Best .22LR Pistols [Hands-On Tested]

Every gun owner should own at least one .22LR firearm. The ammo is ubiquitous...and usually affordable.

.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 .22LR that are loads of fun.

Now, we’ve talked about the Best .22LR Rifles before, but we haven't tackled .22LR handguns.

So today, we change that. Let's go over the best .22LR handguns and also talk about how to choose the right one for you.

So keep reading if you've been considering a .22LR handgun.

.22LR Handguns Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best .22 Pistols

For this article, we gathered a bunch of .22LR handguns we've personally shot, reviewed, and owned. In fact, most of the PPT crew started our firearms journey on a .22LR of some kind. The team, including our editors and freelance writers, contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics, size, and specific experience.

We've had hands-on time with each of the models listed, spending hours at the range with them and shooting a variety of distances and drills. Our experiences encompass law enforcement, military, competition, instructor, and hobbyist.

For guns we have reviews on, we've linked those so you can read more. Every review handgun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of a variety of ammunition. When possible we test each handgun with at least 2-3 magazines to assess reliability and use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to accurately assess trigger pull.

When creating this list of the best .22 pistols, we narrowed the list down based on several criteria, including price, features, and aftermarket. For a more detailed look at how to choose the best .22 pistol, check out our section at the end of this article.

Best .22LR Pistols

1. Ruger Mark IV - Best Luger Inspired Model

Best Luger Inspired Model

Ruger Mark IV

$337

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$337 at Guns.com

Kygunco (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Semi-Auto
• Width: 1.22 in
• Height: 5.50 in
• Weight: 34.4 oz
• Barrel Length: 4.4 in / 5.5 in
• Overall Length: 8.4 in / 8.5 in / 9.8 in
• Magazine Capacity: 10 rd

There are a number of excellent .22LR 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 .22LR, practice is cheap, and so is good ammo (relatively speaking), so no excuses.

We looked at the Ruger Mark IV, so check out our review here.

2. SW-22 Victory - Most Reliable

Most Reliable

Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory

$419

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$419 at Brownells

Kygunco (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Single Action
• Width: 1.1 in
• Height: 5.6 in
• Weight: 36 oz
• Barrel Length: 5.5 in / 6 in
• Overall Length: 11.3 in / 9.2 in
• Magazine Capacity: 10 rd

The SW-22 Victory is another Luger-inspired gun. Smith & Wesson approached the design with their typical eye on the 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.

Check out our full review of the SW22 here.

3. Browning Buckmark - Best Trigger

Best Trigger

Browning Buckmark

$430

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$430 at Kygunco

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Single Action
• Width: N/A
• Height: N/A
• Weight: 34 oz
• Barrel Length: 5.5 in
• Overall Length: 9.5 in
• Magazine Capacity: 10 rd

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. There are also tons of variants.

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.

What do you think of the Browning Buckmark? Give it a rating below.

4. Walther P22 - Best Semi-Auto

Best Semi-Auto

Walther P22

$249

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$249 at Palmetto State Armory

Kygunco (see price)

Sportsman's Guide (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Semi-Auto
• Width: 1.1 in
• Height: 4.5 in
• Weight: 16 oz
• Barrel Length: 3.4 in
• Overall Length: 6.5 in
• Magazine Capacity: 10 rd

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 .22LR 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.

Check out our full review of the P22. (Psst...if you want to keep it rimfire but another Walther flavor, check out our review of the Walther WMR - an awesome .22 WMR pistol!)

5. Heritage Rough Rider .22 - Most Fun

Most Fun

Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 16″

$144

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$144 at BattleHawk Armory

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Single Action Only Revolver
• Width: 1.50 in
• Height: 5.25 in
• Weight: 45.28 oz
• Barrel Length: 16 in
• Overall Length: 21.37 in
• Magazine Capacity: 6 rd

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.

Of course, you'll probably have a more usable gun going with a standard-length barrel...

Heritage Rough Rider Revolvers

$140

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$140 at GrabAGun

Firearms Depot (see price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Read our review of the Heritage Rough Rider here or watch the full video review below.

6. Ruger GP-100 .22 - Best .22LR Revolver

Best .22LR Revolver

Ruger GP100 .22LR

$799

at Grabagun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$799 at Grabagun

Firearms Depot (see price)

Battlehawk Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22LR
• Action: DA/SA revolver
• Width: N/A
• Height: N/A
• Weight: 42 oz
• Barrel Length: 5.50 in
• Overall Length: 11.30 in
• Capacity: 10 rd

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 .22LR 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 .22LR version is a 10-shot model available with a 4-inch and 5.5-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 .22LR revolvers around.

You can read up on the Ruger GP100 in our full review!

7. FN 502 - Best .22LR Trainer

Best .22LR Trainer

FN 502 Tactical .22LR

$429

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$429 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Single Action Only, Semi-Auto
• Width: 1.4 in
• Height: 5.8 in
• Weight: 23.7 oz
• Barrel Length: 4.6 in
• Overall Length: 7.6 in
• Magazine Capacity: 15 rd

FN dove into the .22LR 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!

8. Taurus TX22 Competition - Best .22LR Competition Pistol

Best .22LR Competition Pistol

Taurus TX22 Competition

$420

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$420 at Kygunco

Firearms Depot (see price)

Primary Arms (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Single Action Only, Semi-Auto
• Width: 1.25 in
• Height: 5.44 in
• Weight: 23 oz
• Barrel Length: 5 in
• Overall Length: 8.15 in
• Magazine Capacity: 10 rd or 16 rd

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!

Do we have a review? You betcha. Head on over and read up on the TX22.

How to Choose a .22LR Pistol

For me, there are a few things I’m looking for in a .22LR handgun.

First, I look at accuracy. The humble .22LR 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 watch 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 the 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.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

The original author of this article was former PPT contributor and editor Matthew Collins. Matthew comes from a writing and editing background, but he also loves guns. He is a competitive shooter, hobby-level gunsmith, and general firearms enthusiast.

Editing this article and adding to it is Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who also runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as 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. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical. Like a lot of people, Jacki got her start on a .22 LR pistol, learning the fundamentals of shooting on a Walther P22.

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 .22LR.

What's your favorite .22LR handgun? Let us know in the comments below. Looking for ammo or rifles? Check out the Best .22LR Rifles and Best .22LR Ammo.

Latest Updates

• December 2024: Added Walther WMR to P22 section and data on how we tested
• April 2024: Removed Glock 44