When I first became interested in target practice, my father would always say to look for the best guns. I didn’t listen. After all, it all depends on how you shoot, right? Well, after having my experience with multiple firearms, I came to a conclusion. No matter how good you shoot, with faulty equipment, we’re all novices.
This is why I set out to find the best .22 pistol for both me and my readers. The Ruger SR22, along with a few others, stood out to me. Of course, it has its flaws. But seeing the other horrendous products on my buying list, I guess it’s my best shot.
Read on to learn more about the Ruger SR22 and follow a link at the end to avail the best deal.
Things to Consider While Buying .22 Pistols
The Ruger SR22 is a .22 LR (Long Range) pistol and, before buying one, you need to know what to look for. Generally, you can very easily estimate overall quality. But scammers are becoming more and more advanced. And it is becoming easier to fool people.
- In general, look for durability. I can’t stress this enough. Durability is verified by a good exterior and a strong interior. Most pistols include a polymer blend exterior frame. The internal barrel also includes nickel or some other alloys. Stainless steel is a great candidate as well.
- Secondly, look for an ergonomic design. Basically, if it’s easy to use, it’s worth it. I found that the Ruger is a relatively easy gun to fire from. But you can’t say the same about every other .22 handgun. Look for ease of use and portability.
- Speaking of portability, getting a handgun that can be used for concealed carry is a massive plus point. Most people love to keep their handguns by their side at all times. Decide on whether you want to use it for concealed carry or not. Nevertheless, having a small gun handy is a good idea.
- Aside from that, price and availability are a major factor to consider. Prices should be within your budget. But for .22 LR guns, they should remain below $1,500 and above $300. I would recommend buying one which is approximately $600 to $800 but, of course, feel free to flex if affordable.
- Safety features are the next thing to look for. You might accidentally fire a handgun during concealed carry. So you’ll want something a bit more reliable. An automatic locking feature for the hammer or a decocking mode seems best. This is featured in the Ruger SR22, so more on that later.
Presenting the Ruger SR22
So, what’s so great about the Ruger SR22? Is it the lavishly accurate shots? The gorgeous exterior gloss? Perhaps it’s the Picatinny style rail at the bottom that can hold anything? In my experience, it’s a whole lot more!
The Ruger SR22 is a semi-automatic long-range pistol introduced by Sturm, Ruger & Co. The gun itself is not your average .22 handgun. It features a 3.5-inch stainless steel barrel with a black anodized slide finish. The slide includes a reinforced aluminum construction while the frame includes a black polymer construction.
The one thing that stood out about the Ruger SR22 is that it can be used in concealed carry. It weighs only a mark above 17 ounces and will fit right inside your waist belt or fanny pack. I would recommend the Ruger for users who want to use it for concealed carry. However, I wouldn’t recommend this Ruger product for double action shooting.
It’s also not the best for customization. There’s only so many pieces of equipment you can attach to the rail. But even then, the Ruger is a solid 8 out of 10 from my side.
Pros
- Short barrel length and light weight make it best for concealed carry
- Accurate for informal shooting in single action mode
- The flawless finish makes it resistant to trauma and blunt force
- Easy to field strip. Swabbing and feed ramping are trivial
Cons
- Not suitable for double action shooting. Harder to shoot
- You cannot customize it too much
Key Features
Concealed Carry
Concealed carry means to carry the gun in public in a hidden manner. You can easily carry handguns and pistols in waistbands or holsters. In my experience, I’ve found that not all .22 pistols and firearms are good for concealed carry.
The Ruger SR22 is a great candidate for carrying in public. The barrel length is 3.50 inches and the overall length of the entire handgun is 6.40 inches. This makes for the best candidate for concealed carry.
Even the weight is on the low. It weighs around 17.5 ounces, so you won’t need to worry about putting too many of them on our belt. With a holster, you can pull out the Ruger and use it for self-defense. It’s a matter of life and death, so being extra cautious is a must.
As a suggestion, I recommend the Ruger SR22 for differently abled persons or for those who can’t operate a heavier gun. It is certainly much more portable than its 5-inch counterparts. Many people can’t take the full force of the recoil from heavier guns so a smaller gun like this Ruger is better for them. Both men and women can use it. And it is best for the elderly as well.
Accuracy
With regards to the accuracy, my opinions were a bit wavering. At one point, I was fully sure that the Ruger was the best shooter in town. At another, I struggled to get excellent results. That partly has to do with the particular product you might get.
As stated in the product’s intro, the Ruger SR22 is best suited for single action (SA) shooting. When tested, the Ruger gave tremendously accurate results from only five yards away. Upon pushing the target 15 yards, the pistol was still pretty good, although it seemed to have a left offset.
