Taurus TX22 Reliability Problems: What I Learned After Testing Two Different Models

I really wanted to like the Taurus TX22.

On paper, it checks almost every box. It's lightweight, affordable, optics-ready in some configurations, holds plenty of rounds, and most importantly, it's surprisingly accurate for a .22 pistol.

In fact, after shooting both the standard TX22 and the TX22 Competition, accuracy was never the problem.

Reliability was.

I originally purchased the TX22 thinking it would make an excellent trainer and a fun range gun. A .22 LR pistol should be inexpensive to shoot, easy to handle, and something you can hand to a new shooter without worry.

Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience.

The Accuracy Was There

Let's start with the good.

Both pistols were capable of excellent accuracy. Whether shooting steel, paper targets, or working on fundamentals, the TX22 consistently delivered respectable groups.

The trigger was decent, recoil was almost nonexistent, and when everything worked correctly, the gun was genuinely fun to shoot.

That's what made the reliability issues so frustrating.

The Jams Started Adding Up

Over multiple range sessions, both pistols experienced repeated malfunctions. 

Sometimes it was a failure to feed.

Sometimes the slide wouldn't fully return to battery.

Other times the pistol would simply fail to cycle correctly.

At first, I assumed it was ammunition. After all, .22 LR is known for being less reliable than centerfire cartridges.

So I tried different ammo.

The problems continued. In many cases, the pistol would experience more than one failure to feed before I could get through a single magazine. At that point, it became clear that this was more than just an occasional rimfire malfunction.

Then I started paying closer attention to the magazines.

Magazine Problems Were a Major Contributor

The more I shot the TX22, the more I became convinced that many of the issues were magazine-related.

Rounds occasionally seemed to stack inconsistently, and certain magazines appeared to cause more problems than others.

If you're experiencing reliability issues, the first thing I would recommend is numbering your magazines with a paint marker and tracking which one is causing problems.

You may discover that one magazine is responsible for most of your headaches.

A Soft Grip Made Things Worse

One thing that surprised me was how sensitive both pistols were to grip technique.

With a firm grip, reliability improved.

With a softer grip, especially when letting newer shooters try the gun, malfunctions became noticeably more frequent.

Experienced shooters often call this "limp-wristing," but I don't think that's the whole story here.

A beginner-friendly firearm should be somewhat forgiving.

Many new shooters naturally have an inconsistent grip while they're learning.

If a pistol starts malfunctioning every few magazines because of that, it creates frustration and makes training more difficult.

What I'd Try Before Giving Up

If you own a TX22 and are fighting reliability issues, here's where I'd start:

1. Thoroughly Clean the Pistol

A dirty feed ramp or chamber can create problems surprisingly quickly in a rimfire pistol.

Pay special attention to:

• Chamber area

• Feed ramp

• Slide rails

• Magazine body

2. Test Different Ammunition

Some .22 LR pistols are picky.

Try several types of ammunition before drawing conclusions.

A few hundred rounds of quality ammo can tell you a lot.

3. Number Your Magazines

This was one of the biggest lessons I learned.

Track every malfunction.

Write down:

• Which magazine was used

• What ammunition was loaded

• Type of malfunction

Patterns often emerge quickly.

4. Polishing the Bore Helped—At Least a Little

One thing I tried that actually seemed to improve reliability was polishing the bore.

I'll be honest—I wasn't expecting much. Most reliability discussions focus on magazines, ammunition, feed ramps, or grip technique. However, after polishing the bore and thoroughly cleaning the barrel, I noticed a modest improvement in reliability.

The pistol still experienced malfunctions, and I would not consider this a complete fix. However, it did seem to reduce the frequency of some of the cycling issues I was seeing.

It's possible that reducing fouling buildup or smoothing minor imperfections in the barrel helped the pistol cycle more consistently. Regardless of the reason, the improvement was noticeable enough that I felt it was worth mentioning.

Would I recommend it as the first troubleshooting step? No.

I'd still start with:

• Magazine inspection
• Ammunition testing
• Cleaning and lubrication
• Verifying grip technique

But if you've already tried those steps and are still having problems, polishing the bore may be worth considering.

As always, use caution and avoid removing significant material. The goal is to clean and lightly polish, not alter the barrel.

5. Have Another Shooter Test It

If possible, let an experienced shooter run a few magazines through the gun.

If reliability suddenly improves, grip technique may be contributing to the issue.

In our testing, it didn't seem to matter who was behind the trigger. Experienced shooters and newer shooters alike experienced similar reliability issues.

6. Contact Taurus

If you've eliminated ammunition, magazines, and shooter technique as potential causes, it may be time to take advantage of Taurus' warranty service.

Before reaching out, document:

• Ammunition used
• Magazine numbers
• Types of malfunctions
• Approximate round count
• Photos or videos of recurring issues

In my case, Taurus customer service was professional and easy to work with throughout the warranty process. The firearm was returned promptly, and communication was good.

Unfortunately, while some issues appeared to improve, reliability problems persisted after the firearm was returned. Your experience may differ, but warranty service did not fully resolve the issues I encountered during testing.

My Final Thoughts

I don't enjoy writing negative reviews.

I wanted the TX22 to become one of my favorite .22 pistols.

The accuracy is there.

The ergonomics are there.

The price is certainly attractive.

But reliability matters more than any other feature on a firearm.

After testing both the standard TX22 and the TX22 Competition, I experienced enough malfunctions that I cannot recommend either pistol as a dependable training firearm. Accuracy was never the issue—reliability was. For experienced shooters, the occasional malfunction may be an annoyance. For a new shooter, however, frequent failures to feed and cycling issues can quickly turn an enjoyable range session into a frustrating experience.

If yours runs flawlessly, that's fantastic.

But if you're searching online because your TX22 keeps jamming, you're not alone.

Hopefully some of the troubleshooting steps above help you get your pistol running the way it should have from the factory.

Have you had a different experience with the TX22? Let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear what worked—or didn't work—for you.

Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal experience with two Taurus TX22 pistols. Other owners may have different results depending on ammunition, magazines, maintenance, and individual firearms.