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Tactical 22s: A New Class of Rifles

Tactical 22s: A New Class of Rifles

Mimicking guns such as the AR-15, HK MP5 and SIG 550, tactical look-alikes in .22 LR are more common than ever.

By Angus McClellan, AR Assistant Editor

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11/19/2010

The term “tactical .22 rifle” is essentially an oxymoron. It’s unlikely that a single military or police force on Earth uses .22 Long Rifle arms for small-scale combat operations, at least as primary guns. Nevertheless, this burgeoning class of firearms has taken hold in recent years in the civilian market. With origins dating back to the ever-modular Ruger 10/22, perhaps the most accessorized gun on the planet, up through today’s AR-15 look-alikes, these guns have found a welcome place in the cabinets of varmint shooters, beginning marksmen, and of course those who like to shoot all day with inexpensive, readily available ammunition. And with a generous amount of features previously unseen on .22 Long Rifle semi-automatics, this new class of rifles is well-deserving of a closer look.

For brevity’s sake not every .22 rimfire conversion or .22 Long Rifle tactical-style gun could be covered. But a number of newer models that offer some unique options in a variety of packages were chosen, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

All of these are blowback-operated, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, dedicated .22 Long Rifle arms, and all incorporate varying degrees of polymer and light alloy components. It’s important to emphasize “dedicated .22,” since some .22 conversion kits do not include barrels suitable for .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Rather, they rely on use of the parent gun’s original barrel. The result can be excessive fouling and poor accuracy. Each manufacturer models its gun after a full-size, center-fire rifle or carbine. Picatinny rails abound, and most examples accept a variety of aftermarket stocks, grips and other accessories.

View the Tactical 22 Story Photo Gallery.

Conclusion
In general the guns performed well, despite some lower-end accuracy and the occasional failure to feed. Magazine design was also an issue, since plinking with .22s necessarily calls for continual loading that should be quick and simple. Manufacturing materials, shooting comfort, aftermarket options, reliability, accuracy, price points and personal preference vary considerably, so none of these guns can be called “the best.” And with the host of other .22 Long Rifle “tactical” guns out there, including an MP5-style from HK, and AR-styles from Kies, CMMG and Olympic Arms, among others, there are plenty to choose from for any .22 Long Rifle enthusiast—even if his adversaries are no more "tactical" than empty tin cans.

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Comments

  • VietVet

    5/7/2012 11:33:53 AM

    The fact is that unless the object of your ire is stoned, any bang resulting in a hole will get their attention. It doesn't matter what cal you are flinging at them. If your objective is to make them go away a .22 cal will work. If you want to plant them, a larger cal is preferable. One consideration is a dead target never sued anyone in court.

  • 4jfarmer

    4/30/2012 9:22:26 PM

    these guns are ment,in my opinion, as a fun to shoot target rifle that are affordable to shoot.Everyone has their opinion on the minimum caliber of a self defence round.

  • dguthrie1958

    4/16/2012 10:57:19 PM

    Come on guys and get serious. Quit pretending that a 22 LR is a "GOOD" defense round or that an adversary will stand stock still and all you to unload a 25 rd magazine in his " X ring ". We all know these were intended as recreational trainers and not primary assault or defense weapons, so stop ua trying to convince us otherwise. Get one, have fun. Take one to a REAL gunfight and youll likely finish second at best.

  • Gentle James

    4/5/2012 4:52:24 AM

    Anyone who can say that a .22 lr is not leathal is very wrong. I have a friend who has been in the ground for more than a decade because of a stray .22lr round.

  • WakeStar

    3/5/2012 7:02:39 PM

    @Mike D, A level II or IIA vest, worn by most US law enforcement, will stop a .22LR rimfire round as well as most common handgun rounds and shotgun pellets. They will not however stop the high velocity centerfire .223/5.56 rounds associated with the AR15 and similar weapons. For that you would need a level III vest. These are capable of stopping .223, .308, 7.62x39 etc. However it is very rare for regular uniformed officers to wear these vests due to their weight and bulk.

