Rossi RS22 Review: A Plinking Trainer

Like many shooters, I love .22s. They are great for so many different activities. This includes plinking, teaching new shooters and low-cost training. Over the years, I’ve shot and tested quite a few, but I’ve never gotten my hands on one like the Rossi RS22. 

The Rossi RS22 is a semi-auto pistol. However, it is a pistol that is best used with a brace for full shooting accuracy and comfort, making it a great option for close-quarters training at a reduced cost. It could also be one heck of a plinker. 

Right to the Range

When the Rossi RS22 arrived, I wanted to get the range quickly. So, I attached a brace and a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro optic to the rear and top rails and threaded a Banish 22K V2 suppressor on the end. 

Sighting in the RS22 was easier than loading the magazine. It took about 10 minutes to get rounds to consistently hit the center of the target at 15 yards. At this point, I wasn’t trying to wring out the accuracy. I wanted it set up for the same drills I would run with a pistol or something like the Springfield Kuna. 

Just like with a carry gun, I started with a failure drill from low ready. Easy, simple and three rounds in the target. I couldn’t, however, perform any drills requiring reloads; the RS22 comes with a single 10-round magazine. Other drills included the Forty-Five drill, the Bill Drill and multiple target engagement. I also set up some barriers and ran the Rossi as if clearing a house, which was a blast. 

While I did check accuracy from a rest, I didn’t perform a full accuracy test. I thought about attaching a more powerful scope and doing so, but the Rossi RS22 is more about fun than pinpoint accuracy. It did fine with Federal bulk ammunition, wringing out mostly 2- to 3-inch groups with the Delta Point Pro at 25 yards. I had a few flyers, but every hit landed in a 4-inch circle. 

Likes & Changes

Like most firearms, the Rossi RS22 has it good points. There were several features I liked and one thing I would change. Its good features are pretty nice, adding to the quality of both the firearm and its use. 

The trigger is fine. It broke fairly cleanly right at 5 pounds, with just a little bit of play on the front end. The handguard feels like it came off an AR, and the polymer frame feels sturdy. It even comes with a small bit of rail molded in for attaching lights or laser. The safety is in front of the trigger within easy reach of the trigger finger and the pistol comes with stippling on the hand grip and the frame for secure handling. The brace attachment point is also molded but it feels tough and secure. 

The main problem was having to reload every 10 rounds; the Rossi RS22 needs to come with both additional and larger capacity magazines. It could, in fact, benefit from a magazine redesign, as the magazine was my only real issue. If a round went in the chamber, it fired and ejected just fine. Unfortunately, rounds would sometimes turn inside the magazine and not load into the chamber. It also contains sharp lips that really jab the thumb during loading. 

I would, in fact, like a redesign. The action of the Rossi RS22 has a vague Ruger 10/22 look to it. So, I say go with the Ruger magazines. Those magazines are reliable and easy to load. They are also available in 10- and 25-round capacity from Ruger, with some aftermarket models going larger. 

The Rossi RS22 is a nice pistol. It is fun to shoot and fairly accurate. The trigger is decent if not amazing. This pistol isn’t going to win a small-bore championship, nor are shooters going to typically use it to pop a squirrel at 50 yards. It is, however, awesome at sending a bunch of rounds at targets in fun and training. 

Rossi RS22 Specs

• Action: Semi Auto 
• Caliber: .22 LR
• Barrel Length: 6” (matte black)
• Overall Length: 14.06”
• Weight: 2.23 lbs. (unloaded)
• Height: 6.57”
• Width: 2.28”
• Frame: Black polymer
• Sights: N/A 
• MSRP: $189.99 ($398.99 with brace)