Taurus USA has invested heavily into its line of TX22 rimfire handguns in the last few years, and these are some of the only rimfire handguns on the market that are sized similarly to many polymer-frame, centerfire handguns on the market, making them great training aids. Now, Taurus is downsizing the platform with its TX22 Compact, which we reviewed on our "American Rifleman Television" Rifleman Review segment above.
"Taurus has really been cranking it up the last few years, and you might've seen, here on Rifleman Review before, the TX22 Competition," American Rifleman Managing Editor Christopher Olsen said. "But this year, they've got the TX22 Compact. The TX22 Compact packs a lot of features into its little profile. Now this gun is only 16.5 ozs., unloaded, and it is a lot of fun to shoot on the range."
One of the most notable features of the TX22 Compact is its optics-ready configuration, called the Taurus Optic Ready Option, or T.O.R.O. The milled slide comes with a cover plate, but the footprint accommodates all red-dot optics of the Shield RMSc or Holosun K footprint.
" So this is a striker-fired pistol, and it is single action only, but it does come with Taurus's performance trigger system, and on the range, right away, you'll feel it. It is quick. The reset's sharp. I really enjoyed shooting it," Olsen said. "And again, it takes down like a Glock, pretty simple to get inside and work and clean on it. Taurus has done a lot to improve the overall shooting experience of all of its guns, and this TX22 is no different."
Taurus also adds an ambidextrous manual safety lever to the TX22 Compact, along with a reversible push-button magazine release. There's also a single-slot Picatinny accessory rail on the frame's dustcover, and for those who aren't ready to invest in a mounted optic, the gun ships with a decent set of Glock-style sights.
"If you're looking for a weekend plinker that you'd want to go out and just shoot, round after round after round, this is the gun to do it," Olsen concluded. "And thankfully, they supplied a 13-round stagger column magazine to really boost up that round count."
Taurus TX22 Compact Specifications
Manufacturer: Taurus Intl. Mfg.
Action Type: blowback-operated, semi-automatic, rimfire pistol
Barrel: 3.6"
Chambering: .22 Long Rifle
Frame: black polymer
Magazine: 13-round detachable box
Slide: hard-anodized aluminum
Sights: drift-adjustable rear, fixed post front; optics-ready slide
Trigger: single-action; 4-lb., 9-oz. pull
Height: 4.9"
Length: 6.7"
Width: 1.25"
Weight: 16.5 ozs.
Accessories: owner's manual, magazine loader, thread adapter
MSRP: $394
To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.
