The best .22LR pistols in 2025 are better than ever, and that is good news for anyone who trains hard or just likes to burn cheap rimfire. I have used .22 pistols for everything from new shooter onboarding to full winter training blocks, because fundamentals do not care about caliber. In this guide, we break down the best .22LR handgun options for hunters, concealed carriers, home defenders, and collectors. We rank the top .22LR pistols for reliability, ergonomics, capacity, optics readiness, and value. You will find accurate target rigs, budget friendly wheelguns, and modern polymer trainers that mimic your duty pistol controls. If you want a deeper dive on specific models, we have full reviews linked throughout, like our coverage of the Taurus TX22 and the SIG P322.
The mission here is simple. Help you pick a .22LR pistol that fits how you actually shoot. If you are a CCW owner who wants a trainer that matches your centerfire grip angle and control layout, we have it. If you are a hunter or small game guy who needs a suppressor host or a bull barrel, you are covered. If you are a beginner or helping one get started, we balance price, safety, and ease of use. This is a straight talk buyer’s guide, with round counts behind it. Let’s get into it.
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Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best .22LR Handgun
Picking the best .22LR pistol is less about hype and more about mission. Start by defining how you plan to use the gun, then match features to that mission. Below are the big rocks to consider before you spend your money.
Caliber and Barrel Length
We are talking .22 Long Rifle, which brings low recoil, low cost, and wide ammo availability. Barrel length changes balance and velocity. A 3.5 to 4.5 inch tube feels quick and packs easily. A 5.5 to 7.25 inch barrel steadies the sight picture and squeezes a little more velocity for pest control or steel matches. If you plan to run a suppressor, look for a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle from the factory or a model that accepts a simple adapter.
Reliability With Real Ammo
Rimfire can be picky. The best .22LR pistols run bulk box ammo, yet tighten up with premium loads when you need it. Read the room on magazines, because many rimfire malfunctions are magazine related. We prefer pistols with robust mags, easy loading features, and included extras. Our full tests on the SIG P322 show why capacity and mag design matter.
Ergonomics and Controls
If you are a CCW owner using .22 as a trainer, chase controls that mirror your centerfire pistol. That means similar grip angle, good texturing, ambi or swappable controls, and a trigger that does not feel like a cheese grater. For revolver fans, single action guns like the Wrangler and Rough Rider keep things simple and safe for new hands, with a deliberate manual of arms that builds discipline.
Capacity and Magazine Design
Capacity drives training rhythm. Ten rounds is the standard for classic rimfires, while modern polymer .22s push 16 to 20, even 25 with extended magazines. More rounds means fewer reloads in a string, which matters for drills and plate racks. Make sure extra magazines are affordable and available. Look for load assist tabs so your thumbs survive those 300 round weekends.
Optics-Ready and Sights
Red dots are the future, even on rimfire. Optics-ready slides and adapter plates save time and gunsmithing. Fiber optic irons help outdoors, adjustable target sights help on paper, and a top rail on a revolver opens the door to micro red dots without drama. If you want to see how this plays in the field, our test of the Browning Buck Mark Camper highlights why a crisp sight picture on a balanced barrel is still king.
Trigger Quality
Rimfire triggers range from gritty to glass break. A crisp, consistent break with a short reset lets you call shots and build speed. Target oriented .22s usually win here, but several modern polymers have surprised us with clean, training grade triggers that mimic duty guns closely enough to matter.
Build, Finish, and Maintenance
Field strip steps should be simple, especially if you shoot suppressed where rimfire fouling stacks up fast. Coatings that shrug off grime make your life easier. Revolvers shine for low maintenance and beginner safety, while semi autos win for capacity and accessory support. For a rock bottom entry point that still delivers fun, the Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy proves that budget and utility can shake hands.
Budget and Value
Do not buy twice. Spend once on a pistol that checks your boxes and has support for magazines, holsters, and sights. Value is not only the sticker price, it is the lifetime cost of ammo, accessories, and time. The good news is that .22LR pistols deliver more training per dollar than any other handgun class.
Product Roundup: Best .22LR Pistols Ranked
Taurus TX22: Best For High-Capacity Training And Plinking
The Taurus TX22 hits the sweet spot for a modern rimfire trainer. It brings real world ergonomics, a solid striker style feel, and magazines that hold more than the old ten round standard. The grip texture is usable without chewing up your hands, the trigger is better than you expect at this price, and reliability with bulk ammo is strong. Variants include suppressor ready barrels and optics-ready options, which makes it a flexible platform for everything from steel challenge to back yard fundamentals.
Read our full Taurus TX22 review here
Key Specs
- Caliber: .22LR
- Capacity: 16 round standard magazine
- Weight: Approx 17 to 23 oz, model dependent
- Length/Barrel: Around 7.0 to 7.8 in, 4.1 in barrel
- Action: Striker style, single action internal hammer system
- Sights/Optic Cut: Fixed or adjustable irons, TORO optics-ready variants available
- MSRP or street price: Typically 300 to 400
Pros
- High capacity magazines for faster drills
- Ergonomics feel like a modern duty pistol
- Suppressor-ready and optics-ready models exist
- Solid reliability with bulk rimfire
Cons
- Base models lack an optic cut
- Finish wear shows faster than premium rivals
- Trigger shoe feel is subjective
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SIG P322: Best For Optics-Ready Capacity And Serious Practice
The SIG P322 is a purpose built training pistol that checks every modern box. It brings 20 round magazines out of the gate, a clean trigger that rewards discipline, and a slide cut ready for micro red dots. It ships suppressor ready with a threaded barrel adapter, and the control layout is friendly for right or left handed shooters. For CCW owners who carry a SIG centerfire, this is the rimfire that keeps your reps honest.
