Taurus TX22

About the Taurus TX22

The Taurus TX22 is a full-size, semi-automatic, striker-fired rimfire pistol chambered in .22 Long Rifle, introduced in 2019. Designed as a feature-rich yet affordable training and recreational pistol, the TX22 incorporates a blowback-operated action with a lightweight hard-anodized aluminum slide on a polymer frame. The pistol features a 4.1-inch threaded barrel with a 1/2x28 suppressor adapter collar included, a Picatinny accessory rail, and an industry-leading 16+1 round capacity for its caliber class. The Taurus Performance Trigger System (PTS) delivers a smooth single-action trigger pull. The TX22 was designed to closely replicate the size, weight, and control layout of popular full-size 9mm defensive pistols, making it an effective low-cost training analog. Its controls include ambidextrous frame-mounted thumb safeties, a reversible magazine release, and adjustable white-dot rear sights paired with a fixed white-dot front sight. The platform quickly became one of the best-selling .22 LR pistols in the United States due to its combination of reliability, high capacity, suppressor-ready design, and competitive pricing around $300. The TX22's commercial success led Taurus to expand the line with multiple variants including the Compact, T.O.R.O. optics-ready, Competition with a 5.25-inch bull barrel, and the Competition SCR Steel Challenge Ready model.

The TX22 arrived at a perfect moment when .22 LR ammunition was the only affordable option during the 2020 ammo shortage, and its reputation for exceptional rimfire reliability -- notoriously difficult to achieve in semi-auto .22 pistols -- made it the de facto training pistol recommendation. Its 16-round capacity was class-leading at launch.

Taurus TX22 specifications

The TX22 uses a simple blowback action rather than the locked-breech designs common in centerfire pistols, as the low pressures of the .22 LR cartridge do not require a locking mechanism. Early models were available with 16-round magazines; Gen 2 models introduced 22-round extended magazine options. The pistol earned widespread praise from reviewers for its exceptional reliability with a wide variety of .22 LR ammunition, which is notably difficult to achieve in semi-automatic rimfire pistols. The hard-anodized aluminum slide keeps overall weight low at just over 17 ounces, contributing to comfortable extended shooting sessions. The TX22 is popular in rimfire competition divisions, casual plinking, and as an economical training tool for shooters who also carry centerfire handguns.