Taurus 22 TUC: An Easily Concealable .22 Semiauto Pistol

One of the more intriguing guns to come down the pike in a while is the new Taurus 22 TUC. It’s a double-action-only .22 semiautomatic tip-up with a 2.5-inch stainless steel barrel. With its diminutive dimensions—five-inch overall length, 4.35-inch height, one-inch width and 10-ounce weight—it’s easily concealed and could serve dual roles as a primary or backup carry gun.

Available in black or stainless, the pistol is notable not only for its design but also its unexpectedly hand-filling grip. Thanks to the finger hook on the nine-round magazine, I can get all three fingers on the gun. The frontstrap has a subtle finger groove, the sides of the grip are textured, and the back of the grip has a generous beavertail.

Controls could not be simpler. There’s a button mag release in the normal location and a vertical lever that operates the tip-up. Sights are a simple affair: notch rear and blade front with an orange painted square. Not that you’ll be racking the stainless steel slide much, but it sports aggressive, angular cuts for a sure grip if you do.

Here’s how the 22 TUC works. With the barrel closed, insert a loaded magazine into the well. Push forward on the lever, tipping up the barrel. Place a round into the chamber and close the barrel. Take care not to muzzle your hand when you do this. Don’t close your hand around the barrel but rather push down the barrel with your thumb, your fingers supporting the frame beneath the trigger guard.

Fun to Shoot

The DAO pull is long and revolver-like, but pull weight is seven pounds even and quite manageable.

The 22 TUC is a blast to shoot. It’s not going to win any bullseye matches, but from practical distances it’s no problem to put rounds into a vital-zone size target. The grip really comes into play here. While it’s “only” a .22, a gun this small and light does have some recoil, and with a cartridge that’s going to require multiple rounds on target to be effective, you’ll definitely appreciate the control the grip provides.

I’ve fired close to 100 rounds through the gun, and it has functioned without fail.

In the product description on its website, Taurus trots out the maxim that the first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun, and despite the misgivings many have regarding the efficacy of the .22 LR as a defensive round, having the 22 TUC on you is better than the centerfire gun you don’t. It’s reliable, easy to operate and shoot, and offers great concealment.

Taurus 22 TUC Specs

• Type: double-action-only semiauto rimfire
• Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
• Capacity: 9-round magazine supplied
• Barrel: 2.5 in. stainless
• OAL/Height/Width: 5.0/4.35/1.0 in.
• Weight: 10 oz.
• Construction: black stainless steel slide (as tested), polymer frame
• Trigger: DAO, 7 lb. pull (measured)
• Sights: fixed gutter rear, orange blade front
• MSRP: $334
• Manufacturer: Taurus, TaurusUSA.com

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