Every gun owner should own at least one .22 LR firearm. The ammo is ubiquitous…and affordable at around 5 cents a round.
.22 Long Rifle can be used for hunting, target shooting, practice, plinking, and even defending yourself in a pinch.
There are even competitions you can enter with rimfire firearms like the .22 LR that are loads of fun.
Now, we’ve talked about the Best .22LR Rifles before, but we haven’t tackled .22 LR handguns.
So today, we change that. Let’s go over the best .22 LR handguns and also talk about how to choose the right one for you.
So keep reading if you’ve been considering a .22 LR handgun.
Summary of Our Top Picks
Best Luger Inspired ModelLuger looks, great performance, must have for dedicated .22 LR shooters.
Table of Contents
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How to Choose a .22 LR Pistol
For me, there are a few things I’m looking for in a .22 LR handgun.
First, I look at accuracy.
The humble .22 LR is a surprisingly accurate round at close ranges, so it’s worth getting a gun that can hit what you aim it at.
You’ll have a lot more fun hitting those cans set up on a hill than you will watching shots land just a hair away.
Next, I look at shootability and ergonomics.
I want something that I’m going to enjoy shooting, not something that’s difficult.
Finally, I consider availability and aftermarket support.
There’s nothing worse than a $200 gun with $50 mags. I want something with a lot of support and options.
As far as the aftermarket, rimfire handguns and rifles (particularly the Ruger 10/22) have a ridiculous number of aftermarket manufacturers with triggers, stocks, conversion kits, sights, extractors, magazines, mag releases…the list goes on and on.
And with the low cost of entry (usually sub-$400) to a rimfire firearm, you can experiment and really go all out on the upgrades and accessories — without much worry that you’re going to ruin something expensive.
With that said, let’s dive into our favorite .22 LR pistols and handguns.
Best .22 LR Pistols and Handguns
1. Ruger Mark IV
There are a number of excellent .22 LR pistols with designs that harken back to the iconic Luger shape.
This design is as robust as it is prolific, with a long development history that began almost a decade before John Moses Browning’s masterwork, the 1911.
The Ruger Mark IV is perhaps one of the finest examples of this design — capturing classic lines while updating the older toggle-lock design to a simple, modern blowback design.
It offers a 10+1 capacity that is a pleasure to hold and shoot. The heavy bull barrel makes recoil management a cinch.
If you’re used to shooting centerfire cartridges of any size, this gun is going to feel like an absolute pushover by comparison.
Long plagued by complaints from owners that the Ruger Mark X series was a pain to take down, the new Mark IV solves that problem effortlessly.
In previous models, reinstalling the frame was relatively easy, but then you had to try and finagle the bolt-stop pin back in, and it was a nightmare fit to make a grown man weep in frustration.
Now, press a button on the rear of the slide, and the gun opens up almost like an AR-15, ready to be cleaned, lubed, and reassembled without fuss.
Like the other two Luger-centric pistols on this list, the Mark IV is as accurate as the ammo, and your skill will allow, so don’t try blaming the gun for your misses.
Fortunately, as with any .22 LR, practice is cheap, and so is good ammo (relatively speaking), so no excuses.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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We looked at the Ruger Mark IV, so check out our review here.
2. SW-22 Victory
The SW-22 Victory is another Luger-inspired gun. Smith & Wesson approached the design with their typical eye on quality of materials and design.
It’s one of the most reliable, especially with mixed ammo.
I shot ammo that came from a ziplock bag — several different bullet types and manufacturers present — and I didn’t have an issue with the Victory.
Like the Mark IV, it’s a 10+1 capacity, mag-fed firearm with a bull barrel, typically a 5.5-inch one. But there are a host of options available from Smith and others.
Where it falls short is aftermarket support.
So if you’re looking for something that’ll get the job done without breaking the bank, this is certainly a strong contender.
Fortunately for the SW-22, it also has one of the lower MSRPs of any of the Lugeresque options.
While aftermarket options and some carefully applied gunsmithing knowledge can certainly make it better, it’s perfectly adequate for most folks out of the box.
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Check out our full review of the SW22 here.
3. Browning Buckmark
We round out the Luger-style guns with my personal favorite — the Browning Buckmark.
What makes it stand out?
First, it has the nicest trigger of the three Luger styles out of the box. For me, that’s a big benefit. I really enjoy a nice, crisp trigger, and the Buckmark certainly has that.
It also has a ton of factory options available, which makes it easy to find the Buckmark that best suits your needs.
The one area that really drags it down is, well, taking it down.
To clean the other two Luger knockoffs, you have either a button to push or a pin to rotate, and that’s pretty much it. Baddabing, baddaboom, you’re done.
The Buckmark requires you to remove the slide bridge, which is annoying enough by itself. But it also means you need tools, yes, tools, plural, to take the thing down.
Yes, it’s just two Allen wrenches, and no, it’s not particularly difficult. But it is needlessly complicated.
Of course, the Buckmark also excels in other areas. Like just about every mag-fed gun on this list, it comes in a 10+1 capacity and a 5.5-inch bull barrel.
