Rifleman Review: Taurus TX22 Compact

by
posted on April 2, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

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."

Left side of the Taurus TX22 Compact.

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."

Optic cover plate at the top of the Taurus TX22 Compact slide.
A serrated cover plate ships with each Taurus TX22 Compact for use without an optic.

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/videos/artv/. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

Charter Arms Double Dog Gotw Web
Charter Arms Double Dog Gotw Web

Gun Of The Week: Charter Arms Double Dog

For this Gun Of The Week episode, we’re on the range with a convertible wheelgun from Charter Arms, and it’s one that goes from .357 Mag to 9 mm Luger quickly and easily. Welcome to the Double Dog.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 17, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Robbins & Lawrence Story: Pioneers Of Mass Production

The Robbins & Lawrence company of Windsor, Vt., was an early pioneer in the field of mass production, using machine tools and interchangeable parts to produce firearms for both the U.S. and British governments.

CMP Auctions Move To GunBroker.com

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has moved its popular auctions to GunBroker.com, an online firearm marketplace that launched in 1999, to further support the future of the shooting sports and firearm ownership.

I Have This Old Gun: The French Charleville Musket

One of the most important military arms ever made, the French Charleville musket saw use in the American Revolution and armed French troops throughout the Napoleonic Wars.

CVA Endura Series: The Modernized Muzzleloader Of 2025

CVA built on the success of its Paramount muzzleloader to create the Endura, a design that the company calls "the most advanced muzzleloader series CVA has ever built."

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.