Each gun owner should have at least one 22LR. Ammo for.22LR is widely available and usually inexpensive.
The.22 long rifle can be used to hunt, for target shooting, for practice, for plinking and even as a self-defense weapon in an emergency.
You can even enter competitions with rimfire guns like the.22LR. They are a lot of fun.
We’ve already discussed the Top.22LR Rifles, but have not yet addressed.22LR Handguns.
Today, we will change this. We’ll talk about the best.22LR pistols, and how to pick the right one.
Keep reading if you are considering a handgun in.22LR.
What We Found When We Tested The Best.22 Pistols
The team of Pew Pew Tactical writers and editors has extensive experience with.22 LR pistols. We all started with a.22 LR and have used them for decades.
Each model listed has been tested by us at the range, where we have spent hours shooting at different distances and doing drills. Our experience includes law enforcement, military and competition shooting, as well as instructor, hobbyist, and instructor.
We narrowed down the list based on a number of criteria including features, price and aftermarket. For more information about how to select the best.22 gun, please see our section at end of article.
The Best.22LR Pistols
1. Ruger Mark IV
There are many excellent.22LR guns with designs that recall the shape of the Luger.
The development of this design began nearly a decade prior to John Moses Browning’s 1911 , which is considered his masterpiece.
The Ruger IV is perhaps one of finest examples of this Design – capturing classic lines and updating the older toggle lock design to a modern, blowback design.
The 10+1-capacity is easy to shoot and hold. The bull barrel is heavy and makes recoil control easy. This gun will feel a lot easier to use if you are used to centerfire cartridges.
Ruger Mark X owners have complained for years that it was difficult to disassemble the Mark X. The new Mark IV eliminates this problem.
In the past, it was easy to reinstall the frame, but you then had to finagle in the bolt-stoppin, which was enough to make an adult man weep with frustration.
Press a button at the rear of slide and the gun will open up like a and be ready to be cleaned and lubricated.
The Mark IV, like the other two Luger pistols in this list, is only as accurate as your ammo and skill allow. So don’t blame the gun for any misses.
As with any.22LR rifle, good ammo is relatively cheap and practice is easy.
Check out our review of the Ruger Mark IV here .
2. SW-22 Victory
The SW-22 Victory also takes its inspiration from the Luger. Smith & Wesson designed the gun with an eye for quality materials and design.
This is one of the most reliable, particularly with mixed ammo.
I used ammo from a ziplock, which contained several bullet types. I had no problems with the Victory.
It’s also a 10+1 capacity mag-fed gun with a bull-barrel, usually a 5.5 inch one. There are many options from Smith, and other manufacturers.
The aftermarket support is where it fails.
If you want something that will do the job without costing a fortune, then this is a great option.
The SW-22 has one of lowest MSRPs among all the Lugeresque options.
Although aftermarket upgrades and a little gunsmithing expertise can make it better, for the most part it is perfectly good out of box.
See our complete review of the SW22 at.
3. Browning Buckmark
The Browning Buckmark is my personal favourite among the Luger-style firearms.
What makes it different?
It comes with the best trigger out of the three Luger style. This is a huge benefit for me. Buckmark has a very crisp, nice trigger.
What makes it different?
It comes with the best trigger out of the three Luger style. This is a huge benefit for me. Buckmark has a very crisp, nice trigger.
Buckmark also offers a wide range of factory options, making it easy to choose the Buckmark model that suits your needs.
Taking it down is the one thing that drags it down.
You can clean the two other Luger knockoffs by rotating a pin or pressing a button. Baddabing, baddaboom, you’re done.
Buckmark is a bit of a pain because you have to remove the slide. It also means that you will need to remove the slide bridge, which is a pain in itself.
It’s only two Allen keys, but it’s not difficult. It is unnecessary complicated.
Buckmark excels also in other areas. It comes with a 10-plus-one capacity, and a 5.5″ bull barrel. There are also a lot of variations.
As I did for the Ruger, I recommend Tandemkross aftermarket accessories.
Browse the most popular Buckmark Upgrades. Here’s the way it shoots…fully enhanced:
In terms of reliability, I would put it below the Victory and above the Mark IV. It’s the best looking car in the bunch.
4. Walther P22
The legendary Walther P22 is known for its clean design and tactical styling.
It was a great little gun, but it only worked when you felt it. And the tight tolerances made it so that it would only work reliably for one magazine before needing cleaning.
This new QD model fixes this problem and updates the design. It also keeps the amazingly nice trigger.
