the barrel and the force of the slide coming back into position basically cause the barrel edge to carve into the soft lead of the bullet bringing everything to a stop. Since it's not constantly jamming, I'm marking it up to defects in the manufacture of the bullet until I can prove otherwise.

[Fug]

I was using bulk fed hollow points. Make sure you service the mags, I dont remember if I did that set..

[Antlurz]

My guess would be that the lips on top of the magazine are allowing the stack of bullets to point too far up in the front. If you could ever so gently close the gap a hair, it should hold them a bit more level.

Just a guess...

Ron

[Telki]

Hmm, there's an idea, Antlurz. I have no point of reference for how the rounds should sit in the mag, so I'll have FN take a look at it next time I see him. Will try the same ammo you were using too, FN.

Also might be that I overtightened the bolt that secures the barrel to the rest of the gun, so will have to play with that too.

[Dav]

I don't shoot it enough to have a favorite round for it. Mostly shoot CCI Stingers, I think... mostly whatever my range carries.

I always expect .22LR pistols to jam once in a while (like twice per box of 50). I've never experienced a .22 semi-auto that didn't when being fed a mixed diet.

Either the pin strike is too weak for consistent firing, or they nose up when feeding, or they are too weak to cycle the slide properly, or the ammo is simply no good.

I know having said this I have probably upset some people who have carefully maintained .22's that they feed quality ammo to, that has never malfunctioned. I've simply never experienced that. Note that before acquiring the NEOS I used the range rental guns. Might be relevant... :)

[Telki]

The NEOS, mine anyway, doesn't have any problems with a weak pin or slider, just the bullet nosing up. If I can figure that out, then I should have very few jams. I've done a couple things, but can't test them at the moment. Range near me is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Am gonna try to hit it tomorrow and see what results I have.

[Marinesg1012]

I don't shoot it enough to have a favorite round for it. Mostly shoot CCI Stingers, I think... mostly whatever my range carries.

I always expect .22LR pistols to jam once in a while (like twice per box of 50). I've never experienced a .22 semi-auto that didn't when being fed a mixed diet.

Either the pin strike is too weak for consistent firing, or they nose up when feeding, or they are too weak to cycle the slide properly, or the ammo is simply no good.

I know having said this I have probably upset some people who have carefully maintained .22's that they feed quality ammo to, that has never malfunctioned. I've simply never experienced that. Note that before acquiring the NEOS I used the range rental guns. Might be relevant... :)

I have a high standard that runs like a fine sewing machine thing will spit rounds out as fast as you pull the trigger. I was feeding it Rem Golden bullets. Feed the same ammo through my buckmark at it acts up. Just one mag though need to adjust it I think. Either way they should run fine as long as the mags are ok.

[budroe]

Isn't Beretta now make a carbine kit for the NEO?? Think you can buy a longer barrel and carbine stock for it. If so, that would make your shooting even more fun.

[Telki]

FN was just mentioning that to me tonight. I haven't looked into it or what it costs or even if they're producing it yet, though. Defintely sounds like it would be a fun toy. :)