Something has clicked where the whole industry has agreed that .22 and rimfires are cool again, and everyone’s racing to get the latest rimfire on the market.
But why have rimfires seen a resurgence?
It’s tough to say for sure, but I think I know a few reasons…
THE QUICK LIST
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Highest Capacity
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Best .22 LR Trainer
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Best .22 WMR Option
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Best Tactical Rimfire Rifle
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Best Budget-Friendly Precision Rimfire
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Best Rimfire Revolver
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Best Concealable Rimfire Revolver
Table of Contents
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Rimfire Guns Comparison Chart
| Caliber | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Capacity | Price | |
| Sig Sauer P322 | .22 LR | 4″ | 7″ | 17.1 oz | 20+1 | $399 |
| FN 502 Tactical | .22 LR | 5.8″ | 7.6″ | 23.7 oz | 15+1 | $429 |
| Walther WMP | .22 WMR | 4.5″ | 8.2″ | 27.8 oz | 15+1 | $425 |
| HK MP5 | .22 LR | 8.5″ | 18.2″ | 5.9 lbs | 25+1 | $499 |
| Savage Arms 64 Precision | .22 LR | 16.5″ | 35.5″ | 5.47 lbs | 20+1 | $270 |
| Colt King Cobra Target | .22 LR | 4.25″ | 9.25″ | 34 oz | 10 | $849 |
| Heritage Manufacturing Barkeep Boot | .22 LR | 1.68″ | 4.86″ | 25.2 oz | 6 | $127 |
| Heritage Manufacturing Tactical Cowboy | .22 LR / .22 WMR | 6.5″ | 11.78″ | 33.4 oz | 6 | $148 |
How We Tested the Best Rimfire Guns
For this article, we gathered a bunch of rimfire firearms we’ve personally shot, reviewed, and owned here at Pew Pew Tactical. The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, as well as freelance writers, contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics and experience.
For guns we have reviews on, we’ve linked those so you can read more. Every review gun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo through it at 5 and 7 yards for pistols. Every review rifle undergoes 500 rounds of practice ammo and heavier match-grade ammo at 50 and 100 yards with a 5-25x scope (unless otherwise noted). We require all AR-15s to be tested with at least 3 magazines to assess compatibility, and we use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to measure the average trigger pull for all guns.
Best Rimfire Semi-Auto Pistols
1. Sig Sauer P322 – Highest Capacity
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- 20+1 capacity
- Optics ready
- Suppressor ready
Cons
- Runs out of ammo quickly
- Spongy trigger
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Single-action, internal hammer-fired
- Capacity: 20+1
- Overall Length: 7″
- Barrel Length: 4″
- Height: 5.5″
- Width: 1.4″
- Weight: 17.1 oz.
My favorite new .22 comes from Sig Sauer and isn’t just an adaption of a Sig pistol into a .22 LR.
Instead, it’s built from the ground up to innovate and impress with several features at an awesome price point.
Like every other modern gun design in the last few years, the P322 comes optics-ready and can attach a Shield RMSc footprint optic. Personally, I’m a fan of the Holosun 507K.
Sig also threaded the barrel, and the included adaptor allows you to toss a suppressor on the gun. Finally, the company even includes both a curved and straight trigger.
The primary appeal of the P322 is the magazine size. It uses a magazine roughly the same size as a Glock 17 mag but with the capacity of 20 rounds, with the mag sitting flush in the grip.
Most .22 LR mags are single-stack, 10 round-magazines, so Sig breaks the mold with these 20-round mags. Sig gives you two of them and a magazine loader to make life easy.
Not to mention, the gun sports ambidextrous controls, reversible magazine release, high visibility adjustable sights, and fantastic reliability.
If I had to complain about the P322, it’d be the trigger. It’s a bit spongy and feels like plastic rubbing on plastic.
Besides that, I think the P322 offers you the most fun you can get for $400. Interested in the P322? Check out our video review below or the full written article.
2. FN 502 – Best .22 LR Trainer
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Optics ready
- Suppressor capable
- Exposed hammer
Cons
- Less capacity
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Semi-auto, hammer-fired
- Capacity: 15+1
- Overall Length: 7.6″
- Barrel Length: 4.6″
- Height: 5.8″
- Width: 1.4″
- Weight: 23.7 oz.
