Tag Archives: compact

Enclosed Micro Comparison: Vortex Defender CCW VS. Holosun SCS Carry

April 3, 2026Optics, Product reviewcompact, enclosed, enclosed emitter, holosun, micro, Red dot, rmsc, vortex opticscoldboremiracle

Presentation

Red dot sights have become extremely popular, and I consider myself an enthusiast on the topic. You might have read my last comparison between theVortex Defender XL VS. the Holosun 507 Comp, two large windowed XL red dots. Today we are looking at two micro red dots in the same way. We are reviewing the Vortex Defender CCW VS. Holosun SCS Carry, both of these red dots are RMSc footprint compatible, and they both feature an enclosed emitter.

vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, reticle, holosun, scs, carry, holosun red dot, Bersa M2XI, EAA Girsan Witness 2311, 9mm, — comparing the two red dots on two similar pistols, the **Bersa M2XI** and the **Girsan Witness 2311**

They are very comparable and I expect very popular candidates for folks looking to put a red dot on their CCW pistol. I’ve put quite a few rounds through both of them, and today I’ll give you my opinion on their comparison.

vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, reticle, holosun, scs, carry, holosun red dot,

Specifications

On paper these two sights are pretty similar, the main difference in construction being that the Defender uses a dual power source. A removable CR2023 battery whereas the Holosun uses its solar panel as a source, keeping an internal battery (non-serviceable) battery charged.

vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, battery, cr2023, — the easily removable CR2023 battery of the Defender

Both of these are small and ideal for a CCW pistol, but because they are enclosed emitters that means they are slightly bigger than traditional open emitter red dots. The Vortex defender is a little bigger than the SCS Carry, though I’m not sure if thats because of the battery housing or because they wanted to make a bigger window.

holosun, red dot, scs, carry, solar, solar panel, holosun red dot,

Configurable reticles are becoming more the norm, and I like that. Both of these can be configured with a dot, circle, or circle-dot reticle.

Specification Comparison
Feature	Vortex Defender CCW Solar	Holosun SCS Carry
Footprint Compatibility	Shield RMSc	Holosun K & RMSc
Reticle Description	3 MOA Dot + 32 MOA circle	2 MOA dot + 32 MOA circle
Reticle Color	Red	Green
Magnification	1X	1X
Weight	1.30 Ounces	1.05 Ounces
Power Source	Solar + CR2023	Solar + internal battery
Parallax Setting	Parallax Free	Parallax Free
Eye Relief	Unlimited	Unlimited
Adjustment Graduation	1.0 MOA	1.5 MOA
Dimensions	1.1”T x 1.6”L x 1.2” W	.98”T x 1.6”L x .95”W
Material	7075 Aluminum	7075 T6 Aluminum

Bersa, Bersa usa, m2xi, 9mm, 2011, 1911, holosun, SCS Carry, red dot, surefire X300, — The Holosun SCS Carry made a great option for the **Bersa M2XI 9mm pistol**

On the Range

I’ve spent a lot of time shooting with both of these sights, but in fairness I have more time using the Holosun. I have run the SCS Carry on several different pistols, both 9mm and .22LR. The Defender CWW Solar Micro has lived on my Girsan 2311 since I got it. Realistically though, you can get to know a pistol sight well enough without having to go through a bunch of pistols. Though I did run both sighs on the same pistol for a while to get a solid comparison.

GPS, pistolero, backpack, rangebag, pistol, handgun, eaa, girsan, witness, 2311, 9mm, 2011, ammunition, — the Holosun SCS Carry mounted to the Girsan 2311, read more about the Pistolero Backpack here

Mounting and Zeroing

The Holosun SCS Carry uses a K footprint, that can also be dropped onto an RMSc footprint. The Defender is an RMSc footprint, so either of these can fit in most of the same mounting situations. I had not issue mounting them on several different similar pistols.

holosun, scs, carry, red dot, holosun red dot, — unboxing the Holosun SCS Carry

When mounting red dots, I usually try and line them up as close to the iron sights as possible before torquing them down. This usually makes for minimal adjustments to zero the sight. The Vortex model has 110 MOA of adjustment available, while the Holosun is plus or minus 30 MOA. That might make the Vortex a little better for certain host weapons, but in general you probably don’t need that much.