You can easily correct the offset using a plain screwdriver. If you’re unsure how to consult a gun dealer. This may cause you extra inconvenience. The offset wasn’t in a few other models I tested, so it’s certainly a manufacturing fault. Still, it’s pretty disappointing.
I can’t give you a sound verdict. But if you do happen upon the good product, you’ll be living the life. Even at a distance of 20 yards, the accuracy is maintained. You can even shoot single-handedly up to a certain distance. CandReview did a great accuracy testing for the SR22.
Sight System
The Ruger SR22 uses a three-dot sight system that can be adjusted. The front sight is a fixed white-dot sight, and the rear sight is fully movable. The blade on the sights is reversible. When shooting, the sights and the crosshairs are an essential aiming tool. You can’t really shoot without seeing where you’re hitting.
Buying a handgun with adjustable sights means that you can change your field of vision and get a more accurate shot. This helps you decide on which position is best for shooting.
Finish and Frame
The finish and frame make-up of a handgun is the most major factor that influences performance. If you talk about the Ruger SR22, then expect some major performance standards. The main grip frame of the Ruger is made from a polymer blend. This means that you get both resilience and a neat matte finish.
Aluminum coats the slide, while the barrel is made from stainless steel. Both of these come together to make the SR22 one of the most strong and resilient handguns ever. Getting durability both inside and outside is extremely important. If you want some quality features, then durability must never be compromised on.
The blade of the gun has an anodized black finish. With regards to the overall looks, the Ruger is the most handsome .22 pistol. It trumps all the others with its glamorous gloss parts and matte frame. The outside is jet black and matte, while the interior is pure silver. I especially loved the ergonomic design of the trigger.
Alternatively, the trigger was harder to pull during double action shooting. But for a single action, I would definitely suggest the SR22 to my readers. It’s packed with beauty and charisma.
Cleaning and Stripping
Cleaning and stripping a handgun can be tedious. Field stripping means that the gun needs to be easy to disassemble. Assembly and reassembly of the Ruger SR22 are par easy. It’s effortless. I used a cotton swab to clean out the interior. Getting off any residual gunpowder from my Ruger was a walk in the park. The steel barrel makes cleaning super easy.
If you use a special cleaning solvent, then the Ruger will work for that too. Check out this helpful video for tips on field stripping your SR22. Overall, cleaning the Ruger will certainly save you some time.
Customization
Customization helps to keep things personal. Ruger’s SR22, like most other handguns from Ruger, features a Picatinny rail. The rail can be used to hold almost anything. From flashlights to extra sights and aiming gear.
However, the extent of this is limited. You can’t attach anything else to the rail. And the reliability of the rail itself is doubtful. So, for now, the customizability of the SR22 is a50/50 split. It can be great for small equipment but there certainly is a limit.
Two Round Magazines
Last but not least, and perhaps one of my most favorite parts about buying from Ruger, is the extra feature. This SR22 model comes with over fifty different designs. What’s more, it comes with two round magazines included. I don’t know about you but a few extra magazines are great for concealed carry.
Each magazine can hold up to 10 rounds, so you’ll have enough in case you need it in public. For shooting, keep a few magazines handy. I especially liked this feature, although I see other companies catching up on the extra goodies. Overall, the Ruger SR22 is a great gun for an even greater value.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 5-inch small barrel length and 17.5 ounces weight make it perfect for concealed carry. Keep the SR22 in your pockets, waistband, holsters, fanny packs, or keep it in your purse
- Can hold up to 10 rounds per magazines. Comes with two magazines included. Makes for the most sophisticated and easiest to handle a gun
- It has intense accuracy. It can shoot very accurately from as far as 15 to 20 yards. In fact, you can even use it for single-handed use up to seven yards away
- Best for cleaning and field stripping. Can be cleaned very efficiently with cotton swabs and solvents. The interior and barrel are both easy to clean
- The matte black finish makes the Ruger the most handsome out of your collection
- The trigger is easy to pull and hard to accidentally pull in single action mode. Safety features include a decocking mode
Cons
- Not best for double action shooting. When I used it, I noticed that the trigger was relatively harder and grittier to pull. This seems best for avoiding accidental shooting, but it’s pretty discouraging
- Customization is minimal. You can use the Picatinny rail for flashlights and aiming But the extent is limited. Furthermore, you can only add a few other things on to the rail
- Some models had lower accuracy than others. Specifically, one which I tested had a slight left offset or printing. This means that the bullets were going left of where I aimed. A screwdriver fixed it in no time, but still. The extra inconvenience let me down
- The polymer frame isn’t the strongest. It seems like the blend they used may break under trauma. But I’ll let this one pass since most guns have some breaking point
General User Impressions
Of course, when it comes to buying a good product, you need to look at what other users are saying. Personally, I tried my best to stay neutral and point out the flaws. I even bought a few different models to make sure I didn’t just get a good one. Even so, another customer’s experience can save you from a bad purchase.
