I’m looking for the best .22 pistol for long-term prepping use, ideally something I can depend on in a collapse situation. Not trying to start a caliber war; I already own a 9mm, but I want a .22 for specific reasons:

• Ammo is cheap and easy to stockpile. I can afford to stack thousands of rounds without going broke.

• Low recoil. Easy to train with, teach others, and shoot all day without fatigue.

• Quieter than centerfire options (especially useful if using subsonics or suppressed).

• Good for small game or deterrence without overkill.

This would be more of a utility pistol: light defense, hunting small game, barter potential, and backup use. I’d like something reliable that can run dirty, doesn’t need constant cleaning, and ideally has a decent mag capacity.

Should I go with a semi-auto like the Ruger Mark IV, SR22, Taurus TX22, or stick to something ultra-reliable like a revolver (Ruger LCR-22 or Taurus 942)? Budget matters, but I’ll spend more if the reliability is worth it.

What do you guys trust in a long-term grid-down scenario?