How many manufacturers of .22 handguns are there? That will be just about the same number of recommendations that you will get. You probably should have made up a survey to find out which ones would be the most popular. I probably have 5 or 6 .22 pistols, but my favorites are my Ruger MKIIs.
I see someone recommended the sig. I know a lot of people had problems with them jamming, make sure you use the light spring in place of the regular one for most ammo. I am a total sig fan, but the sig .22 had some problems that way. As for the best, can you really go wrong with a S&W model 17 with a 6" barrel to have fun with?
I have two .22 handguns that I prefer. One is a Ruger Mark III, 5 in bull barrel, stainless/synthetic. The other is a 10 shot S&W with a 6 in barrel, stainless with custom wood target grips. Both shoot very accurately and function flawlessly. Go to your local gun shop and handle the various models and if possible shoot some of them. Then pick the one that you like the best.
I have 3 22's that I shoot, a Ruger Mk II 5" heavy barrel (this one is more like my grandaughter shoots), a S&W 317 and a S&W 617. They are all a pleasure to shoot, but I honestly like the 317 best, it is so lightweight that you barely know you are carrying it and it is very accurate. I also have a Benneli M95E, awesome gun, but I never shoot it.
I now use a browning buckmark. And wouldn't want to upgrade it for anything else. I chose a model called the " practical" . For the money I think it's impossible to beat at this time.
I have two (2) .22lr Ruger revolvers....an 4" SP101 in .22lr and a Single-Six with a 6.5" barrel. The Single-Six is by far the most accurate, but I can still match up with a 10/22 in the 25 yard range with the SP101! I had a Ruger Hunter .22lr semi-auto, which wasn't too bad...but the Ruger Revolvers are the most accurate (and fun to shoot) .22lr handguns that I've ever shot!
My vote would be any name brand revolver. they don't care what ammo you feed them,short, long, long rifle, or buckshot.
I went to the range yesterday with two revolvers and a beretta 21a and a walther p22 and three types of ammo. The semi auto's would not feed any of them with any degree of reliability.
The revolvers on the other hand were flawless, one a Taurus 94 and a 70 year old H&R top break that I usually shoot buckshot out of (my big game chipmunk gun).
I say get a gun that is built around the round being fired...go with a ruger mark 2 or 3....many guns are designed to emulate firing a larger round...if u are looking for a reliable gun in 22....this is it....if u want a gun that simulates pracitce on a larger pisstol ...get a sig mosquito
Phoenix arms HP22 with 3in and 5in barrel. Mine has been flawless over thousands of rounds. I paid $150 for it about three years ago. One of the best handgun purchases I have ever made, I highly recommend it for a first time shooter.