Thoughts-Opinions on Jennings JA-22 semi-auto

[puma guy]

I just acquired a NIB Jennings JA-22 pistol. Purchased new in 1988 per the receipt in the box. (Not Bryco or Jiminez) I have read up on the history of these firearms and evolution of the companies. The reviews seem to be varied with some indicating them to be reliable for a low end gun and others indicating they may be the "Yugos" (automobile) of firearms. Considering just keeping it wrapped up in the plastice with shipping oil as a curiosity in my modest collection, but my other half wants to shoot it. Any experiences or opinions are appreciated. It was free so there's no great loss if it remains a paperweight. Thanks

[Crossfire]

If it was free, then you got your money's worth.

[speedsix]

...all things considered, I'd hunt the pawnshops till I found a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe revolver and trade it towards it...you'd have a much better gun you could shoot for a coupla generations, and someone would have access to an affordable better-than-nothing pistol...and that's as charitable as I can get towards a Jennings...

[A-R]

If someone paid you to take it off their hands, then you got your money's worth.

There. I fixed it for you.

[puma guy]

If someone paid you to take it off their hands, then you got your money's worth.

There. I fixed it for you.

I knew of the reputation of the pistols when I got it. I didn't want to insult my friend when he gave it to me. I just wondered if anyone here had actual experience with them. He also handed me a S&W Model 17-2 at the same time. I don't need to solicit any opinions on that one.

[puma guy]

I just wondered if anyone here had actual experience with them.

I'll deny it to my dying day.

Heck, take it out and shoot it - it might be perfectly fine.

plan to when I take the model 17 for a ride!

[Greybeard]

Quote: "I'll deny it to my dying day."

Well, I'll come clean. I still have a Jennings .22 bought way back when I was college-kid-broke. Mac and cheese broke. Working a part time job pouring concrete for $2.60 and hour - if that give a clue as to the age of this trot line weight. It shot OK for a while but for many years has been retired with the firing pin stuck in the forward position. Can anyone spell slamfire?!! I keep it around to sometimes pull out of the safe before classes to use as an example of what not to risk one's life on. And it's "safe queen" companion: An RG .22 with 2" barrel. Which last time, I tried it, actually went bang 4 times out of 6.

[Reloader]

great single shot if you don't care where it hits and doesn't feed...

[puma guy]

Quote: "I'll deny it to my dying day."

Well, I'll come clean. I still have a Jennings .22 bought way back when I was college-kid-broke. Mac and cheese broke. Working a part time job pouring concrete for $2.60 and hour - if that give a clue as to the age of this trot line weight. It shot OK for a while but for many years has been retired with the firing pin stuck in the forward position. Can anyone spell slamfire?!! I keep it around to sometimes pull out of the safe before classes to use as an example of what not to risk one's life on. And it's "safe queen" companion: An RG .22 with 2" barrel. Which last time, I tried it, actually went bang 4 times out of 6.

We all know AndyC has shot just about everything so his denying it is futile........

We carried Rohm RG's back in the sixties and I tried my best to NOT sell them but there was always someone with $11.88 that wanted one. Your experience is what I was after. As in how long would it last. I think some of them were made of Zamack, so it's not surprising. A lot of RG's spit shaved lead from poor cylinder alignment.

[74novaman]

I just wondered if anyone here had actual experience with them.

I'll deny it to my dying day.

Heck, take it out and shoot it - it might be perfectly fine.

You gotta take that FAL out of your sig line. I've been eyeballing them lately, and I'm blaming you.

[Chemist45]

If it is unfired and you have the box, I'd leave it that way.
Its probably worth more as a safe queen than it will be once its fired.
I see no reason to fire it either.
Buy your other half a good little .22 like the Beretta to shoot.

[Skiprr]

If it is unfired and you have the box, I'd leave it that way.
Its probably worth more as a safe queen than it will be once its fired.

That would be my take. NIB, wrapped up in original plastic, who knows what it might be worth as a collector's item 75+ years from now? Look at the value some collectors today place on oddball shooters from pre-1900.

It ain't worth much at all to shoot, so why not safe it, bring it out as a conversation piece, bequeath it, and hope that its curiosity value makes it worth something down the line...

[speedsix]

...I'd put it in a Ziplock...so the fumes don't stink up yer collection...

[puma guy]

...I'd put it in a Ziplock...so the fumes don't stink up yer collection...

I saw several new Jimenez (nee Jennings) pistols for sale at the "Real Gun Show" in Pasadena. So I guess that would be an oxymoron.?. Sorta like Yugo automobile and political ethics.