  • Mike D

    2/19/2012 10:00:18 PM

    I will mention that the .22LR will penetrate 'bullet resistant' vests worn my police and military while the .223/5.56 will not.....just food for thought....

  • josh

    2/1/2012 8:44:32 PM

    I recently purchased a Sig sauer 522 so far a great rifle . I shoot with my cousin who owns a bushmaster ar 15 223. Or5.56 whichever u want to call it I can shoot a golfball 10 times to his 3 hits so anybody that thinks that a 22 isn't a good rifle all around I've proven that to be wrong. And I pay 15 dollars for 550 rounds and he pays that do 25 rounds so top that smack talkers lol

  • Big SH0E

    12/18/2011 1:36:43 PM

    Comments...my mosberg 22lr is great...not only is it lightweight...but it looks deadly enough too scare of any threat...and the internal damage from a 22 is horiffic..now image them hiting you rapidly..great weapons

  • Jason

    11/13/2011 2:53:58 PM

    Everyone that thinks 22 LR is not sufficient for self defense is horribly mistaken. Small hole in....lots of damage on the inside. Try working on an ambulance in the ghetto for a few years. You'll see that the big guns dont always do the job.

  • Uncommon Sense

    5/24/2011 3:14:40 AM

    lol yeah because .22lr has SO much penetration through layered clothing! *wink *wink SERIOUSLY! If you want a .22 caliber for defense I hope you are wise enough to choose a cartridge similar to .223! LOL XD

  • Bill

    1/31/2011 5:35:01 AM

    I use .22 CB Shorts for defense! Even less recoil lets me put "a lot MORE lead on target"

  • Eric

    12/17/2010 12:05:04 AM

    AR Hunter 308, you realize that 22lr bullets are generally 36-40 grains?? Not what I would consider "a lot of lead" even if you can get ten of them out of your muzzle. Most people who can fire a hand gun can get 3-4 rounds of 147gr (441-588gr) 9mm into a target just as fast as, if not fast than the 10 rounds (400grs) of 22lr into the same target. I know a lot of handgun owners can easily get 2 shots from a 230gr 45 auto on target faster than the 10 rounds of 22. Big difference is you'll only need one or two shots from the others to get the job done. If "a lot of lead" in a hurry is your goal, put the 22 down and pick up something a little more substantial, even a 380 would get more lead on target faster than 6-10 rounds of 22lr. Can any of you honestly say if you were given the choice of a 357, 38-Special, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45APC or even the 380 that you would choose a 22lr pistol or revolver over these?? Any of those weapons will put anywhere from 90 - 230grs of lead and copper into your target in one shot and cause a lot more damage in the process. Consider the amount of lead that can be carried in the magazine of the 9mm (15-19rds), the 380 (7-12rds) or the 45 (7-14rds). Even the states that limit these weapons allow 10 round magazines. Been there, the answer to your question is never. As stated above just two rounds from the 357 will much more damage than the 3-4-5 rounds of your 22. There's a reason our police and military personnel don't carry the 22lr into the field or combat. The 22lr can be deadly, but there are much better choices for a defense weapon a person can carry, keep in their car or their nightstand. The rifles mentioned in this article make great training or small game rifles or a nice novelty/show piece, but there are much better options available that can be used to defend yourself, your family or your home.

  • terrfisherman

    11/27/2010 11:12:51 PM

    The 22 long rifle is a sweet,deadly little round. I conceal carry a Smith and Wesson 422. 12 fast and accurate rounds.

  • AR Hunter 308

    11/27/2010 7:11:12 AM

    I can't say enough about the low recoil being a positive in self-defense. I can unload the entire magazine of my Ruger MkIII into a 4" circle at 7 feet in about 2 seconds. Same with my Rem Nylon 66 or 10/22 (takes a bit longer to empty those, but those hold more rounds). I can't even imagine how fast I could unload one of these tactical carbines. Low recoil means you can put a lot of lead on target really fast.

  • Roodog

    11/24/2010 12:10:32 PM

    The .22 while not that powerful enjoys a almost godlike omnipresence in this country along with the single shot shotgun. They are in a surprising number of households. the enemies of gun ownership realize this and consider the humble .22 to be a grave threat.

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