Opinion: This wonderful article first appeared on AmmoLand Information in November of 2024 and seems right here now with contemporary updates.
The world of small, cheap .22 pistols is rising virtually as quick because the striker-fired 9mm market. Rimfire weapons from virtually each main producer have hit sellers’ cabinets inside the previous few years. I personal a few them… a S&W Victory and a Kel-Tec P17. For round $200, the Kel-Tec is a reliable shooter, and the Victory prices extra so I anticipated it to work as deliberate. However, there’s one other one on the market that prices a contact greater than the Kel-Tec that’s promoting like sunscreen in a nudist colony… the Taurus TX22.
TAURUS TX22 T.O.R.O .22LR Pistol
Stay Stock Worth Checker
Launched in late 2019, the TX22 got here out with a bang (pun supposed). Weapons ‘n Ammo named it the Handgun of the 12 months in 2019, and it has solely gotten higher since.
I reviewed that unique TX22 a few years in the past and was curious how they may have modified it since then and what extra fashions had been accessible. The principle distinction between the compact TX22 I had earlier than and this one is that the compact mannequin makes use of a shorter, flush-threaded barrel that requires an extension to be connected earlier than you may cling something on the barrel. This TX22 has an extended barrel that makes use of a easy thread protector. The distinction between this protector and most others is that this thread protector is nearly the identical diameter because the barrel, so that you don’t must take away it to field-strip the pistol.
Why I Like It
Light-weight. The factor barely weighs 17 ounces unloaded.
Capability. This gun comes with one 22- and one 16-round journal. The extension on the longer magazine lets you get a greater grip.
Construct high quality. Taurus-bashers have complained in regards to the firm’s merchandise for an excellent whereas. However… beneath new management, the corporate has made nice strides in turning issues round. They’re releasing well-made, progressive merchandise at engaging worth factors. And, if it’s a must to ship in a gun you purchase from them, they’ve lower restore occasions down. This gun is an instance of the “new” Taurus.
Optics lower. Mount a Defend RMSC optic-footprint pink dot with no sweat.
MIL-STD-1913 accent rail. The mud cowl sports activities a two-slot rail, so a lightweight or laser buy could be so as.
Match. The gun’s ergos are nice. The grip has a really slight finger swell on the entrance strap, with a hand-filling palm swell on the again. The texturing is excellent for this .22’s recoil.
Cleansing is straightforward. The gun simply comes aside like many more recent .22 pistols — I’ll contact on that later.
Lightening cuts. The slide has cuts that scale back the general weight of the gun with out sacrificing operate.
Sights. Sights are suitable with different Taurus fashions. The one dot is up entrance… producers are studying that many shooters don’t want dots on the rear sight.
Thumb Security. I’m not a fan of thumb safeties on some pistols, however for individuals who like them, there are ambidextrous security levers on this pistol.
Guarantee. The guarantee on the TX22 is a restricted lifetime guarantee, higher than the one-year one they’d supplied earlier than.
Worth. Final however not least, we now have the gun’s MSRP. The complete-meal-deal record worth on this little shooter (at the very least the one I’ve – there are 17 fashions within the line) is $363.99. Not unhealthy in any respect, contemplating what you get – the gun, two hi-cap mags, a magazine loader, lock, and a lifetime guarantee.
Specs
Now, for the specs from the Taurus web site and my observations…
FRAME SIZE: Full
ACTION: SAO, Striker-Fired
BARREL LENGTH: 4.60 In., threaded
OVERALL LENGTH: 7.06 In.
OVERALL HEIGHT: 5.44 In.
OVERALL WIDTH: 1.25 In.
