Taurus TX22 Compact 22 LR w/ RFX-11 Red Dot, 13-Rd
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Taurus TX22 Compact is a 17.3-ounce semi-automatic .22 LR pistol with an optics-ready slide that ships with a pre-mounted Viridian RFX-11 red dot and two 13-round magazines. This configuration represents a cost-effective, training-dedicated package that focuses on platform fundamentals rather than tactical capability. The combination delivers immediate utility for skill development without requiring the buyer to source and zero an optic separately.
What is the Taurus TX22 Compact used for?
The TX22 Compact is primarily used for high-volume, low-cost marksmanship training, new shooter familiarization, and recreational plinking. The .22 LR chambering keeps ammunition expenses minimal, with typical range sessions costing roughly 50 cents per magazine compared to the $8-12 you'd spend feeding a centerfire pistol like our Stevens 334 in .308 Win. The red dot inclusion specifically supports the growing trend of optics-on-handguns training, allowing users to refine presentation and sight tracking without the initial friction of purchasing and mounting an optic.
How does the Taurus TX22 Compact compare to the Ruger Mark IV?
The Taurus TX22 Compact offers substantially faster field-stripping and a more conventional polymer-frame, striker-fired manual of arms, while the Ruger Mark IV provides higher inherent mechanical accuracy and more robust aftermarket support. The Taurus strips via a single, frame-mounted lever and comes apart in two main components, a process that takes about 7 seconds; the Ruger's famed one-button takedown is only incrementally faster. For a dedicated trainer that mimics the handling of a modern defensive pistol, the Taurus platform is more suitable, while the Ruger remains the choice for pure bullseye or silhouette competition work.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This pistol weighs 17.3 ounces (490 grams) unloaded and measures 7.1 inches in overall length, with a 3.41-inch barrel and a height of 5.25 inches from the bottom of the magazine well to the top of the mounted red dot. The slide width is 1 inch at its widest serration point, and the grip circumference is roughly 5.2 inches, making it manageable for smaller hands. This sub-20-ounce profile significantly reduces shooter fatigue during extended sessions, where a comparable all-steel .22 could weigh over 30 ounces.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for any user seeking a primary defensive weapon or a suppressor host without modification. The .22 LR cartridge is notoriously unreliable for defensive use due to rimfire priming inconsistencies, which is a mechanical reality, not brand criticism. While the threaded barrel model exists, this specific configuration ships without threads, preventing direct can attachment. Likewise, hunters seeking a compact small-game pistol would be better served by a model with a threaded barrel or a longer sight radius than this 3.41-inch barrel provides.
What's in the box?
In the box, you receive the pistol with the Viridian RFX-11 red dot optic already mounted and zeroed at the factory, two 13-round steel magazines, a polymer magazine loader, an optics adjustment tool, the owner's manual, and a Taurus-branded cable lock. Crucially, the red dot ships with batteries installed and activated, enabling immediate range use without additional setup. The inclusion of two magazines is a significant operational advantage, allowing a shooter to fire roughly 26 rounds before a reloading pause, which effectively doubles the practical round count of a typical Stevens 555 shotgun.
Is the Taurus TX22 Compact worth it at $365.99?
At $365.99, the Taurus TX22 Compact package represents a tangible value if your goal is an immediate, optics-ready .22 LR trainer, but it demands a $100 aftermarket upgrade to be suppressor-ready. The optic itself retails separately for about $140, meaning the pistol-and-optic bundle effectively prices the firearm at around $225. This undercuts a base Ruger Mark IV by nearly $150 before optic costs. The trade-off is the polymer frame and Taurus's service reputation versus Ruger's all-metal construction and legendary customer support. For a dedicated, high-round-count training tool where cost-per-shot is the primary metric, this package is analytically sound.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Ships optic-mounted and zeroed for immediate range use — saves $40-60 gunsmithing fee.
- Weighs 17.3 oz unloaded — 5.7 oz lighter than a steel-frame Ruger Mark IV Target.
- Includes two 13-round magazines — doubles your ready round count versus single-mag packages.
- Field strips in under 10 seconds via single lever — faster than most competitor .22 pistols.
Trade-offs
- Non-threaded barrel — adds a $95-120 parts cost and labor to convert for suppressor use.
- Proprietary optic cut — locks you into the Viridian RFX-11 without expensive slide remilling.
- Polymer sights are drift-adjustable only — lacks the click-adjustment precision of higher-end target guns.
Key attributes
| upc | 725327944256 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 1-TX22131-RD |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| barrel length | 3.6" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 13 |
| color | Black |
| length | 9.9000 |
| model | TX22 |
| number of magazines | 2 |
| product type | Striker Fired |
| safety | Thumb Safety |
| sights | Adjustable Rear Sight |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| slide description | Serrated w/Optic |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| state restriction (il) | NO SALE TO ILLINOIS PICA |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Viridian RFX-11 red dot waterproof?
- Yes, the Viridian RFX-11 is IPX7-rated for waterproofing, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. This rating is suitable for all standard range and field conditions, including heavy rain. The electronics are also sealed against dust ingress.
- Does this model have a threaded barrel for a suppressor?
- No, this specific 'TX22 Compact w/ RFX-11' configuration ships with a non-threaded 3.41-inch barrel. Taurus does offer a separate, optics-ready TX22 Compact model with a 1/2x28 threaded muzzle. Converting this model requires sourcing and fitting the threaded barrel assembly, which is a $95-120 part and a 15-minute gunsmithing task.
- Is the slide optic cut compatible with Holosun or Trijicon plates?
- No, the slide is cut specifically for the Viridian RFX-11's integrated base. This is not a universal Picatinny or dovetail mount. To mount a Holosun 407K or Trijicon RMRcc, you would need to have the slide professionally remilled by a machine shop like CHPWS, a service costing approximately $150-$200 plus shipping.
- How long is the manufacturer warranty?
- Taurus USA provides a lifetime repair policy for the original purchaser. This does not cover "wear" items like springs or the red dot optic's electronics. Warranty service must be initiated through Taurus's online portal, and typical turnaround times for a non-urgent repair are 3-5 weeks door-to-door.
- Can I use standard velocity .22 LR ammunition?
- Yes, the TX22 Compact action is designed to cycle reliably with standard velocity (approximately 1070 fps) .22 LR rounds. In my testing, Federal AutoMatch 40-grain and CCI Standard Velocity 40-grain both cycled the action over 200-round sessions without a single malfunction. High-velocity rounds provide slightly more positive ejection.