Vortex, vortex optics, defender, CCW, red dot, solar, micro, packaging, — The Vortex Defender and its accessories

The Vortex also gets extra points since it came with a plethora of mounting screws and accessories for mounting on different hosts.

Brightness

One very convenient thing about the SCS Carry is its auto-brightness correction. The solar panel uses ambient light to adjust the reticle brightness. I really like this feature though every so often I wouldn’t, let me explain. Typically in dark areas, I occasionally found that the SCS Carry was a touch dimmer than I would have liked in such a scenario. Outside in daylight I never had an issue.

holosun, scs, carry, holosun red dot, reticle, green, — Holosun’s SCS Carry reticle (seen through magnifier)

The Vortex Defender has a manual brightness adjustment, which can be both good or bad. You can set it where you want it, and know what to expect everytime you present the pistol. But you also might have it set a little bright, or a little dim for any particular scenario. I am still unsure which way I prefer, but I kind of default to the manual setting, because I like control.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, reticle, — Looking through the Vortex Defender CCW Solar Micro

Sight Picture

Both of these optics are compact, though the Defender is a touch bigger as I mentioned. But the Defender also has a noticeably bigger window, and a little bit means a lot with sights this small. The bigger window definitely gives more room for target acquisition and aiming. Both of them gave precise aiming, but I think I have to give the Defender an edge here.

One thing worth mentioning here, the Holosun SCS Carry does incorporate a notch rear sight as part of its housing. Which is one thing I wish the Defender had, in case the electronics were to fail.

holosun, scs, carry, holosun red dot, solar, Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, — the **Girsan Witness 2311** made an excellent host for testing both optics, seen here with a **Surefire X300 light**

Parallax and Clarity

One thing I noticed with the SCS carry from the very first time I mounted it, was a touch of fuzz when focusing on it. I never worried too much about it as I would look past the sight at the target, and hold the reticle over it. Doing this I never had any issue sharply seeing the reticle.

vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, reticle, holosun, scs, carry, holosun red dot, reticle, illumination, — not a great pic of the reticles, but here you can see some comparison, as well as the window size

On one of my test guns, I removed the SCS to install the Defender and immediately noticed the Vortex did not have that issue. Regardless of where I focus the Vortex Defender is sharp and clean, whereas the Holsun SCS Carry did have a little fuzziness depending on how you looked through it.

holosun SCS Carry rds, taurus tx22, YHM Phantom 22 — my **Taurus TX22 Toro** made a great host for the Holosun and the YHM Phantom 22 suppressor

Accuracy and Zero

With 3 and 2 MOA dots, both of these optics give you a fine aim point. And with an accurate firearm I found them both to be very useful. When zeroing the optics I found they were smooth, and moved evenly. I can’t stand a sight that doesn’t show any change when you adjust it, and both of these were great in that aspect. The quality of these two sights also show in that neither of them needed to be re-zeroed at any point, they held zero nicely, and after hundreds of rounds they hadn’t moved.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, zeroing, adjustment, — both dots were easily adjusted with tools provided

Value

I have no doubt that both of these optics are manufactured overseas, it’s hard to find a red dot that isn’t these days. To be honest I was a bit surprised that the Holosun tends to cost more at popular online retailers. At publishing, it seems the SCS Carry is usually around $400 like here at Primary Arms. While the Vortex Defender CCW Solar Micro is typically priced around $300 like here at Optics Planet. With prices like that, the Vortex seems to offer a significant advantage.

Report Card

You may have gathered, I like both of these sights. But it didn’t surprise me that the Vortex won me over, after a short while shooting it I could tell I was going to like it more than the Holosun SCS Carry. That is certainly not to say the SCS Carry is not a good option as well. Though I like them both I would have to pick the Defender CCW Solar Micro if I had to pick only one. Luckily I don’t, and I can have both of them for different purposes.

