According to Cartridges of the World 17th Edition, the 22 Long Rifle was developed by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. in 1887. The Peters Cartridge Co. is supposed to have first manufactured it, specifically for Stevens. The company’s 1888 catalog lists the Nos. 1, 2, 9 and 10 model break-open rifles as available in the new chambering with increased rifling twist. The New Model Pocket or Bicycle rifle also chambered it. The 1888 Marlin-Ballard catalog recommends the new 22 Long “Rifle” cartridge for its No. 3 Gallery rifle as being more accurate than the common 22 Long or Extra Long. In its current form, the 22 Long Rifle is the most popular match cartridge in existence, and it is also the most widely used small-game and varmint cartridge.
Cartridges of the World also tells us the 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire was introduced in 1959 by Winchester, but the company didn’t market a gun to shoot it until well into the following year. Ruger and Smith & Wesson, on the other hand, advertised revolvers for the new round before the end of 1959. At present, there is a variety of pistols and revolvers of American and European manufacture available in 22 Magnum Rimfire. The 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire is an elongated and more powerful version of the older 22 WRF. Case dimensions are the same except for length, and the WRF can be fired in any gun chambered for the Magnum Rimfire. It is not a safe practice to re-chamber older guns for the new round. The 22 WRF is loaded with outside-lubricated lead bullets, while the 22 WMR is loaded with jacketed bullets. With a thin-jacketed 40-grain bullet moving at about 1900 fps, this is the most potent rimfire cartridge currently available. It is more powerful than the 22 Winchester Centerfire, forerunner of the 22 Hornet. Also, it’s worth noting that 22 LR cannot be fired in 22 Magnum chambers. The magnum has a larger-diameter case body and a thicker rim. The LR cases will rupture if fired in the larger chamber and can injure both gun and shooter.
Gun Tests has evaluated many handguns chambered in 22 LR and 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire over the last few years, and we’ve often NOT liked some market favorites because we’re able to shoot several firearms side by side, which shows the deficiencies and strengths of each firearm. The list below includes single-action revolver, double-action revolver, and semi-auto pistols. The entries include the dates of the original review, but if they’re on this list, they’re worth looking for as used products, or if you’re lucky, overlooked NIB items stuffed into a dusty shelf somewhere.
With all that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 10 22 LR/22 WMR Handguns in the listicle below. We haven’t tested every handgun on the market, of course, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Expect the prices of new or used guns to be different. — Todd Woodard
10 KelTec CP33 22 LR, $469 (March 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Accuracy was good, but the CP33 was only reliable using high-velocity ammo. The rail made mounting a sight easy, though the rail increases the distance from the bore axis. It is fun to shoot this pistol.
9 Taurus 992 Tracker 2-992049 22 LR/22 WMR, $489 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
The 992 offers a lot of versatility with the extra cylinder assembly in 22 Magnum. We thought the trigger pull was too heavy in both DA and SA modes. It is heavy. Sights are good. The price is reasonable.
8 Smith & Wesson Model 617-6 160584 22 LR, $725 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (Our pick)
The 617-6 had a good trigger in both SA and DA and a large, full-size grip. It was tight and offered good accuracy. This revolver is heavy, so don’t think of it as a lightweight trail gun.
7 Heritage Rough Rider RR22MB6 Combo 22 LR/22 WMR, $250 (May 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (Best Buy)
The Heritage Rough Rider is the least expensive handgun tested, but it came with a spare 22 Magnum cylinder. The fit and finish are good, and the revolver is fitted with a nice set of cocobolo grips. A manual safety is a good option.
6 Ruger Wrangler Model 2003 22 LR, $210 (June 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Wrangler re-envisions the rimfire single-action revolver in the same way Ruger did with the Single-Six in 1950s, but the fit and finish aren’t up to Ruger standards. However, it did shoot to point of aim, was accurate, fun to shoot, and costs a fraction of what a Single-Six does.
5 Taurus TX 22 Compact 1-TX22131 22 LR, $329 (November 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
A friendly, reliable, and accurate firearm. We would choose this handgun for training anyone in need of hands-on instruction.
