The video focuses on the top five .22 caliber pistols that offer strong reliability and good value. The host explains that many .22 pistols can be finicky with ammunition, so the primary criteria are consistent function with a wide range of .22 cartridges and reasonable pricing. Usability, trigger quality, and overall shooting experience are also considered. The list is built from pistols the host has personally used extensively. Viewers are encouraged to compare their own top five .22 handguns and suggest future content, including a possible follow-up video on .22 caliber rifles.
Number five is the Walther PPQ 22. Walther is described as having excellent craftsmanship, with notable models like the PDP and Q5 Match. The PPQ 22 inherits the brand’s strong trigger characteristics, offering a clean break, audible reset, and a comfortable feel. It uses metal magazines with about 10-round capacity and has proven very reliable in use. The pistol shown is paired with an RXD optic from a Dead Air and Ruger collaboration. Number four is the Taurus TX22 series, including the compact TX22C with a roughly 3.6–3.7 inch barrel and the full-size TX22 TORO with about a 4.6 inch barrel. On the compact model, the threaded portion is an adapter, while the full-size uses an integral threaded barrel. The compact has a lighter “pencil” barrel compared to the bull barrel on the TORO. These pistols use polymer magazines, run reliably, and are typically found around the $250–$280 price range. The TX22 has also been run suppressed many times, emphasizing how enjoyable .22 pistols can be with a suppressor attached.
Number three is the KelTec PMR30, chambered in .22 Magnum. Although it is not a standard .22LR, it is still a .22 caliber pistol and is highlighted as one of the most enjoyable .22 handguns the host has fired. The PMR30 does not feature a threaded barrel in the configuration shown, so it is not set up for a suppressor. Despite that, it has run very reliably over many rounds with no stoppages reported. The trigger has a small amount of take-up followed by a light break and a positive reset. The pistol has a distinctive KelTec appearance with extensive Picatinny rail space on top and fiber optic sights. Pricing is generally around $350, with some color variants reaching about $400. It is recommended as a training-friendly option for new shooters, offering a loud report similar to larger calibers but with virtually no recoil, somewhat comparable in feel to a 5.7×28 pistol with even less recoil.
Number two is the FN 502, a .22LR pistol positioned as one of the most enjoyable .22s in the lineup. It typically costs around $450, making it more expensive than some of the other options, but it has shown zero stoppages in the host’s experience. The pistol has a substantial feel and weight, more like a full-size 9mm such as an FN 509, rather than a light polymer .22. It features a large barrel profile, suppressor-height sights that allow a clear view over a mounted suppressor, and a hammer-fired action with a clean break, long but distinct reset, and an external safety. The slide is cut for a red dot optic, and the barrel is threaded, making it ready for both optics and suppressor use. FN’s reputation and the pistol’s reliability are emphasized as reasons for its high placement on the list.
Before revealing the top pick, the host mentions two honorable mentions. The Glock 44 is a .22LR pistol priced in the upper $300 range. It uses polymer magazines and closely mimics the feel and controls of other Glock models, making it appealing to shooters already accustomed to Glock ergonomics. The barrel is a slim .22 caliber “pencil” barrel, and the slide’s exterior is polymer. It is not optics-ready and comes with standard Glock sights. The second honorable mention is the Heritage Rough Rider, a .22 caliber single-action revolver typically around $150. It is presented as a very affordable option for families or anyone wanting multiple .22 revolvers for training or casual shooting. As a wheelgun, it suits those who prefer revolvers and want a simple, low-cost .22 platform.
Number one is the Ruger Mark IV, described as a benchmark .22 pistol with many similar designs on the market, such as the Browning Buck Mark and a comparable Smith & Wesson .22. The Mark IV’s profile resembles the classic Luger pistol, though its slide operates at the rear rather than on top. It is a heavy, solid-feeling pistol, contributing to virtually no felt recoil when combined with the mild .22LR cartridge. The model shown has a threaded barrel with a thread protector, allowing easy suppressor use. It includes a magazine safety, so the pistol will not fire with the magazine removed. The trigger is crisp with a short reset. Adjustable rear sights and a raised front sight are present, and various versions exist, including models with a Picatinny rail, models without sights, short-barrel variants optimized for suppressors, and competition configurations in different colors. Typical pricing runs from the upper $400s into the low $500s. The Ruger Mark IV is presented as an essential choice in the .22 pistol world and the clear top pick on this list.
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