This Taurus TX22 model comparison explains the differences between the full-size TX22, T.O.R.O., Compact, Competition, and Competition SCR. Each pistol fills a different role. Choosing the right one depends on how you plan to use it.
Some buyers want a simple plinker. Others need an optics-ready trainer, a suppressor host, or a dedicated competition pistol. Price also matters because the TX22 is popular with shooters who would rather spend their money on ammunition and upgrades.
I own the original black 4.1-inch TX22. I have also customized three original full-size pistols for friends. One has the Green Splatter finish. The other two are US Flag editions.
All four pistols are mechanically the same original model. I have not fired the Compact, current T.O.R.O., Competition, or SCR. Those sections rely on official specifications, retailer listings, and owner reports.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison at a Glance
- Best all-around new TX22: Full-size TX22 T.O.R.O.
- Best basic plinker: Original full-size TX22
- Best smaller trainer: TX22 Compact
- Best competition value: TX22 Competition
- Best turnkey competition package: TX22 Competition SCR
- Best option for a fixed red dot: TX22 Competition or SCR
- Best current model for upgrades and general use: Full-size T.O.R.O.
The full-size T.O.R.O. comes out ahead in this Taurus TX22 model comparison because it offers the best mix of capacity, optics support, threaded-barrel use, and familiar handling. However, it is not automatically the best choice for every shooter.
The Compact works well for those who want a shorter grip. Competition shooters may prefer the fixed optic and bull barrel of the Competition models. The original TX22 still makes sense when it costs less or will become a custom build.
Compare current TX22 prices and package options at MidwayUSA and Palmetto State Armory. PSA can sometimes feel like it stands for “Probably Sold Already,” so check both before assuming a specific model or package is available.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison Table
| Model | Barrel | Capacity | Optics | Length | Weight | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original full-size TX22 | 4.1 inches | 16 rounds | No factory optic cut | 7.06 inches | 17.3 ounces | Plinking, upgrades, suppressors |
| Full-size TX22 T.O.R.O. | 4.6 inches | 22 rounds | Shield RMSc footprint | 7.6 inches | 17.3 ounces | General use, optics, training |
| TX22 Compact | 3.6 inches | 13 rounds | RMSc and Holosun K compatible | 6.7 inches | 16.5 ounces | Compact training and optics |
| TX22 Competition | 5.25-inch bull barrel | 16 rounds | Fixed barrel-mounted optic | 8.15 inches | 23 ounces | Target shooting and competition |
| TX22 Competition SCR | 5.25-inch bull barrel | 16 rounds | Fixed barrel-mounted optic | 8.15 inches listed | 23 ounces listed | Turnkey competition use |
This Taurus TX22 model comparison table uses specifications published by Taurus. The company lists the SCR at the same length and weight as the standard Competition model. That seems unlikely with the compensator installed, so I would treat those two SCR figures with caution.
The Taurus TX22 Feels Cheap
The first thing many buyers notice is how inexpensive the TX22 feels.
Its polymer frame is light. The aluminum slide weighs very little. Together, they can make the pistol feel more like a toy than a serious firearm.
That impression is not entirely wrong. The TX22 does feel cheap.
Do not be fooled by it.
My pistols have been accurate and remarkably reliable. They have produced fewer problems than I expect from the average rimfire pistol. I have other rimfire pistols that cost two or three times as much. They have not always been more accurate or more reliable.
The low weight also has benefits. The slide cycles quickly. Controls are easy to reach. Carrying the pistol during a long range session takes little effort. New shooters and those with less upper-body strength should have no trouble with the weight.
Better still, most of the original pistol’s weak points can be fixed with affordable parts.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison: Original Full-Size
The original full-size TX22 has a 4.1-inch barrel, a 16-round magazine, and no factory optic cut. It also uses a 1:16 barrel twist.
This is the model I know best.
I have used my black TX22 for plinking, suppressed shooting, upgrade testing, informal competition, and long-range rimfire fun. I have also worked on the Green Splatter and two US Flag pistols owned by friends.
My pistols have been used with the Tactical Solutions Axiom and SilencerCo Sparrow suppressors. I have also tested Vortex and Holosun red dots with aftermarket mounts.
The black TX22 even makes for fairly easy hits on an empty water tank at 200 yards. That is not the purpose of a lightweight rimfire pistol. Still, it shows how much accuracy the basic design can provide.
Where the Original Full-Size TX22 Still Fits
The original TX22 remains a good choice when the price is right. It works well for basic plinking, suppressor use, informal matches, and heavy customization.