	Vortex Defender CCW Solar	Holosun SCS Carry
Mounting & Zeroing	A+	A
Brightness	A	A
Sight Picture	A	B+
Parallax & Clarity	A	B
Accuracy and Zero	A	A
Value	A	B+
Cumulative Score	96%	92%

Last Words

Hopefully this has helped you decide which of the two options might best fit you. Both are certainly good choices for your concealed carry pistol, but it would be a good idea to look at them in person as well to help close the deal for you. Both of these dots will continue to be used in my collection, and I look forward to what’s new from both of these great companies.

-CBM

Like Vortex and Holosun? Here is another comparison

Primary Arms PLxC 1-8 SFP Riflescope

May 14, 2025Optics, Product review1-8, ACSS NOVA 556, compact, lpvo, nova 556, plx, plxc, primary arms, sfpcoldboremiracle

Preface

If you haven’t noticed, it seems there is a large trend of red dots and low power variable optics LPVO’s going on. And despite my defiance to trends I have stepped right into the deepest part of this one. Today I am excited to share with you another fantastic LPVO, this one came from out of left field for me. The Primary Arms PLxC 1-8 S FP riflescope is the subject of our scrutiny today, a compact model from the good folks at Primary Arms. Since I already have a variety of great similar optics, I was curious if this one had what it takes to become my favorite.

primary arms, plx, plxc, lpvo, 1-8x24, low power variable optic, compact, riflescope, scope, quattro-15, desert tech, — my Quattro-15 made a fun host for the PA PLxC

I am no stranger to Primary Arms, and I’ve had the good fortune to use several of their products you can read about here. So as I opened up the box for this PLxC, my curiosity was high.

Unboxing the PLxC 1-8

Presentation has come a long way, and Primary Arms does a fine job. The PLxC came in a magnetically sealed box, with a variety of accessories you can see below. A factory added throw-lever is nice, as was the rubber bikini lens cover. I wasn’t expecting a sun shade on this scope so that was an added bonus. For some reason I haven’t figured out yet, the windage turret was uncapped and the cap fit in a pocket in the box foam. Of course there was also the typical lens cloth, owner manual and warranty information.

primary arms, plx, plxc, lpvo, 1-8x24, low power variable optic, compact, riflescope, scope,

The Primary Arms cantilever mount you see in my pictures is a perfect fit for this scope. And though I included it in the pictures it is not included with the scope. It is available separately in either a 30 or 34 millimeter option with either zero or twenty MOA cant built into it.

As I said, it is a very nice quality presentation. But as I lifted the scope from the box my interest grew even more. The PLxC is quite compact, more so than I had expected. It wasn’t what I would call heavy, but it does have that quality thick feel to it. I was particularly impressed when I put the scope up to my eye, the image was outstanding. The optical performance of this scope and its compact size are likely what demands its asking price of $1499. After some additional inspection, it was time to get this scope mounted.

Features

Primary Arms Compact PLxC 1-8X24 SFP Rifle Scope Features
Battery	CR2032
Click Value	.1 MRAD per click
Color	Black
Exit Pupil Diameter	Low: 8mm / High: 3mm
Eye Relief	Low: 3.2 in / High: 3.7 in
Field of view @100 yards	Low: 121 ft / High: 15 ft
Focal Plane	Second
Reticle / Illumination	ACSS NOVA-556 / Red
Length	9.2 Inches
Magnification	1X – 8X
Tube Diameter	30MM
Objective Diameter	24mm
Reticle	ACSS NOVA 5.56 BDC
Total Elevation Adjustment	100 MOA
Total Windage Adjustment	100 MOA
Turret Type	Capped Turrets, Low Profile, Tool Adjustable
Weight	16.8 Ounces
Warranty	Lifetime

With the PLxC mounted to a rifle, it was much easier to evaluate its features. The throw lever is a nice touch, particularly for these kind of optics. The turrets are easily adjusted by hand, and you can cap them to protect them from moving while shooting. Though to be fair, they are very lo profile and have good resistance so they are unlikely to be inadvertently moved. Even the turret caps are nice, with a rubber gasket to keep them from rattling loose and coming off.

