The world of the .22 LR semi-automatic pistol has taken a turn as of late towards “slide-operated” designs. This means rimfire pistols that mimic centerfire handguns, with an action based around a full-size reciprocating slide. While this design has produced some great pistols that mimic the controls and manual of arms of centerfire handguns for training purposes, it overlooks the established principles of what make a reliable and accurate semi-automatic rimfire: a fixed barrel and the optimal grip angle to feed the rimmed cartridges. Beretta returns to these principles with the B22 Jaguar, a .22 Long Rifle-chambered pistol optimized for the range, competition and introducing new shooters to the sport.
The B22 Jaguar is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic .22 LR pistol. It has a hammer-fired action with a single-action hammer concealed within the frame and a bolt that works within the “upper receiver.” Cartridges are fed from a single-stack, 15-round magazine that uses an optimal angle for feeding and has a follower button to assist in loading. The ejection port is mirrored on both sides of the upper receiver and the ejection pattern can be switched to right or left (this process requires additional parts). A slide release is placed on the left side of the pistol, the magazine release is reversible and the manual safety lever is bilateral.
The B22 has a fully-adjustable rear sight with a fiber-optic front. The space in between on the “upper receiver” is a machined-in M1913 Picatinny rail and the forward area of the upper receiver has M-Lok slots. A 5.25-inch barrel has its muzzle threaded 1/2x28 TPI. Front and rear straps of the grip frame are checkered.
The Jaguar is designed to disassemble easily, without tools, for cleaning and customization. The under barrel Picatinny accessory rail and the grip panels are both removable. Fire control components are contained within a removable chassis. One can expect that if the Jaguar becomes popular, a healthy aftermarket of parts and accessories will develop.
The B22 Jaguar is offered in two configurations. The Tac Metal has an all-black finish and comes with a thread protector on its barrel. It has an MSRP of $749. The Metal Competition has a brown-finished grip frame and barrel, and gray upper receiver. It comes with a Tandemkross Steam Demon muzzle compensator, Accelerator Thumb Ledge, front sight, and an adjustable, textured semi-flat-faced trigger installed. It comes with three sets of grip panels to customize fit and retails for $969.
The Jaguar is also offered with an unthreaded barrel (Tac Metal only) and/or 10-round magazines for restricted areas. For more information, see the company’s website.
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