Best 22 Pistols for 2025 – Reliable, Fun, and Easy Shooters

Updated guide available: This post has been fully revised and expanded. See our complete .22 LR pistol guide for current picks, category breakdowns, and the full decision tree.

Best 22 pistols for 2025 delivers a fresh roundup of fun, reliable, and accurate rimfire handguns that are perfect for plinking, training, or teaching a new shooter. Whether you’re just getting started or want a low-cost pistol for range days and small game, .22 LR pistols are the go-to choice for ease, affordability, and recoil-free shooting.

From precision target models to budget-friendly plinkers, today’s best .22 pistols strike the perfect balance between simplicity and performance. In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll break down the top picks for every kind of shooter—whether you’re a beginner, a backyard can-buster, or someone who just wants a quiet day at the range.

Let’s take a closer look at why.22 pistols belong in every shooter’s collection, and which models are leading the pack this year?

Why Choose a 22 LR Pistol in 2025?

✅ Low Recoil: Great for beginners and easy on the hands during long-range sessions
✅ Affordable Ammo: More trigger time without the high cost of centerfire rounds
✅ Easy to Handle: Lightweight frames and minimal muzzle rise make them user-friendly
✅ Multipurpose: Perfect for plinking, skill-building, or even small game
✅ Quiet Potential: Most .22 pistols pair beautifully with suppressors for backyard use

Best 22 Pistols 2025: Our Top Picks by Category

If you’re new to handguns, a beginner-friendly .22 LR pistol is the smartest way to build confidence without feeling overwhelmed. These pistols are easy to handle, safe to operate, and forgiving with low recoil—making them perfect for training and casual range use.

Here are our top picks for 2025:

1. Taurus TX22

The TX22 continues to dominate as one of the most beginner-friendly .22 LR pistols on the market. With a full-size grip, high capacity, and smooth trigger, it feels more like a centerfire pistol—without the cost or recoil.

The controls are intuitive, the frame is lightweight, and it cycles most bulk ammo without issue. If you’re looking for a “starter gun” that doesn’t feel like a toy, this is it.

🔹 Why it’s great:
Purpose-built for beginners with a striker-fired design, high capacity, and simple controls.

Quick Specs:


  • Barrel Length: 4.1″



  • Capacity: 16+1



  • Weight: 17.3 oz



  • MSRP: ~$330


👍 Best For:
New shooters who want a full-size training pistol that’s fun, reliable, and affordable.

2. Walther P22 Q

The Walther P22 Q offers a compact and lightweight design that’s easy for smaller hands to grip and control. It’s one of the few rimfire pistols with a DA/SA trigger setup, giving it a unique training advantage for beginners.

Its ergonomic grip, ambidextrous controls, and threaded barrel make it a top pick for plinking or suppressed shooting.

🔹 Why it’s great:
Compact, ergonomic, and suppressor-ready—ideal for smaller shooters and casual range fun.

Quick Specs:


  • Barrel Length: 3.4″



  • Capacity: 10+1



  • Weight: 17 oz



  • MSRP: ~$350


👍 Best For:
Younger shooters, smaller hands, or anyone looking for a lightweight .22 for practice or fun.

3. Ruger SR22

The SR22 is a user-friendly .22 pistol with a familiar control layout, ambidextrous features, and a sleek design. It’s easy to load, easy to shoot, and ultra-reliable with most ammo.

It features a DA/SA trigger, interchangeable grips, and a decocker safety—perfect for learning safe handling and trigger discipline.

🔹 Why it’s great:
Reliable and well-built with a DA/SA trigger, making it ideal for skill-building and practice.

Quick Specs:


  • Barrel Length: 3.5″



  • Capacity: 10+1



  • Weight: 17.5 oz



  • MSRP: ~$440


👍 Best For:
New handgun owners who want to train fundamentals with a pistol that feels high-quality and safe.

