I’ve wished a “PDW” fashion .22 for variety of years now.
I had an early Ruger Charger, nevertheless it was earlier than braces have been frequent, and it didn’t have a threaded muzzle. I offered it at one level and all the time supposed to get one other newer mannequin as soon as the braced chassis turned out there.
I’ve checked out a bunch of construct choices over latest years however was glad I waited once I noticed the brand new Franklin Armory F22 Pistol at SHOT Present this yr. It was precisely how I might have constructed my “PDW” idea, and got here full with a binary set off from the manufacturing unit.
The F22 Pistol
Let me begin by saying I’m probably not advocating a .22LR construct as a PDW. Not that I’d need shot with one, however I totally notice the restrictions of the spherical.
Whereas I’m utilizing the time period PDW, it’s extra to outline the fashion than indicating that try to be utilizing a .22LR for protection. I do know some people do, however that isn’t what I’m right here. I take a look at these builds as a enjoyable SMG/PDW-style gun that’s straightforward and inexpensive to shoot.
Franklin Armory’s F22 is constructed on the acquainted Ruger 10/22 fashion platform. With that mentioned, Franklin makes their very own receiver, with some enhancements over a inventory Ruger mannequin.
It comes with a built-in Picatinny receiver rail, so it’s prepared for the optic of your alternative. The left aspect is marked F22, Franklin Armor,y and Minden, NV, the place it’s made. The end is matte black anodizing.
The F22 makes use of an 8-inch barrel, which is threaded to the favored 1/2-28 pitch. It comes with an A2 flash hider, however accepts different frequent muzzle units or suppressors. The bolt meeting makes use of an enhanced firing pin that improves primer detonation reliability. Hooked up to the bolt is an prolonged knurled charging.
The set off, after all, is the Franklin Armory BFSIII 22-C1-P. Not solely does it enable binary fireplace, nevertheless it additionally provides a pleasant, crisp set off pull in semi-auto. The protection is a 3-position lever comparable in placement and operation to that of the later M1 Carbine safeties. The set off pack additionally options an prolonged journal launch lever.
The F22’s barreled motion rides in an SB Tactical chassis. The chassis has a Picatinny rear rail suitable with M1913 equipment, and comes with an SB Tactical FS1913 brace put in. The chassis has an integral ambidextrous metal QD sling socket above the B5 Techniques P-Grip 23 pistol grip, and two MLOK slots on either side of the forend.
Franklin Armory’s F22 ships with one 10-round Ruger BX-1 journal and is available in a padded plastic onerous case. It’s suitable with many aftermarket Ruger 10/22 parts, so you possibly can tweak it nonetheless you want. MSRP is $1,089.99.
First Impressions
Once I noticed the F22 at SHOT, I knew I must get one. Whereas it’s suitable with most any 10/22 components, it was already configured precisely how I might have set one up if I constructed it from scratch. The 8-inch barrel and side-folding brace make for a useful and compact setup. It may be simply stuffed right into a backpack, making it a useful camp gun.
Construct high quality is excellent. I’ve used Franklin Armory’s triggers earlier than, however had by no means labored with their full weapons. Trying over the F22, you possibly can see that it’s a premium setup. Match and end are glorious, and the options are effectively thought out. They added the entire customized touches that customers would add to inventory 10/22’s, however nothing superfluous.
The Gideon Storm DPP
Because the F22 doesn’t include any sights, I had my alternative of what to mount on it. I’ve been messing with Gideon optics this summer time and had a Storm DPP inexperienced dot out there that seemed like match. The Storm has an easy-to-pick-up 6 MOA dot.
It’s comprised of 7075-T6 plane aluminum housing, options IPX7 waterproofing, and is shock-resistant to 1000 Gs. It includes a power-saving Shake-to-Awake mode that extends the lifetime of the CR-1632 battery to tens of hundreds of hours by getting into sleep mode after 255 seconds with out motion.
When you should shoot, the reticle mechanically returns with a easy wrist gesture. The Storm includes a side-loading battery tray, eliminating the necessity to take away or re-zero the optic for battery modifications. MSRP is $229.99, and it’s backed by Gideon’s lifetime guarantee, which is tough to beat.
The Storm DPP is designed for direct slide set up on the Sig Sauer P320 and different Delta Level Professional-machined slides, and it additionally includes a Picatinny mount. With the Pic mount added it was fast and straightforward to drop on the F22’s high rail.
The optic top labored out effectively with the F22’s SB Tactical brace. The large open window and crisp dot made goal acquisition straightforward, both from the shoulder or when utilizing the pistol with the brace folded.
