Best Rimfire Guns Under $500 (Black Friday 2026)
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If you're shopping for a low-cost, low-recoil gun for a new shooter, a family range day, or just cheap plinking fun, you don't need to spend much. This guide rounds up the best rimfire rifles under $500 for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2026, plus two .22 LR handguns worth considering for the same budget. All five picks are chambered in .22 LR, a round known for inexpensive ammunition and mild recoil that makes it a common choice for teaching new shooters. Prices below were checked Nov 5, 2026, and retail prices change daily — always confirm the current price before you buy.
Quick picks: best rimfire rifles under $500
- Best classic plinking revolver: Ruger Wrangler (4.62 in, black Cerakote)
- Best all-around .22 rifle: Ruger 10/22 Carbine (hardwood)
- Best rimfire pistol: Taurus TX22 (16-round)
- Best lever-action for tradition and feel: Henry Classic Lever Action .22 (H001)
- Best bolt-action for accuracy practice: Ruger American Rimfire (22 in, synthetic)
Comparison table
| Model | Key specs | Price checked Nov 5, 2026 | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruger Wrangler (4.62 in, black Cerakote) | .22 LR single-action revolver; 6 rounds; 4.62 in cold hammer-forged barrel; transfer bar mechanism; 30 oz; 10.25 in long | $219.44 at Blackstone Shooting Sports (MSRP $269) | Check price at GunDeals |
| Ruger 10/22 Carbine (hardwood) | .22 LR semi-auto; 18.5 in cold hammer-forged barrel; 10-round rotary magazine; adjustable sights plus scope base; 5 lb; 37 in long | $239.39 at Blackstone Shooting Sports (MSRP $349) | Check price at GunDeals |
| Taurus TX22 (16-round) | .22 LR pistol; 4.1 in barrel; 16+1 rounds, two magazines; external safety; accessory rail; 17.3 oz | $246.74 at Blackstone Shooting Sports (MSRP $287) | Check price at GunDeals |
| Henry Classic Lever Action .22 (H001) | .22 LR (also .22 Short/Long); 18.5 in round blued barrel; 15-round tube magazine (.22 LR); American walnut stock; adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight; receiver grooved for scope rings | $365.39 at Blackstone Shooting Sports (MSRP $440) | Check price at GunDeals |
| Ruger American Rimfire (22 in, synthetic) | .22 LR bolt action; 22 in barrel; 10-round rotary magazine; fiber-optic sights; 3/8 in scope base; modular stock; 6 lb; 41 in long | $380.09 at Blackstone Shooting Sports (MSRP $469) | Check price at GunDeals |
The picks
Ruger Wrangler (4.62 in, black Cerakote)
Best for: New shooters who want a simple, affordable single-action revolver for casual plinking.
Key specs: .22 LR single-action revolver, 6-round cylinder, 4.62 in cold hammer-forged barrel, transfer bar mechanism, 30 oz, 10.25 in overall length.
We picked the Ruger Wrangler because it's one of the cheapest ways to get a Ruger-built revolver with a transfer bar safety system, which prevents the gun from firing unless the trigger is pulled fully. At $219.44 against an MSRP of $269, it's the least expensive item on this list.
Trade-offs: a single-action revolver is slower to load and unload than a semi-auto pistol, and the sights are basic — fine for close-range plinking, less so for precision work.
Ruger 10/22 Carbine (hardwood)
Best for: Anyone who wants one all-around .22 rifle for range days, small-game practice, or teaching.
Key specs: .22 LR semi-auto, 18.5 in cold hammer-forged barrel, 10-round rotary magazine, adjustable sights plus a scope base, 5 lb, 37 in overall length.
The Ruger 10/22 Carbine has been a staple rimfire semi-auto for decades, and the hardwood-stock version keeps the price under $240 against a $349 MSRP. It comes with a scope base already in place if you want to add optics later.
Trade-offs: the factory sights and trigger are basic compared with upgraded 10/22 variants, and the rotary magazine holds only 10 rounds, so budget for spares if you plan on longer range sessions.
Taurus TX22 (16-round)
Best for: Shooters who want a modern, higher-capacity .22 LR pistol for plinking and practice.
Key specs: .22 LR pistol, 4.1 in barrel, 16+1 round capacity with two included magazines, external safety, accessory rail, 17.3 oz.