Before the P322 hit the market, FN entered the .22 LR trainer game with the FN 502.
The FN 502 is a .22 LR variant of the 509, well, kind of. It’s not a striker-fired pistol but an SAO gun with an exposed hammer. It’s also blowback, like basically all .22 LR pistols.
FN also took the featured-filled route and hit us with an optics-ready slide, suppressor height sights, a threaded barrel, and ambi controls. The wee little 502 only has 10-round flush-fitting mags or 15-round slightly extended mags.
Sadly, it can’t reach P322 levels but does a fairly good job in every other department. The exposed hammer is a great touch when it comes to the unreliability of .22LR.
Should a round fail to ignite, the user can grab the hammer and re-cock the pistol to try one more time.
Surprisingly enough, the 502 works with full-sized red dots, so embrace your RMRs, SROs, and similar big-boy optics. In addition, its trigger is also slightly better and bears mentioning as one of the better .22 LR triggers on the market.
FN has been killing it with its latest handguns and has finally gotten the world to acknowledge them beyond their awesome rifles, machine guns, and more. Don’t sleep on FN, folks. They make great handguns.
Want to learn more? Read up on our FN 502 review here!
3. Walther WMP in .22 WMR – Best .22 WMR Option
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Optics ready
- Quad release
- Ambidextrous
Cons
- Not suppressor ready
Specs
- Caliber: .22 WMR
- Action: Semi-auto, internal hammer-fired
- Capacity: 15+1
- Overall Length: 8.2″
- Barrel Length: 4.5″
- Height: 5.66″
- Width: 1.48″
- Weight: 27.8 oz.
Walther has had the P22 for decades, as well as .22 LR variants of the PPQ and PPK, so it’s not a huge departure for them to embrace the rimfire world. However, the way they did it is quite interesting. The Walther WMP, or Walther Magnum Pistol, goes the .22 WMR route.
As far as I can tell, this is their first .22 Magnum pistol, and it’s more or less its own gun. There are certainly some PPQ/PDP influences, but the WMP is a rock-solid pistol by itself.
The .22 Magnum chambering means it could be used for plinking, hunting, and in some cases, self-defense.
It’s an optics-ready pistol, and I’m so glad I can say that about most of the guns on this list. It’s time to embrace the dot. Walther shoved 15 rounds of .22 Magnum in the gun, and you have many options to release that magazine. What do I mean?
Well, Walther installed what they call the quad release on the gun. You have two ambidextrous buttons and a mounted trigger guard magazine release.
Why do you need these options? I’m not sure, but I appreciate the Euro trigger guard mag release.
The trigger is great for a rimfire. Rimfire triggers are always heavy to ensure reliability — heavier than centerfire triggers, but Walther smoothed things out.
On top of the optics, we get adjustable, high-visibility sights and a Picatinny rail for accessories.
The stepped chamber ensures reliability even when its rimfire is filthy. Of all the guns on this list, I’d choose the WMP for self-defense beyond the other choices.
Best Rimfire Rifles
4. HK MP5 in .22 LR – Best Tactical Rimfire Rifle
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Fun to shoot
- Good capacity
- Similar manual of arms
Cons
- Limited applications
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Semi-auto, internal hammer-fired
- Capacity: 25+1
- Overall Length: 18.2″
- Barrel Length: 8.5″
- Height: 11″
- Width: 2.3″
- Weight: 5.9 lbs.
I guess I should say Umarex’s new MP5s, but HK and Umarex teamed up to produce licensed and authentic variants of the MP5…but in .22 LR.
Of course, these are much simpler with a direct blowback design, but they retain the features, ergonomics, looks, and feel of the famed MP5.
The MP5 has been made in .22 LR for years by numerous companies, and HK released numerous variants of the MP5 in .22 LR. For 2022, the guns are in new configurations — rifle and pistol — at a very low price point; both models have an MSRP of $479.
The rifle variant is a mock-up of the MP5SD and uses the suppressor to cover up the dinky long 16-inch barrel.
