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 Pistol
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Best .22 LR Training Pistol
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Best .22 WMR Option
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Best for Fun
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Best Budget-Friendly Precision Rimfire
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Best .22 LR Revolver
Table of Contents
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Why You Should Trust Us
Before becoming an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry trainer out of Florida, I was a Marine infantryman. So, I know my way around guns.
Today, I use my knowledge to test and review guns for several publications, including Pew Pew Tactical. At my home range, I spend countless hours analyzing, researching, and putting guns and gear to the test to bring you the best recommendations and most accurate reviews.
Best Rimfire Semi-Auto Pistols
1. Sig Sauer P322
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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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.
Its trigger is also slightly better and bears mentioning as one of the better .22 LR triggers on the market.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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
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.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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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 Tactical Cowboy and Boot
The Tactical Cowboy and Boot from Heritage Manufacturing are almost complete opposites but also super similar.
Both guns are single-action revolvers produced from the Rough Rider platform. Both are .22 LRs but can use .22 Magnum cylinders.
The first is the uber silly Boot. It features a big grip and frame with a short 1-inch barrel. There are no sights on the gun, and really, it’s just a plinker with no practical use to it. However, it’s a ton of fun to shoot.
This gun is loud and a real smoke wagon. Not to mention, it’s cheap and an easy buy.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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On the other hand, the Tactical Cowboy wears a 6.5-inch barrel, a set of space-age grips, and is optics-ready.
It’s not the usual fair for Heritage Manufacturing, but it’s plenty useful.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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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 .22?
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.
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!
31 Leave a Reply
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.