Best .22 LR Rifles for Beginners in 2026
We compared 5 beginner .22 rifles from $280–$500 – and tested how ammo brand alone can swing accuracy by 3 MOA in the same gun.
We compared 5 beginner .22 rifles from $280–$500 – and tested how ammo brand alone can swing accuracy by 3 MOA in the same gun.
We compared 5 shooting glasses from $15–$200. Most only meet ANSI Z87.1 – which stops a BB at 150 fps. The Wiley X Saber tops our list and actually meets MIL-PRF-32432.
We compared 5 home defense shotguns from $250–$1,900. Spoiler: 00 buck spreads just 4–5 inches at 7 yards – you still have to aim. The Mossberg 590A1 wins, but ammo choice matters as much as the gun.
We tested 5 IWB holsters from $40–$160. The Tenicor Certum3 wins – but if your holster doesn’t audibly retain the trigger guard, friction is all you’ve got.
We compared 5 top 9mm defensive loads – $0.75 to $1.20 per round – and tested whether they actually meet FBI penetration standards for real-world use.
We compared 5 gun cleaning kits from $15–$130 – and that cheap 150-piece Amazon kit with steel rods is quietly damaging your barrel with every pass.
We compared 5 rifle scopes from $250–$500. Most are SFP – meaning holdover marks only work at max magnification. Two FFP options change that entirely.
We tested 5 budget AR-15s from $399–$700. The IWI Zion-15 wins on barrel quality, but most buyers miss the 3 things that fail first.
We compared 5 pistol red dots from $160–$550. The 507C X2 wins overall, but for daily carry, open vs enclosed emitter matters more than most buyers realize.
Top optics to maximize your .25 Creedmoor afield.