.22 TCM
{{Short description|Bottle-necked gun cartridge}}
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{{Copy editing|date=August 2024}}
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{{infobox firearm cartridge
|name= 22TCM
|image= TCM FN Rem.jpg
|caption= From left: .22 TCM, FN 5.7×28mm, .223 Remington
| image size=200px
|origin=
|type= Pistol/Rifle
|service=
|used_by=
|wars=
|designer= Fred Craig
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=
|is_SI_specs=0
|parent=5.56×45mm NATO
|case_type=Rimless, bottleneck
|bullet=0.224 in (5.70 mm)
|neck=0.255 in (6.48 mm)
|shoulder=0.362 in (9.19 mm)
|base=0.376 in (9.55 mm)
|rim_dia=0.378 in (9.60 mm)
|rim_thick=0.045
|case_length=1.022
|length=1.265
|case_capacity=15.2 gr H2O
|rifling=
|primer=
|max_pressure=
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|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
|is_SI_ballistics=no
|bwunit=grain
|bw1=40
|btype1=Pointed flat nose
|vel1=2800
|en1=696
|bw2=40
|btype2=Pointed flat nose
|vel2=2070
|en2=381
|bw3=
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|vel3=
|en3=
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|test_barrel_length=22.75" rifle (higher velocity) and 5.0" pistol (lower velocity)
}}
The .22 TCM (Tuason, Craig, Micromagnum) is a proprietary bottlenecked rimless cartridge derived from a 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) parent case. It was developed by custom gunsmith Fred Craig in collaboration with Martin Tuason, the President of Rock Island Armory (RIA) and Armscor. The cartridge is primarily used in Rock Island Armory M1911 pistols and the M22 TCM bolt-action rifle.
Initially known as the .22 Micro-Mag, the .22 TCM is conceptually similar to other bottlenecked pistol cartridges, such as the 7.62×25mm Tokarev and the FN 5.7×28mm. The design prioritizes high velocity and reduced recoil by trading bullet mass for speed, making it suitable for various applications.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2016/2/1/22-tcm/|title = An Official Journal of the NRA | .22 TCM}}{{cite web |last1=Tuason |first1=Carlos "Caloy" |title=Armscor 22TCM |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuEyQWIdIqQ |via=YouTube |date=19 March 2019 |publisher=413 Media Group (Mar 20, 2019)}}{{cite web |last1=Harrell |first1=Paul |title=22tcm vs 5.7x28 vs 7.62x25 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLCsQkEL9eQ |website=YouTube|date=3 January 2019 }}{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2024|reason=cites a youtube video instead of an article}}
Design and Features
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2025}}
File:22TCM9R, 9mm, 22TCM, 38 Super.jpg
File:RIA Armscor M1911 A2 22TCM.jpg
The .22 TCM is based on the 5.56×45mm NATO case, shortened to match the overall cartridge length of the .38 Super. This design results in a cartridge approximately 3 mm longer than a standard 9×19mm round. The .22 TCM was specifically engineered for the Rock Island Armory (RIA) M1911 line of pistols, which also supports 9mm barrel swaps.
The RIA M1911 A2 pistols use higher capacity magazines, commonly called double stack. The .22 TCM uses Para-Ordnance P18 pattern magazines, designed for 9mm/.38 Super cartridges, and feature a double-column configuration with a 17-round capacity. They use a 8lb recoil spring. They are very easy to rack and suffer low recoil in a metal frame 1911.
Limited production runs of Glock 19 and Glock 17 conversion barrel kits allowed these pistols to be converted to fire .22 TCM by replacing the barrel and recoil spring at 11lbs. There were also complete upper conversion kits including the slide. This led to the development of the .22 TCM-9R variant, which uses a shorter bullet and overall cartridge length compatible with Glock and other magazines designed for standard 9mm ammunition.{{cite journal |last1=Tarr |first1=James |title=Rock Island Armory 9mm/.22 TCM Combo 1911 Review |journal=Firearms News |date=10 September 2020 |url=https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/rockisland-tcm-combo-1911/384240 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Tuason |first1=Martin |title=NASGW 2015 Sneak Peek - Rock Island Glock Conversion Kit 22 TCM 9mm |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqBws81UmYM |website=YouTube |publisher=Davidsons Gallery of Guns |access-date=Nov 6, 2015 |ref=CEO of RIA Armscor |date=5 November 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Tuason |first1=Carlos |title=Armscor 22 TCM Glock Conversion Unit - NRAAM 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UffbslKmS0 |website=YouTube |publisher=Firearms Radio Network |access-date=Apr 17, 2015 |ref=Senior Sales Manager RIA Armscor |date=16 April 2015}}{{cite web |last1=@tntshootingacademy |first1=TNT Shooting Academy |title=TNT testing the RIA 22 TCM 9R Glock conversion kit on Gen 2-3-4 frames |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEGz6v1ZV4Q |website=YouTube |access-date=Jan 7, 2022 |date=6 January 2022}}
;Performance and Observations
The .22 TCM cartridge features a bottleneck design, which can result in the case "sticking" as it fire-forms to the chamber. This issue can be mitigated by lubricating the chamber with oil. Armscor's bulk factory ammunition has been noted to leave unburned powder residue inside pistol internals, potentially causing reliability issues and producing significant muzzle flash.