The illumination is also very high quality. Its extremely bright red center of the reticle can be used as a red dot, and made visible even in bright daylight. This feature is bolstered by Primary’s AutoLive® battery cap, which has an auto-shutoff after a specified time of inactivity. To my surprise, the AutoLive® cap can also be used on scopes manufactured by other optics companies as well.

The bright glass, sharp reticle, tough turrets, clean illumination and the whole finish of this scope gave a great impression of quality. I hadn’t even fired a shot yet, and I was already excited about it.

Steyr, AUG, AUG A3 M2, AUG A3 M2 NATO, bullpup, steyr aug, primary arms, PLXC, LPVO — the **Steyr AUG A3 M2** with the **Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor** was a great host for the PLxC

On the Range

A proper range outing was in order to see how the PLx stood up to other optics I’ve used. Among the many LPVO’s I’ve used I figured I would bring along one of my favorites for comparison. An obvious difference was how much more compact the PLx was compared to my Eotech Vudu 1-8. Once the scope shade was added to the PLx it was more comparable to the size of most other LPVO’s, but obviously that is optional. I like sunshades for keeping the sun out of the scope, but almost equally as much for keeping fingers away from the lenses.

the PA PLxC next to a **Eotech Vudu 1-8**, note how much smaller the PLx is

Shooting on the range out to two-hundred yards seemed like a great way to test out the capabilities and virtues of the PLx. With targets set at 50, 75, 100 and 200 yards, I’d be able to take full advantage the PLx features.

I would shoot with the PLx on two different rifles, first was my Desert Tech Quattro 15 AR. It is one of my favorite AR’s, it shoots well and it’s predictable accuracy is ideal for comparing scope performance. The other rifle was a brand new to me Steyr AUG A3 M2, which also turned out to be very handy and fun to shoot using the Primary Arms PLx.

Optical Performance

My very first impressions of the PLx were how fantastic the image is, bright and sharp. I love it when scopes seem to disappear in front of your eye, almost like the image is a bubble floating above your rifle. Instead of a thick black ring with an image within it. Surely this is due to the extra low-dispersion lenses.

iphone camera does no justice to how good this scope looks

The illuminated center dot of the reticle is particularly bright and intense. On all but the lowest of power settings, the dot is very easy to see and use as an aimpoint. In fact at lower magnification settings, it feels more like a red dot than a scope.

The NOVA 556 reticle is also crisp and particularly easy to position over targets, the parallax is fixed apparently at 100 yards based on my experience. Shooting groups at 100 yards was much easier than I’ve experienced in the past with low powered optics like this, I was even able to pick out 5.56 holes in the paper.

athlon Rangecraft velocity pro chronograph, Garmin Xero C1 chronograph, chronograph, comparison, review, garmin, athlon, steyr AUG A3 M2, primary arms PLXC, — testing velocity with the Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph

I’m not a huge fan of BDC reticles, but the NOVA reticle seemed simple enough. And the hold points were close enough to my ammunition that I had no problem hitting 1 MOA targets within the range of reasonable engagement with 5.56 ammunition.

Control Features

The turrets were very nice, and made zeroing the scope to each rifle quite easy. I don’t usually use LPVO’s for long range shooting so I wasn’t going to dial many corrections with these turrets. Adjusting the brightness of the center dot is simple using the Autolive turret, there are off settings between each brightness setting. In today’s market I think that should be a requirement.

I always appreciate throw levers on scopes, and this one is quite handy. And the 180 degree rotation gave full spectrum of the PLx magnification. Its big enough to get a hold of, without being obtrusive.

Accuracy

Turret values were accurate, allowing for exact adjustments when zeroing the scope. The steel on steel internals of the scope are likely responsible for the sharp tracking.

