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Every time somebody says a .22 LR pistol is “just a plinker,” I figure they either haven’t shot one much, or they’ve never had a real use for one away from a clean indoor range. A rimfire handgun can be a trainer, a trapline tool, a camp gun, a back-porch pest option, and the cheapest way to keep your fundamentals honest when centerfire ammo prices get stupid.
No, a .22 handgun is not a magic answer to every problem. But it is a whole lot more useful than most shooters admit, especially when you pick a model that actually runs and you feed it the ammo it likes. Here are 20 that have earned their keep in the real world.
1. Ruger Mark IV
If you have ever fought a takedown on an older rimfire pistol until your thumbs hurt, the Mark IV’s one-button breakdown feels like somebody finally listened. It’s accurate enough that it will embarrass your “good day” groups if you start rushing shots.
It’s not a featherweight, and it’s not meant to be. As a woods-walk pistol or range trainer, it just works, and parts and magazines are everywhere. There is nothing fancy about it, and that is kind of the point.
2. Browning Buck Mark
The Buck Mark is one of those pistols that points naturally for a lot of hands, and it tends to shoot better than the person holding it. Triggers are usually clean, and the sight picture is easy to live with.
The only real gripe is that some versions are a little more annoying to strip than they should be. Still, if your goal is “hit what I’m aiming at with cheap ammo,” this one has been doing that for decades.
3. Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory
The Victory is a working man’s target pistol. It is straightforward, accurate, and doesn’t feel like a toy, which matters when you’re trying to replicate your centerfire habits.
It also has a big aftermarket, so if you want to tweak grips or sights later, you can. Even left stock, it’s a solid option for steel matches, range work, and teaching new shooters without handing them something finicky.
4. Ruger 22/45 Mark IV
If you shoot 1911s or just like that grip angle, the 22/45 makes a lot of sense. The controls and feel are closer to a centerfire duty-style pistol than most rimfire target guns.
This is a sneaky-good trainer. You can drill draw strokes, target transitions, and trigger control without paying centerfire prices. Ask me how I know: you’ll burn through bricks of ammo before you realize how much work you actually got done.
5. Taurus TX22
I get why some folks hesitate on Taurus, and I’m not here to tell you every one is perfect. But the TX22 earned its reputation by running, and by holding enough rounds that you can actually practice without constant reloads.
It’s also comfortable. For a newer shooter, it’s one of the easiest rimfire pistols to get behind without fighting malfunctions every magazine. Keep it reasonably clean and feed it decent ammo, and it does what it was built to do.
6. SIG Sauer P322
The P322 is another high-capacity rimfire that feels modern and carries like a service pistol. That matters if you’re trying to build repetition that translates to your defensive handgun.
It can be ammo-picky like any rimfire, and you’ll want to stay on top of magazine maintenance. But as a training platform with real ergonomics and a ton of trigger time per dollar, it’s hard to ignore.
7. Glock 44
The Glock 44 gets knocked because it’s “just a .22.” Yeah, that’s the point. If you carry a Glock, running a rimfire that matches the grip angle and controls is useful in a way that a target-style .22 isn’t.
It’s light, it’s simple, and it makes it easy to diagnose flinches and sloppy trigger work. The guys who hate it usually wanted it to be something it never claimed to be.
8. Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact
This one doesn’t get enough credit as a knock-around pistol. It’s handy, sized right, and it fits a lot of roles from kit gun to range practice without being oversized.
It’s also a good “new shooter” pistol that isn’t shaped like a space gun. The magazines are easy to deal with, and the gun just feels familiar if you’ve spent any time around modern semiautos.
9. Ruger SR22
The SR22 is a little brick of usefulness. It’s compact, light enough for a tackle box or ATV bag, and it has that “grab it and go” vibe that matters when you’re actually outside doing chores.
It’s not a target pistol, and it doesn’t need to be. For barn pests, trail-side cans, and simple practice, it is one of those guns that keeps showing up because it’s easy to live with.
10. Walther P22
The P22 is a mixed bag, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. Some run great, some need a little sorting out, and most of them have a clear preference for hotter ammo.
But when you get a good one, it’s a genuinely handy little rimfire with real-world size. If you’ve ever wanted a compact .22 for camp that isn’t huge on your belt, this is one a lot of outdoorsmen quietly keep around.
