I may get slammed for this... but the Ruger SR22 rifle is far the best choice. You get the look you’re after with the reputation of the best 22 auto ever made. And the BX mags run flawless.
I think the SR22 is now kaput. They do make a "tactical" version...kinda.
I own a S&W 15-22, and my good buddy a SR22 (and another, a Mossberg 715T).
I'll say this...the SR22 is just a skinned 10/22 and a 10/22 is still the same very old internals. I owned a 10/22 and while it was reliable, tear down was a serious pain and out of the box, it required some aftermarket parts to make it more user friendly (aka, the bolt hold open, for one...even though hold open on empty is nada).
Once the 15-22 came out, I sold the 10/22 and never looked back. Compared to the SR22, the 15-22 is a snap to tear down. All of the ergonomics of an AR are present and in the correct spots on a 15-22, like the bolt and magazine release, which both function identical to an actual AR. The trigger group is STD AR and can be swapped with any AR trigger on the market. The furniture on mine is also STD equip (actually, mine was the older Magpul edition).
I have beat the gun silly since buying it in Feb of 2011 and the only failure I've had is one factory 25rd magazine breaking. The thing is accurate and runs like a top, as a cheap AR alternative or AR trainer...I really feel it's the best thing going. The SR22 isn't bad...but the 15-22 is better in many ways.
...and don't get me started on that Mossberg...my god...