A good .22 pistol can turn an ordinary range day into the best shooting session of the week. The ammo is cheaper, recoil is almost nothing, and you can actually work on trigger control, sight picture, transitions, and follow-up shots without burning through expensive centerfire rounds. The best ones are not just beginner guns. They are pistols experienced shooters keep bringing because they are accurate, easy to shoot, and plain fun.
The right .22 pistol depends on what kind of range day you want. Some are built for precision. Some are suppressor-ready plinkers. Some mimic defensive pistols for cheap practice. Others are just simple, reliable rimfires that make new shooters smile. These are the .22 pistols that make the strongest case.
Ruger Mark IV Target
The Ruger Mark IV Target is one of the easiest .22 pistols to recommend because it does almost everything well. It is accurate, steady in the hand, and much easier to take down than older Ruger Mark pistols. That matters because rimfire guns get dirty fast, and nobody wants cleaning to feel like punishment.
At the range, the Mark IV Target feels like a pistol that rewards careful shooting. The bull barrel adds weight, the trigger is usable, and the grip angle works well for precision-style practice. It is not the lightest .22 pistol, but that extra weight helps it stay steady.
Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite
The Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite is the rimfire pistol for shooters who want something lighter, more modern, and suppressor-friendly. It has the 1911-style grip angle, a threaded barrel on many versions, and the same easy takedown system that makes the Mark IV line so much better to live with.
This pistol is especially fun if you want to add a red dot or suppressor. It feels quick in the hand, points naturally, and does not get tiring during long range sessions. For casual plinking, cheap training, and suppressed shooting, the 22/45 Lite is one of the best .22 pistols around.
Browning Buck Mark Camper
The Browning Buck Mark Camper is a simple, accurate, comfortable .22 pistol that has earned its reputation the right way. It does not need wild styling or gimmicks to be fun. It just shoots well and feels good in the hand.
The grip is one of the Buck Mark’s biggest strengths. It fills the hand better than many rimfire pistols, and the trigger is usually better than people expect at the price. For range day, the Camper gives you a pistol that can handle casual plinking, target work, and new-shooter practice without feeling cheap.
Browning Buck Mark Plus Vision
The Buck Mark Plus Vision is a more modern, lightweight take on the Buck Mark formula. It keeps the good trigger and comfortable grip but adds a lighter barrel setup and a flashier range-gun feel. It is the kind of .22 pistol that looks fun before you even load the magazine.
It works well for shooters who want a rimfire that feels lively instead of heavy. The accuracy is still there, but the balance is quicker. If a standard Buck Mark feels a little too traditional, the Plus Vision brings the same basic strengths in a more range-day-friendly package.
Smith & Wesson Victory
The Smith & Wesson Victory is a strong choice for shooters who want a solid, accurate .22 pistol with room to upgrade. Its stainless construction gives it a sturdy feel, and the design is simple enough to make it approachable for new shooters while still being interesting for experienced ones.
The Victory is especially appealing because the aftermarket is strong. Barrels, grips, triggers, and optics mounts are easy to find. You can keep it basic for casual range days or turn it into a more serious rimfire target pistol over time. That flexibility helps it earn its spot.
Taurus TX22
The Taurus TX22 surprised a lot of shooters because it came out feeling more refined than people expected. It is lightweight, comfortable, and has better capacity than many older .22 pistols. For casual range days, that extra magazine capacity makes a difference because you spend more time shooting and less time loading.
The TX22 is also one of the better rimfire pistols for training because it feels closer to a modern centerfire handgun than a traditional target pistol. The trigger is good, the controls are familiar, and the pistol is easy to shoot quickly. For the money, it is one of the best .22 range pistols available.
Taurus TX22 Competition
The Taurus TX22 Competition takes the standard TX22 and makes it more serious for shooters who want optics and better accuracy potential. The barrel-mounted optic system keeps the red dot from riding on the slide, which is a smart setup for a rimfire pistol.
At the range, this version feels like a cheap way to get into fast, accurate red-dot shooting. It is still light, still easy to shoot, and still affordable compared with many target pistols. For someone who wants a .22 that feels more like a rimfire race gun, the TX22 Competition is a strong pick.
Walther P22Q
The Walther P22Q is not the most serious target pistol on this list, but it is a fun range gun. It is compact, lightweight, and easy for smaller-handed shooters to handle. It has been popular for years because it feels more like a small defensive-style pistol than a traditional rimfire target gun.
The P22Q is best judged as a plinker. It is not the gun you buy for bullseye accuracy or high-volume competition practice. But for casual shooting, introducing new shooters, or having a small .22 pistol that is simply fun to bring out, it still has a place.
Walther PPQ 22
The Walther PPQ 22 is a better range-day trainer than many rimfire pistols because it feels like a real full-size handgun. The grip, controls, and overall shape are close enough to Walther’s centerfire pistols that it makes sense for cheap practice. It is also more comfortable for adult hands than many tiny .22s.
This pistol is not just a novelty trainer. It is accurate enough for fun target work and easy enough to shoot fast. If you like modern striker-fired pistols and want a .22 that does not feel like a toy, the PPQ 22 is one of the better options.
