A .22 pistol is a great addition to your collection. Whether you’re buying another .22 LR pistol or your first one, there are a lot of great options out there.
But which is the best .22 handgun?
And how do we actually determine that?
We’re about to look into the world of .22 pistols to see which pistol is the best option for specific roles.
This in-depth guide will cover the nuances of the .22 LR cartridge and how that impacts a .22lr handgun.
How to Pick The Best 22 Pistol For You
Picking the best .22 pistol comes down to a familiar set of factors like reliability, durability, and accuracy. But there is much more to it than just those criteria.
What roles do we expect a .22 handgun to fill? What is the performance we can expect from the gun and the cartridge? All of these start with .22LR.
Ammunition Limitations
The .22 Long Rifle cartridge is one of the most popularly sold rounds in the entire world. It also has over 100 years of use since its development in 1884. This means there are some quirks to the round since it was originally designed for black powder loads.
There is no doubt that .22 LR is a tiny round. This results in low recoil, minimal muzzle rise, and short-range performance.
Even using a .22LR rifle with high-velocity rounds will result in the projectile going subsonic at 100 yards. This means that .22 LR is not going to have a great range, especially out of shorter barrel lengths.
A .22 LR pistol is going to be used ideally within 50 yards. This will limit what we can do with the round and the handguns we are using.
Additionally, since the .22 LR is a rimfire cartridge we can have more ammunition-related issues. Rimfire cartridges are not as reliable when compared to centerfire rounds. Sometimes the primers don’t work, although this is not wholly a rimfire issue, it is just more common with rimfire rounds.
The rim also can cause feeding issues if the magazines we are using are out of spec. This problem is not limited to .22 LR but since many .22LR pistols are made at an affordable price point, lower quality accessories are more prevalent than on higher priced guns.
Even then, the dimensions of the round can cause feeding issues due to the rim. This is one of the reasons why many modern semi-automatics do not feature a prominent rim on their ammunition.
Let’s look at what .22LR can be used for.
Uses
The .22LR cartridge is very versatile in its effective range. The low recoil makes it fun to shoot and easier to make follow-up shots. This helps with accuracy which is what we need to get results out of such a tiny round.
Usually, .22 LR is a very affordable and accessible round. Most locations are going to have access to it. This means it is a prime candidate for training, target practice/plinking, and hunting.
1. Training
Training is one of the primary roles for .22 LR pistols. This can range from teaching new shooters the fundamentals to live fire practice.
Using .22 LR for new shooters is very beneficial. There is not a lot of recoil to deal with and it is very quiet when suppressed. This makes it a perfect round to get people used to firing a gun while using proper technique.
From there you can increase what the shooter can handle by exposing them to heavier recoiling and louder ammunition.
2. Target Practice/Plinking
New shooters and experienced shooters will both benefit from using .22LR for target practice. Using .22 LR is often cheaper than using other rounds and since .22 LR can often be bought in bulk at lower prices, it means you can have more live-fire practice.
Live fire helps us to determine if our fundamentals are properly applied. Having good sight alignment and grip will determine if we’re accurate but actually shooting something will help us determine what we need to brush up on.
Additionally, we cannot overlook plinking. Plinking is good-ol’-fashioned fun. Shooting targets for fun is a great pass time and it can double as practice. Not everything we do with firearms has to be about self-defense or hunting, and it’s good to just go to the range and enjoy ourselves.
3. Hunting
Despite its small size, .22 LR is a popular small game cartridge. It will perform on everything from squirrels to coyotes with the right round and good shot placement. But it doesn’t have the strength to consistently and ethically take down medium or large game.
While there are examples of .22 LR being used successfully on larger animals, it’s best to not use this round on medium or larger game due to the legal risks involved.
Since we’re also going to be using a .22 LR pistol, it’s best to keep this round for pest control. This brings us to another potential use.
4. Self-Defense
While many people have died from being shot with .22 LR, this is mostly from not getting the wound treated. Since the entry wound of .22 LR appears very small, it is deemed to not be a serious injury but it still causes internal bleeding.
