Best 22 Pistol Scopes – Light On The Hand, Heavy On The Target.

I know a few hunters that would chuckle at the thought of using a scope on their pistol. Some of the Best 22 Pistol Scopes that can be a major upgrade from an iron sight and go a considerable distance in providing pinpoint accuracy.

I think we can both agree that they’re missing out. The .22 LR is a quick, lightweight bullet that has a variety of applications. I don’t see why you shouldn’t enhance this with a good sighting device.

Top 5 Best 22 Pistol Scopes

However, pistol scopes are gaining popularity, and the market is becoming a confusing place. There’s an array of scopes with different features that will make your head turn in all directions. Well, stop spinning, we’re here to help. We scoured the market for some of the best devices out there and brought them here for you to devour. Go ahead.

Leupold is one of the most well-known and trusted optics companies out there with scopes to suit every purpose.

This pistol scope comes armed with the proprietary Twilight Max light management system that brings together superior light transfer, high contrast, and glare minimization to provide you and your .22 with more playtime. This scope will work really well if you want to take your pistol out in dim lighting conditions. The glass is scratch and abrasion-proof for consistent clarity.

I think the duplex reticle is simple and apt. for a pistol. You can aim precisely without any fuss. The fixed 4x magnification allows you to shoot some mid-range shots with your pistol as well. The eye relief is super long at 18 inches. I can’t complain about it. The windage and elevation turrets are easy to operate. It’s a light and portable device with a nice finish.

The scope is undoubtedly recoil resistant and has been tested on this function. The aluminum body is well constructed. You don’t have to worry about internal fogging thanks to the nitrogen purging. I always love a lifetime warranty thus making it one of the best 22 pistol scopes.

However, this scope is on the expensive side for a pistol optic. Notably, this scope is also one of my favorite handgun scopes.

Hardly any rifle scope list is complete without this veteran-owned supplier of some of America’s best optics.

The CrossFire series is a crowd favorite. I recommend the 2-7×32 for your .22 pistol. The scope features fully multi-coated glass for optimum brightness and brilliance. I quite like the Dead-Hold BDC reticle, especially for shooting at the upper 7x value. The quick focus eyepiece lets you acquire your target effortlessly. The eye relief averages at about 4.5 inches, which is quite comfortable for me.

If you’re looking for a pistol scope with variable magnification, you can definitely consider this optic. The turrets can be reset to zero quite quickly, and this is of good use on the field. It can hold zero well and that’s why it’s one of the best 22 pistol scopes.

The body is compact and constructed using aircraft-grade aluminum for peak performance. It’s easy to mount on your .22 pistol. It’s water and shock resistant with a sleek matte finish. I like how it came with a sunshade and Vortex VIP warranty.

For the downside, you might find some glare towards the sides of the lens. While you’re at it why don’t you check out our SKS scopes?

Bushnell is an American brand known for its reliable yet affordable sighting devices.

This .22 pistol comes equipped with multi-coated optics and an Amber-Bright coating, which is especially great for hunting deer because it helps you differentiate between the browns for better clarity and acquisition. The 3 MOA red dot reticle that is the perfect size for speedy aim with your pistol. It also comes with 11 brightness settings for added convenience.

I love the unlimited eye relief and tactical style finger adjustable turrets that are quick and precise. The battery on this device lasts a considerable amount of time. Sighting in is child’s play. I can assure you that this pistol scope will hold zero.

The pistol scope is compact and weighs in at only 3oz. The length is only about 2.4 inches, which is great for a handgun. The device is built to be fully weatherproof and shockproof and is incredibly easy to mount,

On a sunny day, the red dot might get a little hard to see owing to its size.

BSA stands for “Better Stay Away”. It’s a brand that provides extremely cost-efficient devices that are clear and user friendly.

Even though the scope comes at an incredible price, the glass is remarkably clear. The 5 MOA red dot reticle is convenient and quite precise. It comes with adjustable brightness to let you shoot in whatever lighting condition you want.

