I got over worrying about owning a clone gun a few decades ago when I purchased my first Springfield 1911. I learned that some clones or copies are improvements over the original. The Thompson/Center .22 automatic is quite similar to the Ruger 10/22—no denying that. The 10/22 is a famously reliable rifle, and the T/C R22… Well, that is what we are here to discuss.
There are two ways manufacturers go about producing a clone gun. They will cut corners somewhere and make the firearm cheaper. Many will buy the firearm because it is cheap. Another course is to improve the firearm and offer it at a fair price. Interested shooters will purchase the firearm. T/C has taken the latter course.
Ruger is a giant maker. A competitor earning a fraction of their market share can make a good living at it. The T/C rifle has many good features, and while it resembles the 10/22 closely, there are certain features that are welcome to a serious shooter.
It only made sense to make the T/C rifle compatible with Ruger 10/22 magazines. There are millions in circulation. Just the same, T/C manufactured an improved magazine that is supplied with every rifle. The T/C R22 rifle features a last-shot hold-open feature the Ruger does not. I like this. And while the rifle will function fine with Ruger magazines including the 10-, 15-, and 25-round magazines, the rifle does not hold open on the last shot with Ruger magazines.
The T/C R22 rifle magazine features a lever on the magazine that operates as a hold-open device. It works just fine and never failed to hold the bolt open on the last shot. A neat feature is that the lever on the magazine is pressed to load the magazine. This is an improvement in ease of loading.
The T/C magazine is reliable and functions well without complaint. With the hold-open on the last shot, you have to have a bolt release. This is located forward of the triggerguard. The magazine release is the same in appearance as the modern extended magazine found on recent Ruger 10/22 rifles. On that subject, the R22 accepts Ruger stocks and aftermarket parts including trigger assemblies. The barrel is threaded for a suppressor or muzzlebrake.
The rifle differs from most Ruger products in certain details. The stock is a Magpul design. I like the stock a lot; it took a bit of getting used to, but the design is an excellent one for use with this light and accurate rifle. Length of pull and cheekweld are ideal. The stock features M-LOK technology for mounting combat lights or lasers. There is a Picatinny rail on the receiver for mounting red dot sights or a rifle scope.
The sights are excellent. The front post is a green fiber optic. The rear sight is an aperture. The aperture sight allows excellent accuracy and real speed in sight acquisition. I like to get close to the aperture sight, and the location of the sight mount makes for ideal shooting. When firing, the aperture sight tends to make the eye center the front post in the ring.
The sight radius is generous for a light rifle, really a carbine. When operating the rifle, the grooved bolt handle is an advantage. While the Ruger isn’t a problem, the T/C R22 charging handle is easier to use well and more positive in operation. Advantages over the Ruger 10/22 include the modified charging handle, excellent sights, Picatinny rail, and Magpul custom stock. If you like these features, it is less expensive to purchase the T/C R22 than add them to another rifle after purchase. The stock is fine for most adults but works well with youths as well.
None of these advantages would matter if the rifle isn’t reliable and accurate. To date, I am approaching nearly 1,500 cartridges without any type of hiccup. This is a good standard for any .22LR firearm. I have cleaned the rifle about every 300 to 400 cartridges and added a squirt of oil toward the end of 200 cartridges.
Accuracy is good to very good with this rifle. The primary load has been the CCI Mini Mag, with a few CCI Stinger rounds thrown in. I have also fired the interesting Federal Hunter MATCH, a newly introduced load specifically designed for hunting.
I have not mounted an optic on this rifle, so accuracy in practical terms is good while absolute accuracy has not been tested. One-inch groups at 25 yards are rather easy to come by. If you scope this rifle out, you will have a first-class hunting rifle for small game to 50 yards.
During the firing test, I placed a magazine of CCI Mini Mags into the k-zone at 50 yards. Then I aimed for the cranio-ocular portion of the target. While I do not recommend a .22 for personal defense, the .22 rifle has proven far more effective than the .22 handgun, and my shots went into the cranio area every time at a long 50 yards.
I have several incidents in my files in which a good .22 rifle served homeowners well. It’s just a thought, and a tribute to the overall utility of this rifle.
