recently came across a 1911 with 22 TCM/9mm barrels.....any thoughts on the 22 TCM cartridge?

quote:

Originally posted by searay215:
recently came across a 1911 with 22 TCM/9mm barrels.....any thoughts on the 22 TCM cartridge?

It's a wicked cartridge that's a ton of fun to shoot at the range. Loud with a huge fireball and really low kick. There are some YT videos that show the damage it will do and it's unbelievable. That's the upside.

The downside is that it's extremely expensive to shoot.

I used to categorize the 22 TCM with the 5.7 and .22 magnum. All tons of fun to shoot but also very expensive to shoot.

Since 5.7 x 28 is becoming popular I would take my chances with that cartridge since it will probably be cheaper at least in the near term and you have the same type of benefits from it as compared to the 22 TCM.

Interesting comparison article:

The TCM has some advantages.

https://www.gun-tests.com/issu...-1.html#.Xk1J-m5FwUE

Conclusion:

"Our Team Said: Compared to the 40-grain V-Max 5.7x28mm load, the 22 TCM 40-grain load exhibited a 200-fps advantage. The 27-grain 5.7x28mm load is faster but uses a lighter bullet, so its energy isn’t comparable to the 22 TCM. Additionally, the 22 TCM bullet did not fragment. It expanded consistently. The 5.7x28mm V-Max loading penetrated less and fragmented. Compared cartridge to cartridge, we think the 22 TCM is the better cartridge.

If you want a hot 22-caliber centerfire self-loader, the RIA is accurate, more so than the FNH pistol, and costs much less. It is also more powerful. This is a great fun gun, easy to shoot and accurate. This is among the few affordable self-loaders useful for small-game hunting and predator control. Keep it on the hip during your chores, and a pesky coyote is in trouble out to 100 yards, and perhaps a little further."

I don’t know anything about it’s practicality but as a GIGGLE ROUND it’s hard to beat.

LOUD......BIGGGG MUZZLE FLASH........itty bitty recoil. Honestly it’s sort of a mind screw when you shoot it. Your brain is trying to comprehend why it looks like a .44 magnum but has no recoil.

The ones I have shot truly made me giggle out loud.

Thanks for insights, is t too loud for indoor ranges?

No it’s really not. It’s kinda hot .357 SIG POP.

It’s just a combination of a pretty loud sound signature with a big fireball that comes together to make it seem EPIC. Then you combine it with like NO recoil and it’s a weird/great experience.

I certainly wouldn’t want to use it sans ear pro for self defense in low light but range with ear pro it’s perfectly fine.

I am fond of mine. I have had it for 6+ years now



As many have said, it is fun to shoot. Or to quote cslinger "it made me giggle out loud"

It is very accurate and obviously shoots amazingly flat. We are talking about 2,000 FPS from a handgun after all

The goal of the designers was to put 5.7 style performance into a 1911 platform. The 5.7 cartridge is too long for most handgun platforms currently available

I do not think of it as expensive to shoot. Factory ammunition can be had for about $17 a box if you buy it a case at a time (which I do). Just search the internet, there are lots of good prices out there

It is economical to hand load. Factory original JHP bullets are $7 per hundred or cheaper in larger quantities.

Several projectile and powder companies are offering load data for it now. In the early days we had to load by the seats of our pants. I did lots of experimenting when this hit the market. The Nosler Varmageden and Speer BEE projectiles work well in the 22TCM

It runs well on 10 grains of H110, which is a powder that I love to use in my 357 Magnums so I always have it on hand

It was very hard to get dies when this first came out. The manufacturer had 300 sets of dies run but when they went dry it was tough. Hornady graciously provided a set of there test dies to me very early in this project. I had QuiclLoad generate possible loading combinations to try and off I went

Today at least LEE and Hornady are making dies for it.

Hey this cartridge gets 2,000 FPS from a 1911 That is Awesome

Yes I know that I repeated myself

This message has been edited. Last edited by: colt_saa,

quote:

Originally posted by searay215:
Thanks for insights, is t too loud for indoor ranges?

Not at all

Though it will get lots of folks asking "What was that?"

The majority of the commercial ranges near me here in Florida are indoor.

My Club had one for sale and after shooting one mag I was smitten with it.

As a 9mm it is fun but the 22TCM is a Hoot to shoot.

Yes Ammo can be spendy but Reloading makes all the difference. $0.15 a shot.

With the advent of the Ruger 57, I think it may be hard to choose the 22 TCM. There are more capable rounds available for the 5.7

If you handload, it’s definitely cheaper.

With the right bullets, I’m sure it’s adequate

.22 TCM is FAR MORE FUN then 5.7x28.

But I am only speaking about fun.

In all my years shooting, I only got rid of 2 handguns quicker than I got em. The 2nd was a RIA 1911 in .22TCM. That gun just wouldn't group to save a life. A friend of mine had the very same issue. But, I do know a few at my range that have them and love them.

I think the concept of a centerfire .22 on steroids is rather interesting and I own the FN 5.7. And I'm anxiously awaiting to try out the new Speer Gold Dots for the 5.7. I'd also like to get a .22 Rimfire Magnum someday.

Damnit! I want one.