A .22 pistol is one of the smartest tools you can keep in the safe—especially for sharpening your fundamentals. Low recoil, affordable ammo, and forgiving ergonomics make these pistols perfect for both beginners and seasoned shooters. But not all rimfires are created equal. If you’re serious about training or punching tight groups at the range, you need something that runs clean, cycles reliably, and actually shoots straight. These .22 pistols have proven themselves in both skill-building and target work—and they keep showing up for good reason.
Ruger Mark IV Target
The Ruger Mark IV Target is a favorite among folks who care about clean, repeatable shooting. Its fixed barrel and crisp trigger make it easy to stay consistent, and the heavy barrel helps with recoil control and sight tracking.
One of the big wins here is the takedown system—it’s tool-free and quick, which encourages you to clean it more often. Whether you’re working tight groups or running drills, this pistol stays accurate and dependable across long sessions. It’s a workhorse in rimfire circles for good reason.
Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory
The SW22 Victory has the kind of out-of-the-box accuracy that makes it stand out. The stainless steel frame gives it some weight, which helps reduce movement and keeps your shots steady. The trigger is smooth and breaks consistently.
This pistol’s modular design makes it easy to upgrade, too. You can swap barrels or tweak the grip to suit your hand. It’s one of those guns that grows with you as your skills improve, and it holds up well whether you’re running paper or steel.
Browning Buck Mark Camper
The Buck Mark Camper might not be fancy, but it’s built to shoot well. It has a solid frame, great trigger, and reliable performance with a wide range of .22 ammo. The grip angle also feels familiar to centerfire shooters.
It’s known for being easy to shoot and forgiving on the range. The sights are clean, and the overall balance makes follow-up shots smooth. For training sessions or casual target work, this one delivers without needing much tweaking or attention.
Walther P22 Q
The Walther P22 Q is lightweight and easy to handle, which makes it a good option for new shooters or anyone looking to run basic drills. It’s modeled after a defensive pistol, so it offers some realism without the kick.
The ergonomics are solid, and the controls are intuitive. It’s not going to compete with target pistols in group size, but it shines in training scenarios where muscle memory and movement matter more. It cycles well with most high-velocity ammo and holds up over time.
Taurus TX22
The TX22 surprised a lot of people when it showed up—it’s affordable, but shoots like something that costs more. The trigger is one of the better ones in its class, and the grip feels natural for both big and small hands.
You can get through long training sessions without dealing with malfunctions, which is saying something for a rimfire. It’s optics-ready, runs suppressed easily, and has become a favorite for casual competition and skill-building. For what you spend, it gives a lot back.
SIG Sauer P322
The P322 brings a lot to the table for those who want a .22 that mimics a full-size pistol. It’s optics-ready, threaded, and comes with a high-capacity magazine that holds more than most in this class. It’s built with modern training in mind.
The trigger is consistent, and the overall size makes transitions between centerfire and rimfire drills easy. You’ll find it cycles well with bulk ammo, and the controls feel intuitive. It’s a great platform for shooters who want reps without breaking the bank.
Glock 44
The Glock 44 gives you the exact feel of a G19 in a rimfire package. That makes it a great choice for folks who carry or compete with Glocks but want cheaper training. The trigger, sights, and frame are nearly identical.
It runs best with high-velocity loads, and while it’s not built for match accuracy, it does well in most training scenarios. Magazine capacity is modest, but everything else is familiar—which matters when you’re running drills and building muscle memory that transfers.
FN 502 Tactical
The FN 502 Tactical is a rimfire that behaves like a duty pistol. It’s optics-ready, threaded for a suppressor, and includes suppressor-height sights right out of the box. It’s full-size and built for realistic training.
It handles recoil well, cycles most high-velocity ammo cleanly, and offers a good trigger for a factory gun. The grip texture and control layout feel like FN’s larger-caliber options, which makes this a solid tool for cost-effective training that doesn’t cut corners.
Beretta M9-22
If you’re already familiar with the standard M9, this rimfire version keeps the same feel and controls. The alloy frame and DA/SA trigger are true to the original, so it’s a good option if you’re training for service pistol qualifications or similar drills.
The sights are clean, and the cycling is reliable with high-velocity rounds. It’s not as light as some rimfires, but that’s part of its value—you’re getting real weight and feel that mirrors your centerfire version, which makes practice more meaningful.
Colt Woodsman (Used Market)
You’ll have to hit the used market for one of these, but the Colt Woodsman still holds its place among the most accurate .22 pistols ever made. The trigger is clean, the balance is excellent, and the older models were built with real precision.
Collectors love them, but shooters who care about tight groups still bring them to the range. If you find one in good shape, it’ll still outshoot a lot of modern guns. For serious paper-punching, this is one of the .22s that helped set the bar.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