For aftermarket accessories, I’d recommend Tandemkross, just like I would for the Ruger and the Smith above.
Check out all the best Buckmark Upgrades. And here’s how it shoots…fully upgraded:
Reliability-wise, I’d put it above the Mark IV and below the Victory. Looks-wise, I’d put it at the top of the heap.
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What do you think of the Browning Buckmark? Give it a rating below.
4. Walther P22
The legendary Walther P22 was noted for its awesome trigger, clean design, and tactical styling.
All in all, it was an excellent little gun save one thing…it only worked when it felt like it, and overly tight tolerances meant you got one mag of reliable function out of it before it needed cleaning.
The new QD model solves this issue and updates the classic design. Not to mention, it keeps that amazingly nice trigger.
Best of all, the P22 is a DA/SA pistol, so you have that second-strike capability if you have a light primer strike — which is a common issue with .22 LR ammo.
In DA mode, you’ll be dealing with a stiff but smooth 11-pound trigger pull. With the hammer back, you’ll get an incredible crisp break at 4 pounds of pressure.
Honestly, this is the gun I’d have if I could only own one from this list.
The slide serrations also make it easy for those with low hand strength to rack a round. Though the sights are a cheap polymer, they’re more than accurate enough for self-defense distances.
It brings a 10+1 capacity, and while it doesn’t have a lot of aftermarket support, it doesn’t need a whole lot.
If you’re going to carry an easy-to-shoot .22, this is the way to go.
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Check out our full review of the P22.
5. Heritage Rough Rider .22
If you’re looking for something a little more classic but just as fun, the Heritage Rough Rider is a strong contender.
A single-action 6-shot, like those wielded by your favorite Western heroes, the Rough Rider might just have the best fun-to-money ratio of any gun on the list.
The single action and loading-gate design mean you have to pull back (or fan) the hammer for each shot — loading and unloading each round individually.
All in all, it’s a very slow-paced, almost zen experience to shoot one. You can really stretch a box of ammo for several afternoons at the range.
It’s also a great gun for working on your accuracy, as the low round count and almost-but-not-quite painfully slow reload will have you picking and placing your shots carefully.
The trigger is surprisingly good, no doubt a product of the simple single-action design more than anything, but that’s okay.
It’s more than good enough for the gun’s real purpose…having the most fun for the least money.
Yeah, it’ll shoot snakes or discourage predators of the two and four-legged variety. It’ll certainly make a good training tool for youngins and new shooters, but fun is what this gun is all about.
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Read our review of the Heritage Rough Rider here or watch the full video review below.
6. Ruger GP-100 .22
One of the most legendary DA/SA revolvers to ever exist, the Ruger GP-100, was once only available in a 6-shot .357 model.
But now, I’m seeing more and more .22 LR versions on the shelf at my local gun store.
I can’t sing the praises of the GP-100 enough.
Its rugged monolithic design means that it’ll almost certainly outlive you and possibly your children and grandchildren as well if it’s cared for.
The .22 LR version is a 10-shot model available with a 4-inch and 6-inch barrel. It’s just about as accurate as you could want, something that’s in no small part due to the better-than-average trigger and factory fiber optic front sight post.
It is one of the pricier guns on this list, but you’re getting one of the best .22 LR revolvers around.
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7. FN 502
FN dove into the .22 LR market in 2021 with the FN 502. It’s a first for the company, which is best known for its tactical-style striker-fired handguns and sweet rifles.
The hammer-fired 502 brings an FN 509-inspired frame with a low-profile optics mounting system. This makes adding your favorite red dot super easy.
Ergonomics on the FN 502 are great, and the ambidextrous controls win it some favor among the left-handed crew.
The gun sports a manual safety and threaded barrel. Yep, you heard me, so toss on your favorite suppressor.
FN touts the pistol as super reliable and accurate. Given the company’s stellar reputation, the PPT team thinks the FN 502 falls in line with the rest of FN’s firearms.
(Need some recommendations, check out our favorite pistol red dots.)
See it in all its suppressed glory:
Check out our full review of the FN 502 Tactical here!
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8. Glock G44
If you’re a Glock fan but don’t want to fool with 9mm or above, then the G44 is for you.
The G44 offers a classic Glock look…seriously, it looks just like a G19, with similar dimensions too.
Perfect for cheaper training at the range, the G44 brings the same controls and ergonomics as its older sibling, the G19.
While some may roll their eyes at the need for a .22 caliber Glock, the PPT team sees the benefits.
For one, .22 LR ammo tends to be cheaper, so you can easily train with the G44 without breaking the bank.
And it’s a great starter gun for newbies.
It does feel like it’s worth a mention that some reviewers experienced cracking on the G44 slide. That said, when PPT reviewer Johnny tested it, he didn’t have any issues.
For those that want a Glock but in a rimfire format, the G44 fits the bill.
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Check out our written review or watch the full video review of the Glock G44 below.
9. Taurus TX22 Competition
The Taurus TX22 Competition is a fun option for those looking to burn some rounds at the range.