11. Walther PPQ .22
Not everybody wants a tiny rimfire. The PPQ .22 is for the shooter who wants a full-size feel and a training pistol that doesn’t require you to “translate” grip and trigger habits.
It’s comfortable to shoot for long strings, and that matters if you’re working on sight tracking and follow-through. It’s also the kind of gun you can hand to a buddy and not spend the next hour clearing jams every other magazine.
12. Beretta 21A Bobcat
The Bobcat is not about bullseye groups. It’s about convenience. The tip-up barrel makes it easy to load and unload, and it’s friendly for folks who don’t want to fight a stiff slide.
As a deep-pocket trail gun or a “throw it in the pack” option, it’s hard to replace. You’re not buying it to win matches. You’re buying it because sometimes you want a small .22 that you’ll actually have on you.
13. Beretta 87 Cheetah
The 87 is one of those pistols that feels like it was made when manufacturers still cared about polishing metal. It’s slim, classy, and it tends to run well with quality ammo.
It isn’t cheap, and it’s not meant to be. But for a shooter who wants a .22 that feels like a real firearm instead of a rimfire afterthought, this one makes a lot of sense.
14. Smith & Wesson Model 617
A .22 revolver is still one of the best training tools ever made, and the 617 is the one a lot of shooters end up keeping forever. You can run double-action work until your trigger finger learns the truth.
It’s also great for teaching, because you can see what’s going on and keep things simple. It’s not light, and you won’t forget it on your hip. But it’s a serious rimfire that gets used, not admired.
15. Ruger SP101 .22 LR
The SP101 in .22 is a little tank. A lot of people pick it up and immediately complain about the trigger, and then they put it back down. That one hurts, because the whole value is in working that trigger until you’re better.
It’s also a practical outdoors revolver in rimfire form. If you want a durable, weather-resistant .22 that can ride in a holster while you’re fixing fence or checking trail cams, this is a solid choice.
16. Ruger LCR .22 LR
Is a lightweight .22 revolver “fun”? Not always. The LCR’s trigger is long, and it will show you every weakness you’ve been hiding behind a crisp single-action pull.
But it’s a legitimate carry-sized rimfire that makes sense as a kit gun or a low-recoil practice option. It’s also the kind of gun that ends up in a glove box or tackle bag because it’s so easy to toss along.
17. Smith & Wesson Model 63
The Model 63 is what a lot of folks picture when they say “kit gun.” It’s packable, accurate enough, and it carries well on a belt without feeling like a boat anchor.
For woods roaming, small pests, and general camp use, it’s hard to beat. If you’ve never spent a day wandering with a .22 revolver, you might not get it. Once you do, you usually stop making fun of the idea.
18. Heritage Rough Rider
The Rough Rider is not refined. The finish is basic, the feel is basic, and the price is the whole point. Still, they sell for a reason: they put rounds downrange and they teach fundamentals in a slow, deliberate way.
As a plinking revolver or a ranch gun that you won’t cry over if it gets scratched, it has a role. Just don’t confuse “cheap and useful” with “indestructible,” and keep your expectations honest.
19. Colt Woodsman (used market classic)
The Woodsman is one of those old .22s that makes you understand why people get sentimental about firearms. They tend to balance well, point naturally, and shoot better than they have any right to for their age.
They are also not disposable. If you pick one up, treat it like the classic it is and don’t abuse it. For the outdoorsman who appreciates old-school quality and wants a rimfire that feels alive in the hand, this one has real appeal.
20. Ruger Wrangler
The Wrangler is another budget single-action that’s easy to dismiss until you actually live with one. It’s simple, it’s tough, and it’s the kind of pistol you can toss in a camp bag without babying it.
It’s also a great “first handgun” for a young shooter under close supervision because it forces a slower pace. No, it won’t do everything. But for what it costs, it does a lot, and it’s hard not to respect that.
A .22 LR pistol is not just for killing time on a Saturday. It’s for skill-building when ammo is expensive, for small problems around a place, and for the kind of easy shooting that keeps you sharp without beating you up. Pick one that runs, buy a few extra magazines, and actually carry it into the woods once in a while. You’ll stop calling it a toy.
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