.22 Pistols Buyers Guide
The .22 caliber pistol is among the best firearms available. Its use becomes a very economical tactic of obtaining regular and consistent target practice. It can be used when you just want to practice and start shooting a group of tin cans.
When it comes to handguns, the 22-long rifle is common, because it is an affordable caliber suitable for training newbies. A quality 22 LR pistol is also used for hunting. It can be also the right option for you in dealing with harmful and annoying pests, such as snakes or tiny varmints.
A great 22 LR is useful, making it a must-have tool for a gun enthusiast. There are many factors to consider when buying a .22 pistol. In the market, you will be offered a multitude of models to choose from. You must choose the best for your needs. After reading this guide, you will be able to choose the perfect .22 pistol for you.
Don’t Forget to Check the Caliber
When it comes to the caliber, a handgun with a .22 caliber is a nice choice. It can hit effectively and it can give the protection and defense you always need. It is a weapon that can help you defend yourself from danger. To come up with the best decision, you must bear in mind everything that was mentioned previously and look for your best choices.
As mentioned already, the market offers different options to choose from. However, not every model has what it takes to be a good handgun. To help you narrow down your options and to decide by focusing on the models that are truly guaranteed the best ones, please look at the list below:
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Smith & Wesson M&P22 (Editor’s Choice)
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2. Sig Sauer Mos 22-b
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3. Smith & Wesson Victory lr22
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4. American Tactical Imports GSG
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5. KEL-TEC PMR-30
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6. Phoenix HP22A
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7. Ruger 10158
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8. ATI Gsg Firefly Hga 22lr 4
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Best .22 Pistols Reviews
When it comes to .22 pistols, the following models and brands met the standards. If it is your first time owning a pistol, it is very important for you to check the models included in this list. The following are the top five picks, which are recommended by gun enthusiasts and in most handgun reviews:
Ruger SR22 Review
Handguns are always in demand. Manufacturers reinvent and they come up with something cool and very interesting every time. One of the greatest choices so far is Ruger SR22. The brand gained a reputation for its 10/22 carbine and the company became popular for its Ruger Mark collection of 22 LR pistols. SR 22 and Mark Series are 22s and are both pistols. For a woman, Ruger SR22 is a nice choice because it is compact and easy to handle.
Ruger SR22 comes with a more contemporary design which is very similar to Glock compared to any model from Mark series. This .22 pistol is single action or double action semi-auto handgun that can feed on a ten-round magazine. In this model, you will find standard controls and that is what you can get with an ordinary handgun. This weapon is equipped with a frame-mounted safety that’s easier to use compared to slide-mounted safety.
The sights are 3-dot variety and there’s an adjustable rear sight. Another feature of this handgun is the 2 palm swells that are working to grips. You may remove the whole grip & swap it out for varied hand sizes. Ruger SR22 has two options: small and large. This model is also equipped with a smooth trigger which is great for single action at approximately 4 pounds while the dual-action is 10 pounds.
The reputable Ruger Mark series is recognized not only as among the greatest rimfire handguns ever made but is also the weapon that gave birth to Strum, Ruger & Co. in 1949. A self-taught entrepreneur and engineer named Bill Ruger is the one who designed the Ruger Standard handgun. He used the Japanese Baby Nambu and German Luger P08 pistol as a sort of inspiration. Ruger obtained the Nambu from the US Marine member who carried it back from the Pacific Theater during World War II.
PROS:
- Ensured product quality
- Functional
- With smooth trigger
CONS:
- The barrel isn’t threaded
Also Read: 8 Best Handguns for Women
The Sig Mosquito Review
It is a very interesting rimfire model known to be the direct version of the ever-popular Sig Sauer pistol series. The major difference is that Sig Mosquito is 7/8th the size of the original units and it comes with safety. This product is classified as a single action / double action handgun, having the typical Sig decocker.
It’s quite accurate and it comes with huge 3 dot sights. The P226 series has become famous within the civilian and law enforcement market. Sig Mosquito is identical and it can serve as a much affordable substitute for training.
It is also an excellent adaption of the popular pistol and it retains the exceptional ergonomics of the standard Sig handguns. Sig Mosquito is reliable, accurate, simple to shoot, and fun. It is small enough as it can stay locked up safely in the fingerprint gun safe.
PROS:
- Easy to use
- Accurate
- Perfect size
CONS:
- Hard to break down & maintain
- Occasionally picky with ammunition
Sig Sauer 1911-22 Review
This handgun has controls that are quite common and it is made compatible with some existing 1911 holsters. Sig Sauer 1911-22 is the full-size imitation of a full-size 45 ACP pistol. Anybody who is familiar with 1911 will never have any problem in transitioning to Sig Sauer 1911-22. It’s guaranteed easy to use and identical, having its controls complement with a regular weapon. Likewise, this handgun comes with the popular ergonomics of 1911 design.
It points extremely clearly, is very comfortable, easy to grip, and amazingly accurate. The only problem is that it doesn’t accept cheaper ammunition such as the Winchester white box and Remington bulk bucket. However, there will be times wherein this unit will be okay with the more affordable ammunition.