It offers simple controls and a 16-round capacity in a flush fighting magazine. The TX22 brings a striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol at an affordable price point.
For a street price of around $450, you get three 16-round mags, a red dot-ready slide, a muzzle compensator, and a very nice trigger.
Add in the lightened slide, adjustable rear sight, plus locked-in reliability and accuracy, and you have a winner, winner chicken dinner!
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Do we have a review? You betcha. Head on over and read up on the TX22.
Final Thoughts
I know there are roughly a billion other options out there, but these are just a handful of our favorites.
Whether you are looking to varmint hunt, plink, or brush up on some skills, these models are a great option to get you started in .22 LR.
What’s your favorite .22 LR handgun? Let us know in the comments below. Looking for ammo or rifles? Check out the Best .22 LR Rifles and Best .22 LR Ammo.
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Rugers Mark 1 w/h 6&7/8” Adjustable sights and a true Plasure to shoot! For YEARS!
I bought a Walther P22 a while back. I liked its looks and it felt good in the hand. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. The rear sight became loose after shooting less than 50 rounds. Tolerances were very tight, which lead to malfunctions in short order.
The Best .22 Pistol I ever owned was a Colt Woodsman made in 1948. I only fired standard ammo through it. Nary a failure to fire, eject, and chamber. It shot better than me. Sadly, I had to part with it.
Ugh. Ruger was inspired by the Nambu, not the Luger, Matthew. [slaps forehead]
I think the browning 1911 22 compact is my favorite. Not chambered down oversized 1911 but actually made to scale for a 22. I believe they were released in 2011 for the 100 year anniversary of the 1911. Cycles everything you feed it.
I have 5 22lr pistols. The Buckmark is hands down a favorite of mine and the grandkids. It is a tack driver. As good or better than Ruger Mark III, and S&W (both the later have red dots). Absolutely no problems ever with the Buckmark. Walther p-22 is the worst. I never shoot it anymore because I'm sick of it.
In case anyone is interested, I came upon a Wikipedia article that confirmed something I read long ago: that the .22-caliber revolver is (or was) the Mossad’s assassination weapon of choice. Their reasoning was that multiple hits by small, deep-penetrating bullets would more likely result in a fatality than one or two 9-mm slugs.
The details, below, are from Wikipedia. The assassination was, unfortunately, a botched Mossad operation that took place in Lillehammer, Norway. (It became known as The Lillehammer Affair.)
Due to a striking physical resemblance, Mossad agents mistook Ahmed Bouchikhi, a Moroccan waiter with no terrorist connections, for Black September operative Ali Hassan Salameh. On the evening of 21 July, 1973, a day after having misidentified Bouchikhi as Salameh, Mossad agents in Lillehammer, Norway, carried out the assassination.
Bouchikhi and his pregnant wife had gone to see a movie. After taking a bus back and getting off at a bus stop, they began slowly walking back home. As they were in sight of their home, a car with four Mossad agents pulled up beside them. While two stayed in the car to provide cover, the other two got out and shot Bouchikhi 13 times with a .22 caliber pistol. His wife witnessing the shooting. They then jumped back into the car, which immediately drove away at high speed.
Six of the 15-member Mossad team (the shooters got away) were arrested by Norwegian police and sentenced to jail time from one to five years, but in 1975 all were returned to Israel. The government of Israel compensated Bouchikhi‘s widow and children. Mossad agents eventually killed Salameh in Beirut in 1979, using a car bomb.
Sorry, I have no details about the make and model of the .22s they used.
S&W M&P Compact .22 is one of the best and most reliable handguns I own. Plenty accurate. Feels good in the hand.
I’ll second that! Very surprised the M&P wasn’t mentioned!
I'll 3rd that thought!
Nothing you mentioned even comes close to the Hammerli, made in Switzerland and sold here as the TRAILSIDE by Sig Arms...
This is like reviewing .22LR long guns and omiting Anschutz!!!
You lost credibility here!
I would agree. And I would rather have a used High Standard Citation than any of these mentioned here.
The Ruger development does not predate that of the 1911. Total nonsense.
I know this one is an antique - but I the I am a proud owner of a High Standard Model 107 Supermatic Citation Military 5 1/2 " barrel - with the original box - and it is pretty BA. I also own several other 22 pistol models - including the Taurus TX22, and Ruger Mark I (OK not so new), and my thoughts are that for home defense and 'after incident' stuff, I don't want to be the only guy in the courtroom that can't hear the judge or the prosecutor or my attorney Just saying...
How in the world to you leave the S&W Model 41 off the list??? Incredible!!
Hey Gene, thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately, we can't list all our faves because it would be a very long list.
I'm a big fan of the Walther P-22, though I prefer the Target model with its longer barrel and subsequent longer Sight Radius, it does make a big difference in your groups, and the added weight of the "compensator" tames the already fairly tame recoil.
A big plus is you can buy the regular model, and then upgrade to the target merely by purchasing the Target Kit. You don't need to be a gunsmith to swap the barrels out.
Best bang for your buck in my humble opinion, and I've had no issues with reliability.