Some have advocated for .22 LR as a self-defense round. While it is very controllable and shooters can be very accurate with it, the cartridge does not have a very large margin of error in defensive situations.
This comes from the lack of energy and the relatively small diameter of the round. There are hollow points designed for .22 LR but they are not as effective as other hollow point rounds.
You should only use .22 LR as a defensive round if there are no other options available. If there are better options, it is best to use those.
Now let’s get into the best .22 handguns available.
Best 22 Pistols by Category in 2022
The categories we are going to use are Best Reliability, Best Accuracy, Best Semi-Auto, and Best Target Pistol.
This should give us a quick list to match what you need. We’ll get into a more detailed list later, but keep in mind that Ruger is one of the major manufacturers of the best .22 LR handguns. This means a lot of the options available to us are going to be Rugers.
Most Reliable .22 Pistol
For our most reliable .22 handgun, we have the Ruger Mark IV line. This classic style of .22 LR pistol has become one of the standards of the .22 LR world.
It has gone through numerous upgrades, including making the gun easier to take down and a conversion to direct blow-back operation. This style is often copied by other .22 LR handguns, making the Mark IV overall design very recognizable.
Because of the decades of development that have gone into the Mark IV line, it fills our spot of “Most Reliable” and its siblings will appear in other parts of our list.
Since it is a full-sized pistol in .22 LR it will fit a variety of shooters. The size and weight of the pistol make it extremely accurate and easy to shoot. But the place of Most Accurate .22 LR goes to another pistol.
Most Accurate 22 LR Pistol
The most accurate .22 LR pistol on our list is the Ruger Charger.
The Ruger Charger is essentially a Ruger 10/22 but converted to a pistol. The reliable 10/22 action makes this a great compact gun for squirrel hunting, especially since it features a Picatinny optics rail.
If you add a bipod to the gun, you have a very compact, precision handgun. It certainly is not the most pistol-like pistol but it does bring a lot of accuracy to the table.
If you want something to hunt squirrels with but don’t want to take up a lot of room, this is the best option for a .22 LR pistol.
Best Semi-Auto
For the best semi-automatic .22 LR pistol, we have to select the Ruger Mark IV Tactical. It features all the benefits of the modern Mark IV pistol plus more modularity.
While the classic Mark IV Target features iron sights and a heavy barrel, the Tactical version includes Picatinny rails to add things like red dots and lights to the gun. The barrel is also pre-threaded so you can use a suppressor.
This makes it perfect for pest control, training new shooters, and just having some fun on the range.
The modularity, accuracy, and reliability of the Mark IV Tactical make it one of the most well-rounded .22 semi-automatic handguns.
Best .22 Target Pistol
While proper target pistols are very expensive and are built from the ground up for target shooting, most of those options are not affordable to the average individual.
Those pistols are designed to optimize the shooter’s ability and are more for Olympic shooting than backyard plinking.
These guns are usually thousands of dollars, which is more than the average person is going to be willing to pay for a .22 LR pistol.
This means we need an affordable alternative for those who want to be extra accurate during plinking. This also means we are going to have another classic Mark IV-style pistol. It is a balance of performance, accuracy, and price.
After all, the reason you’re trying to use a .22 pistol for target practice is to save money rather than spend more of it.
6 of the Best 22 Handguns You Can Buy
When we’re dealing with firearms, what is “best” can be subjective. This list covers a “happy medium” of pistols that are not overly specialized, but still allow you to do a lot with them.
1. Ruger Mark IV Tactical
The Ruger Mark IV Tactical is one of the best options if you just want to own one .22 LR handgun.
It features a simple one-button takedown which makes cleaning and field-stripping a breeze. The previous take-down method was one of the major weaknesses of the previous generations of this pistol. Changing it to this simpler style significantly improves the ease of care for the gun.
The controls are set up similar to most modern semi-automatics with a swappable safety, a push-button magazine release, and an ergonomic bolt stop.
The barrel is cold hammer-forged and is non-reciprocating with the upper half of the gun. This means the mounted sights are permanently oriented and won’t move with the firing of the gun. The barrel is also threaded in a standard ½”-28 thread, which allows for multiple muzzle accessories.