Sig Sauer 1911-22 needs only deep cleaning. Between the use of lubrication and strings of fire, this weapon can become a little better after each magazine. It appears that 1911-22 requires breaking in. This handgun is indeed accurate and easy to shoot, allowing anyone to train inexpensively.
PROS:
- Excellent trigger
- Lightweight
- Accurate
CONS:
- Poor magazine capacity
- Without real standardization
Walther P22 Review
This .22 pistol is ultra-modern and it appears like a handgun suitable for a famous shooter like James Bond. It’s a single action / double action design, having a slide on safety. Reliability will not be an issue with this model and right from the very first time you touch it, you will feel everything that you can find from the cheap and premium .22 pistols. It comes with a tiny grip but it’s supported by the pinky extension on the magazine.
Walther P22 has a threaded barrel that needs a threaded connector nut for equipping the suppressor. It has the paddle-style magazine release on the gun’s trigger guard. It can be odd for American shooters. However, you can learn how to use it easily with some practice. P22 comes with adjustable sights and the back sight is movable for windage while you can swap out its front sight to modify elevation. This will be truly helpful in the accuracy needs of any user and its weight makes it a good choice for newbie shooters. The recoil can be felt once you shoot it.
PROS:
- With adjustable sights
- Excellent accuracy
- Modern design
CONS:
- Sometimes picky with ammunition
Browning Buckmark Review
Above all .22 pistols available in the market, it’s Browning Buckmark that was found a little different. It is modeled and designed as a sporting handgun. It is mainly intended for some specific purposes such as supreme accuracy, hunting, and joining shooting contests. It is claimed to be the most accurate and easiest gun to use because it is chunky and nice, with a full-size grip. This pistol is extremely comfortable to shoot and is superbly accurate.
Browning Buckmark is equipped with the basic scope mount. With no scope, its sights are entirely adaptable and effortless to zero. When focused on a target, this weapon can drill one tiny hole within the pie plate and it can even make the tin cans jump. It is entirely cleared of recoil and a slight shock is present. This model is ideal for training new shooters.
This item is supremely dependable and is simple to operate. It can work no matter what you feed it. It is also known for being lightweight and it comes with no creep or slack. It’s air weight, so the new shooters should be careful and attentive from time to time.
The included magazines are very reliable and of the best quality. Buckmark is an excellent choice for anyone who needs to train and help a newbie shooter. It can also be used for various purposes such as hunting, camping, and general survival.
PROS:
- Better trigger
- Great-sized barrel
- Fiber optic front sight
CONS:
- Pricey
- The magazines are more expensive compared to that of other models
Things to Consider When Buying A .22 Pistol
The market can offer unlimited choices when it comes to a .22 pistol, which can truly make it hard for one to decide. If you want to buy a .22 pistol, consider the following:
The Handgun Should Fit Your Hand
Holding the gun must not bring pain to your hand and it should have that natural feel when picking it up. Your handgun must act as a part of your hand. If you feel comfortable when picking up the handgun, it will not be hard for you to learn to shoot it well. When you feel the opposite, that awkward feeling can distract you each time you try to shoot it.
Know First Your Purpose for Buying
Usually, people buy a handgun for protection either for themselves or for the whole family. When your purpose for buying one is to instantly kill a person or an animal, buy a shotgun instead.
A handgun will just shoot one bullet at a time. Using it can take time to stop the attacker but it can really cause damage or death, still making it a suitable choice for defense. A handgun will only be right for you when you want a weapon that is not too heavy and is easy to hide.
Gun Quality
A handgun is an investment and therefore, you should go for the model with guaranteed quality. In terms of quality, you are sure to find a wide selection of high-quality pistols in the market these days. Just do not forget that you will always get what you pay for.
If your choice is the most affordable one, go for one at the price range of 125 to 250 US dollars, but do not expect excellent quality. A handgun of this price range is something that will jam at some time when the trigger is pulled. A quality handgun is priced at 500 US dollars or higher. It’s the dependable and efficient one. Don’t settle for less when buying one.
Pick a Handgun Equipped with a Smooth Trigger
A trigger is also important aside from the quality and comfortable handling. There are a few extremely good-quality handguns with a rough trigger. This problem can be easily fixed by an experienced gunsmith. A smooth trigger is always necessary. In many cases, when a user pulls the shot, it is caused by a weak trigger control or trigger press. With a smooth trigger, it will be easy to gain a more effective trigger control which guarantees improved accuracy.
Final Verdict
.22 handguns are truly useful and a good type of weapon. Their functions and brilliant features are enough reasons for anyone to consider owning one. These models that were featured and reviewed here are usually recommended and mentioned as the most famous models available. These .22 pistols are known to be fun and easy to shoot, accurate and reliable. Above all, these are incredibly dependable.
If you don’t own one, you’re missing out so make sure that you drop at the most popular gun shops that offer genuine, quality .22 pistols. Go for the best one suitable for your needs, your preferences, and your budget.
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