22LR pistols are perfect for all levels of shooters with their wide range of uses.
They are perfect for plinking, target practice, home defense, and concealed carry.
You could get a full-sized replica of a firearm you already own to reap the benefits of a smaller caliber weapon or purchase one with a low-profile compact design with a high round capacity.
The possibilities are endless for .22LR pistol owners. Below are the 10 Best 22LR Pistols for 2022.
#1. ATI Firefly 22LR 4″ Black 10+1 Threaded
- Barrel Length: 4”
- Overall Length: 7.2”
- Weight: 1.53 lbs
- Capacity: 10+1
The ATI Firefly 22LR 4” is a lightweight, rugged, and reliable .22 LR pistol.
Its 4” threaded barrel is compatible with the most popular silencers, and the pistol has adjustable front sights to ensure you have superior precision.
The polymer stock and alloy frame make this firearm lightweight, while still being tough enough to take on all your outdoor adventures.
Its durability and impressive price point make this pistol a simple choice for those who want excellent performance without spending too much money.
This pistol ships with one ten-round magazine and includes a Picatinny rail on the bottom for mounting your favorite flashlight or laser.
It has a 10+1 round capacity and ships with one ten-round magazine.
If you are looking for a lightweight pistol with a threaded barrel at an affordable price, the ATI Firefly 22LR 4” is a simple choice.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#2. Taurus TX22 Competition Optics Ready .22LR Pistol
- Barrel Length: 5.25”
- Overall Length: 8.15”
- Weight: 1.45 lbs
- Capacity: 16+1
The Taurus TX22 Competition Optics Ready .22 LR Pistol is an ideal firearm for shooting competitions, recreational target shooting, and small game hunting.
This .22 LR pistol has a steel alloy match-grade 5” threaded Bull Barrel for easy attachment of a suppressor or muzzle brake.
It is a full-size semi-automatic single action rimfire pistol with an impressive 16-round capacity allowing you to shoot longer without reloading.
The aluminum slide is optics-ready for your favorite red dot sight, perfect for quick target acquisition.
It comes stock with a fixed white dot front sight and an adjustable white dot rear sight for accuracy out of the box.
With a Picatinny rail on the bottom, you can effortlessly add a laser or flashlight.
Even with an overall length of 8.15” and it weighs just 1.45 lbs., making it easy to maneuver without weighing you down.
It also comes with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty for additional peace of mind.
If you are looking for a competition ready .22LR pistol with a high capacity, the Taurus TX22 Competition Optics Ready .22 LR Pistol is perfect for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#3. Ruger SR22 Rimfire Pistol
- Barrel Length: 3.5”
- Overall Length: 6.4”
- Weight: 1.09 lbs
- Capacity: 10+1
The Ruger SR22 Rimfire Pistol is an excellent choice for a first pistol.
It has a black anodized aluminum slide with serrations for better grip and a polymer frame with two interchangeable rubberized grips for a custom grip to suit your shooting style.
The Ruger SR22 Rimfire Pistol has a replaceable 3.5” stainless steel barrel with a 1:16” twist and weighs just 1.09 lbs, so it’s easy to handle and shoot accurately.
It can be comfortably carried all day long with an overall length of 6.4” and a lightweight design.
It has a smooth double action, and crisp single action for precise follow-on shots.
With a ten-round capacity, you can easily engage your target, and it includes two ten-round magazines for an easy magazine swap.
It also features an underside Picatinny rail to add your favorite accessory.
If you want a lightweight pistol perfect for all-day carry or beginners, the Ruger SR22 Rimfire Pistol is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
Note: Prepper Junkie has a great review of the Ruger SR22 Rimfire pistol on Youtube, check it out below:
#4. Walther Colt Government 1911 Rail Gun .22LR Pistol
- Barrel Length: 5”
- Overall Length: 8.9”
- Weight: 2.13 lbs
- Capacity: 12+1
The Walther Colt Government 1911 Rail Gun .22LR Pistol brings the premium style and feel of a 1911 to a .22LR pistol.