Where is the Ruger SR 22
Probably at Ruger, waiting for its recall parts to be fixed.
Saying the ruger MarkIV is inspired by the Luger is ridiculous. None of these .22s are inspire by the Luger. yet you said it twice.
I hope only to clarify - That is a reference to the grip angle - which in some models is more Luger-ish than 22 pistols that have the grip angle of a 1911. And I believe that differentiation began with the Hi-Standards - which were offered in different grip angles.
Thank you. And to top it off, he shows model with the 1911 grip angle!
You are absolutely correct. Interestingly, the original Mark 1 was inspired by the Japanese Nambu pistol which Bill Ruger acquired from a Marine that served in the Pacific.
You missed one. The Smith & Wesson M&P Compact .22 is the most reliable rim fire I ever owned. I love my Glock's but the S&W has never failed with any type of ammo. A Glock will only accept a few types of ammo without failures galore.
What about the Smith model 41 (5 1/2" barrel)?
Aw, you missed the absolute best .22 competition pistol out there. The Volquartzen Black Mamba. Light weight. Beautifully balanced with everything you need in a comp pistol including compensator and easy to rack bolt. Accurate as all get out. Love mine.
Ruger 22/45 mk iv is the best 22 rimfire pistol. I've seen countless Buckmarks and smith's malfunction. The new sig p322 has a high mag capacity and that was about the only thing I liked about. Glad I got to try one before buying it, and I love all my other sig handguns so that's saying something.
The SIG P322 I have is every bit as good as my Wather P22 (and easier to clean), almost as good as my Ruger 22/45 and, so far, more fun, and accurate, than the G44.
However, the SIG (at least mine) definitely likes CCI MiniMags more than anything made by Winchester or Remington (although the other 22’s do OK with them).
Just my opinion…
Where is the Sig P322? It's been reviewed here and with a 22 round magazine it deserves a spot.
Unfortunately, we can't list all our faves because it would be a very long list. But I totally agree the P322 is a great shooter! It's one of my personal favorites.
My favorite has got to be the Ruger SR22.
My personal favorite is a S&w model 41.
I always start new shooters out on .22 lr, also go to the .22 when I get persons that were given bad training with wrong weapons and advice. For those cases I use a Ruger Standard (1964) and a Colt Police Positive (1935), people love firing them! They’ve easily had many thousands of rounds through them and fire anything they’re fed.
I love my Heritage, it falls inline with the points you mentioned. Over the past year I've taught several young men to shoot with it. They loved the "cowboy" gun.
I need to point out the .22 Advantage conversion kit for my Glock 19 is much less expensive than the Glock 44. I haven't had any FTL or stovepipe problems.
The Ruger .22 pistol grip was inspired by the Japanese Nambu , not the Luger. That, according to Bill Ruger.
I also can’t believe you didn’t include the Sig P322 in your list.
Thank goodness somebody else said it.
Yes, please review the Sig Sauer P322.
We have a review of the P322: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/sig-sauer-p322-review/
Kel-Tec P17... Around $200, holds 16 rounds, threaded barrel & super fun.
Until it's not.
gunanalyst dot com: kel-tec-p17-problems
Thanks! My friend and I both have this gun we have never experienced these issues but I will keep this article in mind.
No mention of the Taurus TX22 or the Ruger SR22? I’d take either one of those over any you have listed.
My Mark IV is great and my SR22 is another favorite! . . . I have many favorites!
SR22 is fantastic
Thx 22 was the last gun on the list.
Smith & Wesson Victory, my favorite .22lr to shoot, Tandemkross makes some really great accessories for it, they have a trigger that brings the pull down to two pounds, I've added a red dot sight, the gun is finicky when it gets dirty so you have to keep it clean, it's truly a great and inexpensive way to shoot
On the Browning buck mark, the picture says Ruger Buckmark. Lol
Oops, thanks for catching that!
40 grains and 10 round is 400 grains in 10 seconds, that equals about 2 45 rounds, pretty comparable at close range and for a woman, excellent CCW or home defense round.
You seem to assume all 400 grains in ten seconds will go to one human target. I could not think like that. You put yourself in a 'mind/body' reflex dumping the shots you may need for the next target. Meaning instead of a disciplined double tap drilled and practiced, muscle memory may stay in the shoot all bullets groove. The double tap mentality is opposite, and actually is faster.
PS - your statement 'good for a woman," is sexest. My 110lb daughter shoots 9mm and 45 ACP.
What a moronic comment. Who cares what your daughter shoots? Why bring up language censorship issues on a gun website? You're probably an FBI troll.
FBI here. We are investigating reports of a knuckledragging mouthbreather with a firearm. Please contact us before you harm yourself.
I have a Ruger Wrangler and just love it!
I have the Buckmark Plus S/S. Balance, grip and smoothness to shoot, make this a pleasure to shoot at competition level.
Hey there.
Thanks for the review.
Curious as to why no mention of the Taurus TX22? Inexpensive to buy, runs well and threaded barrel comes stock.