The P22 is also a pistol and. This means that you can use a second strike if your primer is light, which is common with.22LR ammunition.
In DA mode you will experience a smooth but stiff trigger pull of 11 pounds. When you pull the hammer, it will break with a crisp 4 pound pressure.
This is the only gun that I would choose if I had to pick one.
Slide serrations make it easier for people with weak hand strength to load a round. The sights are made of cheap polymer but they are accurate enough to be used for self-defense.
It has a capacity and, while there isn’t much aftermarket support available, it’s not a big deal.
This is the best way to go if you want to have a.22 that’s easy to shoot.
5. Heritage Rough Rider 22
The Heritage Rough Rider will appeal to those who want something more classic, but still fun.
The Rough Rider is a single action 6-shot that looks like the guns used by your Western Heroes. It has the best value for money of all the guns on this list.
You have to fan (or pull back) the hammer each time you load or unload a round.
Shooting one is a slow-paced experience. A box of ammunition can last you several afternoons on the range.
The low round count, and the almost painfully slow but not quite painfully fast reload, will make you pick and place your shots with care.
The trigger is surprising good. It’s probably due to the single-action design, but it’s fine.
The real purpose of the gun is to have the most fun at the lowest cost.
It will shoot snakes and deter predators, both two-legged and four-legged. This gun will make an excellent training tool for new shooters and young kids, but Fun is the main focus.
You’ll have a much more useful gun with a barrel that is standard length.
6. Ruger GP-100 .22
The Ruger GP100 is one of the most iconic DA/SA revolvers ever made. It was only available as a 6-shot.357 version.
Now, I see more.22LR models on the shelves at my local gun shop.
The GP-100 is a fantastic machine.
If it is well-maintained, its rugged monolithic construction will almost certainly outlive both you and your children or grandchildren.
The.22LR model is available in a 10-shot version with barrels of 4 inches and 5.5 inches. The trigger is better than average, and the fiber optic front sighting post from factory makes it a very accurate gun.
This is one of our most expensive guns, but it’s one of the top.22LR revolvers available.
7. FN 502
FN entered the.22LR segment in 2021, with the FN502. This is a first, as the company is known for its tactical style striker-fired pistols and sweet-style rifles.
The hammer fired 502 features a frame inspired by the FN 509 with a low profile optics mounting system. It’s easy to add your favorite red dot.
The FN 502 has a great ergonomics, and its ambidextrous controls make it popular with left-handed crew.
The gun features a threaded barrel and a manual safety. You heard me right, so put on your favorite suppressor.
FN promotes the pistol’s reliability and accuracy. The PPT team believes that the FN-502 is in line with FN’s other firearms, given the stellar reputation of the company.
8. Taurus TX22 Competitor
The Taurus Competition offers a great option for anyone looking to spend some time at the range.
The magazine is flush mounted and has a 16 round capacity. The TX22 is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol that comes at a reasonable price.
For around $450 you can get three 16-round magazines, a slide that is ready for red dots, a muzzle compensater, and an excellent trigger.
You can also get a lightened slide and adjustable rear sight. Plus, you’ll have accuracy and reliability that is locked in.
Do we have an evaluation? You betcha.
How to choose a.22LR pistol
There are several things that I look for in a handgun with.22LR.
First, let’s look at precision. It’s worth buying a gun with a high accuracy level, even if you only shoot at short distances.
It’s more fun to hit those cans on a hill, than it is to watch shots land just a few inches away.
The next thing I consider is the shootability and ergonomics. I don’t want to shoot something difficult, I just want something I can enjoy.
Last, I look at availability and support. Nothing is worse than a gun that costs $200 but only comes with mags costing $50. I want a gun with lots of options and support.
In terms of the aftermarket for rimfire rifles and handguns (especially the Ruger 10/22) there are a ridiculous amount of manufacturers who offer triggers, stocks and conversion kits as well as sights, extractors and magazines.
With a low entry price (usually under $400) for a rimfire gun, you can experiment with upgrades and accessories and go all-out without worrying about ruining something expensive.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of other options, but we have chosen a few favorites.
These models are great for.22LR beginners, whether you want to plink or varmint-hunt, or just brush up on your skills.
What is your favorite handgun in.22LR? Comment below to let us know. Are you looking for rifles or ammo? Browse the Best.22LR Ammo and Best Rifles.
Latest Updates
Glock 44 removed from list on April 30, 2024. We added a section about how we tested each of the.22 handguns in our list. Improved recommendations, with additional data and information.