There is also a Picatinny rail mount and a tapped receiver that can accept Weaver mounts. This allows you to mount whatever optics you want to enhance your accuracy.
The Silent-SR® sound suppressor is compatible with this pistol and there are two different grip angles available. The Standard Mark IV is at a more aggressive angle while the 22/45’s grip angle is closer to that of a 1911. Other than that the variants are the same.
Pros
The major reason this is a great option is that it offers the performance of the Mark IV series with the modularity we’ve come to expect with modern pistols.
The ability to add optics is great for training since it will help optimize our accuracy. Adding red dots simplifies shooting for new shooters and can help individuals who might be developing eye problems see their sight compared to standard iron sights.
Red dots are not a 100% solution to eye-related sighting problems but they can help those who can’t see as clearly as they once did.
The ability to suppress the pistol right out of the box is also a benefit. This allows for using suppressors which help prevent hearing damage and ease new shooters into shooting.
Cons
For the most part, secondary accessories are going to be a problem with the Mark IV Tactical. This isn’t talking about scopes and other optics, but magazine support.
The magazines that come with the gun will more than likely be the only ones you use without spending $25-$60 for 10 round magazines. Similar prices are found for 10/22 magazines but they at least provide a 15-25 round capacity.
If you don’t mind loading the same magazines often, this will not be a problem.
There is also the concern over the magazine disconnect. The magazine disconnect prevents the gun from being fired if there is no magazine in the gun. Many designs used to have this feature but it just introduces another potential failure point in the design.
Best For
General practice, training new shooters, pest control.
2. G44
If you’re looking for a great analog to a modern pistol, the G44 is perfect for some affordable range time.
The G44 is basically a Glock 19 chambered in .22 LR. This makes it great for training without having to use a caliber conversion kit for your G19.
The G44 has all the standard features of your normal Glock including an adjustable sight option, adjustable backstraps, and multiple iron sights to choose from.
There is currently no optics-ready version of the G44 which makes it harder to create a direct copy of your carry pistol if you have red dots or similar accessories.
Pros
Since the G44 is so similar to a Glock 19 it makes a perfect alternative for live-fire practice. If you use a stock G19 as your EDC pistol, the G44 will allow you to practice at a much cheaper price than using 9mm.
There is the standard light rail on the underside of the pistol, but if you’re just using this pistol for a plinking gun this feature doesn’t matter.
If you plan on doing a lot of training, the magazines are slightly more affordable than the Ruger Mark IV magazines. Sometimes they’re cheaper while other times they are roughly the same price.
If you want to get more live-fire into your training but don’t want to use a lot of your 9mm stock, this pistol offers a good alternative without having to deal with complicated conversion kits.
Cons
The drawbacks of the G44 are related to the lower modularity of the system. Currently, there are no optics-ready versions of the G44. If you want to add red dots to it you’ll need to get it custom milled to accept the new optic.
While you can mount a light on the gun with the standard under slide rail, this is the only modularity you have beyond the sight options.
The barrel does not come pre-threaded to accept a suppressor which makes it a questionable option for training new shooters.
Best For
Live fire practice, Glock 19 alternative training.
3. Ruger Mark IV Classic
This pistol comes in a variety of styles, but most will come down to the barrel design and grip angle.
All of the Mark IV line features the simplified single button take-down and non-reciprocating barrel/receiver.
However, the barrels will either be a normal Luger-esque barrel, a heavy target barrel, or a similar target variation.
The grips will be either the aggressive Luger angle or the 22/45 1911 grip depending on the model. These grips come down to preference, but the 22/45 offers a more neutral wrist angle.
Pros
Most of the Mark IV line will provide hours of performance within the abilities of .22 LR. Finished styles and sights are more preferences than deal breakers.
Outside of the Tactical models, the other styles are good for either taking down squirrels at close range or enjoying the range.
Cons
The standard Mark IV models are not as customizable as the Tactical versions. This leaves them at a slight disadvantage. If you want a pistol that will do one thing, most of these options are good.
But only the Tactical offers a wider range of uses.
Best For
Plinking, target shooting.
