One of the most intriguing debuts at SHOT 2026 wasn’t a flashy tactical rifle or a suppressed pistol— it was Beretta’s B22 Jaguar, a rimfire rifle born not from corporate boardrooms but from the ground up, literally. Picture this: a team of Beretta engineers, hunters, and shooters started with a blank slate, prototyping in the dirt and dust of real-world ranges rather than CAD screens alone. The result? A lightweight, modular .22LR platform with a hammer-forged barrel, adjustable stock, and suppressor-ready threading that screams versatility for plinking, small game hunting, or training the next generation of shooters. Unlike Beretta’s usual Italian elegance, the Jaguar feels ruggedly American—affordable at around $400 MSRP, with easy field-stripping and a 10-round rotary mag that nods to reliability over gimmicks.
What makes this from the ground up origin story a game-changer for the 2A community? In an era where Big Gun dominates with high-volume imports and cookie-cutter ARs, Beretta’s grassroots approach signals a refreshing pivot: listening to end-users before mass production. They’ve sidestepped the usual pitfalls of over-engineered rimfires that jack up prices or compromise on ergonomics, delivering a rifle that punches above its weight class against established players like the Ruger 10/22 or CZ 457. For new gun owners—especially those dipping toes into ownership post-Bruen—this democratizes quality .22LR ownership, fostering skills without breaking the bank. It’s pro-2A pragmatism: more rifles in hands means more proficient defenders of the right, and Beretta’s proving legacy brands can innovate humbly to stay relevant.
The implications ripple wider. As ammo costs stabilize and youth training programs boom, the B22 Jaguar could flood competitions and family ranges, subtly bolstering the case for expanded carry and ownership by showcasing safe, fun firearms. Watch for aftermarket support to explode—custom stocks, optics rails, you name it—turning it into a tinkerer’s dream. Beretta didn’t just build a rifle; they reminded us that true innovation starts where the rubber meets the range dirt. If SHOT 2026 proved anything, it’s that the future of firearms thrives on real-world grit, not just hype.