It also has a large aftermarket. My guide to the best Taurus TX22 upgrades covers the parts that made the biggest difference on our pistols.
Optics support is the main weakness. The original slide has no factory cut. Adding a red dot requires an adapter, a replacement slide, or another aftermarket mounting system.
Anyone who already wants an optic should compare the final upgrade cost against the price of a new T.O.R.O.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison: Full-Size T.O.R.O.
The full-size T.O.R.O. is the most versatile current TX22 for the average buyer.
It keeps the full-size frame and grip. Taurus then adds a 4.6-inch threaded barrel, slide lightening cuts, a factory optic cut, and higher magazine capacity.
The pistol normally includes one 22-round magazine and one 16-round magazine. It also uses a faster 1:10 barrel twist.
Its factory optic cut follows the Shield RMSc pattern. That allows many compact pistol optics to mount without using the rear-sight adapter required by the original TX22.
For most buyers, this version offers the best mix of features. It can serve as a plinker, suppressor host, optics trainer, and upgrade platform.
Where the Full-Size T.O.R.O. Fits
This model sits between the Compact and Competition pistols.
The full-size grip offers more room than the Compact. Its 22-round magazine also provides more capacity.
Unlike the Competition models, the T.O.R.O. places the optic on the slide. The optic moves when the pistol cycles. That setup is closer to most optics-ready centerfire pistols.
The T.O.R.O. should fit buyers who want one TX22 for several uses. It offers enough features to grow with the owner without moving into a dedicated competition design.
Is the TX22 Gen 2 the Same as the T.O.R.O.?
No. Buyers should check the exact model number before ordering.
Retailers often use “Gen 2” for the enhanced 4.6-inch full-size TX22. However, both optics-ready and non-optics-ready versions have been sold under that general description.
The T.O.R.O. version uses item number 1-2TX22P141. The letter “P” identifies the optics-ready model.
The non-optic enhanced pistol is commonly listed as 1-2TX22141. It still has the longer barrel, slide cuts, and higher-capacity magazine, but it does not have the factory optic cut.
Do not trust the words “Gen 2” alone. Check the manufacturer number, slide, and product description.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison: Compact
The TX22 Compact has a 3.6-inch threaded barrel, a shorter grip, and a 13-round flush magazine. It weighs just 16.5 ounces.
That makes it only slightly lighter than the full-size pistols. Its shorter grip and overall length create the real difference.
The Compact may work well for shooters with smaller hands. It can also feel closer to a compact centerfire carry pistol.
Taurus lists the optic cut as compatible with RMSc-pattern optics and Holosun K models. A threaded barrel also makes the Compact a potential suppressor host.
The smaller size does come with tradeoffs. Capacity drops to 13 rounds with the flush magazine. Shooters with large hands may also prefer the longer full-size grip.
The Compact makes the most sense when size is the main concern. Buyers who do not need the shorter grip may get more value from the T.O.R.O.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison: Competition
The TX22 Competition is not just a longer standard pistol.
It uses a 5.25-inch bull barrel and a fixed optic mount attached to the barrel assembly. As a result, the red dot stays still while the slide cycles underneath it.
This design can make the dot easier to track during rapid fire. It also keeps the optic’s weight off the moving slide.
The Competition weighs 23 ounces. That is almost six ounces more than the standard full-size TX22. Added weight and the longer barrel should make it feel steadier during fast strings.
Taurus supplies three 16-round magazines. The bull barrel also has direct 1/2×28 threads for a suppressor or muzzle device.
The optic mounting system accepts a wider range of red dots through adapter plates. Competition shooters may prefer this over the smaller RMSc footprint.
Who Should Buy the TX22 Competition?
The Competition is a strong choice for shooters who want a fixed optic, longer barrel, added weight, and competition-focused balance.
Those features are useful for Steel Challenge and other speed-based rimfire matches. They can also improve the experience during informal target shooting.
However, this is not always the best general-purpose TX22. Its size and fixed optic system make it less similar to a common centerfire training pistol.
Basic plinkers may not gain enough from the added length and cost.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison: Competition SCR
The Competition SCR starts with the standard Competition design. Taurus then adds several TANDEMKROSS parts and extra factory preparation.
The package includes a Game Changer PRO Squared compensator and an Eagle’s Talon extractor. It also has a polished feed ramp and upgraded competition barrel assembly.
Taurus markets the SCR toward Steel Challenge shooters. It arrives closer to a finished competition build than the standard model.