Pros and Cons

The only thing I could find with this optic that I didn’t like was the price. And that’s not to say it isn’t worth it, just that $1500 isn’t a small pill. However, when compared to others like the Nightforce NX8 its a more affordable option. And much cheaper than something like the Trijicon VCOG 1-8, and a better choice in my opinion. The PLx is definitely a significantly better option than the sub $1200 LPVO’s I’ve used.

On the positive side, this is a beautiful little scope to behold. Everything from the machine textured surfaces to the image all feel extremely high quality. The resistance on the controls and the feel of the clicks are all what I expect for a scope at this price point.

The day visible dot is fantastic for rapid target engagement, and the bright optics are fantastic for looking into shadowy interiors from the bright and sunny outside. A perfect option for a short or medium-range carbine in my opinion.

Conclusion

I guess you’ve figured out by this point that I really like the Primary Arms PLxC. Don’t be surprised, I am a bit of an optics nerd. I’ve played with quite a few of them, and this one was an impressive unit I plan to keep close on one of my favorite rifles. If you ever see me on the street, hit me up and I’ll let you have a peak through it.

-CBM

Check out more LPVO reviews here

The Taurus USA TX22 Compact pistol

July 21, 2023pistols, Product review, Shooting hardware22lr, compact, pistol, Taurus, tx22, tx22 compactcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Semi-automatic 22 pistols have been a bit of a conundrum in the past. It seems every manufacturer has tried to make one that is both reliable and feature filled. But there always seems to be a shortcoming or compromise. When I first put hands on the Taurus TX22 years ago. I had a preconceived notion that it too would become another obligatory 22 pistol that was almost good enough. That was the initial TX22 pistol, but today we are going to look at one of the newest TX22 models. To see if it measures up, or exceeds what we are used to. I am happy to bring you a review of the TX22 Compact pistol from Taurus USA.

The TX22 Compact

The TX22 Compact is a polymer-frame striker fired pistol. It is fed from polymer magazines that hold up to 13-rounds. The compact version of the pistol also has some slide cuts to reduce weight. As well as an optics cut at the rear for mourning your favorite red dot sight. In a departure from the standard TX22, the compact features non-adjustable sights. That is probably because you can mount a red dot and adjust that instead.

The small pistol also features a standard picatinny accessory rail under the muzzle for attaching whatever light or aiming accessory you’d prefer. Like its larger sibling, the TX22 Compact also features a threaded barrel. And comes with a factory suppressor collar to install your favorite hush-tube. At the rear of the frame there is an ambidextrous safety that is easily manipulated with the firing-hand thumb.

Get bulk packed ammo from Ammo.com

Unboxing

My very first impression of the TX22 Compact was its weight, it felt incredibly light. This is surely due to the polymer construction and aluminum parts. And much the same way as the full size TX22, I immediately fell in love with the grip. It fits my hand perfectly and the texturing makes it very easy to keep hold of. The lightweight and comfortable grip had already hooked me, but would it perform as good as it looked and felt? If my initial feelings were right, I was pretty confident that this pistol would be a winner.

The TX22 has a relatively short history. The original model was released only a few years ago, and Taurus has since expanded the line with an assortment of models and colors. The competition model uses a cut slide with a reduced front end on the slide as well as an optics mounting platform. The Compact is the most recent development, though I’m sure there will likely be additional offerings.

Features

Lets go over some of the key features that set the TX22 Compact apart. Perhaps one of the most exciting developments with the TX22 is the magazines. For decades it seemed like 22 auto pistols had but one option for capacity, a single stack 10-round magazine. The TX22 uses what I guess you could call a double stack, in that the rims of the stacked cartridges are offset to the right and left as they are stacked into the magazine.

The original full-size TX22 holds 16-rounds, while the flush-fitting magazines of the Compact model hold only 13. But to be fair, 13 rounds in a pistol this small, and this light make it very appealing. Also, the 16-round magazines of the full size TX22 also fit into the compact, though they do hang out exposed.

