Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22LR Full Review

I find the .22LR the most fun cartridge to shoot. Cheap with low recoil – a few dollars can provide a few hours of shooting fun. With that said – there are also many .22LR firearms that can be purchased inexpensively.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I visited my brother on Georgia who lives on 42 acres way out on the country. I had brought along a couple of long guns as well as my Smith & Wesson M&P9.

Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22LR
the Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22LR

I noticed in my brother’s “armory” a small rifle and moved in for a closer examination. I had thought for sure it was a Marlin – and was surprised to find that it had “Mossberg” engraved in the side of it. Turns out I was holding a Mossberg 702 Plinkster.

Initial impressions were very favorable. Polymer stock was comfortable and I found the Plinkster extremely light. Adjustable sights sit atop the barrel along with a set of grooves to mount a scope or other optic. The 10-rd magazine sticking out the bottom ejected easily by pushing a lever to release it (somewhat similar to a Ruger 10-22).

I decided to fire a few shots through the Mossberg. As I was getting my targets and other firearms together I was remembering how I had seen the Mossberg at Wally-world for right at $100. Very affordable.

I set up some targets against a large mound of dirt, proceeded to load the 10-rd magazine. The magazine is interesting in that on one side there is a “window” which to view to see if there are round left.

The magazine was easy on the thumb. I inserted the magazine into the receiver and it made a distinct sound once it was locked in. It wasn’t load – just felt and sounded right. I pulled the charging handle back and released it – and engaged the cross-bolt safety.

Mossberg 702 Plinkster 22LR magazine

After positioning the sights on one of the paper targets I took off the safety and began to squeeze the trigger sending rounds downrange approx 35 yards. I was very pleased with the trigger – surprised really. It was light and crisp.

I proceeded to reload the magazine and engage other targets. I shot in all close to 150 rounds of Remington .22LR HP Golden bullets. I had no malfunctions and was very pleased that the bolt holds open after the last shot via the magazine follower.

Mossberg 702 Plinkster 22LR next to an M1 carbine

I had a great time shooting the Plinkster. I found it accurate, lightweight, reliable – fun!! Doing a bit of research I found mixed reviews on other websites. All I can say is this one worked great and I may pick one up myself.

Here is basic summary:

The .22 LR caliber 702 Plinkster is made to the high standards of quality of Mossberg International with the balance, feel and accuracy of rifles costing much more. Whether hunting small game, serious marksmanship practice or just plinking around, the 702 Plinkster fits the bill.

Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22 Bolt Rifle:

  • 22LR caliber
  • 18″ barrel
  • Black synthetic stock
  • Adjustable rifle sights
  • Semiautomatic
  • 10-round capacity detachable metal magazine
outdoor shooting range and targets

 If you are in the market for a semi-auto .22LR rimfire – the Mossberg 702 Plinkster is worth looking at.


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9 thoughts on “Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22LR Full Review”

  1. Looks like you got a pretty cool place to go shooting. I still have my first .22 rifle I got when I was 16 for my birthday. Unfortunately, I haven’t shot it in years but hopefully I will be able to take my boys out soon and teach them how to shoot.

    Reply
  2. Wow, talk about great timing…I went to Cabela’s on Black Friday to buy a 10/22 (they had it on sale for $169), but when I found out it was a 5 hour wait to fill out all the paperwork and wait for a background check, I bailed. I have been looking for a good deal on a 10/22 and that is how I came to hear about the plinkster, but I hadn’t heard too much about it. Now, I’m thinking “for 1/2 the price of a 10/22 how bad can it be”?

    Thanks for the review!

    Reply
  3. I bought a 702 last year, but had the thumbhole stock. My original thought is that the hollow butt would be a great place to stash some goodies, and it was. I took the gun on a squirrel hunt with some friends and have to admit that between 4 of us, we could never get the sights dialed in quite right. All present are long time hunters and gun nuts, so it wasn’t for a lack of knowledge. The gun shot fairly well for the $110 I spent, but just never felt right; especially with the sight issue. I sold it a week later for $100 and put the money towards a different .22 rifle. Not sure what the problem was; maybe it was just a lemon. Every other Mossberg I’ve had was solid. Sounds like you had some good experiences. Just throwing it out there. Enjoy, and stay low.

    Reply
  4. After reading Rourke’s post, I’m now eager to go check the Mossberg 702 Plinkster out. I’ve heard other good reviews about it as well; however, I’ve used a wide variety of 22 LR, rimfire, semi-automatic rifles and I’ve yet to find one that out performs the Marlin, Model 60, in reliability or in accuracy. The model 60 also has the feature of the hold open bolt after the last shot (in the 14 round tubular magazine) has been fired. The older models (30 years or more) had a true walnut stock instead of just a hardwood stock with a walnut finish.

    I also have a Marlin, Model 99 M1, 22 LR, rimfire, semi-automatic rifle; which is a discontinued model of the 1960’s and 70’s, a customized variation from the line of stylish cousins to the model 60, and it too performs with the same reliability and accuracy that helped earn the Marlin, Model 60, the distinction of being “the most popular rifle in the world.” I’m not sure why the Model 99 M1 was discontinued, but I think maybe it was because it was the most expensive cousin to the Model 60.

    The only differences I’ve noticed are the Model 99 only having a 10 round magazine, the walnut stock also includes a crafted top-piece to cover the barrel. It attaches to the bottom or hand portion of the stock by screws and starts from the end of the receiver and stops at just before the magazine load end. It seems to give a better and more balanced look to the entire rifle design. The model 99 M1 also has standard mount swivels for a shoulder strap.

    Reply
    • Great comments Alan –

      I believe the Mossberg is a copy of the Marlin – basically.

      I have never had a Marlin but have heard nothing but good things. Can’t go wrong with one of those. I am a 10/22-man myself.

      Rourke

      Reply
  5. I’m looking for an inexpensive, light-weight 22 lr for small game. I’ve found a new mossberg 702 ak15 look-a-like for $250 w/ 1000 rounds ammo & 25 rd clip. Would this be a suitable gun to learn to squirrel hunt with? And is it as good a deal as I think?

    Thanks for any thoughts, questions or comments!

    Laura

    Reply
    • Hi Laura –

      I did a review on the Mossberg 702 Plinkster – which is the same gun but not all “tactified”.

      Unless you are wanting the looks of an AR as well as the higher capacity – the 702 Plinkster is cheaper. If you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket I would go the Ruger 10/22 route – my personal favorite.

      Take care – Rourke

      Reply

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