The SR22 does not share design and ergonomic commonalities with the striker-fired centerfire Ruger SR-Series pistols and mechanically deviates significantly.

The SR22 has a straight blowback-type action, and features a stainless steel barrel that is fixed to the frame.

Furthermore, the SR22 features a double-action/single-action trigger system with a rounded-spur external hammer, and has a visual inspection port in the form of a hole in the top of the slide and the back of the barrel that functions as a loaded chamber indicator.

The pistol is very lightweight thanks to its aluminum slide and polymer frame, and also comes with interchangeable rubber grips for different-sized hands.

[2] The Ruger SR22 is equipped standard with an ambidextrous thumb safety/decocking lever, and magazine release.