Tactical Solutions Ridge-Lite Barrel

Tactical Solutions or TacSol is headquartered in Boise, Idaho, and specializes in, well, specialty products. The seven-year-old firm focuses on lightweight accessories as well as complete firearms, and I received a test sample of its Ridge-Lite barrel for the Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory rimfire semiauto. The barrel is part of an impressive lineup of barrels, magazines and parts—suppressors, sights, grips, compensators and more—for Ruger, Browning, Glock and S&W pistols.

The Ridge-Lite is a cantilever setup made of 6061 T-6 aluminum, with a 4.25-inch Picatinny rail extending rearward. The rail has eight mounting slots, and at the back is a fully adjustable fiber-optic rear sight. The latter is adjusted via one screw that raises and lowers the sight and a small screw that allows it to be drifted left and right. It matches up with a fiber-optic front sight, and this sight is held in place with a slotted screw so it can be removed or replaced.

Even with the cantilever, the Ridge-Lite barrel is much lighter than the stock barrel, 8.4 ounces versus 11.9 ounces. The fluted shroud is the same 6061 T-6, and it surrounds a six-inch chrome-moly bore, which sports an 11-degree target crown. Twist is 1:16. And, of course, the muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 for a suppressor or compensator. TacSol has a couple of cool-looking suppressors—particularly the three-inch Aeris—and there are two compensators in the firm’s Pac-Lite line that will fit the Ridge-Lite.

Installation couldn’t be easier. After ensuring the pistol is unloaded, unscrew the takedown screw and pull the barrel and receiver off the frame. Loosen the barrel set-screw—no need to remove it—remove the old barrel and replace it with the Ridge-Lite. Reassemble in reverse order.

The Victory’s takedown screw is prone to working loose—at least mine is—and while Smith & Wesson has never recommended thread-locking compound, Tactical Solutions suggests using medium thread locker, and I totally agree.

And while you’re at it, if you’re primarily going to shoot with the muzzle thread protector in place, I’d use medium thread locker here as well because the protector continually worked loose during my testing.

Not that this affected accuracy in any way, as you can see in the accompanying chart. I shot the Ridge-Lite at 25 yards with an Aimpoint Micro H1 aboard, and I was really impressed with the accuracy. And the Ridge-Lite rings steel like a champ when shooting offhand because it balances so well with the pistol. $355, TacticalSol.com.

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