If you are looking for a 1911 style .22LR, Walter has exclusive rights to manufacture it.
It has all the same prominent features of a standard 1911, such as a checkered grip, a single action only trigger, and a spurred hammer.
With a 12-round capacity, you will have plenty of ammunition between reloads.
It has an overall length of 8.9”, includes a 5” barrel, and weighs just 2.13 lbs.
The durable steel frame and slide have a beautiful flat earth finish, and it includes a Picatinny rail for a laser or flashlight.
If you are looking for a replica of the legendary Colt 1911 chambered for .22LR, the Walther Colt Government 1911 Rail Gun .22LR Pistol is a must buy.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#5. S&W MP22 Compact .22 LR 3.6″ Pistol W/ Threaded Barrel
- Barrel Length: 3.6”
- Overall Length: 7.3”
- Weight: 15.3 oz
- Capacity: 10+1
The S&W MP22 Compact .22 LR 3.6” Pistol W/Threaded Barrel is a reduced scaled version of the famous full-size Smith & Wesson M&P.
It makes an excellent pistol for training with its ergonomic design, ten-round capacity, and premium features.
It includes a 3.6” threaded barrel that is compatible with most 1/2×28 threaded suppressors.
You will have plenty of ammunition with its two included ten-round magazines.
A unique feature of this pistol is that it includes a magazine safety, meaning it will not fire unless a magazine is inserted.
They also designed it with left and right-handed shooters in mind with a reversible magazine release and an ambidextrous manual safety.
It also features a Picatinny rail to mount whatever accessory you want.
If you are looking for an American made .22LR pistol that would make an excellent M&P trainer, the S&W MP22 Compact .22 LR 3.6” Pistol W/Threaded Barrel is a perfect choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#6. Ruger Wrangler 22LR 4.62″
- Barrel Length: 4.62”
- Overall Length: 10.25”
- Weight: 1.87 lbs
- Capacity: 6
The Wrangler 22LR 4.62” Revolver by Ruger is a lightweight, six-round revolver that’s easy to carry and simple to use.
Its hammer-forged 4.62” barrel provides superior accuracy, ensuring you will hit your target.
Weighing just 1.87 lbs, this pistol is great for plinking, target practice, or just having fun.
With its aluminum frame and polymer grip, it’s incredibly durable, and it comes with a Cerakote finish for added protection in any environment.
The polymer grip features a checkered design for enhanced grip and control.
It also features a blade front and integral notch rear sights for precision shooting.
The Wrangler has excellent safety features, including a trader bar mechanism and loading gate interlock to prevent accidental discharges.
It comes in black, silver, or burnt bronze finishes to match your style.
One of the major benefits of the Wrangler is that a day at the range is significantly cheaper while firing bulk .22LR ammunition.
If you are looking for an affordable revolver for plinking or a day at the range, the Wrangler 22LR 4.62” Revolver by Ruger is an excellent choice.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#7. Walther PPQ 22 M2 5″ .22LR Pistol
- Barrel Length: 5”
- Overall Length: 8.1”
- Weight: 1.19 lbs
- Capacity: 12+1
The PPQ 22 M2 5” .22LR Pistol by Walther is an excellent self-defense weapon and the perfect trainer for a PPQ 9mm owner.
It has the exact fit and feel of the 9mm model and is compatible with the same holster.
You can take advantage of the cheaper .22LR ammunition to have a full day at the range at a fraction of the cost.
It has an overall length of 8.1” with a tenifer coated 5” threaded barrel and weighs just over a pound.
You can get plenty of rounds down range with a twelve-round capacity before swapping magazines.
It features a polymer frame and grip with a black tenifer slide for added durability.
The PPQ 22 is perfect for left and right-handed shooters with a reversible button-style magazine release and an ambidextrous slide stop.
You can get pinpoint accuracy with the adjustable windage and elevation sights.
