.22 Pistols

.22 LR Pistol vs. .22 Magnum Pistol: Choosing Your Rimfire Caliber

.22 LR is the overwhelming choice for target shooting, training, and suppressor hosting — it’s the most widely available rimfire cartridge in the world and the most affordable to shoot in volume at roughly 4–6¢ per round. .22 Magnum (.22 WMR) offers significantly more energy — roughly 2× the muzzle velocity of .22 LR, pushing a 30–40 grain bullet at 1,500–2,000 fps versus .22 LR’s 1,000–1,200 fps. That velocity increase makes .22 WMR a credible varmint-hunting and small-game cartridge with meaningfully better terminal performance than .22 LR. The trade-off is cost (15–25¢/round for .22 WMR) and more recoil (still mild by centerfire standards). For training, plinking, and suppressed shooting, .22 LR is the right answer for 95% of buyers. For varmint hunting or a high-capacity backup carry option, .22 WMR is the step up.

.22 Magnum (WMR) Semi-Auto Pistols

The Kel-Tec PMR-30 is the most popular semi-auto .22 WMR pistol — a 30-round capacity, full-size pistol that’s lightweight, flat-shooting, and fun to run at high volume. The Walther WMP (Walther Magnum Pistol) is a newer optics-ready .22 WMR designed for target and hunting use with a larger frame and better ergonomics. The Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum brings S&W’s M&P ergonomics to the .22 WMR cartridge with a 30-round capacity. All three are semi-automatic, magazine-fed pistols — for .22 WMR in a revolver format, see our .22 Revolvers page where convertible .22 LR/.22 WMR revolvers are covered. See our .22 WMR ammunition page for current ammo inventory.

Best .22 LR Pistols for Training

The best .22 pistols for training are those that mirror your carry or duty gun in grip angle, controls, and manual of arms. The Ruger Mark IV and Browning Buck Mark are dedicated .22 target pistols with excellent triggers that build fundamentals. For 9mm shooters, the S&W M&P 15-22 pistol mirrors the M&P platform, the Taurus TX22 provides a full-size polymer-frame training analog, and the GSG 1911-22 mirrors 1911 controls for 1911 shooters. Training with a .22 that matches your primary gun builds muscle memory at a fraction of the ammunition cost.

Best .22 Pistols for Suppressor Use

.22 LR through a suppressor is one of the quietest shooting experiences available — subsonic .22 LR through a quality can is genuinely hearing-safe without ear protection. The best .22 suppressor hosts are pistols with factory-threaded barrels: the Ruger Mark IV Tactical and Mark IV Lite with threaded barrel, the Browning Buck Mark with threaded barrel, the S&W Victory with threaded barrel, and the Taurus TX22.

Competition .22 Pistols: Rimfire Challenge and Action Shooting

Rimfire Challenge (RFRO), Steel Challenge, and similar action sports have exploded in popularity as a low-cost entry point into competitive shooting. The Taurus TX22 Competition is purpose-built for this with a 5” barrel, optics-ready slide, and match-grade trigger. The Ruger Mark IV Competition and Volquartsen-built pistols represent the top end of rimfire competition hardware, with custom triggers and barrels that can run under 1” groups at 25 yards. For a first competition .22, the TX22 Competition offers the best value; for serious competitors, Volquartsen is the benchmark.

Ammunition Sensitivity in .22 Semi-Autos

Semi-automatic .22 pistols require enough bullet velocity to cycle the action, which means some guns are picky about subsonic or bulk-pack ammunition. CCI Mini-Mag and Federal AutoMatch are the most reliably cycling .22 LR loads across the widest range of semi-auto pistols. If your .22 semi-auto has feeding issues, try a higher-velocity load before assuming the gun is at fault — ammo selection makes a bigger difference in rimfire semi-autos than in any other platform. See our .22 LR ammunition page for current inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best .22 pistol for a beginner?
The Taurus TX22 is the most recommended first .22 semi-auto — affordable, reliable, and full-size for comfortable shooting. For an even simpler manual of arms, a .22 revolver eliminates feeding concerns entirely.

Can I shoot .22 LR in a .22 Magnum pistol?
No — .22 LR and .22 WMR are different cartridge dimensions and are not interchangeable in semi-auto pistols.

What’s the highest-capacity .22 pistol?
The Kel-Tec CP33 holds 33 rounds of .22 LR. In .22 WMR, the PMR-30 and S&W M&P 22 Magnum both hold 30 rounds.

Is a .22 pistol good for self-defense?
.22 LR is not a recommended primary self-defense caliber. .22 WMR delivers more energy (100–140 ft-lbs from a pistol) and is a more viable option for shooters who cannot manage centerfire recoil, but .380 ACP or 9mm remain the standard defensive recommendations.

What is the best .22 Magnum semi-auto pistol?
The Kel-Tec PMR-30 for capacity (30 rounds) and fun factor, the Walther WMP for optics-ready target use, and the S&W M&P 22 Magnum for M&P ergonomics.

Why does my .22 pistol jam?
Almost always ammunition. .22 LR has higher variability than centerfire ammo. Try CCI Mini-Mag or Federal AutoMatch before blaming the gun.

See Also: .22 Revolvers • Kel-Tec PMR-30 • Ruger Mark IV • Taurus TX22 • .22 LR Ammo • .22 WMR Ammo • 9mm Pistols