The frame, magazine capacity, and fixed optic system remain similar to the regular Competition pistol.
Is the TX22 Competition SCR Worth It?
The SCR is worth considering when you want a ready-made competition package.
It becomes an even better value when you would buy the included TANDEMKROSS parts anyway. The price difference between the standard Competition and SCR can be less than the separate cost of those upgrades.
Not every shooter needs the package. Some buyers prefer choosing their own compensator, extractor, controls, and other parts.
Suppressor use also changes the value. The compensator must come off before a suppressor can be installed. Shooters who run suppressed most of the time may leave part of the SCR package unused.
The standard Competition offers more freedom for a custom build. The SCR makes more sense for someone who wants a complete competition setup with less extra work. I think these pistols are easy to work on and upgrade. Still, if ‘smithin’ isn’t your thing, the SCR may be the best choice.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison for Red Dots
Optic placement is one of the biggest differences across the TX22 lineup.
The T.O.R.O. and Compact mount the optic on the slide. The red dot moves with each shot. That setup feels more like a common optics-ready centerfire pistol.
The Competition and SCR attach the optic to the barrel assembly. Their dots stay fixed while the slide cycles.
A fixed optic may be easier to follow during rapid competition strings. A slide-mounted optic may offer more useful practice for a shooter who also carries or trains with a centerfire pistol.
The original full-size TX22 has no factory optic cut. It needs an aftermarket mount or a different slide.
My guide to the best Taurus TX22 red-dot optics explains useful optic choices and mounting options.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison for Suppressors
Each major TX22 family can support suppressor use, but the barrel systems differ.
The original full-size pistol uses an adapter collar to provide external 1/2×28 threads. Current full-size and Compact pistols also use threaded barrel systems.
The Competition has a directly threaded bull barrel. An SCR owner must remove the installed compensator before adding a suppressor.
My firsthand suppressor experience is with the original 4.1-inch TX22. It has seen extensive use with both the TacSol Axiom and SilencerCo Sparrow.
These pistols have been remarkably dependable during normal semi-automatic shooting. They have also handled a wide range of ammunition with fewer than average rimfire problems.
The only clear ammunition sensitivity I have seen came during FRT use. That is not normal semi-automatic operation. It should not be used to judge standard TX22 reliability. Remington Thunderbolts, with their smooth, rounded bullets, work best in my pistol. It’s not often that the least expensive ammo is the most compatible with an FRT. Cheap fun.
Owner reports for the newer models vary. Some owners report excellent suppressed reliability. Others report cycling problems with the T.O.R.O. or Compact.
That variation is common with rimfire suppressor hosts. Ammunition, fouling, suppressor design, and individual parts can all affect cycling.
TX22 Magazine Compatibility
Taurus has kept useful magazine compatibility across much of the TX22 family.
Standard 16-round magazines work with the full-size, Compact, and Competition pistols.
The newer 22-round magazine uses a 16-round magazine body with a six-round extension. Taurus lists it for use with full-size, Compact, and Competition models.
It will fit the Compact, but the longer magazine extends below the grip. A visible gap may also remain between the grip and extension.
The Compact’s 13-round magazine is designed to fit flush in its shorter grip.
Shared magazine support makes owning several TX22 models easier. Still, capacity is not the only concern. Magazine length can change grip feel and balance.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison for Upgrades
The original full-size TX22 has the most established upgrade history. It has been available longer, so many aftermarket parts were built around that design.
That does not mean every part works on every TX22.
Barrels, slide profiles, rear sights, optic cuts, and grip lengths can differ. Always check the exact model before ordering a part labeled only as “TX22.”
My TANDEMKROSS TX22 Race Gun Kits article shows three ways we upgraded original full-size pistols. Those builds included changes to the triggers, extractors, controls, charging systems, and muzzle devices.
The trigger and extractor parts worked well in our pistols. My data shows that the simple trigger spring is the number one upgrade for reducing pull weight. Compensators and added front weight also helped control the light TX22 during fast shooting.
For model-specific parts, browse TANDEMKROSS upgrades for the original full-size TX22, TX22 T.O.R.O., TX22 Compact, or TX22 Competition and SCR.
More focused reviews include the TANDEMKROSS Steam Demon compensator and Accelerator thumb ledge.
Shooters who prefer iron sights can also read my guide to Taurus TX22 fiber-optic sights.
Legacy Colors, Packages, and Used TX22 Models
The used market includes many TX22 packages that are no longer easy to find in the current Taurus catalog.