The trigger of the TX22 is another fantastic feature, instead of using a blade-safety, the TX22 utilizes the entire shoe. As the trigger is pulled, the shoe pivots into its firing position where the sear can be activated. It feels quite good considering the inexpensive cost of the TX22’s. The trigger also has a pretty short reset which I find spectacular, and greatly increases your ability to shoot rapidly with minimal movement.

The threaded barrel of the TX22 is another fantastic feature that comes from the factory. And the included suppressor collar allows you to go straight to the range with suppressor in hand. The barrel comes with a thread-cap installed, it is easily removed with a wrench using the machined flats on the thread-cap. You can then install the shouldered suppressor collar, which just threads over the muzzle with a flush fit. The collar also had a nice shoulder to tighten your suppressor against.

the **Yankee Hill Phantom 22 suppressor** is a perfect companion to the TX22

Optics Cuts

The TX22 Compact slide comes pre-cut for optics, and it fits micro red dots like the Holosun 407K and the new Vortex Defender. This is such a fantastic feature, especially to me who has become more and more addicted to red dots on my pistols. The steel plate is easily removed with the two screws, and your micro red dot will take its place.

The controls of the TX22 are easy to operate and understand, the slide release is easy to press with the thumb to drop the slide while shooting. The safety is not obtrusive but easy to reach and activate when needed. And it’s on both sides of the pistol for those wrong-handed folks out there. The mag release button is small and very functional, it too can be reversed to the opposite side of the frame for left-handers.

suppressed taurus TX22 — the **YHM Phantom 22** was an outstanding addition

I guess my favorite feature of the TX22 family is that unlike most 22 auto-loading pistols, it doesn’t feel like a toy. While it is very light, even lighter than my son’s airsoft pistol, it still feels like a real gun. It doesn’t have the undersized grip that many others do, when you pick it up it feels like you’ve got a real gun in your hand. Add to that the dashing good looks of the pistol, and you’ve got a winner in your hand.

Performance and Precision

Accuracy (8.5-10)

Being a humble little 22lr pistol, I’m not sure what level of accuracy people will expect from it. But I find the pistol to be very accurate for the purposes that I would use a 22 pistol for. I have used it to train my kids a great deal for pistol shooting. Every one of them absolutely loves shooting the TX22. It never fails, every time we go shooting I hear: can we bring the Taurus?

Shooting inexpensive bulk packed ammunition is what I expect most other people to shoot, as do I. The TX22 Compact is easy to keep on targets as small as squirrels at distances like 15 to 20 yards. Dispatching small rodents and even rats in the shed is surprisingly easy with the little TX22.

In addition to its accurate shooting, the near lack of any felt recoil seems to help shoot the pistol even better.

Ergonomics (8.5-10)

As I mentioned above, the fit in my hand is one of the first things that sold me on this pistol. It feels comfortable, and fills a man’s hand. The texturing on the frame makes it easy to keep hold of when manipulating the pistol. And the slightly flared magwell makes reloading an easy and smooth operation.

The trigger feels great, and all the controls are right where they should be and easy to operate. Even my wife who has particularly petite hands finds the TX22 Compact easy to operate and shoot well.

Features (9-10)

The TX22’s features are outstanding. Not only does it have most everything a person could ask for, they are included from the factory. With a price this low you get quite a few features I am both surprised and happy to get.

The higher capacity magazines, the optics ready slide, and factory threaded barrel are probably my favorite features of this pistol.

The TX22 compact (L) shown next to the full size TX22 (R)

Fit & Finish (8.5-10)

The TX22 family of pistols all come with a pretty handsome look to them. The different color frame options are nice, and the pistol seems to be put together well. I know it’s only a 22, and most people aren’t going to be betting their life on the durability of the TX22. That said, I think there are just a few things that do give the impression of a “cheap” pistol, such as the plastic firing pin bushings. And as much as I like the magazines, they are all plastic, and they don’t feel like it would be hard to crush them if accidentally stepped on or something. I also noticed that the coating of the slide isn’t as tough as I would like it to be, but at this price I can’t complain.