I enjoy my Heritage SA six-shooter, Glock 19 and 26 and Canik. However, my TX22 is as much fun as the rest. I don’t question the lack of the TX22 in your review as a Taurus fanboy. Just curious about the omission of a very popular and practical .22LR pistol.
I've owned a dozen, or so, 22lr handguns. Except for my Ruger Mark II, they were all special in their own way. But when I come to my TX22...this one is, hands down, my favorite. Very light weight, reliable, and just plain super fun. I take my TX to the range, along with a McFadden speed loader, 8 magazines and have a BALL. 8000 rounds through to TX and still smiling......thanks, Taurus.
Colt Woodsman 1960's model, Ruger 22/45, Smith Victory are all GOOD STUFF. MY CHOICE, not mentioned, is the Ruger SR 22. 3 dot sight, fine ergonomics, blindfolded no tools take down, don't need to say anymore.
AGREE RUGER HAS ADJUSTABLE REAR SIGHTS ALSO . GOOD TARGET PISTOL
WIIL TRY GET RUGER 10/45 NEXT TRIP GUN STORE
HAVE WALTER 22LR UUH SAVE YOUR MONEY GO RUGER
OTHRS WITHTAKE DOWN SCREW A REAL BUMMER
I Agree I own the Ruger SR-22 and it’s a great gun that will shoot any brand of ammo you feed it. It will literally eat any ammo all day long with no malfunctions of any kind.
.22 ammo at 5 cents a round? Where can you find that in today's market???
Academy Sports sometimes has Aguila 22lr for $0.06/round. I just bought some yesterday.
Walmart is 7 cents/round for Federal
Thanks David, having my brother check out Walmart today as I am nowhere nearmy hometown at the moment. Just called him and if it's available we'll get it. Jon, Academy doesn't have a location in SE Wisconsin, but thanks. We may take an ammo roadtrip next month.
I have the Walther P22Q. I went to the range yesterday afternoon and had server failed to fire and extraction problems. It is because of this I looked at your list here.
I googled my pistol and found out those are common problems. I'm sad to find it on your list of best 22lr pistols.
The Walther P22 does NOT belong on this list. It certainly does not have an "awesome trigger." It's average at best, with lots of creep and overtravel even with some gunsmithing, and a very long reset. And it is extremely finicky about ammo, essentially only functioning reliably with a handful of 36-40 grain copper high velocity loads (CCI MiniMags and Velocitors, Federal Champion, Fiocchi Performance, and Winchester Super-X). It should be replaced on this list by the Ruger SR-22, Taurus TX-22, or even Walther's own PPQ.
I agree. My slide broke into 2 pieces yesterday and a lady (she had safety glasses on) was shooting it and the slide flew off and grazed the right arm of the safety glasses. The slide broke at the front sight.
Heritage Rough Rider .22: GARBAGE; 4/6 shaved lead at forcing cone; 4/6 in .22 WRM cylinder FTF (failed to fire); A single action revolver with a 'safety' should have been a 'red flag'; save your money.
Nanny wants to purchase a revolver because don't want the hassle of (nor do I have the strength for) a gun with a slip in cartridge. Having said all that and after a little study, I've come to the conclusion a North American 22LR or Ruger have the least kick back and are easier to manage for a Texas granmother. I am, however, open to some suggestions since I haven't the hand strength and will need my grandson to teach me how to shoot this. Also, I am having a terrible finding one of these small revolvers. Of course, when I was much younger I could hunt rabbits on a ranch with a rifle......but no more! Any ideas where these small 22 revolvers can be found.
Great Article. As a kid, a .22 rifle was what Dad taught you with. Though my father passed when I was 15, I remember ‘safety’ was the topic.....just as it is today. I didn’t see Henry on the list. Also surprised heritage made the list.
Yes the heritage is crappy but for $129 it sure is a fun little plinkster. It’s safe, cheap, and fun so why not.
If you ever do a followup to this article "6 Best .22LR Pistols/Handguns [Hands-On]: Tiny & Awesome" I might suggest the Glock 44. Sweet performer.
Hey Matt, Thanks for the write up on the 22lrs. I’ve been wanting to get one for practice/plinking but like everything else there’s too many to choose from. This helps narrow it down. I like the Ruger and will start there for comparing. Thanks again
I have several safe queens, some carries, and now have a half dozen .22's just so I can shoot to keep in practice. My favorite turned out to be a Llama XV. (.22) took some internal polishing and a little smithing and she now rock and rolls. Beat out a Ruger 22/45 for fun to shoot and I now carry her concealed. Yeah for the .22
why glock 44 22lr available in CA?
I just read the review of the glock 44. I have fired several hunderd rounds of CCI standard and CCI mini mags. I also have put about 200 rounds of SK Pistol Match at my club 50 foot range. Contrary to what I've seen on YouTube, this pistol did not explode, the slide did not crack, the extractor did not fall out of the gun.. This pistol fired flawlessly, with no jams, no stove pipes and the accuracy is just what you would expect, not match grade, but close. The big plus is that this is a super fun gun to shoot..