Specifications T/C R22
- Manufacturer: Thompson/Center
- Model: TCR-22
- Caliber: .22LR
- Barrel Length: 17 inches
- Overall Length: 35 inches
- Twist Rate: 1:15 inches
- Stock: Magpul Lightweight
- Sights: Peep aperture
- Weight: 4.4 lbs.
- Length of Pull: 13.75 inches
- Magazine Capacity: 10
I have had mine for several years. I put the Nikon tactical 2-7 rmfire scope on it. Initially, I was impressed with its ability to shoot virtually any ammo well. And it shot the águila 60grain subsonics super sniper ammo really well. But I some how had a feeling something was wrong with it. I removed the action from the stockand found that the M-lock insert in the forearm was designed with tabs that push up against the barrel. And I noticed that the insert also was removable from the stock. With out the M-lock insert the barrel is now fully free floated. And the TC/R22 really changes from just another auto loader to the most accurate off the shelf 22 rimfire you can get at any price… Unless you are paying thousands of dollars! It shoots better than my 2500k racegun! And does it with virtually any old ammo! No more fussi g ovef who has what in stock! A bucket O bullets is now bulk compitition grade ammo! I snipe quail at 150 yards and shoot them in the head with select ammo! Based on my experience with the TC/R22, it is the best off the shelf 22 rimfire available. You would have to spend a lot of money to beat it!
I bought a T/CR22 for the grandsons to shoot. I have bought several Ruger 10/22 over the years and they are very reliable little rifles. Bill Ruger was a genius. With that said, the R22 is a very nice clone of the classic. All the upgrades from the standard 10/22 are very nice improvements, with the sights very effective. However, mine came with a compact red dot sight and a I mounted a Mask HD suppressor. The little gun shoots lights out and is very accurate. The only issue I have with this rifle is I have had problems with the factory mag as another commenter has noted. The factory mag is hard to load and has resulted in numerous FTF. With both 10 and 25 round Ruger mags the rifle has run flawlessly.
It was stated that the Pictures didn’t show a 10 round Magazine as listed in the Specs. I the Picture of the T/C 22 that shows the Just the Rifle you will clearly see that the Mag. is a RUGER BX-25 25 round Magazine !
And who would buy a 22LR that had a Birch Stock ? This Carbine/Rifle is a Small Game Hunting Rifle that you can just throw in the trunk or cab and go Hunting, Target Shooting or Shooting cans and put to bed wet and dirty !!!
I own both the T/C R22 and the RUGER 10/22 in stainless, and I love them both. But, for Dollar to Dollar if I had to pick just one; it would be hands down the T/C 22 !!!
The T/C 22 has just to many improvements over the 10/22. I know some may not like the T/C 22 Stock, but it’s Solid,Steady and will not Warp. I know that I can use this Rifle in a Hurricane and keep Shooting in the Hard Rain and still come back to an unwarped Rifle the Next day or too.
First, I wouldn’t have a piece of over-hyped, over-priced, roto-krap from magpul if they were the last accessory supplier on earth. They could have gone with a birch stock of similar design from Richard’s for a few bucks more. If you like plastic, Hogue works well.
Also, is there a typo? SPECS says ’10 rounds for the magazine. The magazine in the pictures is HUGE for 10 rounds.
Does the T/C R22 come in a break-down model, i.e., barrel folds or rotates out from the receiver for compact/separate storage for backpacking? Thank you.
Do the TC mags fit and work in the Ruger 10-22?
Installed aftermarket trigger spring, polished internal trigger parts…very sweet.
I have both the Ruger 10/22 in stainless and the TC R22.
Bother are excellent guns. The TC is much lighter than the Ruger
which works well for my 11 year old.
The only complaint I have with the TC is the magazine.
It seems to be defective out of the box I have had many failure to feed
incidents. I have used the Ruger mag with no issues. It also is very difficult to load.
I will be contacting TC about a replacement soon.
I have fired the T/C 22 and have found it to be a very good shooting rifle. My wife enjoyed shooting it also. Have used all kinds of ammo without any hiccups. Would recommend this 22 to anyone.