Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report. This ongoing series is all about the rimfire firearm world, and its various ammunitions, sports, trends, and of course – guns. The saying goes that there is nothing new under the sun and I suppose that is a consequence of us being so familiar with firearms that it takes a lot to impress us. However, I think there is something to be said for flattering imitations or reproductions of guns as we see various companies make their main bread and butter off of such firearms, and some companies like GSG (German Sports Gun) make 22LR replicas of firearms to please their customers. Around the same time as I was testing out the recently released FN502 Tactical Rimfire pistol, I started thinking about some other guns I’d like to see made into 22LR training or plinking implements. So today we’ll be going over the top 5 22LR firearms I’d like to see made for 2022 and beyond.

More Rimfire Report articles @ TFB:

• The Rimfire Report: The High Standard Flite-King 22LR Pistol
• The Rimfire Report: Testing SK High Velocity 22LR Match Ammo
• The Rimfire Report: Field Review of the Savage A22 Precision Rifle
• The Rimfire Report: H&K .22LR MP5 Pistol and Rifle Review

The Rimfire Report: Five 22LR Firearms I’d Like to See for 2022

#1 SIG MPX in 22LR

I love the MPX platform and I think it’s honestly one of the biggest developments for the pistol caliber carbine platform to come out in decades. Despite there being a few generational issues with the MPX platform, the gun itself is an impressive piece of machinery and uses quality parts, including their magazines which are made by Lancer and are tough as nails. Over the last couple of years, it has become almost prohibitively expensive to do high-volume of fire training with 9mm handguns and PCC’s and that is where I think the 22LR cartridge can step in for users of the MPX. I think the correct way to do the MPX in 22LR would be to simply create a 22LR upper for the rig and throw in some magazines that will work with the platform. I might be asking too much but this is a wishlist after all.

#2 A New Whitney Wolverine (not polymer)

Ever since I did my research into the short-lived Whitney Wolverine 22LR pistol, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with finding one. However, since the pistol is discontinued you’ll be hard-pressed to find one in good condition and at an affordable price. While newer versions of the Whitney Wolverine do indeed exist and are much less expensive than the older ones, they just don’t carry the same appeal a the originals and I really wish someone would take up the mantle on what I think was a really forward-looking pistol design.

#3 FN M249 (Or M249S)

Why not? Give me one good reason why you wouldn’t buy one and don’t tell me it’s because it would be expensive. Many private and commercial firearms manufacturers have proven that belt-fed 22LR platforms can be both reliable and practical. While I don’t think there would be any solid tactical use for an M249 or M249S, I do think that reducing the weight of the platform as well as the weight of the ammo would make for a great training implement within a reasonable distance.

Photo: 19FortyFive.com

#4 A Better 22LR Survival Gun

Don’t get me wrong, I like the Henry AR-7 and I also really like the X-22 Backpacker stock that goes with the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. In their own right, these two rifles are actually really great survival rifles and you won’t find ones that are much lighter or more compact on the market – yet. I think with modern manufacturing practices there is the possibility that a much more convenient and compact 22LR survival rifle can be made. What I’m currently thinking in my head is something very similar to the soon-to-be-released (hopefully) Magpul FMG. Right now your best option for quickly deploying a 22LR is to have a pistol and while it may not seem like a big deal, assembling a 22LR survival rifle can take precious seconds while your prey runs off or your threat comes closer. So maybe what I’m asking for is for Magpul to make the FMG in 22LR after its initial release.

Photo: Rifle Shooter

#5 More Production Pistol Variants

I mentioned earlier the FN502 Tactical which I think was a great implementation of an already in-use service pistol – the FN509. Like I said earlier, firearms owners across the board are becoming more conscious of the cost of training and with more shooters entering the market, I think the price of ammo is going to sit where it is for quite some time. That being said, I want more people to train with their guns, not less, and the frequency of training can always be disrupted by the cost of ammunition. So while Glock, FN, and a couple of other manufacturers out there have made reliable 22LR versions of their full-sized or compact carry pistols, I think more manufacturers need to get in on the craze and start giving people more affordable training options (at the very least, caliber conversion kits).

The Rimfire Report: 5 22LR Firearms I’d like to See for 2022

What do you want to see?

I’ve just listed out my top 5 22LR firearms that I’d like to see produced starting in 2022 and beyond. Will any of them come out? Probably not. However, I’d also like to know what you guys are interested in seeing in the 22LR world as well as the rest of the rimfire world as a whole! Let us know down in the comments what 22LR firearms you’d like to see be developed in the future and as always, thanks for stopping by to read The Rimfire Report! 

Photo: Nick C – The Rimfire Report: 5 22LR Firearms I’d like to See for 2022