Hi . Do you have a suggestion for a 22 competition pistol for a weak, left handed female? Thank you.
How about a Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR revolver with the 16" barrel?
I am left handed and have competed in the past in 10 yard, indoor, .22LR bullseye. Here are my recommendations. Best trigger with overall accuracy was the old High Standard Victor. The cons are many and I would not recommend this unless you want the best and can afford finding one. Hammerli LH grips are costly but seem to be the best. Next in line is a model 41 S&W. Thirdly is a Ruger. I used a Mark 1 at times but it was heavy and a beast to reassemble. For modern pistols I like the Ruger 22/45. It is light and shoots well with a trigger spring kit. As your hands are weak there are two accessories you must have. One is some sort of loading assist for the magazine and a ring device attached to the slide to pull it back. Sights are your choice. Go with the stock ones for starters. Ammo choices abound. Accuracy is a grab bag of results. Try different ones and choose one that is reliable, accurate enough and cheap. Buy a bunch and practice, practice, practice. A hint: some of these pistols function more reliably when shooting "wet". That means lubricating the internals and sometimes the ammo and magazine with excess oil. Keep the oil out of the barrel and off the grips. Good shooting. Have fun and don't forget to practice.
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How the hell do you leave the TX-22 off of a .22 pistol roundup?!?! Both the ergonomics, trigger, and reliability beat the hell out of the P22 & SR22. 16+1? Enough said.
The Taurus is a spectacular value and is incredibly accurate, also includes threaded barrel adapter (handy if you're considering a rimfire can).
I've yet to see any serious criticism of the TX22, other than "it's a taurus". The G2C, G3, and TX22 are all promising signs that Taurus has turned over a new leaf.
I couln´t agee more!! besides all that, the Taurus TX-22 also eats and fires all kind of 22 ammunitions, whereas the P22, ISSC and others are too picky and will only cicle with hot expensive top noch 22. The Taurus just simply eats all kinds, spitting fire with no malfunction. Taurus nailed it for the competition. The G2C is prooved to be better than the other subcompacts ouut there, and costing almost half the price. As a matter of fact, it´s not that Taurus is a budget weapons factory, but the real ting is that the others are overly priced. Simple as that.
You got that right Ricardo. I have yet to experience a single malfunction with my TX-22. No matter what I shoot, to include subsonic, it works every single time!
amen
well said s
One correction. The Ruger MK’ where based off Japanese Nambu not Luger
Not quite.
The Luger P-08 was based off the Nambu and the Ruger was based off the Luger.
Wrong. Read the book. Based off the Nambu as per Bill Ruger himself
How about the Ruger SR-22. It's a nice compact SA/DA 22 semi & comes with two 20 Rd magazines as well as a decocker that drops the hammer without firing the pistol with a round still in the chamber. It also fires every kind & brand of ammo that you feed it. You can't say that for the Walther, which is notorious for being finicky as to the ammo it will fire & cycle.
Sorry for the typo. The SR-22 comes with two 10 Rd mags & the price is around $300 during June 2019.
22 magnum costs more than 9mm and MUCH more than 22LR, at least around here. That's my only issue with that.
Huh?
Matthew... Walther is now selling a 22lr based on its PPQ platform. Have you had a chance to check it out? I have a PPQ in 9mm and find that it is very reliable and feels very good in the hand. I have a Browning Buckmark target model which is very accurate, but a bit too clunky for my wife to shoot. Would the PPQ be a good choice for a starting handgun?
I bought a PPQ M2 22 for my first pistol. Tried the Ruger SR22 and M&P 22. Like the Walther better. Great gun super accurate and 12+1 capacity. Sometimes run close to 1000 rounds before cleaning it. Rarely has issues. Using bulk ammo too. Highly recommend. Great feel in the hand. Just a great overall gun.
Wanted to say thanks fellas. Just what I was looking for!
Going to pick one up now!
my wife has the PPQ 22 .. she also has 2 other firearms (S&W M&P 22 and an M&P 380) the PPQ is by far her favorite ... great trigger, reliable as heck, easy to rack, and accurate
Hi Matthew, thanks for an interesting read, I have shot most of the pistols you have reviewed and found the S&W Victory to be a great firearm however I am very interested in your opinion of the Beretta 87 as I am very close to purchasing one of these. Looking forward to your comments.........thank you.....Mike
CCW: Walther P22 vs Sig P250 vs ISSC M22. Thoughts?
Walther P22 is fun to shoot but I wouldn't rely on it in a CCW capacity. I find that it isn't reliable enough, too many misfires and fte's for my comfort. I have a P320 and after 2000+ rounds not one issue. I don't have a 250 but they're supposedly the same frame as the 320.
The P22 is the most inaccurate gun I have ever shot in my life. SO much so that with every gun I buy now I look for a performance or competition style because they tend to have an emphasis on accuracy.
The SIG P250 is DAO hammer fired.
The SIG P320 is striker fired.
The frames (fire control module) and slides are different, but the grip modules and magazines are the same.