4. Ruger Charger
The Charger is a 10/22 in pistol form. The only difference is that it has a shorter barrel and no stock. But it comes with a large number of features when compared to the standard 10/11 rifle.
The pistol grip can be swapped for any AR aftermarket grip allowing you to customize how you interface with the gun. The barrel is threaded in the standard ½”-28 pattern and is compatible with most flash hiders and suppressors.
There is an included Picatinny rail mount allowing you to mount all Picatinny compatible red dots and scopes. This improves your accuracy especially when it is combined with the included bipod.
Pros
The Charger has a lot going for it in terms of accuracy. This was designed for more hunting applications but can also double as a fun target gun.
The threaded barrel makes it easy to mount a suppressor for better hunting and new shooters.
The bipod adds more stability and allows you to get all the accuracy you can out of .22 LR.
The Charger can also accept standard 10/22 magazines, although it is recommended that you only use the 15 round magazines in conjunction with the bipod.
Cons
The overall size of the gun is the major drawback. Since it is essentially a miniaturized 10/22 it is larger than your standard pistol.
It also lends itself to some form of supported shooting which means you have to have something to rest the gun on when you use it.
Best For
Hunting, plinking, target shooting
5. Ruger Wrangler
This is more of a fun .22 LR pistol. The Wrangler is designed to look like a classic cowboy six-shooter. It is a single-action revolver with almost no modern use beyond pure enjoyment.
Unlike the design it was patterned off of, the Wrangler features a transfer bar mechanism and locking loading gate to prevent accidental discharges. This was a concern on early colt single revolvers, but this is mitigated by these alterations.
It has the simple sights and 6 round capacity of the old west pistols which just add to the charm. These are also affordable guns in a variety of colors to suit your style.
Pros
This gun won’t break the bank and it offers hours of fun. The single-action design can help train new shooters proper trigger discipline, but it should not be relied on in this capacity.
The biggest benefit it has to offer is the Wildt West aesthetic and improved safety measures. You are unlikely to experience a mechanical accidental discharge with this gun.
Since it is a revolver, you do not have to worry about spare magazines. Which brings down the cost to use this to the price of ammunition only.
Cons
If you want a highly modifiable, and well-rounded pistol this is not it. Essentially this gun will not have a lot of modifications available to it and it accepts no muzzle devices. You’re going to get this gun for plinking and nothing else.
Beyond the fun factor, this is not a serious use pistol, you could use it for best control, but even then there are better options.
Best For
Plinking
6. Walther P22 h3
If you want another serious pistol analog the Walther P22 Q might be what you’re looking for.
This hammer-fired design brings most of the modifications we come to expect on full-sized handguns.
The gun features a double-action/single-action trigger with an ambidextrous slide and magazine release.
The pistol can accept lights, while some models feature an integrated laser. Some models feature a threaded barrel for a suppressor and adjustable rear sights.
Pros
The pistol is highly modifiable depending on the model. If you’re not into Glocks but want a pistol similar to your main defensive handgun, this pistol will do the job.
It’s great for both left and right-handed shooters to train on. This means you don’t have to have a special gun if you’re training someone who doesn’t have the same dominant hand as you.
Cons
Like a lot of handguns, this does not feature an optics-ready option. Again not a deal-breaker, but we can’t guarantee good vision for ourselves and new shooters.
While it does function like a full-sized pistol, we might not be able to get the most out of it with just plain iron sights.
Best For
Pest control, training, plinking
Conclusion
There’s always going to be controversy over what is and is not best for you. As long as you know what you’re going to be doing with the pistol you will have a better time picking it.
Most of these options were selected for the balance between cost and use. Obviously, there are better hunting options for small game than a .22 LR handgun. But if you want something easy to carry to deal with pests, the pistol has its advantages.
If you just want something fun to shoot with, the parameters become a lot looser. Keep in mind having fun is still important when selecting a plinking gun, so we don’t have to have the most effective or efficient .22 LR pistol for that role.
Target shooting becomes even more subjective. While some models, like the Ruger Mark IV Target, are designed for target shooting there are better but more expensive options out there. And if you are looking to get into the higher skill bracket you are going to be investing in a much more specialized pistol.
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