After a close analysis of the top five websites, it seems that people were generally pretty happy with the Ruger. It seems that most people had a good gun which won’t jam. However, some said that it jammed after a few months.
The ergonomics are mostly opinionated. But most users were happy with how firm the grip was. The frame was easy to hold and the triggers were easy to fire. I didn’t see much about double action use. The sight system gives high-quality vision and is as clear as day. Even if it gets dirty, it’s relatively easy to clean.
I and a multitude of other customers agreed that the Ruger SR22 was extremely easy to field strip and maintain. The cleaning process was superb and easy.
Our Opinion
If you ask me, the Ruger SR22 Pistol is an overall 8 out of 10. Although it seems closer to a 7.5 due to the double action shooting. For the overall look and the style, I would rate this gun a 9 out of 10. It’s both gorgeous and handy. The grip is both strong and sturdy, and the pistol fits right into your hand.
As for the accuracy, that would also be a 9 out of 10. The Ruger SR22 is capable of shooting accurately from even 20 yards away or more. Although some models may have a slight offset or printing. Nevertheless, I loved how easily you can aim with the Ruger. However, be sure to test out the accuracy before using it. That way, you’ll know if there’s an offset error or not. Correct it with a screwdriver.
With regards to the portability, I actually quite liked the concealed carry capability. The short barrel length and the light weight makes it most suitable for concealed use. I actually recommend this best for people with different abilities or for those who are generally not familiar with the recoil of larger guns. It’s best for self-defense.
Other than that, I would certainly not recommend the product for double action shooting. The trigger becomes increasingly harder to pull, and the reliability of the aim decreases. So, while I loved the single action use, I would never suggest it for double action usage.
If you do plan on buying the Ruger SR22 (I highly recommend you do), be sure to get it at a good value. It’s increasingly easier to fall victim to scams and counterfeits. Be sure to only buy the original product. And remember to always avail a return policy wherever you can.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Ruger SR22 best for?
The Ruger SR22 is number one in a number of things. Two of the most outstanding features were accuracy and portability. It’s best for concealed carry and for long-range shots.
What safety features does the Ruger SR22 have?
This Ruger product comes with a decocking safety. It will lock down the hammer to stop any accidental rounds from firing. It’s a great safety feature.
Can the SR22 be dry-fired?
Yes. Even the manual says so. The Ruger SR22 can be dry-fired without causing any significant damage to the firing pin. This is yet another great feature of the Ruger SR22
Conclusion
So, all in all, if you’re looking for the best and most portable handgun, the Ruger SR22 is your best choice. It will help combat the difficulty of concealed carry and will make use in public easier. It’s my favorite handgun for both self-defense and recreational shooting.
Now you know why I love the Ruger so much. If you still have any confusions, I suggest reading the article again. It’s packed with info. I did as much as I could on my part. Now, if you’re interested in buying the Ruger SR22 Pistol, then click here:
And, as always, have a safe shooting experience!
Hi loved your review. I have one of these sr22 on the way. I have read everything that made sense and it sounds like a winner. Thanks.
Thank you for the candid review! I love Ruger products and was wanting to buy the SR22! I definitely will pse one soon!
Great feedback on your review. Ruger,s SR-22 is a very dependable gun and you won’t have any disappointments. Highly recommended.
I just bought the ruger SR22 recently and i love the little gun. In fact – I chose this one over the glock 44. I got 3 clips with mine and again – I love the feel, the slide works effortlessly and it is a great buy.
Bought the SR22 for my wife. The gun comes with two grips that can be interchanged, and one is great for her, the other great for me. For now, we are only target shooting, though I may get the CCP down the road. I also have a Ruger Mark IV, and a Ruger 10/22 rifle…I love the Ruger products. Your review was spot-on, and discussed all the good and not so good (nothing really bad..LOL!!) points of this pistol. Thank you for a great review.
Is a Ruger sr22 semi auto pistol, legal in California? Help
22 LR means 22 Long Range? Really?
I own a SR22 for two months now and shooting consist to the left even at three yards , i adjusted the rear sight as for over until only one dot was visable, brought back to the gun dealer where i purchased the gun and waiting on his results from shooting range. Does anybody else have the same problem?