Another interesting .22 LR SIG variant is the .22 LR adaptor kit for the DA/SA hammer fired P228/P229 which consists of a slide, barrel, recoil spring and magazine that converts the pistol from the larger caliber (9mm Parabellum) to .22 LR.
I am a new gun owner and bought a ISSC M22 (i bought it on a whim and did no research) it shoots well enough but the ONLY ammo it takes without jamming is CCI Mini mags.
I have tried a dozen different brands of ammo and CCI is the only one it will put 100 rounds through without jamming.
Luckily enough my boss got me a 10/22 for my birthday and that is working through all the other ammo.
Love my Ruger MK IV 22/45 Lite. Threaded barrel so I can just drop a can on it. I did have some jams initially with it, but as I have put more and more rounds through it I have not had a problem. Would love to see them re-engineer the magazine to hold more than 10. But the feeling of the grip is fantastic.
I second the notion of putting out a +10 rd mag! I believe there is a base you can purchase that may be a Volquartsen (not sure on the maker) that adds a measly 1 round making it an 11 + 1. I'll bet there will be some company to put out an extended mag but wouldn't see it past 15+1 less you want the mag to be as long as the barrel being that it is a single stack. Could it be possible that someone like TK or Volquartsen develop something that is a double stack mag with special grips and maybe a little smith work to the bare metal handle to afford the not so much wider set up to afford a double stack since we are talking about the width of half a 22LR? However, you'd think it would have been fine long ago with the M1 or 2 if so.... But they did solve the worst problem with these guns with the single button take down and just as easy reassemble. That was huge for me and the quarter jar for curse words has gathered dust ever since. Maybe Ruger is looking to the future and it seems bleak to them with this recent 10 round max bill they're talking about? Otherwise, I have turned my M4 22/45 Light into a race gun with just shy of 1100 bucks via mostly Tandem Kross and Volquartsen less the racker which I went elsewhere for that juts out one side (left) for much more confidence than trying to put my finger through a ring in a fraction of a second or the cone type requiring perfect grasp and a 45 degree forward angled muzzle break that I compared to both TK's modeks back to back. Trigger pull is at a consistent 2.7lbs and the fore and after travel screws make for a hard to notice movement as an onlooker especially the reset travel... Superb... And that adjective describes the entire MarkIV 22/45 light race gun for one of my favorite events in USPSA / IPSC - Steel Challenges.
Please don't reference guns as toys and young adults as kids. Responsible gun owners understand what you wrote. But gives gun haters reference to your writing as a lack of responsibility. PS: Goats have kids people have children.
douche
I'm pretty sure he is not talking about goats OR young adults. He's talking about CHILDREN. YES CHILDREN LEARNING TO SHOOT. My five and seven year old are learning to shoot my Buckmark also, supervised only at all times. For them it is a training tool for my it is a TOY. YES A TOY! I don't hunt squirrels or small game my Buckmark IS a FUN TOY for shooting paper and plinking!
I enjoyed your article. Just wanted to throw in a good word for the Smith and Wesson M&P .22 Compact. I shoot 4 to 500 rounds a week though one and I just love it . Performs extremely well. One of my favorite firearms. Will look forward to your future articles. Keep them coming!
Thanks for the kind words and the recommendations!
I second the M&P 22lr. Mine is the compact version. Extremely accurate,reliable and easy to rack. If I were to conceal carry a 22lr this is it. 1500 rounds without a hiccup.
I have several 22 LR pistols Ruger Mark 0, Mk III 22/45, and a SR-22. No other make pistols but have always wanted a Buckmark. When it comes to revolvers I have a Colt Frontier Scout, Heritage Rough Rider, Ruger LCR and my newest a Ruger GP-100 4.2", NAA.. With most .22's the sights are fixed, The shooter needs to know where the point of impact is in relation to the point of aim.
I do like the article and I do have .22 Magnums, pistols and revolvers. While fun to shoot, that ammunition is a lot more expensive.
Thanks for the great article. I recently purchased the Beretta M9 in .22LR for my wife to practice shooting - it's also a very nice .22LR. My question for you is what are your thoughts on some of the conversion kits for .22LR - (Specifically the Advantage Arms conversion for the Glock 19/23). I was considering that for myself for cheaper ammo / practice vs. buying another .22LR gun.
The m9 in .22 is a great choice! As far as the conversion kits, they can be very particular on ammo, so be sure to test it and find what they like. My AA conversion kit ran best with CCI mini-mags, which are expensive for .22. You may have luck finding a used version of one of the guns listed here for about the same price as the kit. $300 will get you a or a as well, so for the same price as the AA or tactical solutions kit, you'll get something that's going to definitely be less ammo-sensitive than a conversion kit, but if you're dead set on getting the conversion, you can probably find it cheaper if you shop around as well. I know Lone Wolf had them for $250 a while back. Other than the ammo-sensitivity, they run well and obviously expensive .22lr is still relatively cheap compared to 9mm/.40.
The Bersa that easily matches both the accuracy and reliability of the Victory and the Buckmark for roughly $100 less. More than adequate accuracy and 100% reliability with any high velocity .22LR ammo that I have tried.