These include special finishes, distributor exclusives, optic bundles, extra-magazine packages, and heavily modified pistols.
TALO lists the US Flag edition as a 4.1-inch, 16+1 model and marks production as ended.
Used sellers sometimes ask more than the cost of a new TX22. Current Gunbroker TX22 listings show how quickly asking prices can climb when a pistol includes an optic, spare magazines, aftermarket parts, or an installed FRT.
An asking price does not prove market value.
Extra magazines and useful parts have value. However, buyers should not automatically pay the seller’s full original cost for each accessory.
Compare the package with the cost of a new pistol. Then add only the value of the parts and magazines you actually want.
Warranty coverage matters too. Taurus states that its limited lifetime warranty applies to the original purchaser and ends when the firearm is transferred.
Model identification can also be difficult. Check the barrel length, optic cut, slide shape, and manufacturer number. Do not trust a used listing that relies only on terms such as “Gen 2,” “Competition,” or “T.O.R.O.”
Which Taurus TX22 Should You Buy?
This Taurus TX22 model comparison points to a different best choice for plinking, training, suppressed shooting, upgrades, and competition.
Best TX22 for Plinking
Choose the original full-size TX22 when it costs much less than the newer models. It is accurate, reliable, and easy to improve.
The T.O.R.O. becomes the better value when the price gap is small. Its optic cut and 22-round magazine leave more room for future changes.
Best TX22 for Training
The full-size T.O.R.O. is the strongest overall training choice. Its grip, controls, slide-mounted optic, and capacity make it useful practice for larger centerfire pistols.
Choose the Compact when you want a shorter grip that feels more like a compact carry gun.
Best TX22 for Suppressed Shooting
The original full-size pistol has proven itself as a suppressor host in my use.
For a new purchase, the T.O.R.O. offers a strong mix of full-size handling, optics support, magazine capacity, and threaded-barrel use.
Best TX22 for Upgrades
The original full-size model remains the most established upgrade platform.
The T.O.R.O. is a better starting point when you already know that you want a factory optic cut.
Best TX22 for Competition
Choose the standard Competition when you want the bull barrel and fixed optic mount but prefer selecting your own upgrades.
Pick the SCR when you want a turnkey Steel Challenge package and would otherwise buy the included parts.
Taurus TX22 Model Comparison FAQ
What is the difference between the original TX22 and T.O.R.O.?
The original full-size TX22 has a 4.1-inch barrel, 16-round magazine, 1:16 twist, and no factory optic cut. The current T.O.R.O. has a 4.6-inch barrel, 22-round magazine, 1:10 twist, slide cuts, and an RMSc-pattern optic cut.
Is every TX22 Gen 2 optics-ready?
No. Retailers have used “Gen 2” for both optics-ready and non-optics-ready enhanced pistols. Check the manufacturer number and inspect the slide before buying.
Does the TX22 Compact use full-size magazines?
The Compact can use compatible 16-round and 22-round magazines. Both extend below the shorter grip. Its 13-round magazine fits flush.
Which TX22 is best for a red dot?
The T.O.R.O. is the best general-use choice for a slide-mounted optic. The Competition and SCR are better for shooters who want a fixed dot that does not move with the slide.
Is the TX22 Competition SCR worth the extra cost?
It is worth the extra cost when you want the included compensator, extractor, polished feed ramp, and competition setup. The standard Competition is better when you want to choose your own parts.
Is the original Taurus TX22 still worth buying?
Yes, when the price is right. The original model remains accurate, reliable, suppressor-ready, and supported by a large aftermarket.
Final Taurus TX22 Model Comparison
This Taurus TX22 model comparison shows that there is no single best version for every buyer.
The current full-size T.O.R.O. is the easiest model to recommend for most people. It has a factory optic cut, threaded barrel, high capacity, and full-size grip.
The Compact offers a shorter grip for buyers who want a smaller trainer. Competition shooters may prefer the fixed optic, bull barrel, and added weight of the Competition models.
The SCR adds useful competition parts in one package. It makes sense when those parts match your plans.
The original full-size pistol still deserves a place in this Taurus TX22 model comparison. It feels cheap, but it does not shoot like a cheap pistol.
Mine has been accurate, reliable, easy to suppress, and inexpensive to upgrade. That is the real appeal of the TX22 family.
Pick the model that fits your intended use. Then spend the rest of your budget on ammunition, magazines, and upgrades that provide a clear benefit.