It looks fantastic and features a telescoping stock to make things look rather nice. Across the top, we got the drum sights, but sadly no means for easy optic mounting.
The magazine release and safety are all MP5 and the gun is a blast to shoot. It’s a great option for capturing the imaginations of new shooters and introducing them to a fun, accurate, and reliable carbine.
On the flip side, the HK MP5 .22 LR pistol offers an 8.5-inch barrel and polymer handguards. It really has that classic MP5 look, minus the stock.
Everything else is all MP5. This is the route to take if you want to play Die Hard on the cheap.
However, there doesn’t seem to be a means to SBR or add a brace to the gun. That’s a sad state of affairs because plenty of great MP5 braces exist.
Even so, it’s a fun, light, although fairly useless, fun gun for the range. Want to see it in action? Peep the full video review below or read up on the article.
What do you think of the HK MP5? Rate it below!
5. Savage Arms 64 Precision – Best Budget-Friendly Precision Rimfire
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Precision barrel
- Good capacity
- Great price
- Suppressor capable
Cons
- Awkward loading/unloading
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: Semi-auto
- Capacity: 20+1
- Overall Length: 35.5″
- Barrel Length: 16.5″
- Weight: 5.47 lbs.
Savage Arms has been knocking it out of the park in the last few years, and the 64 Precision takes the cake for those looking for rimfire precision.
With an MSRP of only $299, the 64 Precision offers an affordable precision rifle for hunting, precise plinking, or even competition like NRL or Steel Challenge.
The Savage 64 is well made and proven in its various configurations, but the Precision steps it up with a synthetic chassis system. It comes complete with M-LOK slots and an AR-15 compatible pistol grip.
To drive accuracy forward, the gun comes with a heavy barrel that’s also threaded for adding a can.
The stock offers great support and a great cheek weld to allow you to get up and behind your optic with ease. It also comes with a scope rail installed and is tapped for you to swap it out if you choose to.
This is a semi-automatic platform that comes with a 20-round magazine with numerous capacities available for the gun. As far as precision rimfire guns go, this is the one you want if you don’t want to spend all your cash.
Best Rimfire Revolvers
6. Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR – Best Rimfire Revolver
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Great capacity
- Snake gun legacy
- Excellent trigger
Cons
- Expensive
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Action: DA/SA
- Capacity: 10
- Overall Length: 9.25″
- Barrel Length: 4.25″
- Weight: 34 oz.
In keeping with Colt’s bringing back of the snake guns, they’ve recently released the Colt King Cobra, including a .22 LR target version.
This isn’t to be confused with the modern Cobras in .357 Magnum. Colt used to call their rimfire the Diamondback, but this one wears the King Cobra name for one reason or another.
What makes the King Cobra Target stand out in a field full of .22 LR revolvers? First, it’s a Colt snake gun, so it’s absolutely gorgeous and a beautiful example of American engineering.
Second, it holds 10 rounds of .22 LR, which is fairly impressive.
Of course, the price also stands out…very rarely will someone spend the $999 price tag the King Cobra Target commands. It’s not cheap, but it’s a made-in-the-USA Colt through and through.
We get adjustable sights, the option of a 4.25 or 6-inch barrel, the vent rib across the barrel, and a great trigger setup. Colt tossed the same trigger setup from their standard King Cobra into the Target model, so it’s smooth, light, and consistent.
Its chromed-out finish certainly catches the eye, and upon further inspection, a one-piece barrel and steel frame will capture your heart.
A Colt revolver in .22 LR, with a 10-round cylinder, is certainly something new. Although I would have named it the Baby Cobra, that’s just me.
7. Heritage Manufacturing Barkeep Boot – Best Concealable Rimfire Revolver
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Easily concealed
- Multiple calibers
- Affordable
Cons
- Not practical
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR or .22 WMR
- Action: SAO
- Capacity: 6
- Overall Length: 4.86″
- Barrel Length: 1.68″
- Weight: 25.5 oz.
There are two things that are just silly about the Boot. First is how small it is with a 1-inch barrel. Second is just how fun it is to shoot.