The original 40-grain factory-loaded bullet offers a flat shooting trajectory, low recoil, and moderate accuracy in pistols. However, inconsistent accuracy, including occasional flyers and group stringing, has been reported. The cartridge's ballistic performance and overall length have also been critiqued as less than optimal for certain applications.{{cite web |last1=@BAdventures |first1=B Adventures |title=Armscor RIA 22TCM & 9mm 1911, Manila Philippines |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06xUTfSuh2E&t=1253s | publisher=YouTube|date=16 April 2017 }}{{Cite magazine |last1=Miller |first1=Brad |title=Review: RIA .22 TCM Conversion Kits |magazine=Shooting Times |date=April 25, 2016 |url=https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/review-ria-22-tcm-conversion-kits/99564}}{{cite web |last1=Cabunoc |first1=Harold |title=WARAK ANG PAKWAN SA ARMSCOR CAL 22 TCM RIFLE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohfz8PM8Poo&t=122s |website=YouTube |access-date=Jan 16, 2022 |date=15 January 2022}}
= Handloading for .22 TCM =
Handloaders have refined the performance of the .22 TCM by experimenting with different powders and projectiles to enhance accuracy and reliability. Renowned firearms author John Taffin has published handloading data for the .22 TCM in GUNS Magazine on two occasions: in 2017, focusing on powder loads, and in 2023, addressing the use of various projectiles.
Using Rock Island Armory M1911 pistols with 5-inch barrels, Taffin conducted tests at 20 yards with four-shot groups. The best results were achieved with Hodgdon Lil' Gunpowder (10.5 grains) and Alliant 2400 powder (9.3 grains), both of which are fast-burning pistol powders designed for magnum and high-velocity applications. These powders significantly improved the cartridge's reliability and accuracy.
The Speer .22 caliber (.224") 40-grain Soft Point (SP) projectile was identified as particularly well-suited for the .22 TCM. This combination of optimized powders and projectiles enhanced the cartridge's performance, making it more consistent in both velocity and accuracy.{{cite journal |last1=Taffin |first1=John |title=Speed Demon: Reloading 22TCM. |journal=Guns |date=June 1, 2017 |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Speed+demon%3A+reloading+the+potent+little+.22+TCM.-a0503466711}}{{cite journal |last1=Taffin |first1=John |title=A Pair With A Kicker, 22TCM Pistol and Rifle Review |journal=Guns |date=April 15, 2023 |url=https://gunsmagazine.com/guns/handguns/a-pair-with-a-kicker/}}{{cite web |last1=Cepeda |first1=Fausto |title=Reloading the 22TCM |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhj3wUc_ZkM |website=YouTube|date=3 January 2015 }}
Factory Ammunition for .22 TCM
Standard factory loads for the .22 TCM include a 40-grain jacketed hollow point (JHP), referred to as the "long slug," and a 39-grain JHP, known as the "9R" or "short slug." Both cartridges use the same .22 TCM case but differ in projectile length.
This distinction has occasionally caused confusion among users and ammunition retailers, with some mistakenly identifying them as separate calibers. Despite the differences in projectile design, both the 40-grain and 39-grain variants can be used interchangeably in .22 TCM firearms, provided they fit within the magazine dimensions of the pistol or rifle being used.
| class="wikitable"
|+ 22TCM Factory Ammo Performance | ||||
| Brand, Bullet, Weight, Type | Velocity FPS | Velocity FPS | Group Size Inches | Group Size Inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armscor 40gr HP, older ammo | 1,982 | 2,011 | 1.75" | 1.625" |
| Armscor 40gr HP, newer ammo | 2,044 | 2,061 | 0.875" | 1.375" |
| class="wikitable"
|+ 22TCM Handloaded Ammo Performance | ||||
| Brand, Bullet, Weight, Type | Powder Brand | Charge Grains Weight | Velocity FPS | Group Size Inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armscor 40gr HP | Hodgdon Lil Gun | 10.5 | 2,074 | 1.125" |
| Armscor 40gr HP | Alliant 2400 | 9.3 | 1,942 | 0.75" |
Dimensions
== Variants ==
=== .22TCM Improved ===
Randall Scott-Key introduced an improved variant of the .22 TCM cartridge, designated as the 5.56×24mm. This modification involved slightly lowering the case shoulder and neck, allowing for the use of a wider range of .224" projectiles. The design enhances reliability by functioning as a reverse piston during the firing process, improving feeding and ejection.