Honestly, that Bersa got cut because the article was already getting a little long and I don't have as much time at the range with it versus the others. I don't like recommending stuff I haven't used. I'd say for a cheaper option that's not on this list, Bersa is definitely a good place to look. Good call, Tom.
Want a real 22? Kel Tec PMR 22 WMR.. Lightweight-13.6 OZ of pure awesome. Tons of fun and comes with 30 round mag. I have 3 mags so 90 rounds of pure accuracy and no stopping the fun. and it's very well priced.
22 magnum costs more than 9mm and MUCH more than 22LR, at least around here. That's my only issue with that.
Pretty good gun list for 22lr. However, i have yet to shoot a Heritage 22 that was accurate. My personal favorites are my SMITH 617 (10shot) and Ruger Mk2 678 Gov Target. Both are crazy accurate and fun.
Love my Heritage Rough Rider. It is my favorite range gun when I just want to have a bit of fun. But the Ruger 22/45 in .22LR runs a very close second.
I own the Heritage Rough Rider and love it. Good price and simple. I was able to buy the unit which has the extra cylinder for 22 mag.
Good choices all... but one of my favs is the S&W M&P 22 compact. Just a fun and comfortable pistol to shoot and work with.
Hey Drew, like some of the other guns folks have mentioned in the comments here, that M&P 22 Compact missed the list because of the article length, and the fact that I just don't have as much range time with it. It's a fantastic option though, and would probably be the .22LR not on the list that I'd be most likely to buy.
My first pistol to shoot and now own is a Ruger Mark I, Standard with the 4 3/4 in barrel. It was manufactured in December 1949 according to the serial number. The only problem i have ever had was reassembling it the fitst time i cleaned it. Other than that it has been flawless! Still shoots great. I know i have put over two thousand rounds through it, and no telling how many rounds it fired in the three decades before it was mine.
My grandfather traded a shotgun for it circa 1960 and I received it after he passed. I don't shoot it very much any more, but when I do, I have Fun!.
That's an awesome story, Grady. I have a similar story with winchester pump .22 my grandfather bought brand new the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He said he "had a bad feeling". Over the years, my dad and I have just about shot the rifling out of it several thousand rounds later, but its still one of my favorite guns to own, and certainly a blast to shoot.
Nothing better to work on your skills. When I had trigger pull issues, I’d put 100 rounds thru my SR22 st the range before I took my CZ out of the bag....much more economical.
I would include the Ruger SR22. One of the easiest slides to rack, good crisp trigger, and I prefer the grip angle much more than the luger pattern models you apparently prefer.
Good choice.
Chip, the SR22 is another one of those that would have made the list if I'd had another 1,000 words to add, but such is the reality of the internet. It is an awesome option though, thanks for mentioning it.
How about the M&P22? I would say it is the best little 22 I have ever shot.
No S&W Model 41? Glaring. Oversight.
I’ve got one I’ve had almost 40 years( damn I’m old!) I don’t know that I’d call it a beginners gun. The price is high, worth every penny, but high. Also you take away the excuses for missing..bad sights, poor trigger, if you miss with one of these it’s all on you.
The model 41 is a great gun with a legendary reputation and something I'd dearly love to own (especially an early post-war model) but it's not something you can just find on the shelf these days, and it's quite expensive. Because of that, I can't recall ever actually firing one, and I don't like recommending things I haven't shot personally. But the thousands of folks who have bought them can't really be wrong, and the gun's rep as a target pistol is rock solid. It's definitely a good choice if you've got the dosh for it.
My first pistol to shoot was the S&W Victory, then the Browning Buckmark, and now a Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite. Had some misfeed issues with the Ruger, about as much as I did with the S&W and the Browning. Have since found CCI runs in the Ruger without issues, over 1,000 rounds without an issue. Of course cleaning is simple so it is cleaned after every shooting session. If the issues can be solved by cleaning, the Ruger wins for me.
Thanks for this article. I have the Ruger SR22, as well as the Ruger New Bearcat, and I'd be interested to see how the SR22 stacks up agains the new Walther P22 QD.
That would be an interesting comparison.
Great review and as said we all have our different likes which is not a bad thing sense we should choose one that fits us best.I have two SR22 but you perked my interest on the Walter P22 QD so I am going to purchase and compare.Your info on how much I should spend will come in handy.Thank you.
.22LR handguns are a lot of fun to shoot. I have ran into ammo issues when not using ammo marked as pistol ammo as well as some under-powered .22LR ammo (such as CCI subsonic and quiet). I had FTE issues due to the lower recoil not cycling the slide. Same ammo cycled just fine in a rifle. So if you're having issues with you .22LR pistol, I would try different ammo before you blame the gun.
Good tip, Joe!
Joe L correct on all issues.I use CCI Mini MAC, Hollow Point, 36gr, 1260 fps with my two SR22 with no problems.When I use NORMA, 40gr, 1100 fps many problems .Proof that many times ammo is the problem and not the gun.I might just add one thing,check the magazine is not damaged.Again, good info.Thank you.