Dating to 1887, the .22 Long Rifle is quiet, has almost no recoil and is the cheapest cartridge to shoot. Nearly every shooter should own a .22.
Rimfire ammunition can be less reliable than centerfire, so expect an occasional dud and handle misfires safely: keep the muzzle pointed safely and wait before opening the action.
A .22 bullet can travel more than a mile. Treat it with the same respect as any firearm and always know your backstop.
Always use only the ammunition marked on your firearm’s barrel or slide, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance.