Shooting a .22 pistol is just plain fun. It’s also a great way to introduce someone to shooting. Less intimidating, less recoil. Add a red dot to it and it’s even easier to shoot. I recently received the new TaurusTX 22 Compact and the first thing I did was put a Crimson Trace “CT RAD Micro (Red)” dot on it. Shooting with a red dot is so much easier on my eyes, and this gun was designed for it, so why not add one? The red dot is small and lightweight and I was quite impressed with it. I wondered, could someone use this firearm for self-defense?
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Here’s a great link from Avery Skipalis with “Women’s Outdoor News” on how to install a red dot.
Next, I needed to zero in the red dot. Here’s another great link on zeroing in a red dot from Avery, who is a firearms instructor as well.
The TaurusTX 22 Compact is specifically designed for concealed carry. “That market has been growing more and more with ammo costs,” Cody Osborne, Marketing Director for Taurus, explained to me when we talked at SHOT Show. “The TX 22 Compact has a reduced footprint, but holds 13 rounds. The red dot is toward the rear so it can be carried in an IWB [inside the waistband] holster.” Cody is correct; the gun easily fits in my Crossbreed Modular Belly Band system. I’ve come to really appreciate this system as I can just get a new holster and switch it out and keep wearing the same belly band that I’m used to, instead of working with another new holster.
After getting the gun set up, I met with Omar Conger, Chief Range Safety Officer and Head Trainer at my local range, Republic Gun Club, in Waco, Texas. I wanted to know his thoughts about drills for a person who is shooting a .22 handgun for the first time.
“As an instructor, I recommend that first-time shooters practice exercises to learn trigger control, grip and stance. Having good fundamentals before you even get started is really critical to good round placement on a target,” said Omar.
He continued, “Then, you can practice other drills where you do simple things like bring your gun up, shoot, then down, then back up again and shoot again. Basically, doing accuracy and precision shots.”
Conger said that it is important to know what you are planning to do with your .22. “It’s very important to know if you are training for personal and self-defense or are you training just for target practice. How far out you train really depends on what kind of shooting you’re practicing for. If you are practicing for defensive shooting, follow your state’s guidelines. For instance, the state of Texas, a ‘License To Carry’ qualification goes out to 15 yards. So, basically the idea behind that is shoot between an imminent threat, which is within arms’ reach, all the way up to 15 yards.”
He then elaborated on the importance of shot placement. “When it comes down to self-defense, you can absolutely use a .22. Because of the lower-power factor of the .22 cartridge, it is even more important than other calibers to be very skilled and proficient with your shot placements. The largest debate behind using a .22 versus a larger caliber is simply with the .22 you need to have a level of marksmanship included in your defensive shooting. Don’t take that as the .22 is any less lethal because it can still kill you just as much. You need to place your rounds in those critical areas. Most instructors will tell you that is the high center chest or the headshot area, or even the pelvic region.”
NOTE: If you are shooting at an indoor range, you may not be able to shoot head shots at five or even seven yards, especially if you are short, because those shots can hit the baffles. Instead, try turning the target upside down and shoot the head as a pelvic shot.
A final drill suggested by Omar is putting snap caps in your magazine to practice clearing malfunctions. “With a rimfire, you’re likely going have some malfunctions you’re going to have to work through because it happens more often with them. So you just need to learn to work through them on a regular basis.”
The TaurusTX 22 Compact is an excellent choice for an introduction to shooting and it is also an excellent choice for concealed carry. Just be sure to practice: 1) the basics of grip, finger placement, and stance, 2) those very important shot placements and 3) clearing malfunctions so you can quickly continue defending yourself if needed.
The TaurusTX 22 Compact MSRP is $399.99. It also comes with a Riton red-dot optic for $469.99.
Nancy Keaton is a retired college administrator, president of her local gun club, competitive shooter and freelance writer whose work has appeared in A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League, "American Shooting Journal," "American Concealed," "Northwest Meetings + Events," and other publications. She enjoys writing about a wide variety of topics and interviewing ordinary people doing amazing things. To see a compilation of her writing, check out her website at www.nancykeaton.com. View all posts by Nancy Keaton