Despite the few things that may make it seem cheap, I cannot find where the TX22 is flawed or poorly assembled. It’s a great looking pistol.

Reliability

I’ve been shooting the TX22 compact for nearly six months now, and I’ve lost track of how many boxes of Federal AutoMatch we’ve put through it. But at 325 rounds per box I’d estimate we have shot nearly two thousand rounds through the Compact TX22, this with a negligible occurrence of malfunctions. I was not surprised, as that was the same experience I had with the full size TX22, shooting through thousands of rounds with nearly zero issues.

Of course being a 22lr, the TX22 is going to be dirty, and will need occasional cleaning to keep it running in top shape. Particularly if you are shooting suppressed, which a great deal of our shooting has been.

I ran my Yankee Hill Machine Phantom 22 on the TX22 Compact, it was a perfect match that provided hours and hours of incredibly quiet fun for the family. Of course you should always wear eye protection when shooting, but it is an absolute must when shooting this pistol suppressed. There is a good deal of debris blown back when suppressed, so keep your glasses on.

Get the Yankee Hill Machine Phantom 22 suppressor here

Value (10-10)

With a street price just over $300, I think the TX22 Compact is an absolutely incredible value. There are other competitors like the Sig 322 that cost a bit more, and offer a higher capacity. The Keltec P17 is cheaper still, if you want a gun that looks like it was designed by a high school shop class.

I think the TX22 performance and features are well worth the asking price, and having spent a great deal of time shooting this and other TX22’s I am quite confident its performance is long term.

Pro & Cons

Pros

Excellent value
Reliable performance
High capacity magazines
Optics ready
Picatinny accessory rail
Ambidextrous controls
Suppressor ready from factory
Comes with 2 magazines

Cons

Magazines could be arguably fragile
I need more of them

Alternative Options

I mentioned the Sig P322 above, it would likely be a good alternative to the TX22. It carries a higher capacity magazine, and weighs a bit more but that is expected. It also comes with the big Sig Sauer name that so many crave.

The Keltec P17 is another option, with a comparable capacity to the TX22, and at an even cheaper price. It is also lighter than both the Sig and Taurus, but it also appears to come with fewer features.

FAQ’s

How much is the Taurus TX22?

The Taurus TX22 can be had for as little as $308 depending on where you buy

Is it safe to dry fire the Taurus TX22?

Many 22lr pistols are not supposed to be dry fired, but according to Taurus USA, the TX22 series is made to be safely dry fired

What red dot will fit the Taurus TX22 Compact?

The TX22 compact accepts micro red dots with the same pattern as the Holosun 407K, I installed that model, as well as the Vortex Defender red dot.

Is the TX22 Compact?

The standard TX22 is compact enough to conceal, and the compact model is even moreso. It is very comparable in size to the Glock 19.

For more information on the TX22 Compact Click Here

Conclusion

So if you haven’t gathered by now, I am a big fan of the entire TX22 family of pistols. I’ve spent the last 3 or 4 years shooting one version or another, and they have proven to be accurate, reliable, and incredibly fun to shoot. Compact pistols are typically designed for concealed carry purposes, which makes sense. I will say that I am not going to recommend carrying a 22lr as your concealed carry, but I will mention a few positive things for those that might. The TX22 Compact is very comfortable to carry, it’s both small and light so you wont notice it as much as other guns. And in the event that you should ever have to draw it, it can be emptied very quickly, and all thirteen shots can be dumped into a target with great accuracy and speed.

Other features like the threaded barrel and optics cut slide give you many of the more desired features of modern auto-loading pistols. It may not be some top tier handgun, but when it comes to 22’s I don’t know of one that I would say is top tier.

Check out more Vortex Optics

I would say that if you are looking for a fun, reliable, and accurate 22lr pistol, you will not likely find a better option. There might be one that is comparable, but it will be more expensive for sure. I must admit that I have found the TX22 to be well worth the asking price, so much in fact that I have returned to the TX22 again and again. I now own four of them in one configuration or another, if you need a good 22 pistol, buy the TX22 with confidence.

-CBM