The rimfire handgun market has seen a major shift in recent years, with many manufacturers moving toward slide-operated .22 LR pistols designed to mimic full-size centerfire handguns. While those designs have proven useful for training, Beretta is taking a different approach with its new B22 Jaguar—returning to the fixed-barrel principles that have historically delivered the best accuracy and reliability in rimfire pistols.
The Beretta B22 Jaguar is a brand-new design built from the ground up. Despite sharing a name with Beretta’s historic Jaguar pistols of the past, this modern version is engineered specifically for range use, competition shooting, and introducing new shooters to the sport. It focuses on performance, ease of use, and mechanical reliability rather than simply copying the look and function of centerfire pistols.
Why Modern Rimfire Pistols Drifted Toward Slide-Operated Designs
In recent years, many .22 LR pistols have adopted slide-operated systems that closely resemble popular centerfire handguns. These designs use a reciprocating slide similar to what you’d find on a defensive 9mm pistol, allowing shooters to train with nearly identical controls, grip, and handling characteristics.
This trend has been driven largely by the demand for affordable training tools. Shooters can practice with inexpensive .22 LR ammunition while maintaining familiarity with their centerfire carry guns.
However, these slide-operated designs often sacrifice some of the core mechanical advantages that traditional rimfire pistols offer. The .22 LR cartridge is rimmed, which can create feeding challenges if the pistol’s geometry isn’t optimized for it. In addition, the moving slide mass can introduce more variables that affect accuracy compared to fixed-barrel systems.
Beretta’s new Jaguar deliberately moves away from that trend.
Fixed Barrel and Blowback System Designed for Accuracy
The Beretta B22 Jaguar uses a blowback-operated action with a fixed barrel—a design long considered ideal for rimfire accuracy. Instead of using a traditional reciprocating slide, the pistol uses an internal bolt that cycles within the upper receiver.
This fixed-barrel system offers several advantages. Because the barrel does not move during firing, it maintains consistent alignment with the sights, which improves accuracy. This design also reduces mechanical complexity and helps ensure reliable feeding of rimmed cartridges.
The pistol features a 5.25-inch barrel threaded 1/2×28 TPI, allowing shooters to attach suppressors, compensators, or other muzzle devices. A thread protector comes standard on certain models.
The Jaguar also uses a hammer-fired, single-action system with the hammer concealed within the frame, providing a crisp and consistent trigger pull.
Magazine and Feeding Optimized for Rimfire Reliability
The B22 Jaguar feeds from a 15-round single-stack magazine specifically designed to optimize the feeding angle of .22 LR cartridges. This is important because rimfire cartridges stack differently than centerfire rounds, and improper alignment can lead to feeding issues.
To make loading easier, the magazine includes a follower button that allows shooters to manually lower the follower while inserting rounds. This reduces strain on the fingers and helps ensure consistent loading.
The pistol also features ambidextrous and reversible controls to accommodate both right- and left-handed shooters. The magazine release is reversible, the manual safety is bilateral, and the ejection direction can even be configured for either side, though doing so requires additional parts.
Competition-Ready Features Built In
Beretta clearly designed the Jaguar with competition and performance shooting in mind. The pistol includes a fully adjustable rear sight paired with a fiber-optic front sight for fast target acquisition and precise adjustments.
The upper receiver includes a machined-in Picatinny rail, allowing shooters to easily mount optics such as red dots. Additionally, M-Lok slots at the front of the upper receiver provide attachment points for accessories.
The grip frame features checkering on both the front and rear straps to improve control and handling, especially during extended shooting sessions.
An accessory rail under the barrel allows users to mount lights, weights, or other accessories commonly used in competitive shooting.
Easy Disassembly and Customization
One of the standout features of the B22 Jaguar is its ease of maintenance. The pistol can be disassembled without tools, making cleaning and servicing simple and convenient.
The fire control components are housed within a removable chassis, which opens the door to potential upgrades and modifications. Grip panels are also removable, allowing shooters to customize the feel and fit of the pistol.
This modular design suggests that the Jaguar could develop a strong aftermarket following if it gains popularity among competitive shooters and enthusiasts.
Two Models Available for Different Shooters
Beretta offers the B22 Jaguar in two main configurations.
The Tac Metal model features an all-black finish and includes a threaded barrel with a thread protector. This version has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $749 and is designed as a versatile option for range and training use.
The Metal Competition model is more performance-oriented. It features a brown grip frame and barrel paired with a gray upper receiver. This version comes factory-equipped with several performance upgrades from Tandemkross, including a Steam Demon muzzle compensator, Accelerator Thumb Ledge, upgraded front sight, and an adjustable textured trigger.
The Competition model also includes three sets of interchangeable grip panels to fine-tune ergonomics and retails for $969.
Additionally, Beretta offers variants with unthreaded barrels and 10-round magazines for compliance in restricted jurisdictions.
A Return to What Makes Rimfire Pistols Great
With the B22 Jaguar, Beretta is clearly prioritizing performance over imitation. Instead of simply building a rimfire pistol that looks like a centerfire handgun, the company has returned to proven rimfire design principles that emphasize accuracy, reliability, and ease of use.
By combining a fixed barrel, optimized feeding geometry, competition-ready features, and modern modularity, the B22 Jaguar positions itself as a serious option for target shooters, competitors, and anyone looking for a high-quality rimfire pistol.
For shooters who value precision and reliability over cosmetic similarity to centerfire pistols, the Jaguar represents a thoughtful return to fundamentals—updated with modern features for today’s shooting world.