.22 TCM

22TCM
From left: .22 TCM, FN 5.7×28mm, .223 Remington
Type	Pistol/Rifle
Production history
Designer	Fred Craig
Specifications
Parent case	5.56×45mm NATO
Case type	Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter	0.224 in (5.70 mm)
Neck diameter	0.255 in (6.48 mm)
Shoulder diameter	0.362 in (9.19 mm)
Base diameter	0.376 in (9.55 mm)
Rim diameter	0.378 in (9.60 mm)
Rim thickness	0.045 in (1.1 mm)
Case length	1.022 in (26.0 mm)
Overall length	1.265 in (32.1 mm)
Case capacity	15.2 gr H2O
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy 40 gr (3 g) Pointed flat nose 2,800 ft/s (850 m/s) 696 ft⋅lbf (944 J) 40 gr (3 g) Pointed flat nose 2,070 ft/s (630 m/s) 381 ft⋅lbf (517 J)
Test barrel length: 22.75" rifle (higher velocity) and 5.0" pistol (lower velocity)

The .22 TCM or 22TCM (.22, Tuason, Craig, Micromagnum) is a proprietary bottle-necked rimless cartridge created from a 5.56mm NATO / 223 Rem parent case. It was developed by custom gunsmith Fred Craig and Martin Tuason, President of Rock Island Armory (RIA) Armscor, and is used in the RIA M1911 pistols and the M22 TCM bolt-action rifle. Before the cartridge was commercialized, it was called the 22 Micro-Mag. It is similar in concept to other bottle-necked pistol cartridges such as the 7.62×25mm Tokarev and the FN 5.7×28mm. The 22TCM trades bullet mass for increased velocity and lower recoil.

Design

22TCM (left) with 40gr long bullet; 22TCM-9R (right) with 39gr short bullet.

22TCM9R, 9mm Luger, 22TCM, and .38 Super

Early model RIA Armscor 22TCM M1911 A2, double stack 17 round Para P18 type mag.

Based on the 5.56×45mm NATO case and shortened so the overall cartridge length matches .38 Super, the 22TCM is approximately 3 mm longer than a standard 9×19mm. It is designed to be fired from the RIA M1911 line of pistols, which also included 9mm barrel swaps.

Magazines are based on the Para P18 pattern in 9mm/.38 Super, and are double column, with a 17 round capacity. There was a limited production run on Glock 19 and 17 conversion barrel kits. By changing the barrel and recoil spring (11 lbs) a 9mm Glock pistol could be converted to 22TCM. This created another ammunition option 22TCM-9R or "9R" with a shorter bullet (projectile or slug) and shorter overall length. The 9R ammo can fit in Glock and other magazines limited to standard length 9mm cartridges. The bottle neck case can be 'sticky' as it fireforms to the chamber, which can be remidied by lubricating the chamber with oil. The Armscor bulk factory ammo tends to 'spill', leaving unburned powder inside pistol internals. This can cause reliability issues, and big fireballs as muzzle flash. The original 40-grain factory long slug is less than ideal in overall length and ballistic performance. It is has a flat shooting trajectory, accuracy, and low recoil from a pistol. But accuracy can be inconsistent and result in flyers and target groups stringing.

Armscor 40gr factory ammo vs Speer, and Sierra projectiles in handloads.

Handloaders have perfected the 22TCM by using more suitable projectiles and powder. John Taffin, a well known gun author, published his handloading data in GUNS Magazine twice: in 2017 focused on powder loads; and in 2023, focused more on different projectiles. Velocity and accuracy results using RIA M1911 pistols with 5" barrels were four shots at 20 yards. Best powder results: Hodgdon Lil Gun at 10.5 grains; and Alliant 2400 gun powder at 9.3 grains. Faster burning pistol powders meant for magnum and high velocity loads. This improved reliability and accuracy. The Speer 22 caliber (.224") 40-grain Soft Point (SP) projectile is ideal for 22TCM. Also increased reliability and accuracy.

Performance

Standard factory loads are 40-grain jacketed hollow point (JHP), the long slug, and 39-grain JHP, the 9R short slug. Note both are still the same 22TCM case, but different projectile slugs. This caused confusion for some users and even ammunition sellers thinking they are different calibers. Both projectiles can be used in either pistol or rifle, as long as they fit in the relevant magazines.

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"

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 vs 22TCM9R overall length, same case different slugs.

22TCM, 22TCM9R, 5.56x24mm with different projectiles.

22TCM Improved

Randall Scott-Key pioneered an improved 22TCM as 5.56×24mm. By slightly modifying the case shoulder and neck lower it allows more .224" projectiles to be used. It helps reliability by acting as a reverse piston during the firing process. This also allows the cartridge to fit inside popular 9mm Glock magazines and feed more reliably. It is backwards compatible and can be fired from any 22TCM/9R chamber. He also noted the excellent all round performance of the Speer .224" 40-grain SP projectile.

5.56×24mm vs 22TCM case

5.56×24mm and 22TCM9R in ETS Glock mags

5.56×24mm with Speer 40gr Soft Points, next to 9mm at the back.

Basically '223 short', it was designed as a more efficient pistol caliber, attaining velocities of 2,000 fps out of a pistol, and 2,800 fps out of a rifle. It features very low recoil compared to 9mm, potentially making it useful for training new shooters and the recoil sensitive. 22TCM is lighter weight and higher velocity than the popular 9mm; and competing 7.62×25mm Tokarev and FN 5.7×28mm, making it useful for a light weight and compact AR-15-style pistol PDW, like the Colt MARS Program. 22TCM ammo prices tend to be half that of FN 5.7mm in the US and other regions.. 22TCM may be an ideal 'civilian caliber' in countries with restrictions, as in some regions civilians cannot legally own the same calibers as the military or certain bore size. 22TCM can be an attractive alternative to 9mm, 45ACP, 5.56mm and 7.62mm NATO and other military calibers.

The parent case is 223 Rem / 5.56mm NATO, which is open source. Hunters have used both the pistol and bolt-action rifle on varmints such as coyote and feral swine.

22TCM AR-15 pistol with 8.5" barrel and DI gas system. 22TCM AR mags, 18 rounds. 40gr factory ammo, and 55gr bullets in handloads. Made by Tim, The AR Guy

22TCM AR-15 magazines designed to take the 40gr factory ammo, holds 18 rounds. Made by Tim, The AR Guy.

22TCM AR-15 mag with handload. Designed to be reliable with longer bullets. Made by Tim, The AR Guy.

2 types of dedicated 22TCM AR-15 mags. Note the different length followers and built in feed ramps. Designed for either the 40gr factory ammo, or longer handloads. More reliable compared to 9mm conversion mags as 22TCM is slightly longer overall length. Hold 18 rounds but can be extended. Made by Tim, The AR Guy.

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