To Brrt or To not Brrt
I’ll be sincere, with a binary set off on a .22LR platform, it’s onerous to only not shoot binary on a regular basis. The video above reveals a full 25-round magazine dump, which took below 5 seconds. Except for burning by way of a variety of ammo, you’ll additionally miss out on all the things else the F-22 is able to, although. I’ll say, although, that binary is enjoyable!
.22s could be feed-picky typically, particularly whenever you’re working rounds by way of as quick as you possibly can with Franklin’s BFSIII set off. I did get the occasional jam however usually talking, it runs like a beast with the fitting ammo and magazine mixture. With manufacturing unit 10 spherical BX-1 mags, like what include the gun, it just about runs completely. Nevertheless, 10 rounds isn’t any enjoyable, so I undoubtedly used bigger magazines for a lot of my binary taking pictures.
I had one Ruger BX-25 mags and three Excessive Tower Armory RM-25 spherical mags. I used to be instructed by the manufacturing unit rep that the Ruger BX-15 magazine was a candy spot for balancing capability and performance, however I didn’t have a kind of available to strive.
The BX-25 carried out effectively and customarily ran tremendous. I discovered, although, that the Excessive Tower Armory mags have been somewhat extra persistently dependable. I used a Pace Beez Lever Loader for a lot of my taking pictures with the F22. After the primary session and manually loading a bunch of 25-round mags, I picked up the loader, which made issues go quite a bit quicker. To not point out simpler on the fingers.
Feed and Reliability
CCI’s AR Tactical and Federal’s Automatch rounds ran greatest on binary in thew F22. CCI Mini Mags have been my subsequent best choice, adopted intently by Federal’s American Eagle load. CCI’s Clear masses have been okay, though the subsonic variant wouldn’t cycle the F22’s motion. That isn’t unusual although.
Most .22’s I’ve used don’t cycle in semi with the subsonic Clear load. Mt Ruger 10/22 doesn’t cycle it both. I additionally had some outdated Remington Thunderbolts and I had blended reliability with these. Shorter “bursts” helped with reliability too, versus simply working that set off as quick as you probably can. Though magazine dumps are fairly enjoyable.
In semi-auto mode, Franklin’s F22 just about all the things besides the subsonic load ran simply tremendous. And that’s the place I’d once more say to not get fixated on the binary and check out the F22 as a daily semi-auto too. The set off is sort of first rate with a crisp let-off. Franklin’s 8-inch barrel produced superb accuracy outcomes as effectively.
Accuracy (Plus a Bunch of Plinking)
Whereas the outdated Remington Thunderbolts have been the least dependable rounds in binary fireplace, they really produced surprisingly correct outcomes. From a bench relaxation at 25 yards I used to be getting ½ to ¾ inch teams from these.
The CCI AR Tactical was my subsequent greatest load with teams averaging ¾ to 1 inch. Federals American Eagle averaged 1 1.8 inch teams and CCI Purple Clear rounds have been proper behind them at 1 ¼ inch. CCI’s Minimags averaged 1 ½ inch teams and Federal’s Automatch 1 ¾ inch teams. The subsonic CCI Blue Clear load introduced up the rear with 2 inch teams. That’s okay although since I gained’t be utilizing these anyway since they don’t cycle the motion.
Taking pictures teams is important typically, however type of boring. Sorry severe goal shooters. I a lot favor taking pictures metal or reactive targets and Franklin Armory’s F22 thrived in these settings.
Operating my golf equipment plate racks with the F22 was a blast. It was quick in semi, and the Gideon’s inexperienced dot and massive window made transitioning from plate to plate fast and straightforward. Switching to binary was enjoyable. I’d both hit the plate with a quick binary double or typically two earlier than they’d drop, then I’d transfer on to the subsequent plate.
I additionally did a bunch of taking pictures at empty plastic jugs and my Caldwell Self therapeutic Targets. Should you settled down on a jug in binary mode you possibly can actually shred it. If I wished to maintain them round somewhat longer I’d hit them with a pair fast binary doubles and get them bouncing, then chase them throughout the backstop. I’d do the identical with the Caldwell targets, which stood as much as the fast fireplace .22’s a lot better than a budget plastic jugs.
It’s Not a Actual PDW, However….
I do know I began by saying that the F22 Pistol isn’t actually a PDW, nevertheless it does deal with like one. Whereas it’s a binary, and never a pressured reset set off, you possibly can nonetheless spit rounds out amazingly quick if you wish to.
Most likely the extra sensible method to make use of the F22, although, is to make use of the binary for fats double-taps. That labored effectively on the plate rack. Simply ensure that to replenish on mags and ammo that your gun likes. You’ll want them.
You may take a look at the F22 Pistol, or the rifle variations, at Franklin Armory’s web site.
The place To Purchase
