Reviewed: Taurus 22TUC Pistol

If Goldilocks had been shopping for a rimfire concealed carry pistol, she might have landed on the Taurus 22TUC as “just right.” Lightweight, reliable and small enough to fit in your pocket, this micro-compact pistol chambered in .22 LR isn’t trying to compete with the heavy hitters. Instead, it’s carving out a niche as the perfect option for those who value simplicity, portability and user-friendly design. Whether you’re looking for a backup gun, a first firearm or just another addition to your safes, the Taurus 22TUC may be an ideal fit.

At first glance, the Taurus 22TUC is as subtle as it is practical. With its polymer frame and sleek, minimalist design, it’s the kind of gun that doesn’t scream for attention, and that’s a good thing in the concealed carry world. Weighing in at a mere 10 oz. (unloaded), it feels more like carrying a cell phone rather than a firearm.

It's possible that you may not rely on this micro-compact as your primary carry, but the TUC's unassuming nature makes it an ideal backup gun, especially with the defensive .22 LR rounds we've seen hit the market recently. Despite its small size, this rimfire packs some impressive features. The overall length of 5", height of 4.35" and slim 1" width make it a no-brainer for pocket carry, small bags or even tucked (ahem) away in unconventional holsters. Yet, it still delivers a decent 9+1 capacity, which is nice for such a small platform.

While what we discussed thus far is great, the highlight of the TUC is its tip-up barrel design. With this, you can simply pop the barrel up and drop a round directly into the chamber, bypassing the need to rack or drop the slide to get that first round ready. While you can still chamber that first round the old-fashioned way, many with limited hand strength, arthritis or a simple preference for ease and simplicity are fans of this feature. The tip-up barrel isn't just about convenience; it’s also a way to visually confirm the chamber status with a quick glance, forgoing slide manipulation. 

This handgun goes bang via a double-action-only (DAO) trigger. This type of trigger may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they bring with them an additional layer of safety should you be forced to use it in a defensive scenario when the adrenaline is pumping. The consistent trigger pull on each shot is predictable and smooth enough to avoid pulling you off target. While it may not rival the crispness of some single-action triggers, the DAO system here feels purposeful, like a deliberate balance of practicality and safety.

The sights on the Taurus 22TUC are simple but effective. Fixed front and rear sights keep things streamlined, and the bright orange dot on the front sight makes target acquisition relatively quick. Sure, you're not winning any marksmanship competitions with this setup, but it gets the job done for up-close-and-personal engagements (which studies show most defensive situations are).

The TUC was built with a manual safety, consisting of a simple lever on the left side of the frame, allowing right-handed shooters to engage or disengage it easily. The positioning feels intuitive and won't slow you down when it's time to act. Combined with the DAO trigger, the safety system ensures that the pistol is secure during carry but ready at a moment’s notice if called upon. 

When range day rolled around, temperatures were in the thirties, with a light breeze coming out of the west. I found myself having to remove my gloves during testing due to the small nature of the gun, but this would easily be remedied by wearing thinner gloves. After a short break-in period, the TUC settled into its own and started to group quite nicely. We sent round after round downrange at a distance of 7 yards to include Federal's 40gr AutoMatch, Remington's 40gr Golden Hunter, and CCI’s 31gr Clean-22 Hyper Velocity Target Rounds.

Accuracy is solid within the self-defense distances this gun is designed for, albeit at the lower end of that 7-to-15-yard spectrum. I expect groups to open up a bit the further you move out, but even considering that, I was pleased with its performance. Remington Golden Hunter took the lead with an average group size of 1.25", followed closely by Federal and CCI with average group sizes of 1.5 and 2", respectively. 

As a real-world carry gun, the 22TUC fits nicely within its intended role. Its minimalistic size, weight and 10-round capacity make it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a discreet everyday carry pistol or backup gun. It’s not the most intimidating firearm in the world, but that’s the beauty of it … it’s a gun you can carry without a second thought, and it’s ready when you need it.

This small but mighty rimfire is not only a practical choice but also an affordable one. With a budget-friendly MSRP starting at $333.99, choosing whether or not to add a punchy .22 to your collection isn't a tough choice, leaving plenty of room for ammo and targets. Taurus has built its reputation on delivering value-packed firearms, and the 22TUC is no exception. For budget-conscious buyers, it’s a smart way to get a reliable, feature-rich pistol without breaking the bank. TaurusUSA.com.