Glock 44
The Glock 44 makes sense for Glock shooters who want cheap practice with familiar controls. It has the same general size and feel as a Glock 19, but it runs on .22 LR. That makes it useful for working on grip, sights, trigger press, and draw practice without burning through 9mm.
It is not as exciting as some dedicated target pistols, and it is not the prettiest .22 out there. But as a training companion, it has real value. If you already shoot Glocks, the Glock 44 gives you a rimfire pistol that fits the same general habits.
SIG Sauer P322
The SIG Sauer P322 is one of the most feature-packed modern .22 pistols. It offers high capacity, optic-ready capability, a threaded barrel adapter, and controls that feel familiar to centerfire pistol shooters. For range day, it checks a lot of boxes.
The main appeal is that it feels modern right out of the box. You do not have to immediately upgrade it to make it interesting. Add a red dot or suppressor, and it becomes even more fun. For shooters who want a high-capacity .22 pistol with current features, the P322 is hard to ignore.
FN 502 Tactical
The FN 502 Tactical is another modern rimfire pistol built for optics and suppressors. It has a full-size feel, good sights, and a threaded barrel, which makes it a natural choice for people who want a .22 that feels like a serious training pistol.
It is especially good for shooters who like tactical-style range setups. A red dot and suppressor turn the 502 into a very fun practice gun. It costs more than some .22 pistols, but it gives you a lot of features without needing to modify much.
KelTec CP33
The KelTec CP33 is weird, but that is part of why it is fun. It uses a 33-round magazine, has a futuristic look, and feels unlike almost anything else on the rimfire pistol shelf. For pure range-day entertainment, it brings something different.
The CP33 is not the pistol for someone who wants a traditional target gun. It is more of a high-capacity plinker that rewards careful magazine loading and good ammo selection. When it runs well, it is one of the most entertaining .22 pistols you can bring to the range.
KelTec P17
The KelTec P17 is one of the best budget .22 pistols for pure fun. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and usually comes with good magazine capacity for the price. It does not feel fancy, but it gives you a lot of shooting for very little money.
The P17 makes sense for someone who wants a cheap range pistol that does not pretend to be a premium target gun. It is easy to carry around the range, easy to shoot, and affordable enough that scratches do not hurt your feelings. For casual plinking, it is a strong value.
Beretta 21A Bobcat
The Beretta 21A Bobcat is not a target pistol, but it is one of the most enjoyable little .22 pistols to shoot for what it is. The tip-up barrel design is unique, and the tiny size makes it feel like a pocket pistol from another era. It has character, which matters on range day.
This is a close-range plinker, not a precision gun. The sights are small, the grip is tiny, and the pistol has limits. But as a fun oddball that still teaches careful trigger control and close-range accuracy, the Bobcat earns its place. It is the kind of gun people want to try when they see it.
Beretta 70S
The Beretta 70S is an older .22 pistol that still shoots beautifully. It has classic Beretta lines, a slim frame, and a level of quality that makes many newer budget rimfires feel rough. If you find a clean one, it can be a very satisfying range pistol.
The 70S is not as easy to accessorize as modern .22s, and magazines can be something to watch for. But as a pure shooting pistol, it has real charm. It is accurate, smooth, and light enough to make a long range session feel easy.
Colt Woodsman
The Colt Woodsman is one of the classic .22 pistols that still deserves respect. It was built in an era when rimfire pistols were often treated like serious firearms, not cheap toys. The balance, trigger feel, and accuracy still hold up.
A Woodsman is not the pistol most people want bouncing around in a range bag with loose tools and ammo boxes. Clean examples have collector value. But if you want to shoot a .22 pistol that reminds you how good older designs could be, the Woodsman is hard to beat.
High Standard Supermatic Citation
The High Standard Supermatic Citation is a serious old-school target pistol that can still embarrass newer rimfires. It was built for accuracy, balance, and trigger quality, and it shows. Shooters who appreciate classic target pistols understand why High Standards still have loyal fans.
It is not the simplest pistol to support today, so condition and magazines matter. But for a range-day pistol focused on precision, the Supermatic Citation is excellent. It feels like a pistol made when .22 target shooting was taken very seriously.
Smith & Wesson Model 41
The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is one of the finest .22 target pistols ever made. It is expensive compared with casual rimfire pistols, but it earns that price with accuracy, trigger quality, and balance. This is not just a plinker. It is a real target pistol.
For range day, the Model 41 is the gun you bring when you want to see how well you can actually shoot. It rewards steady hands and good fundamentals. It is more refined than most .22 pistols, and that refinement shows up clearly on paper.
Volquartsen Black Mamba
The Volquartsen Black Mamba is built for shooters who want a high-end rimfire pistol that is fast, accurate, and ready for serious range use. It is based around the Ruger-style platform but upgraded far beyond a standard plinker. The trigger, barrel, and overall feel are in a different class.
It is expensive, but it is also one of the most enjoyable .22 pistols for serious range days. If you want to shoot steel, run a red dot, or push rimfire performance hard, the Black Mamba makes sense. It is not necessary for casual plinking, but it is very easy to appreciate once you shoot it.
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