4 Smith & Wesson M&P22 Compact 108390 22 LR, $286 (June 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (OUR PICK)
The least expensive handgun tested was also the most reliable, beating the Glock on that grade and without the shooter errors the Ruger was prone to. The M&P22 is accurate enough for field use and kit gun chores and makes a good trainer. Downside: Not identical to the S&W Shield.
3 Heritage Rough Rider Tactical Cowboy RR22B6-TH 22 LR, $212 (May 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
We really liked this inexpensive but useful single-action revolver. Accuracy is good to excellent, and the sights are among the best in this list. The ability to mount a red-dot sight is very interesting. This is a lot of gun for the money.
2 Smith & Wesson Model 351 PD 160228 22 WMR, $766 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The double-action M351 revolver offers light weight, 7-shot capacity, and a bright Hi-Viz fiber-optic front sight that we really liked. Accuracy was good for the length. The smooth grip allowed easy pants-pocket carry.
1 KelTec PMR-30 PMR30TACGY 22 WMR, $490 (April 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
It had noticeable felt recoil, but it was little more than that of a 22 LR. The semi-auto pistol proved reliable and functioned well. Accuracy is adequate for any foreseeable chore.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
SIG Sauer P322 322C-BAS 22 LR, $400 (November 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We like the P322 a great deal. It is a nice, even slick, handgun and the most accurate tested here. Downside: Costs twice as much as the KelTec.
Taurus TX22 1-TX22141 22 LR, $249 (December 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The TX22 offers a lot of fun and ease of use in an accurate pistol. We thought the trigger pull and sights were decent, and the full-size grip shape was user friendly. The price is reasonable.
Uberti Cattleman 22 Model 356186 22 LR, $453 (June 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Uberti is a traditionally styled revolver that is well made and accurate. The extra capacity is something the other revolvers fall way short of.
Ruger Mark III 22/45 10150 22 LR, $300 (March 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The grip angle of the 22/45 makes it a natural pointer. The trigger was heavy but consistent.
The Shield Sight offered a huge sight window,
making dot acquisition fast.
Taurus TX 22 Competition 1-TX22C151 22 LR, $419 (March 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
For the price, the TX22 is a great option, though we downgraded it a half point due to the higher trigger-pull weight. The Crimson Trace RAD Micro Pro has a small screen, but it still worked fast.
Diamondback Sidekick DB0500A001 22 LR/22 WMR, $288 (May 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Sidekick’s switchable cylinders are quite an innovation. The double-action trigger press is nothing to write home about, while the single-action trigger press is easily the best of the test. The pistol is accurate enough for most uses. We found sight regulation to be slightly off, but it would have been easily fixed.
Ruger LCP II 22 LR, $380 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The LCP II offers a 10-round capacity in a super-lightweight package that is fairly easy to shoot. We had initial jams, but with break-in, the little gun ran well. We like that Ruger ships the pistol with a pocket holster.
Heritage Mfg. Barkeep Model BK22B2GPRL 22 LR, $190 (May 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This Heritage is a fun and inexpensive revolver. It shot to point of aim and can be upgraded with a 22 WMR cylinder. The grips were loose, and that is the trade-off for saving $500 compared to the Ruger.
Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper Model 0915 22 LR, $575 (May 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
We liked the accuracy and size of this diminutive stainless revolver. It was easy to shoot and carry in a coat pocket. We thought the sharp edges and ill-fitting grip panel were misses.
Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper Model 0918 22 LR, $505 (May 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This longer-barrel model balanced heavier at the muzzle end. It was also very accurate. We thought Ruger should have fixed the sharp edges on the ejector head.
Ruger Wrangler No. 2004 22 LR, $250 (May 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Wrangler is reliable, the action is smooth and positive in operation. Accuracy is the best of the test. The revolver suffers little from the inexpensive construction compared to the Ruger Single Six, but the feel is different.
Traditions 1873 Rawhide Rancher PVC SAT73-22250 22 LR, $229 (May 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Chiappa-made Traditions revolver is modified to a transfer-bar system. This makes the revolver more desirable. The Traditions revolver also features a hammer-spring tensioner. In all regards, it blows the similar Chiappa variant out of the water.
Ruger Model LCRx 5439 22 WMR, $599 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The LCRx is light weight, offers a great grip, and had good accuracy. The double-action trigger pull was very heavy. We would have liked increased cylinder capacity and a different front sight.
