.22 Revolvers
A .22 LR revolver is the most versatile rimfire handgun you can own — cheap to shoot, almost zero recoil, available in everything from tiny pocket frames to full-size target revolvers, and useful for training new shooters, plinking, small game hunting, and pest control. Impact Guns carries .22 LR revolvers from Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Heritage Manufacturing, Taurus, Charter Arms, and others across single-action, double-action, and convertible (.22 LR / .22 WMR) configurations.
Read our full .22 LR Revolver Buying Guide ↓
Single-Action .22 Revolvers: Western-Style Plinking
Single-action .22 revolvers cock the hammer manually before each shot, giving a light, crisp trigger pull and the classic cowboy-gun handling experience. The Heritage Rough Rider is the best-selling .22 revolver in America — a full-size single-action at a price point that makes it essentially disposable. The Ruger Wrangler is the step up in quality, using Ruger’s transfer-bar safety and Cerakote finish. Both are available in .22 LR only or convertible (.22 LR + .22 WMR cylinder) configurations.
Double-Action .22 Revolvers: Training and Target Shooting
Double-action .22 revolvers fire with either a long DA trigger pull or a cocked SA pull, matching the manual of arms of centerfire defensive revolvers — which makes them ideal training guns. The Smith & Wesson Model 17 and Model 617 are the classic .22 target revolvers. The Ruger SP101 in .22 LR provides a full-weight .22 on Ruger’s proven SP101 frame. The Taurus 942 offers an 8-shot .22 LR at a budget price.
Convertible .22 LR / .22 WMR Revolvers
Many .22 revolvers ship with two cylinders — one for .22 LR and one for .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire). Swap the cylinder and you have a more powerful rimfire revolver suitable for larger small game and varmints. The Heritage Rough Rider and Ruger Single-Six are the most popular convertible options.
.22 LR Revolver vs. .22 Pistol
A .22 revolver is mechanically simpler (no magazines to load, no slide to rack), which makes it ideal for new shooters and people with hand-strength limitations. A .22 semi-auto pistol typically holds more rounds (10–25 vs. 6–10 in a revolver) and is faster to reload. For pure plinking fun and simplicity, the revolver wins. For volume shooting and training that mirrors a centerfire semi-auto, the .22 pistol wins.
Best Uses for a .22 Revolver
Teaching new shooters (minimal recoil, simple manual of arms), inexpensive range practice, small game hunting (rabbits, squirrels), pest control (snakes, rats), cowboy-action shooting practice, and as a trail gun in the field. At roughly 4–6 cents per round for .22 LR, a .22 revolver is the cheapest centerfire-equivalent training tool you can run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best .22 revolver for beginners?
The Heritage Rough Rider (most affordable) or Ruger Wrangler (better build quality) are the two most recommended first .22 revolvers.
Can I use .22 Short or .22 Long in a .22 LR revolver?
Most .22 LR revolvers will chamber and fire .22 Short and .22 Long, but check your owner’s manual — some manufacturers explicitly recommend .22 LR only.
Is a .22 revolver good for self-defense?
.22 LR is not recommended as a primary self-defense caliber. A .22 revolver is a training and recreational tool, not a defensive weapon.
Single-action or double-action?
Single-action for plinking and western-style shooting. Double-action if you want to train with a revolver that mirrors the handling of a defensive revolver.
See Also: .22 Pistols • Heritage Rough Rider • Ruger Wrangler • Revolvers • .22 LR Ammo • .22 WMR Ammo