The windage and elevation adjustments on this device are easy to make. It’s easy to zero and can hold this zero as well. I have no complaints with the eye relief. The pistol scope gave me a pleasant surprise for the price.

I appreciate that it came with a sunshade. I love the solid build and easy installation. Again, at under $50, this .22 pistol scope is unbelievable.

However, the mount that is included doesn’t work too well.

Burris is another really popular and trustworthy brand that provides quality optics at a price that will make your wallet smile.

The pistol optic comes with Burris’ proprietary Hi-Lume multi-coating for glare reduction and superior light-gathering capabilities for a crystal clear image even in bad lighting. The second proprietary feature comes in the form of the accurate Ballistic Plex Reticle that takes down targets with elegance. It’s a good reticle for shooting mid-range with your .22 pistol.

I’m quite comfortable with the eye relief of this pistol scope. The elevation and windage adjustment knobs can be operated effortlessly. It can hold zero really well. It lets you acquire your target without any issues. I love both open eyes shooting.

The handgun scope is constructed to resist recoil like a beast. The device feels tough and is definitely quite durable. It’s fog and water-resistant besides being shockproof. Mounting it on the .22 pistol is a breeze. It doesn’t weigh much either. Love the lifetime warranty.

I wish the pistol scope came with some accessories at the high price.

FAQ

Is a pistol scope worth the investment?

Definitely! Why give up on multi-coated optics, fast target acquisition, and convenient magnification when all these features are just a few dollars away? In the long run, the money you spent won’t matter, but this purchase will continue to be one that you appreciate. Once you go pistol scope, you can’t go back.

What’s the difference between a pistol scope and a normal scope?

A lot of you might be wondering why you can’t just mount a rifle scope on a pistol and walk out into the field. Well, technically, you can, but there are some major differences that prove that a pistol scope is better. First of all, rifle scopes are a lot heavier than your average handgun sights because they’re meant to be mounted on well, rifles. The second major difference is the eye relief.

A scope that’s built for a pistol will allow you to shoot comfortably at an arm’s length with a long eye relief while rifle scopes have relatively shorter eye reliefs. Thirdly, a normal rifle scope would shatter with the kind of recoil a pistol provides. On the other hand, pistol scopes are designed to withstand this.

Things to look for when you’re purchasing the best .22 pistol scope

Now that you’re convinced that pistol scopes are the way to go, here are some factors to keep in mind when you’re on the prowl for the best .22 pistol scope:

Magnification

Scopes can come with either variable magnification or fixed magnification. This is simply a matter of preference, and both of these options have their advantages. When it comes to a specific magnification value for a .22 pistol, you should be fine with anything between 2-9x. Don’t go for anything too high for a weapon that doesn’t shoot beyond 100 yards. A lot of shooters also just prefer a 1x magnification for their pistol.

Cost

Pistols and the ammunition that comes with them are generally less expensive than rifles, and they are not really used for a big game. Therefore, it is understandable if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a pistol scope. Most handgun scopes are relatively inexpensive due to the smaller objectives and lower magnifications, so don’t correlate quality with price. You can get top quality scopes under $200 or even $100.

Weight

Your scope needs to be as light as possible. A heavy scope will tire you out and throw off your balance. You don’t want to get shaky because of a pistol scope. Go for something that can be maneuvered easily and helps you move with speed.

Reticle

You don’t need a reticle with bullet drop compensation beyond 100 yards unless you’re planning on getting really ambitious with your .22 pistol. Simple duplex reticles can also work well at this distance. Choose what you’re comfortable with. Illuminated reticles can be nice, but they’re not completely necessary.

Conclusion

That concludes our list of the best .22 pistol scopes. Trust us. The precision is worth a few extra dollars. We’ve listed down scopes with varying price tags in case you don’t want your sighting device to cost more than your weapon or ammo itself. We’ve kept in mind the important factors, but you should brush over them once yourself as well.

I hope you found your pistol-perfect device right here in this list. It’s time to advance with technology and switch over to a better sighting device like the pistol scope. Buy yours right now.