Have you ever shot the .22 TCM? I hadn’t. While at SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range, I stopped by the Rock Island Armory/ Armscor booth to put a few rounds through Rock Island’s double stack .22 TCM 1911 to see how it handled (check out the video embedded above). One of the Armscor engineers explained to me that the purpose behind the .22 TCM round was to develop a small cartridge with more “oomph.” With a muzzle velocity of nearly 2,000 fps, I’d say they’ve achieved that. Despite having more punch behind the 40gr bullet, the .22 TCM, when fired through RIA’s double stack 1911, it is still a low recoiling round. The round is still small enough that, even double stack, the grip is comfortably narrow, as would be expected from a [standard] single stack .45 1911. However, each magazine boasts 18 rounds, instead of the .45’s mere 7 or 8. As far as first impressions go, the .22 TCM seems to be an accurate little round as well. Although, a few more boxes and a good chrono would be necessary to yield a more definitive perspective on that front. One of the Armscor representatives claimed that the .22 TCM is ballistically superior to FN’s zippity 5.7x28mm. I’ve yet to have the chance to compare the two, myself. What do you think?
Shooting the Rock Island Armory .22 TCM
This is a caliber I have the curiosity to shoot. As always, you’re having so much fun 🙂
This is a caliber I have the curiosity to shoot. As always, you’re having so much fun 🙂
I like it–then again I thought Federal .327 Magnum would be a winner ;). Time will tell as far as popularity. My concern with a .22 TCM projectile traveling at roughly twice the speed of sound would be both muzzle flash (hard on the eyes) and blast (deafening). However, I assume RIA could develop an HD load that addresses this (I would think no small task)? It looks almost like a shrunk down .223 cartridge which begs the question of how it might perform in a rifle/carbine like environment (imagine the velocity would be close to 3k fps…).
Pro2AGuy, It is a necked down .223! Also the flash is not a problem at all.
Noise is a no brainer, ear muffs are in order on the range anyway.
RIA also have brought out a bolt action rifle for the .22TCM, along with
conversion kits for other semi auto pistols. (Google it) As far as popularity,
RIA seems to have no trouble selling the pistols.
Being a Rock Head, (I have 2 .38 supers, 2 9MMs 1 .45 and oh yes, my
.22 TCM) I am prejudiced in ArmsCorp’s favour. Don’t forget their life time warranty.
It does spit quite the fireball with zero recoil
Pro2AGuyFrom what I understand, it is based off of the .223 round (hence the bottlenecked casing). Good catch!
Pro2AGuyFrom what I understand, it is based off of the .223 round (hence the bottlenecked casing). Good catch!
EricKmiecikIt was a great event, to be sure :]
It is interesting, but the 5.7 is more established, and this is still essentially a one gun wildcat. Both rounds fill the same niche.
It is interesting, but the 5.7 is more established, and this is still essentially a one gun wildcat. Both rounds fill the same niche.
drmorris9 Thanks for sharing your input, David :]
presently the only source of ammo is Armscor at about 40 cents a round, but then what isn’t 40 cents a round? An awful lot of fun to shoot, very accurate, plenty of Boom and flash. Never fails to get others at the range to come over and ask wtf? Rock Island is advertising a rifle for this round, don’t know if it is delivered yet.
The pistols are well made with a nice trigger. The one I got has a 9mm barrel with it as well. Some confusion on the extractor that comes with the 9mm barrel. Many videos don’t even mention it but customer support at RIA says to change to the 9mm extractor to shoot same.
Did I mention that it is a serious gas to shoot?