After teasing its Advantage X receiver for more than a year, TANDEMKROSS has launched the complete ADX family. The lineup includes the TANDEMKROSS ADX Race Rifle, ADX Pistol, and ADX SBR, along with barreled actions for shooters who already own a Manticore X Lower.
The important part is not simply that TANDEMKROSS built another custom 10/22. The ADX takes the familiar 10/22 operating system and rearranges it into a more modern, modular platform. It adds left-side charging, a much simpler bolt lock, easier receiver maintenance, AR-style controls, and a takedown system that keeps the barrel, receiver, and optic together.
In other words, this is not a factory Ruger with a collection of replacement parts. It is a complete TANDEMKROSS firearm built around the company’s own receiver, bolt, barrel, and lower.
What Is the TANDEMKROSS ADX?
ADX stands for Advantage X. I first covered the ADX receiver when TANDEMKROSS announced it, but the production launch goes well beyond a receiver sold for custom builds.
Every complete ADX starts with the new receiver, a KrossFire bolt, and a Manticore X Lower. The rifle uses a 16.5-inch Spitfire barrel, while the pistol and SBR use 10.2-inch Comet barrels. Both are lightweight tensioned designs with a stainless steel barrel inside an aluminum sleeve.
The barrels are free-floated and threaded 1/2×28. Direct M-LOK slots at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions provide plenty of room for a bipod, light, hand stop, or other accessories without requiring a conventional handguard around the barrel.
Why the Left-Side Charging Handle Matters
The ADX receiver’s most visible feature is its left-side charging handle. Because it can be operated with the support hand, a right-handed shooter can charge the rifle or clear the action without releasing the firing grip.
The handle also solves one of the least intuitive parts of the traditional 10/22 design: locking the bolt open. Pull the ADX handle to the rear and lift it into a steel-reinforced notch. To release it, knock the handle down and out of the notch. Yes, it offers the same satisfying slap people associate with an MP5-style charging handle.
The receiver still broadly supports Ruger 10/22-pattern components and magazines. That compatibility matters because the ADX feels like a new platform without abandoning the enormous 10/22 aftermarket.
Cleaning and Maintenance Should Be Much Easier
Anyone who has removed a 10/22 bolt knows that it can be more awkward than the simple design suggests. The ADX receiver uses a removable rear cap retained by a pin. Remove the cap and the recoil spring, charging handle, and bolt slide out through the rear.
That makes bolt removal faster and provides straight access through the receiver for cleaning the bore from the chamber end. TANDEMKROSS says a complete field strip requires removing three pins and can be done with a punch, Allen key, chamber flag, or even the tip of a pen.
The receiver is machined with an extended Picatinny rail, so the optic remains attached to the upper during cleaning or configuration changes. A Teflon-impregnated hardcoat anodized finish is intended to improve durability while reducing friction between the receiver and bolt.
The Manticore X Lower Makes the ADX Modular
The Manticore X Lower does more than hold a trigger. It gives the ADX AR-style ergonomics, an ambidextrous rotary safety, a bi-directional magazine release, an enlarged bolt lock, and a pull-weight-adjustable competition trigger.
Two self-retaining receiver pins allow the upper and lower to separate much like an AR. Unlike a conventional 10/22 Takedown, the barrel, receiver, and optic stay together. That should prevent a configuration change or cleaning session from disturbing the relationship between the barrel and optic.
The lower also includes a rear Picatinny mount for a stock or brace and a reversible QD sling socket. The stock mount can be configured inline or at a 12-degree downward angle to work better with lower sights.
TANDEMKROSS ADX Race Rifle
The TANDEMKROSS ADX Race Rifle is the version that will probably interest the most Industry Outsider readers. It uses the 16.5-inch Spitfire barrel and a folding Picatinny stock from Rim/Edge. At just 3.46 pounds before adding an optic, it is extremely light for a complete rifle.
- Caliber: .22 LR
- Barrel length: 16.5 inches
- Muzzle threads: 1/2×28
- Weight: 3.46 pounds
- Magazine: 20-round DoubleKross
- Price: $1,899.99
The Race Rifle is expensive compared with a factory 10/22. That is not a particularly useful comparison, though. Its real competition is a premium custom build with a receiver, lightweight barrel, upgraded bolt, competition trigger, chassis, stock, and modern controls. The ADX puts those pieces into one factory-built system backed by the TANDEMKROSS lifetime guarantee.
I reviewed the company’s lighter and more conventional TKX22 Light Rifle earlier this year. The ADX takes a more ambitious approach. The TKX22 still looks and operates like a refined 10/22. The ADX is TANDEMKROSS rethinking how a 10/22-pattern firearm can be operated and maintained.
ADX Pistol and SBR
The ADX Pistol uses a 10.2-inch Comet barrel and weighs 2.33 pounds. It ships without a brace or stock and costs $1,699.99. Its rear Picatinny rail leaves the final configuration up to the owner, subject to applicable laws.
The ADX SBR pairs the same 10.2-inch barrel with the folding Rim/Edge stock. It weighs 3.26 pounds and costs $1,699.99. Because it is a short-barreled rifle, it must be transferred through an FFL with the appropriate SOT and requires an approved ATF Form 4.
TANDEMKROSS also announced a braced-pistol configuration using a Strike Industries FSA Single Folder. At launch, the company’s public storefront prominently lists the unbraced pistol, Race Rifle, and SBR.
Barreled Actions Offer Another Path
The ADX launch also includes barreled actions for current Manticore X owners or shooters who prefer to choose their own lower configuration. TANDEMKROSS announced 16.5-inch and 10.2-inch versions in black-on-black and black-with-stainless combinations.
Each barreled action includes the company’s exclusive left-hand locking charging handle. This is where the modular system makes the most sense. One Manticore X Lower can support a rifle upper and a compact upper, while the barrel, receiver, and optic remain assembled as a unit.
Who Is the ADX Race Rifle For?
The ADX Race Rifle is not aimed at someone looking for an inexpensive firearm. It makes more sense for a shooter who was already planning a high-end build and values light weight, competition-ready controls, easy maintenance, and the ability to swap complete uppers. All from one company, so no worries about tolerance stacking. And it includes a lifetime warranty.
At 3.46 pounds, it should be quick between targets. The support-hand charging handle and simple bolt lock should also be useful during Steel Challenge practice and other fast-paced rimfire shooting. Whether the complete package justifies its $1,899.99 price will depend on how the rifle performs rather than how impressive the parts list looks.
TANDEMKROSS ADX Race Rifle Review Coming Soon
I have made arrangements to receive an ADX Race Rifle for review, so this launch article will not be the last word. My full TANDEMKROSS ADX Race Rifle review will cover accuracy, reliability, trigger feel, balance, suppressor use, maintenance, and whether the modular design delivers a meaningful advantage over a premium conventional 10/22 build.
Check back soon. I will publish the review after the rifle arrives and I have completed enough range testing to provide something more useful than first impressions.
For now, the full TANDEMKROSS ADX lineup is available here.