A lot of shooters think of .22 pistols as lightweight plinkers, but some of them handle far better than you’d assume. The right design can give you great ergonomics, surprising accuracy, and reliable function—qualities you’d usually expect in higher-caliber handguns. These pistols don’t just make range time fun; they also build skills without beating up your hands or wallet. If you’ve overlooked .22 pistols before, these are the ones that prove they can do more than most people give them credit for.
Ruger Mark IV
The Ruger Mark IV has long been a benchmark for rimfire pistols. Its grip angle and weight balance make it feel closer to a full-size centerfire, which helps when you’re transitioning between platforms. The trigger is crisp, and the takedown system makes it easier to maintain compared to earlier versions.
You’ll find the accuracy is steady out to distance, making it more than a plinker. It handles like a serious pistol while keeping recoil next to nothing, which is why so many shooters hold onto theirs.
Smith & Wesson Victory
The Victory is built as a target pistol, but it handles in a way that surprises new shooters. The stainless construction gives it some heft, and the interchangeable barrels make it more versatile than you’d expect from a rimfire. Its ergonomics let you shoot for hours without fatigue.
Accuracy is excellent thanks to its fixed barrel design, and the factory fiber-optic sights are clear and fast to pick up. For a .22 pistol, it feels like something much more serious in the hand.
Browning Buck Mark
The Browning Buck Mark has one of the best triggers in the rimfire pistol world, and that alone makes it stand out. The grip design gives you a firm, natural point of aim, and the pistol has enough weight to keep it steady shot after shot.
It doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy, which is why so many hunters and range shooters keep one around. The Buck Mark shoots well, handles recoil perfectly, and remains reliable even with bulk ammo.
Walther P22
The Walther P22 has the look and feel of a defensive pistol, only in rimfire form. Its polymer frame and ergonomic grip make it surprisingly comfortable, even for smaller hands. While it’s lightweight, it points naturally and cycles well with quality ammo.
Shooters often underestimate it, but it’s a great trainer for those wanting to practice without jumping into centerfire recoil. It also adds threaded-barrel options, which make it a practical choice for suppressed shooting.
Ruger SR22
The Ruger SR22 is compact, but it handles like a duty pistol scaled down. The interchangeable grips let you fit it to your hand, and the controls mirror what you’d expect on many larger-caliber handguns. That makes it an excellent crossover trainer.
Despite being small and light, it runs reliably with decent ammo and offers good accuracy. Many shooters buy it as a casual gun and end up impressed by how capable it feels on the range.
Colt Woodsman (classic models)
The Colt Woodsman may be an older design, but it still surprises shooters who pick one up. Its balance is excellent, the trigger is smooth, and the handling feels refined even by modern standards. For those who collect or inherit one, it’s often a standout at the range.
Even though it’s been out of production for decades, the Woodsman continues to have a reputation as a serious .22 pistol. It shows how thoughtful design can make even a rimfire feel like a precision tool.
Taurus TX22
The Taurus TX22 has gained a following because it handles like a modern service pistol, not a basic rimfire. Its capacity is higher than most in this class, and the ergonomics make it feel like a larger-caliber pistol. The trigger is one of the best Taurus has produced.
Shooters often remark on how controllable and accurate it is, especially at speed. For training, range use, or even small-game hunting, the TX22 delivers handling that’s well above what you’d expect in its price range.
High Standard Supermatic
The High Standard Supermatic pistols, while older, were built with target shooting in mind. Their balance and trigger quality make them shoot far better than many current production rimfires. Collectors and shooters alike value them for their precision and handling.
Even today, they hold their own in accuracy competitions and informal range sessions. If you’ve ever handled one, you’ll notice it doesn’t feel like a “lightweight” pistol—it feels like a serious tool that can still outperform many modern designs.
KelTec P17
The KelTec P17 is one of the lightest pistols on the list, but it handles better than its size suggests. Its crisp trigger, easy controls, and 16-round magazine give it an edge in usability. For a pistol that weighs next to nothing, it stays accurate and controllable.
It’s often bought as a budget pistol, but many shooters end up keeping it as a go-to range gun. The handling and features put it in a class above what you’d assume from its weight and price tag.
CZ Kadet (conversion and standalone models)
The CZ Kadet gives you the handling of a full-size CZ platform while shooting .22 LR. That makes it one of the best training pistols you can own. The weight, ergonomics, and trigger all feel like the centerfire versions, which is why it surprises shooters who try it.
Accuracy is consistent, and reliability is strong when you feed it quality ammo. It feels like a serious defensive pistol while giving you the affordability and low recoil of a rimfire. That combination makes it stand out in the .22 market.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