Despite the tiny barrel, it features a big grip and frame. There are no sights on the gun, and really, it’s just a plinker with no practical use to it.
In addition, you can swap cylinders if you want to switch between .22 LR and .22 WMR. This gun is loud and a real smoke wagon. Not to mention, it’s cheap and an easy buy.
Read more in our review of the Barkeep!
8. Heritage Manufacturing Tactical Cowboy – Best Tactical Revolver
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Optics ready
- Affordable
- Multiple calibers
Cons
- Limited capacity
Specs
- Caliber: .22 LR or .22 WMR
- Action: SAO
- Capacity: 6
- Overall Length: 11.78″
- Barrel Length: 6.5″
- Weight: 33.4 oz.
The Tactical Cowboy wears a 6.5-inch barrel, a set of space-age grips, and is optics-ready. It’s not the usual fare for Heritage Manufacturing, but it’s plenty useful.
Any handgun can benefit from optics, and this variant of the Rough Rider goes beyond plinking. Shooters looking for a small game gun would be well served with the Tactical Cowboy.
Swap out the .22 WMR cylinder, and you can take pest and slightly bigger game.
It’s an easy option for hunting, snake defense, and other tasks rimfire excels at. It’s also just plain fun to shoot gongs at 50 yards with a red dot-equipped handgun.
Why Rimfire?
First, there are tons of new shooters on the market…something like over 8 million new gun owners, according to the NSSF. The rimfire market is perfect for new shooters.
Rimfire guns are easy to handle with low recoil and muzzle rise. They present a ton of fun to shooters of all ages, skill levels, and at most budgets.
On top of that, experienced shooters are feeling the crunch of constantly rising ammo prices. Yet, .22 LR remains affordable and (mostly) available on store shelves.
Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical
Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike led the research and testing for this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of his Marine Corps career, he began writing and never stopped. He has thousands of articles to his name with a variety of publications, including Pew Pew Tactical.
Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis edited and added to the original article. Sean has been shooting since childhood but began to delve into guns more during his law enforcement career. He spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications evaluating and testing guns and gear and has written hundreds of articles.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. She uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical. She also owns a handful of AR-15s in her collection that she enjoys taking to the range.
Final Thoughts
My only fear about the rise of .22 LR and Magnum guns is that all the ammo will dry up! It’s a real possibility, so I’ll just keep my tradition of buying a box every paycheck.
A little .22 can go a long way, and it’s neat to see the little rimfire calibers being so widely embraced.
Did you buy a .22 in 2022? If so, let us know below which one you picked! Need to grab some ammo? Check out our article on the Best .22 Rimfire Ammo!
53 Leave a Reply
One thing I have noticed about Pew Pew, when doing the best of.......
You always start with Sig and go from there.
Smith and Wesson makes multiple 22lr pistols and revolvers. Why wasn't one of them on your list. I bought a Model 17 in about 1960, still have it, and it still shoots great.
Why wasn't the Keltec PMR30 mentioned? Talk about a fun gun to shoot.
You didn't even mention the best selling 22 rifle in the country.
You're talking about the best 22 rifles and never even mentioned Aschutz. Shame on you.
You should title the article my favorite........ Not the Best.......... that would be way more accurate.
Our lists are in no particular order (unless specified). We do like Sigs and many of us carry one so I think it just kinda tends to work out that it becomes our #1. That said, I own several S&Ws and like them. If we don't mention something it's usually because we a) haven't had a chance to put hands on it yet or b) there isn't enough space to list everything we love.
This article is worthless without the Ruger 10/22 and its variants.
You guys are really off track here.
We've shown a lot of love to the Ruger 10/22 in a few articles. A lot of us learned on one and we love them, but we wanted to provide some unexpected choices as well that aren't typical. Thanks for reading!
Last year, I picked up a Smith & Wesson Model 17 with a six-inch barrel, made in 1975.
Taurus 22, first hand gun accurate , affordable and reliable. Fired 300 rounds one jam.
