Posted on 02/11/2024 4:19:20 AM PST by marktwain
Semi-automatic pistols dominate the handgun market in the United States. There are ten major manufacturers of revolvers in the United States who made more than ten thousand revolvers each in 2021. 2021 is the latest year on record where the ATF has published the numbers of pistols made by United States manufacturers. There were only five major manufacturers of .22 caliber or smaller revolvers in 2021. There were 40 manufacturers in the USA who made over 10,000 pistols (handguns, not revolvers) in 2021. There were 16 who made over 10,000 .22 caliber or smaller pistols in 2021. This article will look at major manufacturers of .22 rimfire semi-automatic handguns.
A significant number of pistols are handgun variants of AR15 pattern rifles. The ATF numbers do not differentiate between centerfire and rimfire. The AR15 pattern pistols deserve an article of their own. Manufacturers whose major production of pistols is of AR15 pattern will not be included in this analysis. The four Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. licenses will be grouped together. Trailblazer Firearms LLC makes the Lifecard .22 single-shot pistol. They made over 10,000 of the foldable pistols in 2021. The Lifecard will not be included in this analysis. This pares down the field to a manageable eight major manufacturers. Also not included in this analysis is the SIG SAUER P322 which was released in 2022, a year after the ATF’s published numbers were released.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., has four licenses to manufacture firearms. Two of them are in Mayodan, North Carolina, one is in Newport, New Hampshire, and one is in Prescott, Arizona. The North Carolina licenses are reported as making 93,879 and 38,281 .22 caliber or smaller pistols in 2021.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...
What is the lightest
“Beretta, USA, Gallatin, TN, is reported to have made 14,123 .22 or smaller caliber pistols in 2021. Beretta USA makes several versions of their famous tip-up semi-automatic .22s in the USA”
Alas the Bobcat is sleeping (discontinued, again) but its larger sister the Tomcat got a reboot as the 30x including an optics-ready version (!)
I bet the Sig P222 is the hottest seller of a single pistol form.
P222 is the P322. Coffee is brewing.
16 rounds of CCI Stinger would make that a good pocket gun.
Just make sure to keep all your KEL-TECs clean.
That’s the only issue I have had with the brand.
A little dirt can cause major malfunction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjCQdgAj0Ks
Ruger also makes them in what they call the 22/45 models where the grip is aligned like the 1911.
My (sometimes) gf needs a small, 5+ shot .22 revolver, for her first gun. Reasonably priced, not heavy, for small hands. Used is fine.
Any ideas?
(Please, no NAA mini revolver recs lol)
Ruger LCR...
.
Hard to find it but Nice.
Have been thinking about a Ruger Mark IV, I like the feel, aim, and easy disassembly. Thanks for mentioning the Kel Tec, might be wiser to have something smaller to carry. I’ll rent one, and give a shot.
I have the Ruger SR 22. Its a stellar hand gun.
Alloy S&W revolver.
Used?
I remember when the .22 was the most hated firearm by the news media and democrat politicians. In 1970, the Denver Post called for a ban on American Made SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS as foreign ones had been banned by the 1968 gun control law.
The illustration they used for a SNS was a Ruger Mark II, which cost $45 at that time. They considered any handgun priced at below $50 at that time to be a SNS. “Rifles and shotguns will not be affected!” was the promise.
I was in a pawn shop not long ago. I saw an old SNS that sold new in 1968 for $12. They wanted 125 for it.
You will not be disappointed with the Ruger Mk IV 22/45.
Was it an RG? That's the cheapest pistol I ever held.
I still have my Browning Buck Mark from 1994, complete with carrying case, instructions, and two magazines.
Unless you have the older model which does NOT disassemble and re-assemble easily. They made the new right one right AFTER I bought the old model.
Fun guns.
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