Taurus is known for its Millennium Pro series of 9mm pistols designed for concealed or open carry. The original Millennium Pro was followed by the G2, G3, and G4 — all are extremely popular. The TX22 is a brilliant addition to the lineup, a .22 pistol that looks, feels, and operates like its 9mm cousins.
The TX22 features a single-action-only striker-fire system with a 5-pound trigger pull and a short trigger reset, both tactile and audible. Proprietary grip texturing ensures a secure grip. When combined with the optimized slide weight for minimal recoil, all this provides extremely fast follow-up shots. The chassis is polymer, slide is anodized aluminum, barrel length is 4.1 inches, and the gun weighs 17.3 ounces empty.
Ground-Up Design
The pistol comes with bright white, three-dot sights that are big, easy to see, and adjustable for both windage and elevation via a flat-blade screw. Sight adjustment instructions are in the manual. Everything about the gun is designed for comfort and ease of use. In fact, the company wants shooters of all levels to enjoy shooting this gun. As such, Taurus considered safety for new shooters, while remembering experienced shooters.
All TX22 pistols have a hidden trigger safety preventing unintentional rear movement of the trigger. This new design eliminates the conventional safety blade protruding from the trigger. It also comes with a firing pin block that keeps the pin from striking the round unless the trigger is pulled. My TX22 has the optional ambidextrous manual safety.
The TX22 has a slide with cocking serrations front and rear, a Picatinny rail on the dust cover, standard slide lock, safety, and magazine release. The magazine release is easily reversible by the user. The slide lock, however, is not ambidextrous. My TX22 came with two 16-round magazines. You can get the TX22 with 10-round magazines if you live in one of those states legislated by clueless individuals who think that somehow makes them safer.
Training with the TX22
Two features of the TX22 make it ideal as a training pistol. The first is the magazine. You load the TX22 magazine like you do a typical 9mm, by pushing down on the follower to load the first round, then on the previous round for loading the rest of the magazine until it’s full. Next, you pop the magazine in the grip, rack the slide, and you’re in business.
The second feature that replicates what is found in the 9mm pistols is the way it takes down for cleaning. It’s just like the G2, G3, and G4 with pull-down tabs just ahead of the trigger, a slide that comes off the front of the frame, and a barrel and recoil spring that are then removed for cleaning.
With the TX22, Taurus pioneered a .22 that closely resembles the company’s 9mm handguns. It was so successful with it that Glock and SIG have followed suit with the G44 and P322. Prior to this class of .22 handguns, a shooter wishing to have a .22 that emulated his/her centerfire handgun could buy a conversion kit with the combined cost of the pistol and kit costing something in the neighborhood of $600. The TX22 sells for approximately $300.
Previously, I’ve used realistic pellet guns to get a person ready for shooting a centerfire handgun. I can see an advantage in using this little jewel for that same purpose. An air gun is an air gun, and a “real” gun is a real gun. The difference can be huge, so starting with an air gun can make good sense.
Taurus sees it as a competition-ready pistol, citing the grip, trigger, and accuracy. Looking at it from this perspective, there are a couple of things that stand out. The trigger guard is undercut at the back, enabling a high grip on the frame. That grip is further enhanced by a small bump on the front strap that more or less forces your middle finger into position under the trigger guard. This result is a good grip that is both natural and fast.
The reach to the trigger was perfect. The trigger is surrounded by a blade that pivots on a pin beneath the chassis, a unique design guaranteeing a smooth, effortless trigger pull with a rapid reset.
Shooting Thoughts
I almost overlooked the threaded adapter for a suppressor, but when I found it tucked into its own little hole in the box, I put it on along with a TAC 65 suppressor from Tactical Innovations before going to the range. I gathered several boxes of assorted ammo from CCI, Winchester, Remington, Norma, and Armscor to see whether the TX22 was ammo-sensitive for reliability and accuracy.
I started off shooting CCI’s 45-grain Suppressor, subsonic hollow point ammo. My shots were grouped, but slightly high when compared to point of aim. Just a couple of clicks on the sight adjustment screw to lower the rear sight, and it took care of the issue. From then on, regardless of the ammo being used, with or without the suppressor, the gun shot to point of aim. Groupings were indicative of a competition-ready pistol. The more I shot the TX22, the more I enjoyed it.
An Instructor’s Gun
It’s funny how an instructor’s mind starts fathoming possibilities when introduced to a new gun offering some unique features. I was thinking about some of my former students who struggled with accuracy, and how I might get them to shoot this gun until they got the basics down. I could then transition them back to their 9mm carry gun.
We can start off with quiet ammo and eliminate flinching. When that’s no longer an issue, a load of CCI Mini Mag will introduce a pop almost as loud as a 9mm, but without the recoil. Once we’ve licked any kind of flinching, those big white dots on the sights could help the shooters struggling with sight picture and sight alignment to put those to rest as well. Trigger pull problems? This is one of the best triggers I’ve found to work on eliminating any tendency to jerk, push, or pull the trigger during trigger operation.
As for competition, Taurus shooters are holding their own against others who are using custom competition race guns. Their success with the TX22 makes it one of the top guns to own if you’re a fan of fun .22s — or are serious about learning or teaching. Taurus’ reasonable pricing strategy makes it even more likely to be a fan favorite.
Have you fired the Taurus TX22? Do you train with a .22 LR and transition to a larger caliber for home or self-defense? Share your answers in the comment section.
A threaded suppressor adapter comes with the package. It’s easy on the ears and just as accurate with or without the can. This .22 takes down like a centerfire and has the same basic parts. 
Bold, white 3-dot sights provide an advantage in training or competition. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. The TX22 may look like “just another black gun” but picking it up and shooting it lets you know it’s a whole lot more than that. 
The controls mimic those found on a typical centerfire carry gun with the slide lock, safety, and mag release right where you expect them to be. The hinged trigger is smooth and easy to operate. 
The TX22 easily falls among the things we value. Shown here with one of Taurus’ best-selling carry guns (the Millennium G2), it’s apparent how the TX22 imitates typical Centerfire defensive pistols, making it a great training platform. Taurus built the TX22 with competition as one of its goals. It was reliable and accurate with all ammunition tested.
I have all 3 models and all 3 are great shooters. I have 15 22 auto pistols and the Tx22 is at the top of them. You can not beat it for the price.
I have two (one black, one FDE). Accurate and fun to shoot. Not fussy with ammunition, shoots the bulk box stuff with no issues. 16-round magazine means more fun between reloads. Taurus always has replacement magazines on their website and occasionally offers great deals- such as 6 magazines and a pouch for $99. No regrets buying them (one for me, one for my son).
I have two (one black, one FDE). Accurate and fun to shoot. Not fussy with ammunition, shoots the bulk box stuff with no tissues. 16-round magazine means more fun between reloads. Taurus always has replacement magazines on their website and occasionally offers great deals0- such as 6 magazines and a pouch for $99. No regrets buying them (one for me, one for my son).