These Gun Manufacturers Make the Best .22 Handguns

A gun-related lawsuit in New Mexico has just been dismissed by the Supreme Court. The state had previously sued gun manufacturers, claiming the companies were aware of illegal trafficking of their weapons. However, the $10 million suit was dropped, with Justice Kagan stating that the manufacturers’ knowledge of illegal activity does not constitute liability on […] The post These Gun Manufacturers Make the Best .22 Handguns appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Jun 10, 2025 - 13:12

These Gun Manufacturers Make the Best .22 Handguns

A gun-related lawsuit in New Mexico has just been dismissed by the Supreme Court. The state had previously sued gun manufacturers, claiming the companies were aware of illegal trafficking of their weapons. However, the $10 million suit was dropped, with Justice Kagan stating that the manufacturers’ knowledge of illegal activity does not constitute liability on their part. The huge win for firearm manufacturers like Smith and Wesson was based on the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which protects manufacturers against legal action, as long as they are not “aiding and abetting.”

As any gun lover knows, there are multiple styles of firearms in the gun market for a variety of sports and uses. One popular type is the handgun, which is conveniently designed to be operated with one hand. These easy-to-carry guns are used by both law enforcement and civilians. Additionally, they come in a variety of calibers.

Handguns outfitted with a .22 long rifle cartridge are known as .22 handguns. This specific caliber of handgun is recognized for several factors, including a wide range of use and low recoil. The ammunition required for this gun, along with the gun itself, are both economical options that do not cost a fortune to purchase or maintain. Civilians often use this weapon for target shooting.

In 2022, there were 18,784 licensed gun manufacturers in the United States. With so many options, how do you make sure you’re choosing the best .22 caliber handgun for you? 24/7 Wall St. is here to help. We used data from the ATF to identify which 21 companies are making the most popular .22 caliber handguns in the nation. We reviewed manufacturing figures for thousands of federally licensed gunmakers and ranked them on .22 caliber handgun production volume in 2022.

This post was updated on June 10, 2025 to include the Supreme Court’s handling of the New Mexico lawsuit against gun manufacturers.

Why It Matters

Firearm sales in the U.S. hit historic highs both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Guns also continue to provide significant economic benefits. Directly and indirectly, the U.S. arms and ammunition industry generated over $90 billion in economic output in 2023 and employed over 384,000 Americans, according to the industry advocacy group National Shooting Sports Foundation. Demand for specific firearms, like .22 caliber pistols, has been a boon for gunmakers in recent years.

Here are the top gun manufacturers for .22 caliber handguns:

21. Henry Repeating Arms Company

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 2,176 (99.8% pistols, 0.2% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Mare’s Leg
Henry RAC .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): New Jersey and Wisconsin
Henry RAC’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 365,867 (0.6% .22 handguns)

20. Bond Arms, Inc

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 2,630 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Honey B, Stubby, Stinger, BP22
Bond Arms .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Texas
Bond Arms’ total domestic firearm production in 2022: 52,104 (5.0% .22 handguns)

19. Great Lakes Firearms and Ammunition

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 4,050 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): GLFA .223 Wylde
Great Lakes Firearms .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Michigan
Great Lakes Firearms’ total domestic firearm production in 2022: 21,198 (19.1% .22 handguns)

18. IWI US, Inc

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 4,369 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Galil ACE
IWI .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Pennsylvania
IWI’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 49,122 (8.9% .22 handguns)

17. Volquartsen Firearms

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 4,897 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Black Mamba, Scorpion, Mamba-TF
Volquartsen .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Iowa
Volquartsen’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 9,021 (54.3% .22 handguns)

16. Standard Manufacturing

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 7,827 (0.6% pistols, 99.4% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): SG22, Jackhammer, Switch Gun, S333 Thunderstruck
Standard Manufacturing .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Connecticut
Standard Manufacturing’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 14,585 (53.7% .22 handguns)

15. Trailblazer Firearms

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 8,135 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): LifeCard
Trailblazer .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): North Carolina
Trailblazer’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 8,753 (92.9% .22 handguns)

14. North American Arms

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 10,765 (0% pistols, 100% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): NAR BBS, NAR HG, NAR 22MC
North American Arms .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Utah
North American Arms’ total domestic firearm production in 2022: 10,770 (100.0% .22 handguns)

13. Outdoor Colors

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 10,811 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): N/A
Outdoor Colors .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): North Carolina
Outdoor Colors’ total domestic firearm production in 2022: 51,527 (21.0% .22 handguns)

12. Radical Firearms

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 11,359 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): 5.56mm AR Pistol
Radical .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Texas
Radical’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 121,600 (9.3% .22 handguns)

11. Beretta USA

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 13,260 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): M9, 21A Bobcat, 92FSR
Beretta .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Tennessee
Beretta’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 180,447 (7.3% .22 handguns)

10. Phoenix Arms

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 16,214 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): HP22A
Phoenix .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): California
Phoenix’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 17,300 (93.7% .22 handguns)

9. Diamondback Firearms LLC

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.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 18,776 (33.6% pistols, 66.4% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Sidekick
Diamondback .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Florida
Diamondback’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 123,025 (15.3% .22 handguns)

8. Browning Arms

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 39,131 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Buck Mark, 1911-22
Browning .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Utah
Browning’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 47,996 (81.5% .22 handguns)

7. Smith & Wesson

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 67,780 (75.4% pistols, 24.6% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Model 63, Model 48, M&P 22, SW22 Victory
Smith & Wesson .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Massachusetts and Missouri
Smith & Wesson’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 973,994 (7.0% .22 handguns)

6. Glock

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 74,158 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): G44
Glock .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Georgia
Glock’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 465,117 (15.9% .22 handguns)

5. Kel Tec CNC Industries

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 83,367 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): P17, CP33, PLR22
Kel Tec .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Florida
Kel Tec’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 196,118 (42.5% .22 handguns)

4. Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc

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.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 114,325 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): TX 22, 942
Taurus .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Georgia
Taurus’ total domestic firearm production in 2022: 287,650 (39.7% .22 handguns)

3. Sig Sauer

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 155,876 (100% pistols, 0% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): P322
Sig Sauer .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Arkansas and New Hampshire
Sig Sauer’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 2,346,752 (6.6% .22 handguns)

2. Heritage Manufacturing

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 286,870 (0% pistols, 100% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): Barkeep, Rough Rider
Heritage .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Georgia
Heritage’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 308,040 (93.1% .22 handguns)

1. Sturm, Ruger & Company

.22 cal. handguns manufactured domestically in 2022: 289,528 (64.9% pistols, 35.1% revolvers)
Popular .22 handgun model(s): LCP II, SR22, Mark IV, GP100
Ruger .22 handgun manufacturing location(s): Arizona, Connecticut, North Carolina, and New Hampshire
Ruger’s total domestic firearm production in 2022: 1,565,743 (18.5% .22 handguns)

The post These Gun Manufacturers Make the Best .22 Handguns appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..