I appreciate the 'coolness factor' of all these weapons but, as a beginner gun, I'd start with a Ruger 10/22 or a Nylon 66. The Winchester 72 is a good bolt action. Yes, they are all spendy (except for the 10/22). For the smaller crowd, a Chipmunk is a good starter rifle and it can be kept to start the next group of the smaller crowd. I like single shot rifles for introductory training so I'd look at the Savage Rascal.
I purchased a P322 based on your review when it first came out. It has been very reliable and enjoyable for us. We definitely second your recommendation!!!
You left out the Walther PPQ M2 in .22LR. Why? I bought mine as an understudy for my primary EDC. I .paid $239 for mine, NIB, last summer. It's simply fantastic!
1000%. I don't like Taurus but my tx22 comp is hands down the best 22 pistol with some of the best magazines at a great price. Not to be slept on at all. Now I want a toro to add to the stable so the comp doesn't feel lonely
What about CZ rifles & pistols??? & Marlin lever action rifles?
The first gun I bought when I was 21 was a Ruger single six. The gun my momma used to teach me how to shoot was a Remington .22 pump rifle. Over the last 50 years I have purchased, collected or traded 25-30 guns of just about every caliber. I always wanted to replace the .22 pump, but was never able to find one that wasn't beat up, but I'm so happy with my Henrys why bother? Some of my guns have rarely or never been fired. Glocks and Sigs get a workout at the range, but the "boy scout knife" (like the actual one I keep in my pocket) is the Ruger.
Why wasn't the world's most popular 22LR rifle listed?
Curious as to why the Taurus TX22 didn't make this list? Comes stock with a 16-round magazine, up to 20+1 with the magazine extension. I have probably put 4,000 rounds through mine and it eats anything I feed it. Very few FTEs (cheap ammo) and really accurate at 5-10 yards.
I didn't see one gun there that I would buy!!! There's no wood on the rifles anymore and the pistols look so stupid. The Colt was the only decent looking pistol. I am old school, a six shooter and a lever action is advanced enough.
Which 22 is the best P365 trainer?
For a long gun, I have a Remington 552 BDL, with an old Refield scope. I have taken countless squirrels, rabbits, and other small, medium, and large game animals for camp meat over the years since my Dad gave it to me for Christmas in the late sixties. It shoits shorts, longs, and long rifle ammo flawlessly. If you can find one, buy it.
Tippman 22lr as a AR-15 trainer.
Perhaps next time you can add a subcompact category and a .22 rimfire conversion kit for a 1911 category.
Wow is this article off target. Where are the Rugers - the best of all time 10/22 and all the variants, plus the Mark IV pistol including factory and semi customs such as Tandemkross? What about the Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory and Browning Buckmark?
Since this is reposted November 2024 option 1 and 2 of the pistols should both be replaced by the Taurus TX22 Gen 2. It is affordable, accurate, 16 or 21 capacity, great trainer to full size and compact models. And reliable, it doesn’t matter what you feed it it just keep trucking along.
You can always re-locate to the former colonies.
This is what happens when a website gets lazy and won't update or just cut and paste old stuff. They keep this up a d thete won't be a reason to keep coming back.
Yeah, I’ll second and third and fourth all the comments on the Taurus TX 22. I liked mine so much I bought another one and put it away for a rainy day, and stocking up on 22 and 22 mag is a great idea. You probably never have enough.
How do you write an article about .22s without mentioning Ruger?
ORr the TX22 gun of the year 2019 and it's baby brother TX22 COMPACT OPTICS READY AND RUGER I booght a walther pt22 taught me a lot about fixing problems one piece of crap.
Piss poor example of the best .22lr rifles on the market. WTF you guys ??
Taurus deserves honorable mention for the TX22 Compact. They loaded it with features that rivals the Sig and FN for a lot less money. And I would bet my money on the Bull as being the more reliable pistol. Hard to beat a bargain shooter when it rarely fails.
my TX22 compact rocks! let them waste their money
Great article! Now I’m torn between getting the Walther 1911 to train for my Savage 1911, or getting a classic single action .22. Any thoughts?
Ruger Super Wrangler. Lots of fun in an accurate revolver that feels good in my big paws, is accurate and shoots 22lr and 22wmr.
