Here's What You Need to Remember: The guns covered thus far in this article are consumer-oriented pistols that have found their niche in the world of hobbyist target shooters. One handgun that is strictly a target pistol is the Walther SSP.

If the old phrase “only accurate guns are interesting” is true, then target pistols are the most interesting guns of all.

Target pistols are highly specialized guns that have only one overriding requirement: accuracy. Weight, concealability, energy on target, and other factors useful in judging most guns go out the window. Unlike other guns, for example, it can be very useful for a target gun to be very heavy, resulting in a weapon that is impractical for everyday use but a rock-solid shooting platform. Here are five typical target guns.

Ruger 10/22:

The Ruger 10/22 is the king of target guns, combining versatility, configurability, and commonality in an affordable platform. Gun designers Willian Ruger and Harry Sefried created the 10/22 as an all-in-one rifle meant as a training firearm for young people, a small game/varmint rifle for outdoorsmen and ranchers, and a versatile, all-around weapon. The 10/22 is chambered in .22 Long Rifle rimfire caliber, resulting in a low recoil rifle that shoots inexpensive ammunition.

The rifle action easily detaches from the factory stock and the gun is easy to disassemble, allowing custom the installation of aftermarket buttstocks and trigger parts, and the barrel is easily swappable to install heavier, shorter, or fluted versions. The result is an inexpensive gun that can be gradually scaled upward as a target shooter continues to invest in the hobby. Interest from the target community even prompted Ruger to introduce a pistol version of the 10/22, the Charger.

Model 20RF:

On the more expensive, feature-filled side of the small-bore rifle spectrum is the New Light Arms Model 20RF bolt action rifle. The only thing that the Model 20RF shares with the 10/22 is the .22LR caliber round. The New Light Arms rifle is a bolt-operated rifle, as opposed to a semi-automatic rifle, and comes with high-end parts right out of the box. The rifle includes a 22-inch Douglas barrel, Timney trigger, and Talley scope rings. The rifle, paired with Federal Gold Medal Match, scored significantly higher in accuracy compared to other small-bore target rifles. All of that comes at a price, however, and the 20RF is approximately six times more expensive than a stock 10/22. The rifle comes from the factory in a kevlar/carbon fiber stock in either sporter or bench rest configurations.

Browning Buckmark:

In production since 1985, the Browning Buckmark has become a favorite of target shooters looking for an affordable pistol. The Buckmark is a medium frame, heavy barreled blowback-operated pistol that also fires the .22 Long Rifle rimfire round. Made of 7075 T-6 aluminum alloy, the Buckmark is CNC machined to exacting tolerances. The pistol is typically outfitted with  Pro-Target sights, allowing a fine degree of adjustment to the rear sights and a green fiber optic sight in the front. Almost all models are drilled and tapped for attaching a scope or other aiming device, and newer models are fitted with a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. The trigger is a single-stage trigger with a short break, and the bull barrel not only increases accuracy but also reduces recoil.

Smith & Wesson Victory:

In 2015 Smith & Wesson retired its main target pistol, the S&W 22A. The hole in the company’s product line was quickly filled with the Victory, a .22 LR rimfire pistol that, like the Browning Buckmark, used the blowback principle to cycle the pistol. An all-steel gun, the Victory is heavier than Browning’s offering--all the better to absorb relatively low recoil. The pistol features a 5.5-inch heavy bull barrel, fixed front and rear fiber optic sights, and a five-pound, two-ounce trigger pull.

Walther SSP Target Pistol:

The guns covered thus far in this article are consumer-oriented pistols that have found their niche in the world of hobbyist target shooters. One handgun that is strictly a target pistol is the Walther SSP. Designed for professional competitions, the SSP is a semi-automatic handgun designed with an ergonomic grip that makes the pistol an extension of the user’s hand. Individual grip grooves fit to individual fingers, and the addition of a shelf at the bottom of the grip locks the shooter’s hand in place. The pistol has a low bore axis and rear sights actually extend beyond the rear of the receiver in order to increase the distance between the front and rear sights. The SSP is a .22 Long Rifle pistol but is also very lightweight, using a pneumatic recoil dampening system instead of weight to keep sights on target. Unique among the guns on this list the SSP features a two-stage trigger.