The 5.56×24mm variant is compatible with standard 9mm Glock magazines, further improving its practicality for use in popular firearms. Notably, this variant is fully backwards compatible, capable of being fired from any .22 TCM or .22 TCM-9R chamber.
Scott-Key highlighted the Speer .224" 40-grain Soft Point (SP) projectile as an excellent option for the cartridge, offering reliable performance across various applications.{{cite web |last1=Scott-Key |first1=Randall |title=Forming cases for the 5.56x24 Rowell |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYvCvHMBP-U |website=YouTube|date=30 October 2019 }}{{cite web |last1=Scott-Key |first1=Randall |title=5.56x24 Basic Overview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8pwGVYAtBg&t=1s |website=YouTube|date=31 October 2019 }}{{cite web |last1=Scott-Key |first1=Randall |title=NEW 5.56 x 24! |url=https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/new-5-56-x-24.1739010/?nested_view=1&sortby=oldest |website=Glock Talk |access-date=Dec 16, 2018}}{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2024|reason=User generated and debatably original research}}
File:5.56x24mm and 22TCM9R in ETS Glock mags.jpg
File:5.56x24mm Wildcat Pistol cartridge (9mm reference) 2.jpg
= Characteristics and Applications of .22 TCM =
The .22 TCM, sometimes referred to informally as ".223 Short," was designed as an efficient pistol caliber, achieving velocities of approximately 2,000 feet per second (fps) from a pistol and up to 2,800 fps from a rifle. Its low recoil compared to the 9×19mm Parabellum makes it suitable for training new shooters or for individuals sensitive to recoil.
Weighing less and delivering higher velocities than the 9mm, the .22 TCM is also compared to calibers like the 7.62×25mm Tokarev and FN 5.7×28mm. These characteristics make it viable for lightweight and compact personal defense weapons (PDWs), such as AR-15-style pistols, akin to those conceptualized in the Colt MARS Program.{{cite journal |title=Armscor launches RIA Defense rifles, pistols for military, law enforcement markets |journal=InsiderPH |date=September 19, 2024 |url=https://insiderph.com/armscor-launches-ria-defense-rifles-pistols-for-military-law-enforcement-markets}}{{cite web |last1=@TheBlackTrapper |first1=The Black Trapper |title=.22 TCM Redux : Tim The AR Guy DI barrel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmtzRdQA524 |website=YouTube |access-date=Feb 25, 2025 |date=24 February 2025}}{{cite web |last1=@TheBlackTrapper |first1=The Black Trapper |title=Tim The AR Guy 12" 22 TCM DI PT 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7b4F6eKmzs |website=YouTube |access-date=Mar 19, 2025 |date=18 March 2025}}
A notable advantage of the .22 TCM is its cost efficiency, with ammunition prices often being significantly lower than FN 5.7×28mm rounds in the U.S. and other regions.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
In countries with restrictions on military calibers or bore sizes for civilian ownership, the .22 TCM has been considered a potential alternative to commonly prohibited calibers like 9mm, .45 ACP, 5.56×45mm NATO, and 7.62×51mm NATO.
= Hunting Applications =
The .22 TCM's parent case is derived from the .223 Remington / 5.56×45mm NATO, which are open-source designs. The cartridge has been used successfully in both pistols and bolt-action rifles for hunting varmints, such as coyotes and feral swine.{{Citation needed|reason=Need evidence of this claim|date=October 2024}}{{cite web |last1=@PCC_AR_Builder |first1=500tsm |title=22 TCM 9R DI AR15 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8QDeO9zFBw |website=YouTube|date=10 June 2018 }}{{cite web |last1=@LegallyArmedAmerica |first1=Legally Armed America |title=22 TCM rifle drops hog in its tracks on night vision |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YUoQ-ab2GQ |website=YouTube|date=10 November 2014 |access-date=November 10, 2014 }}{{cite web |last1=@kak_industry |first1=KAK Industry |title=KAK Industry 22 TCM AR15 Barrels and Uppers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOcSeCyBee4 |website=YouTube |date=7 June 2024 |access-date=June 8, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=@BuckeyeBallistics |first1=Justin |title=RIA Rock Island M22 22TCM Review & Shoot (Close and Long Range) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FwLWLnPUXY |website=YouTube |access-date=July 22, 2024}}
See also
- .22 Spitfire
- .221 Remington Fireball, a similar necked .22 centerfire round
- 5.56×21mm PINDAD, cut down 5.56×45mm
- .224 Boz
- 5mm RRM (5.2x26mm)
- 7.62×25mm Tokarev
- 7.63×25mm Mauser
- 7.65×21mm Parabellum
- 7.65×25mm Borchardt
- FN 5.7×28mm
References
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External links
{{Commons category}}
{{222remderivatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:22TCM}}