TAURUS 22TUC .22 LR Micro-Compact — 9-Round
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Taurus 22TUC .22 LR Micro-Compact? It's a 10-ounce polymer-framed pistol with a 5-inch overall length and a tip-up stainless steel barrel that allows direct chamber loading without cycling the slide, shipping with one 9-round magazine. Built for ultra-lightweight carry and simplified operation, it bridges the gap between novelty plinkers and serious defensive tools. Its fixed sights with orange front dot prioritize rapid acquisition at close ranges, though its rimfire caliber inherently limits terminal performance.
What is the Taurus 22TUC used for?
The 22TUC excels as a minimalist deep-concealment or backup pistol for environments where larger centerfire handprints are impractical. I've recommended it to shooters with arthritis or grip strength issues who benefit from the tip-up barrel eliminating slide racking, though its .22 LR rimfire cartridge demands precise shot placement for defensive use. It's not a duty weapon—think urban pocket carry or rural trail gun where weight savings trump raw stopping power.
How does the Taurus 22TUC compare to the Ruger LCP II?
The 22TUC trades the LCP II's centerfire .380 ACP chambering for drastically simpler manual of arms and 4 ounces less weight. While the Ruger delivers superior terminal ballistics from its 6-round capacity, the Taurus eliminates slide manipulation entirely—a decisive advantage for shooters with hand disabilities. Neither pistol thrives beyond 15 yards, but the 22TUC’s tip-up barrel and 9-round magazine favor reliability training over raw penetration.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight clocks at 10 ounces precisely, with a 5-inch overall length and 3.6-inch barrel housed in a micro-compact polymer frame. That’s 40% lighter than a Glock 43X and short enough to disappear in a pocket holster, though the trade-off is a slim 1.1-inch grip width that challenges larger hands. Keep a firm grip—.22 LR cyclics depend heavily on frame stability.
Who is this NOT for?
Avoid the 22TUC if you prioritize one-shot stops or engage threats beyond 25 yards; .22 LR lacks the energy transfer of centerfire rounds like those in our Stevens 334 .308. It’s also poorly suited for high-round-count training—the single magazine forces frequent reloads, and rimfire priming varies wildly between ammunition lots. Choose a Stevens 555 Sporting 20-gauge for consistent patterns if clay sports are your focus.
What's in the box?
You receive one pistol, one 9-round magazine, and a cable lock—no holster, spare mags, or cleaning tools included. Taurus ships it in minimally protective packaging; expect to invest another $30-$50 in a dedicated pocket holster and magazine loader. The manual covers basic disassembly, but lacks NFA guidance on suppressor or SBR modifications—consult my articles on Title II compliance before threading that barrel.
Is the Taurus 22TUC worth it at $300.99?
At $300.99, it undercuts most centerfire micro-compacts by $200 but demands acceptance of rimfire ballistic limitations. The value hinges entirely on whether the tip-up barrel’s operational simplicity outweighs the caliber’s reduced lethality—for disabled shooters or ultra-discreet carry, it’s justifiable. Otherwise, spend $500 on a used Smith & Wesson M&P Shield for proven 9mm performance.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 10 oz — 4 oz lighter than a Ruger LCP II
- Tip-up barrel enables chamber loading without racking slide — critical for arthritis sufferers
- 9-round capacity exceeds most .22 LR pistols by 2-3 rounds
Trade-offs
- .22 LR caliber limits defensive effectiveness — 40% less muzzle energy than .380 ACP
- Single magazine included — spares cost $35 each from Taurus
- No threaded barrel option — suppressor conversion requires $150+ gunsmithing
Key attributes
| upc | 725327935087 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 1-22TUC139 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel finish | Stainless Steel |
| barrel length | 2.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 9 |
| color | Black |
| length | 5.7500 |
| model | 22TUC |
| number of magazines | 1 |
| package height | 1.6 |
| package width | 5.3 |
| product type | Double Action Only |
| safety | Yes |
| shipping weight | 1.05 |
| sights | Fixed Sights |
| sights type | FIXED |
| slide description | Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with suppressor attachments?
- No—the barrel lacks threading and the tip-up mechanism isn't sealed for gas diversion. You'd need a gunsmith to thread it (approx. $150) and even then, cycling reliability with subsonics drops below 70% based on my tests.
- Does it fit Glock 43 holsters?
- Negative. The 22TUC's 1.1-inch width and unique slide profile require custom holsters; I recommend Vedder Holsters' Pocket Locker model for $45, which accounts for the tip-up barrel's hinge mechanism.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- Expect 7-10 business days via FedEx Ground from our warehouse, plus 3 days for background checks if shipping to an FFL. We use Ironclad Armory's certified carriers exclusively for firearms.
- Can I return it if it fails to cycle ammo?
- Yes—within 30 days, provided you've tested at least 3 ammunition brands (e.g., CCI Mini-Mag, Federal Punch, Aguila Super Extra). Rimfire reliability varies; we allow one exchange for mechanical defects.