OVERALL WEIGHT: 17.30 Oz. (Unloaded)
TWIST RATE: 1:10-inch RH Twist
GROOVES: 6
FRAME MATERIAL: Polymer
FRAME FINISH: Black
SLIDE MATERIAL: Aluminum
SLIDE FINISH: Onerous Anodized Black
BARREL MATERIAL: Alloy Metal
BARREL FINISH: Matte Black
SAFETY: Handbook Security, Striker Block, Set off Security
TRIGGER PULL WEIGHT: 4 lbs, 11 oz. measured
PICATINNY RAIL: 2 slots
T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Prepared Possibility) Defend RMSC footprint
Construct High quality
Capturing The TX22
I’m lucky – blessed, actually – to have a spread in my yard, so I grabbed some home made targets, ammo, and listening to protectors and headed there. The targets had been arrange at 20 yards.
I additionally grabbed my Garmin Xero C1 Professional chronograph. It really works properly and doesn’t want wires, sky screens, sensors, and so forth. It’s the dimensions of a Go-Professional digital camera on a tiny tripod that sits in your taking pictures bench. It’s a game-changer.
Anyway, listed below are the outcomes. I shot 4 targets from the bench…
Aguila 40-grain RN, 1098 fps. Like different targets I shot as we speak, this one exhibits 4 pictures in a good bunch and one flyer.
Norma TAC-22 subsonic. Once more, 4+1 within the group.
That is beginning to develop into a behavior, this 4+1 factor. A minimum of the 4 had been within the black!
Lastly, right here’s an offhand goal shot by certainly one of our sons at about 20 yards. The gun could be very correct, total, for its supposed goal.
Including all of it up, the TX22 is as correct because it must be for plinking, tin-can-rolling, casual goal taking pictures, and looking at nearer ranges. I used to be really impressed that the gun’s iron sights got here zeroed. The pink dot didn’t enhance accuracy that a lot with the ammo I attempted. I’d advocate that, if you happen to purchase this or any .22 pistol, you get your palms on all of the .22 ammo you’ll find and take a look at all of it. Twenty-two weapons are typically choosy about what ammo they like and don’t like.
When it comes to ammo choice, I attempted one thing with the S&W Victory that’s not precisely new, nevertheless it helped me. After taking pictures many various .22 hundreds, I discovered one of the best ones that produced the tightest, best-centered teams and lower these goal facilities out. I preserve them within the field with the gun for fast reference. I’ll try this with any .22 pistol I add to the gun protected, together with the Kel-Tec talked about above. It saves numerous time and aggravation since there are such a lot of totally different manufacturers and hundreds in .22 LR.
Cleansing
The TX22 comes aside like many fashionable .22 pistols. One factor to recollect when stripping a .22 like that is, don’t attempt to pull the slide off the entrance of the body as you’d with a centerfire. Right here’s the drill…
Take away the journal and ensure the gun is empty. Test the chamber twice to verify it’s clear. Pull the set off.
Wrap your hand across the again of the body and the highest rear of the slide.
Pull the slide again about 1/2″.
Pull down the takedown lever contained in the set off guard and gently elevate the slide up and off the body.
Separate and clear the barrel, spring, slide, and so forth. as you’d any pistol.
When placing the gun again collectively, place the slide over the body with about 1/2″ overhang from the entrance. This could line the body rails up with the slots within the slide. Press the slide down after which rack it. This can cock the striker and make the gun good to go.
TAURUS TX22 T.O.R.O .22LR Pistol Conclusion
Shooters on the lookout for an affordable .22 pistol so as to add to their assortment ought to give this one a glance. Right here’s one thing else to consider… not like another .22s available on the market, the TX22 is designed to substitute as a coaching gun for a 9mm carry gun – the Taurus G3. It’s roughly the identical dimension as that pistol. You may apply drawing from a holster, drills, and so forth. with this pistol and shoot it loads for not a lot cash. That’s one use.
One other use I’d like to attempt is as a squirrel gun. I’m a type of weirdos who wish to hunt with a pistol. Stick a pink dot on the gun, choose the right ammo, sight it in, and head to the woods.
Regardless of how you employ it, the purpose is… you’ll use it. It’s enjoyable to shoot, very correct, and dependable. With a road worth of slightly below $300, I don’t assume you may beat it. As our Aussie pals would possibly say, “good on ya, Taurus!”.
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved taking pictures and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Dwelling in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged writer, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
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