4. Heritage Rough Rider 22 Revolver

This single-action revolver brings old-school style and simple function. With no magazine to worry about, it forces you to slow down and focus on proper trigger pull and sight alignment.

It’s not fast, but it’s a blast to shoot—and the price makes it an easy addition to any beginner’s lineup.

🔹 Why it’s great:
Classic cowboy feel, incredibly simple to use, and almost impossible to outgrow.

Quick Specs:


  • Barrel Length: 4.75″



  • Capacity: 6-shot cylinder



  • Weight: 33.4 oz



  • MSRP: ~$180


👍 Best For:
First-time shooters who want a safe, low-cost revolver to learn the basics.

5. Ruger Wrangler 22 Revolver

Similar to the Heritage Rough Rider, the Ruger Wrangler is a robust, modern take on the .22 single-action revolver. It features a durable Cerakote finish, great out-of-the-box accuracy, and easy maintenance.

With a transfer bar safety and simple operation, it’s ideal for backyard plinking or small game.

🔹 Why it’s great:
Western-style revolver with better fit and finish than most in its class.

Quick Specs:


  • Barrel Length: 4.6″



  • Capacity: 6-shot cylinder



  • Weight: 30 oz



  • MSRP: ~$250


👍 Best For:
Beginners who want something fun and reliable with old-school charm and modern safety.

6. Beretta U22 Neos

The Beretta U22 Neos is a sleek, futuristic-looking .22 LR pistol designed specifically for target shooting and beginners. Its modular design allows for easy customization, including optic mounting, and the grip angle is incredibly natural for most shooters.

The trigger is crisp, and the pistol’s balance makes it a joy to shoot for extended sessions. While not as compact as some other beginner guns, it’s a great bridge between training and target shooting.

🔹 Why it’s great:
Excellent trigger, futuristic design, and optic-ready platform make it a top training pistol for all experience levels.

Quick Specs:


  • Barrel Length: 4.5″ (multiple barrel lengths available)



  • Capacity: 10+1



  • Weight: ~36 oz



  • MSRP: ~$300


👍 Best For:
New shooters who want an accurate, range-ready pistol that can grow with them.

Quick Comparison: Best 22 Pistols for 2025

Pistol Barrel Length Capacity Weight Price
Ruger Mark IV 4.4″–5.5″ 10+1 ~35 oz ~$550
S&W SW22 Victory 5.5″ 10+1 ~36 oz ~$400
Walther P22 Q 3.4″ 10+1 ~17 oz ~$350
Browning Buck Mark 5.5″ 10+1 ~34 oz ~$500
Taurus TX22 4.1″ 16+1 ~17 oz ~$320
Ruger SR22 3.5″ 10+1 ~17.5 oz ~$400
Beretta U22 Neos 4.5″–6″ 10+1 ~36 oz ~$320

Final Thoughts: Why 22 Pistols Still Reign Supreme in 2025

Whether you’re just stepping into the world of firearms or you’ve owned more guns than you can count, a good .22 pistol still earns a permanent spot in the collection. These rimfire handguns offer a perfect balance of low recoil, high fun factor, and surprisingly capable performance, especially for the price.

In 2025, we’ve got more quality options than ever. From the ultra-accurate Ruger Mark IV and SW22 Victory, to budget-friendly blasters like the Taurus TX22 or the nostalgic Ruger Wrangler, there’s something for every hand size, shooting style, and experience level.

These pistols are more than just fun range toys:

  • They’re powerful tools for teaching new shooters safe handling and technique.

  • They’re ideal for skill-building and cheap practice.

  • They’re useful for small game, pest control, and even light survival needs.

The right .22 pistol will make you look forward to your next range trip, not stress over the cost of ammo. And with models like the Walther P22 Q or Beretta U22 Neos, you’ll also get ergonomics and modern features that make them just as enjoyable as their larger-caliber cousins.

So whether you’re buying your first handgun or adding to an already solid lineup, there’s no smarter, more satisfying pick than a well-made .22 pistol.

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