Walther’s PPQ 22 M2 5” .22LR Pistol is the ultimate trainer for PPQ 9mm owners.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#8. Ruger LCP II Lite Rack .22 LR Pistol
- Barrel Length: 2.75”
- Overall Length: 5.2”
- Weight: 11.2 oz
- Capacity: 10+1
The Ruger LCP II Lite Rack .22 LR Pistol is the perfect handgun for those with small hands or those that want a compact concealed carry weapon.
With a short 5.2” overall length with a 2.75” barrel, it weighs only 11.2 ounces making it perfect for an all-day carry.
Even with its low-profile design, it still has a 10+1 capacity allowing you to get multiple shots off before reloading.
It comes with one ten-round magazine with Ruger’s extended floorplate that provides a larger grip for improved control.
A prominent feature of this pistol is the Lite Rack system.
It includes refined slide serrations for an enhanced grip, pronounced cocking ears, and a lighter recoil spring.
The LCP II Lite Rack also comes with an instinctive push-forward-to-fire manual safety.
If you are looking for a low-recoil compact firearm, the Ruger LCP II Lite Rack .22 LR Pistol is perfect for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#9. Beretta M9-22 .22 LR Pistol
- Barrel Length: 4.9”
- Overall Length: 8.5”
- Weight: 1.63 lbs
- Capacity: 15+1
The Beretta M9-22 .22 LR Pistol replicates the battle-tested Beretta M9 chambered in .22LR for a near-identical experience with less recoil.
The standard M9 has been the standard-issue pistol for the United States Military for over 30 years.
It has all the same hardware for seamless muscle memory, making it the perfect M9 trainer.
The weapon has an overall length of 8.5” and includes a 4.9” barrel.
Just like the M9, the .22LR version has single and double action for an authentic experience.
It offers interchangeable grip panels, removable sights, and a fifteen-round magazine.
Owners of the M9-22 have fired thousands of rounds through the firearm without issue, and it is known for its reliability.
The Beretta M9-22 .22 LR Pistol is a must own trainer for M9 owners with its history of reliability and affordability.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#10. ATI GSG M1911 .22 LR 5″ Pistol
- Barrel Length: 5”
- Overall Length: 8.5”
- Weight: 2.15 lbs
- Capacity: 10+1
The GSG M1911 .22 LR 5” Pistol by American Tactical Imports gives you the 1911 experience in an affordable .22LR package.
It includes several impressive features found in premium 1911s.
The GSG M1911 has an anodized zinc alloy frame and slide, a 5” threaded steel barrel, and an aluminum 5 lb trigger for enhanced durability and longevity.
It looks and feels like a full-size M1911 with an extended beavertail safety, walnut grip plates with a double diamond pattern, and a low-profile rear sight with three front sights (low, medium, high).
This pistol is perfect for plinking and competitive shooting with a ten-round capacity.
They recommend high-velocity rounds with at least 1,250 FPS for proper functionality.
It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
If you want an M1911 with excellent features at an affordable price, The GSG M1911 .22 LR 5” Pistol by American Tactical Imports is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
Why Buy a 22LR Pistol
The significant benefits of owning a 22LR pistol are the firearm’s affordability, the lower cost of ammunition, and the lower recoil.
Price
When shopping for a firearm, you will notice that .22LR pistols are significantly cheaper than their 9mm and .45ACP counterparts.
Ammunition
22LR pistols are perfect for a fun day at the range with their affordable ammunition, which costs a fraction of other higher caliber ammunition.
Low-cost ammunition is a popular reason for shooters to buy a .22LR training model of a pistol they own, and over time, the cost of ammo will pay for the gun in dividends.
Some magazines will offer a higher capacity because of the round size.
Recoil
22LR pistols have low recoil, making them perfect for beginners and target practice.
The reduced recoil allows shooters to control their weapon better and engage their target with follow-on shots more quickly.
22LR Size Chart Specs
References / Resources
.22 Vs. 9mm: Which is Better for Self-Defense, Hunting or Plinking?
See Also
12 Best 9mm Pistols For Concealed Carry & Home Defense
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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