Read our full SIG P322 review here
Key Specs
- Caliber: .22LR
- Capacity: 20 round magazine, 25 with extended
- Weight: Approx 17.1 oz
- Length/Barrel: Around 7.0 in overall, 4.0 in barrel
- Action: Single action internal hammer
- Sights/Optic Cut: Fiber optic irons, RMSc style optics cut, threaded adapter included
- MSRP or street price: Typically 399 to 499
Pros
- Class leading capacity with good mags
- Optics-ready from the factory
- Suppressor ready without extra gunsmithing
- Ambi controls suit more shooters
Cons
- Price sits above budget .22s
- Runs best when kept reasonably clean
- Aftermarket plates can add cost
🛒 Check Current Price for Sig Sauer P322 on GunsAmerica
Browning Buck Mark: Best For Target Accuracy On A Budget
The Browning Buck Mark has been a range favorite for decades because it flat out shoots. The trigger is crisp, the balance is right, and accuracy is the currency this pistol spends. With multiple barrel profiles and sight options, the Buck Mark can be set up for paper punching, steel, or small game. It is not the cheapest, but it shoots like a pistol that costs more.
Read our full Browning Buck Mark review here
Key Specs
- Caliber: .22LR
- Capacity: 10 round magazine
- Weight: Approx 23 to 34 oz, model dependent
- Length/Barrel: 7.5 to 9.9 in overall, 5.5 to 7.25 in barrels common
- Action: Single action blowback
- Sights/Optic Cut: Adjustable irons, some models with top rail for optics
- MSRP or street price: Typically 399 to 699
Pros
- Outstanding out of the box accuracy
- Good trigger and controllable recoil impulse
- Wide model range for task specific builds
- Strong aftermarket support
Cons
- Ten round magazines feel limiting for drills
- Heavier than polymer trainers
- Field stripping is not as quick as modern striker style guns
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Ruger Wrangler: Best For Budget Friendly Revolver Training
The Ruger Wrangler is a workhorse single action that makes the .22 revolver world accessible. It gives you the classic plow handle feel, a transfer bar for modern safety, and a finish that shrugs off glove box life. The trigger is honest, the loading gate slows new shooters down in a good way, and the price leaves room in the budget for ammo. For teaching fundamentals or just enjoying a camp gun, the Wrangler is hard to beat.
Read our full Ruger Wrangler review here
Key Specs
- Caliber: .22LR
- Capacity: 6 shot cylinder
- Weight: Approx 28 to 30 oz, model dependent
- Length/Barrel: 10.25 in overall with 4.62 in barrel common, multiple barrel options available
- Action: Single action revolver with transfer bar safety
- Sights/Optic Cut: Fixed blade front, notch rear, no optic cut
- MSRP or street price: Typically 199 to 299
Pros
- Rock solid value, great starter revolver
- Simple manual of arms builds safe habits
- Durable finish for rough use
- Excellent camp and kit gun
Cons
- Six rounds limits capacity and tempo
- Fixed sights can be a compromise for precision work
- Slower reloads by design
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Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy: Best For Budget Suppressor And Optics Fun
The Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy takes the classic single action and bolts on modern utility. A factory rail and a threaded barrel option make it a low cost way to mount a micro red dot and a suppressor. It is not a race gun, and it is not meant to be. This is a fun blaster that also doubles as a teaching tool, with the slow cadence and safety of a single action while giving you room to experiment with accessories.
Read our full Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy review here
Key Specs
- Caliber: .22LR
- Capacity: 6 shot cylinder
- Weight: Approx 33 oz, model dependent
- Length/Barrel: Commonly 16 in carbine style or 6 to 6.5 in revolver barrels, check specific SKU
- Action: Single action revolver
- Sights/Optic Cut: Picatinny rail for optics, threaded barrel on select models
- MSRP or street price: Typically 149 to 249
Pros
- Lowest cost path to suppressor and optics on a rimfire revolver
- Great for beginners, deliberate pace promotes safe gun handling
- Ridiculously fun for plinking with a can
- Simple to maintain and teach
Cons
- Single action reload speed is slow
- Trigger and fit are utilitarian, not target grade
- Balance changes with optic and suppressor mounted
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.22LR Comparison: Which One Fits Your Mission
If you want a true trainer that mirrors a modern carry gun, pick the SIG P322 or the Taurus TX22. If paper groups and trigger control are your priority, the Browning Buck Mark is the safe bet. If you need a beginner friendly, low maintenance wheelgun with old school charm, grab the Ruger Wrangler. If your goal is to bolt on a red dot and a suppressor for the least money possible, the Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy wins that lane. All of these pistols can live in a hunter’s pack for small game duties, with the Buck Mark and the threaded semi autos taking the edge for field accuracy and quiet work.
Safety Notes
Rimfire is perfect for new shooters, but fundamentals and safety rules are non negotiable. Treat every gun as loaded, keep your finger off the trigger until sights are on target and you are ready to fire, never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy, and know your target and what is beyond it. Use eye and ear protection, verify safe backstops, and follow all local laws.
Conclusion
The best .22LR pistols of 2025 prove that smart design and value can live in the same holster. The SIG P322 and Taurus TX22 give CCW owners high capacity trainers that translate directly to their defensive pistols. The Browning Buck Mark reminds us that accuracy still matters most when hits count. The Ruger Wrangler and Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy deliver low cost, high fun revolver options that are perfect for teaching and plinking. Whatever you choose, invest in spare magazines, buy a case of ammo, and make the range a habit. That is how you turn a .22 into real skill.
Train hard, shoot straight, and stay dangerous. When you are ready to buy, hit GunsAmerica.com for live listings, honest prices, and seller reviews that help you shop smart.
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