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
