Hecho en México: The Mendoza RM22 Rifles

Despite the dismal state of civilian firearm-ownership rights in Mexico, the country has a long history of both innovative indigenous gun designs and firearm manufacturing. Mendoza Firearms is one part of that heritage, and the company recently began exporting one of its rifles to the U.S., the RM22 rimfire.

Founded by Rafael Mendoza Blanco in 1911, Mendoza got his start producing firearms to arm the Mexican Revolution. Over the decades, he designed and manufactured both civilian and military products, including a light machine gun and a submachine gun that bear his name. Today, Mendoza manufactures firearms for Mexican military and law enforcement, as well as rifles, handguns and air guns sold around the world. 

Though various Mexican-made firearms have been imported into the U.S. over the years, Mendoza claims the RM22, which is distributed through a newly opened warehouse in Tomball, Texas, is the first rifle. It is a blowback-operated semi-automatic rifle chambered in .22 LR that feeds from an under barrel tubular magazine that holds 17 rounds. Its blued steel barrel is 21.26” long and its receiver is made of aluminum that is given an anodized finish. A manual safety lever is located at the rear of the receiver.

Sights consist of an open rear sight that can be adjusted for windage and elevation, and a fixed front post, both with fiber optic inserts. Models have either an 11 mm groove in the receiver or a Picatinny rail for optics mounting. Stocks are made of European beech and are attached to the action with a single, knurled takedown screw. The RM22 has a length of 40.95” and weighs between 5.93 and 6.49 lbs., depending on configuration. 

The RM22 is available in three models—the 1000 has iron sights only and a conventional wood stock, the 3000 has a skeletonized thumbhole stock and a Picatinny optics rail, in addition to its iron sights, and the 6000 has a Monte Carlo-style stock and Picatinny rail. The rifles have an MSRP of $299 for the 1000, $349 for the 6000, and $379 for the 3000. For more information, see the company’s website.