Glock Model 44 11921822 22 LR, $359 (December 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The G44 is a great training and transitional gun for those with a G19. It is a compact-size pistol that is fun to shoot without the recoil or expense of a G19. We wish Glock provided a higher-capacity magazine and a muzzle adapter. This gun did not exhibit the malfunctions of a sample we tested in the June 2020 issue, thus the higher grade.
KelTec P17 22 LR, $199 (December 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The P17 is a super-lightweight and compact plinker that is surprisingly accurate. The trigger pull was mushy, but we adapted, and the fiber-optic sights offered good contrast. Reasonable price.
Taurus PT-22 22 LR, $250 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The PT-22 had a nice, smooth DAO trigger pull, and the grip was more hand filling. The slide-retraction effort took 15 pounds, and there is not a lot of slide texture to grip.
Ruger LCRx 5435 22 LR, $470 (April 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The LCRx is lightweight and would make a nice kit gun if that were the only consideration. Accuracy was only okay due to the heavy trigger-pull weights in both DA and SA. We think the cost is too high for this revolver, and even though it grades out acceptably, we probably wouldn’t buy this gun.
KelTec P17 P17GRN 22 LR, $200 (November 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
At less than $200 with three magazines, this is a bargain as a plinker. However, the superior accuracy and performance of the others is a counter point.
Walther WMP 5220300 22 Magnum, $549 (April 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Reliable, and the most accurate tested here. The 15-round magazines are the easiest to load of the test. The sights are rated above the rest. The only complaints were the bulk and size of the pistol. It is large for its chambering, and its trigger reach challenged some shooters.
Taurus Model 942 2-942M029 22 WMR, $309 (April 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Upside: The 942 offers an 8-shot capacity. Downsides: It is heavy, so concealability in a pants pocket is not practical. The weight does negate recoil, though recoil with the cartridge is minimal anyway. Trigger pull was heavy. Accuracy was mediocre.
Glock G44 Compact 11921822 22 LR, $367 (June 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The raters liked the Glock 44. A combination of light weight, modest recoil, and Glock handling make it a winner in the hearts and minds of Glock fans. We did not like the reliability issues. As a trainer, it gets high marks. We would rather have this handgun than a 22 LR conversion unit.
Ruger LCP II Lite Rack 13705 22 LR, $299 (June 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The LCP II 22 is fun to fire, which is seldom true of even the best small 380 ACPs. The LCP II excels as a rimfire trainer for the LCP II 380. The LCP II is the lightest and least accurate handgun tested. But it holds as many rounds as the other two and is more reliable than the Glock.
Cimarron Plinkerton ASPLINK1 22 LR, $172 (June 2020)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The inexpensive Cimarron offered all we expected in a rimfire single-action revolver, but you have to live with rough fit and finish. It did not shoot to point of aim, but it was accurate.
OTHER GUNS TESTED
Beretta 21A Inox Bobcat 22 LR, $419 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
The 21A Bobcat is a classic mouse gun that reminds us of an Italian sports car: When it ran, it ran well. When it ran was the issue. It carried well, but we had low confidence in it due to multiple jams. We’d work with this by firing different types of ammo through.
Walther TPH 22 LR, $500-$1000 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
If you are a Walther fan, you will like this pistol. We feel the price does not justify purchasing the pistol, though the performance was good, as were the sights and trigger in single-action mode.
Heritage Mfg. Barkeep Model BK22B3GPR 22 LR, $190 (May 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: C
This Barkeep did not shoot to point of aim. The grips were better fitted, and the finish is thin. We liked the balance of this gun, but we cannot be bothered with a revolver that does not shoot to point of aim.
Chiappa 1873-22 No. 340.250 22 LR, $185 (May 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE C
The Chiappa is a 10-shot revolver with credible finish. The accuracy isn’t terrible, but it is disappointing. The action was its greatest demerit. We did not expect a slick-feeling handgun at this price, but we did want one we could use well. We would not purchase the Chiappa.
Ruger Wrangler Birdshead 2030 22 LR, $250 (May 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: C
The Wrangler is a well-made handgun. There is no faulting its reliability. The Wrangler Birdshead handles well and is fast into action. The problem is the sights. The sights simply fade out and are difficult to see, making its practical accuracy the poorest of the three revolvers tested.