The Taurus TX22 stands out here for its magazine capacity — 16 rounds is more than twice the Wrangler revolver's six — and it ships with two magazines plus an accessory rail for a light or laser. At $246.74 versus a $287 MSRP, it's priced close to the 10/22 Carbine.
Trade-offs: as a semi-auto polymer pistol, it requires more routine cleaning attention than a simple revolver, and some shooters find a lightweight .22 pistol less natural to aim than a rifle with a stock.
Henry Classic Lever Action .22 (H001)
Best for: Shooters who want a traditional lever-action feel and a classic walnut-stocked rifle.
Key specs: .22 LR (also compatible with .22 Short and .22 Long), 18.5 in round blued barrel, 15-round tube magazine in .22 LR, American walnut stock, adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, receiver grooved for scope rings.
The Henry Classic Lever Action .22 brings a walnut stock and a blued barrel to the lineup, along with the flexibility to shoot .22 Short, Long, or LR. At $365.39 against a $440 MSRP, it's the mid-priced option on this list.
Trade-offs: loading the tube magazine takes more time than a detachable box magazine, and the lever action is slower to cycle than the semi-auto 10/22 or TX22.
Ruger American Rimfire (22 in, synthetic)
Best for: Shooters focused on accuracy practice who want a longer barrel and fiber-optic sights out of the box.
Key specs: .22 LR bolt action, 22 in barrel, 10-round rotary magazine, fiber-optic sights, 3/8 in scope base, modular stock, 6 lb, 41 in overall length.
The Ruger American Rimfire has the longest barrel of the group at 22 inches and comes with fiber-optic sights plus a scope base, which makes it a straightforward option if you plan to mount an optic for target practice. At $380.09 against a $469 MSRP, it's the highest-priced pick on this list, but it still lands comfortably under $500.
Trade-offs: the bolt action is slower to shoot follow-up rounds than the semi-auto 10/22, and its 41 in overall length makes it less compact for storage or travel than the other rifles here.
Why .22 LR
.22 LR is popular for new shooters and family range trips for a simple reason: ammunition is inexpensive compared with centerfire calibers, and the recoil is mild enough that flinching and bad habits are less likely to form early on. That combination makes it easier to focus on fundamentals — grip, stance, trigger control, and sight alignment — before moving on to larger calibers. It's also a practical, budget-friendly way to get more trigger time per range trip.
First-range-trip checklist
Before heading to the range with a new rimfire gun, make sure you (and anyone with you) have the basics covered:
- Eye and ear protection for everyone on the line
- A safe backstop appropriate for .22 LR at an approved range or shooting area
- Unloaded storage when the gun isn't in use, away from children
- A lock or a quick-access safe for home storage
- Check your state and local laws before buying or gifting a firearm — some states restrict certain models, magazine capacity, or how a gun can be transferred
If you're building out a range bag, cover the essentials first: eye and ear protection, a basic cleaning kit, and a lock or safe for the trip home.
Every firearm purchase or gift goes through a licensed dealer and must follow federal, state, and local law. Professional training is also worth the investment for first-time shooters.
Where to find the current deal
Black Friday and Cyber Monday prices move fast, and retailers often adjust stock and pricing multiple times a day during the holiday weekend. For the most current numbers on these and other guns, check our daily deals page for today's best deals. Before you buy, compare the final price, shipping cost, and return policy — a lower sticker price isn't always the better deal once shipping and restocking terms are factored in.
FAQ
When do the best prices on rimfire guns usually appear?
Based on past holiday shopping patterns, the best prices tend to show up during Black Friday week through Cyber Monday. This year that's Nov 27 through Nov 30, 2026. Prices checked for this guide are from Nov 5, 2026, so expect further movement as the holiday approaches.
How do I choose between the Ruger 10/22 and the Taurus TX22?
The 10/22 is a rifle with a stock, which many new shooters find easier to aim steadily, while the TX22 is a compact pistol with a higher round count per magazine (16 rounds versus the 10/22's 10-round rotary magazine). If you want a traditional rifle for range days, the 10/22 fits; if you want a higher-capacity pistol for plinking, the TX22 is the better match.
What should I buy alongside my first rimfire gun?
Beyond eye and ear protection, plan for a cleaning kit, a lock or safe for storage, and extra magazines if your pick uses a detachable magazine (like the TX22 or 10/22).
Is .22 LR enough for a first-time shooter, or should I start bigger?
For most new shooters, .22 LR is a practical starting point because of its low recoil and inexpensive ammunition, which allows more practice time to build fundamentals before moving to larger calibers.