Never really met a .22 I didn’t like….granted the “newest” dates from the 1980s, the oldest from the 1880s… fun and at times very practical and useful.
Good article Travis!
The sig is terrible. Constant failures, sig said nothing was wrong with it. Wouldn't load most of the time and when it did, Wouldn't fire half of those times. Not what I would expect from Sig.
I have 3 friends with the Sig P322’s. All 3 have problems with their P322. I true Sig fashion, put the guns out there and wait for the customers to find the problems.
A question: is Pew Pew aware that Smith and Wesson makes guns? I have several S&W 22's. A model 17 I've had for over 50 years [and the Lord only knows how much I've put thru it], a model 317 that I carry and keep on the tractors with me, an M&P that is just fun to shoot. I dare you to find a a more accurate 22 than my model 41.
As you can see, I tend to Smith and Wesson. I am left handed and I find Smith easier to open the cylinder than Colt.
As in America, competition 22lr shoots has taken off here in Australia. I just recently added a Volquartsen Scorpion to my comp pistols. It is such a pleasure to compete in the 22lr class. Highly recommend to everyone to get involved. Great fun.
I bought a SW22 Victory to use at the range because of the high cost of ammo.
What about the Kal-Tec CP33 it has 33 rounds?
Need to look at the Tippmann m4 AR pistol 22LR. this should be in your top picks
Diamondback Sidekick, TX22 with two 16 round magazines and then I picked up two 21 round magazines for it. Both are great little shooters and started tweaking the TX22 with Tandemkross upgrades.
Bought a rifle I've wanted for long time, a Ruger 10/22.
This year I’ve added a TX22 Competition and a Walther WMP. Both are awesome to shoot, both are accurate and reliable, especially the Walther. I would like to add the FN502 if I could ever find it in stock at a good price.
Taurus TX22 all day! Eats anything I give her. Tons of fun at the range and you won’t go broke on ammo.
Recently purchased Walther Arms P22 for my daughter. Great gun when it shoots. There was an issue with extracting cases and it's now with Walther for warranty repair.
No mention of the KelTec PMR30? WOW! Probably the best all around option. Price, size, capacity and 22WMR, has it all. Really don’t see how you could publish this article and not mention it.
My last .22 purchase was an NAA with both cylinders (LR & WMR) for my better half. She couldn't carry her mod 60 S&W as it printed too much, but the little NAA keeps her from being unarmed. She can keep all 5 rounds in a 3" circle at 17', with the WMR.
I still enjoy shooting my old High Standard Model B. That gun is still as accurate as it was out of the box nearly 90 years ago.
I bought a Browning 1911-22 for my daughter. It's small size fits her and will allow her to learn to operate every 1911 out there. A revolver will follow, still negotiating that one.
I love my Ruger 22/45 MK IV. I had a MKII Government Target model a couple of decades ago and loved that for shooting (breakdown was another matter, but it wasn't bad with a soft blow hammer).
I am waiting to buy a Hunter or Competition to replace my 22/45, but in the meantime putting rounds in high numbers down range is so awesome with the 22/45.
What are your thoughts on the Ruger MK IV pistols?
Ruger Mark IV 22/45 is awesome. Buy other barrels from Volquartsen especially those on clearance.
While not exactly new, the Taurus TX22 is a phenomenal option for rimfire plinking. The basic model can be found for around $250, sports a 16 round magazine, threaded barrel, and excellent accuracy with surprisingly good accuracy. I've run over 10,000 rounds through mine with virtually no problems typical with rimfire autos. I'm a huge fan of mine and I love letting other shooters try it out to see what a great gun it is.
The Scottish/UK Government in there wisdom forbid me from ownership of a hand gun.
Worth a mention is the CMMG Bravo .22LR conversion kit for 5.56 AR platforms. For under $200 and under 30 seconds you can convert your AR to a real economical and fun plinker. Just fire a few 5.56 rounds after switching back to blow out the dirt. And use only plated rounds, not lead.
I recently picked up a Beretta Bobcat 21a in .22LR.
I carried one as a backup pistol years ago and foolishly sold it upon retirement. Had the itch for one again. Always went bang when it was supposed to. My next will be the Ruger Charger pistol.