0
Our Favorite Rimfire Pistols in 2026
When it comes to teaching a new shooter, keeping varmints at bay, or just having fun, not many pistols come close to the versatility of the rimfire pistol. While it isn’t the best for self-defense, there is nothing a rimfire pistol can’t do.
One of the beauties of rimfire is its affordability, with cost per round coming in at around $0.06 when purchased in bulk (March 2026). That’s a lot of shooting for not a lot of money.
We’ve lined up seven of the best rimfire pistols on the market, so you don’t have to guess at the gun store!
Taurus TX22 T.O.R.O.
If you’re on social media, you’ve likely seen a Taurus TX22 outfitted with a FRT (forced reset trigger) mag dumping recently. Even before the FRT explosion, the TX22 has been one of the rimfire community’s favorite plinking pistols.
Ready for a fun afternoon.
With an accessory rail, an optics-ready slide, and a surprisingly clean trigger out of the box, there isn’t much to complain about with the TX22. It comes standard with both 22-round and 16-round magazines, allowing you to keep the fun going for hours.
SALE 
Taurus TX22 .22LR 16 Round Magazine
159 reviews
Original price was: $25.99.$23.49Current price is: $23.49.
SALE 
Taurus TX22 .22LR 22 Round Extended Magazine
41 reviews
Original price was: $32.99.$29.99Current price is: $29.99.
Out of stock
Best of all, the TX22 is extremely affordable, with certain models going for around $250! That leaves a lot of spare money for mags and ammo.
Smith & Wesson M&P22X
Released in the summer of 2025, the M&P22X brought a much-awaited upgrade to the standard M&P22 Compact. You get everything from an optics-ready slide, an accessory rail, Hiviz fiber optic sights, and a threaded barrel adapter.
With all the money you’ll save on ammo, you can grab a light and optic! Source
No more dinky 10-round magazines either (unless you’re in a restricted state), but instead, you now get two 20-round magazines with every pistol. Each magazine features side-facing witness windows to keep track of your remaining rounds and even a finger recess in the baseplate for quick reloads.
SALE 
Smith & Wesson M&P 22X, FPC .22LR 20 Round Magazine
12 reviews
Original price was: $26.99.$24.99Current price is: $24.99.
Most shooters appreciate the flat-face trigger and ergonomic grip, which make the already low-recoiling pistol shoot even flatter. You’ll spend a few more bucks up front, but you likely won’t be disappointed after shooting it!
FN 502
FN Herstal has been behind some of your favorite firearms for a long time. You know, the SCAR or P90? Of course you do.
The FN 502 is the little guy of the 500 series, like the 509 in 9mm or 545 in .45, which were strong candidates for the U.S. Military’s new pistol trials. It is highly modular and has a ten or 15-round magazine capacity.
This FN 502 is suppressed, sighted in, and ready to go. Source
What we like the most about the FN 502 is that it doesn’t look like other .22 caliber pistols, which are reminiscent of airguns.
The 502 features suppressor height sights and a threaded barrel to boot, so you can get Hollywood-style quiet without spending much money. If you don’t want to use the iron sights, you can always add a red dot sight thanks to the optics cut slide.
The 502 is similar to the 509, so it’s a great training tool for new shooters who want to use it as such, especially if they carry a 509.
Browning Buck Mark
No rimfire pistol list would be complete without mentioning the Browning Buck Mark. Many consider the Buck Mark to have one of the best triggers in its category, and the accuracy groupings you’ll find online prove it.
There are plenty of models available to suit all styles. Source
Discussing all of the various models would keep us here all day and night, but whether you want a classic bare bones model with wood grips or a fancy model like the one shown above with a muzzle brake, fiber optic sights, and overmolded grips, you’ll find one that fits your style within the lineup.
The 10+1 capacity will leave you wanting more, but that’s when you can pick up many more magazines to have on deck!
Ruger MK-IV
Similar to the Browning above, there are a multitude of Ruger MK-IV models. Whether you’re looking for a standard, competition, target, or tactical model, you’ll be in luck.
The Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite has become extremely popular. Source
One thing they all have is a cold-hammer forged barrel, crisp trigger, and an accurate sighting system. Some will have rails for accessories or lightweight, ventilated aluminum receivers, but they’ll all impress in their own way.
SALE 
Ruger Mark IV 22/45 .22 LR 10 Round Magazine (2 Pack)
134 reviews
Original price was: $61.99.$44.99Current price is: $44.99.
Out of stock
Some of the models can get a bit pricey, but the buyer’s remorse will be nonexistent.
Sig Sauer P322
As for another rimfire pistol that doesn’t look like a rimfire pistol, we have the Sig P322, which is the P365 X-Macro, but in .22 Long Rifle.
The P322 can be whisper-quiet. Source
It comes suppressor and optic ready from the factory and has a clear-as-day green fiber-optic front sight. You’ll also find it has an impressive 20+1 capacity, letting you spend more time shooting (or at least giving some varmint a heart attack) and less time reloading.
It can often be found under $400, and if you’re just getting into pistols and want to get familiar, the P322 is a solid option.
Glock 44
Everyone knows and loves Glocks. If you don’t, then you may be in denial.
It’s a Glock. You always know what to expect. Source
Where the Glock 44 lacks in features, the aftermarket support makes up for it. You can easily find an aftermarket 25-round magazine and more than double the standard 10-round magazine capacity. Similarly, you can easily find and purchase a threaded barrel for tons of suppressed fun!
That’s the beauty of Glock.
Conclusion
Rimfire pistols can be used for a multitude of things; just don’t carry one and expect it to have a ton of stopping power, especially in colder months when an attacker will be layered up. Leave that to the 9mms and .45 ACPs of the world.
But when it comes to having fun, training, or keeping critters away from your crops or from under your house, there is no better tool. Ammo is cheap, and these pistols can get the work done effectively.
