Intratec TEC-22
Encyclopedia
The Intratec TEC-22 is a semi-automatic handgun chambered in .22 Long Rifle
. It was also marketed as the Scorpion and Sport-22. Like most firearms of this caliber the TEC-22 operates using a straight blow-back action.
The TEC-22 is constructed largely from molded plastic and stamped metal parts. Together with an extremely simple design this allowed the gun to be made and marketed inexpensively.
and largely un-machined with the exception of the bolt guides which the bottom of the bolt rides on. A stamped steel receiver cover rests over the top of the bolt, sandwiching it in place. The receiver cover hinges at the front of the frame and latches onto the rear of the bolt assembly. The bolt assembly consists of a cast steel bolt that rides on a spring and follower; a thin firing pin channel runs down the center of the bolt, allowing the stamped firing pin to be struck by the hammer and impact the cartridge at the front of the bolt. The action is simple straight blow-back.
A small switch on the frame actuates a trigger block safety. A hinged door at the bottom of the grip provides a small storage compartment.
which forbade the sale of the original TEC-22 model.
made for the popular Ruger 10/22
rifle. The extractor is also interchangeable with 10/22 extractors.
Another common complaint is the tendency of the firing pin to break. Aftermarket firing pins are available.
An issue commonly found on these pistols that affects reliability revolves around the spacing found between the chamber wall and extractor ramp. The space is so vast that the extractor does not get enough of a grip on the spent casings lip to properly extract the round. Several pistols have been made into reliable guns by reducing this space.
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge is a long established variety of ammunition, and in terms of units sold is still by far the most common in the world today. The cartridge is often referred to simply as .22 LR and various rifles, pistols, revolvers, and even some smoothbore shotguns have...
. It was also marketed as the Scorpion and Sport-22. Like most firearms of this caliber the TEC-22 operates using a straight blow-back action.
The TEC-22 is constructed largely from molded plastic and stamped metal parts. Together with an extremely simple design this allowed the gun to be made and marketed inexpensively.
Design
The single-piece frame/receiver is molded from ABS plasticAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a common thermoplastic. Its melting point is approximately 105 °C ....
and largely un-machined with the exception of the bolt guides which the bottom of the bolt rides on. A stamped steel receiver cover rests over the top of the bolt, sandwiching it in place. The receiver cover hinges at the front of the frame and latches onto the rear of the bolt assembly. The bolt assembly consists of a cast steel bolt that rides on a spring and follower; a thin firing pin channel runs down the center of the bolt, allowing the stamped firing pin to be struck by the hammer and impact the cartridge at the front of the bolt. The action is simple straight blow-back.
A small switch on the frame actuates a trigger block safety. A hinged door at the bottom of the grip provides a small storage compartment.
Original
The original TEC-22 variant featured a threaded barrel and a 25-round magazine. The barrel's threading is 1/2-20 and allows a barrel extension to be attached. A small, knurled nut threads onto the barrel to protect the threading.Sport-22
The Sport-22 featured a non-threaded barrel and a 10-round magazine to comply with the now expired 1994 U.S. firearms legislationFederal assault weapons ban
The Federal Assault Weapons Ban was a subtitle of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, a federal law in the United States that included a prohibition on the manufacture for civilian use of certain semi-automatic firearms, so called "assault weapons"...
which forbade the sale of the original TEC-22 model.
Similarities to Ruger 10/22
The TEC-22 is designed to use magazines and drumsDrum magazine
A drum magazine is a type of firearms magazine that is cylindrical in shape, similar to a drum. Instead of rounds being stored flat, as in a more common box magazine, rounds in a drum magazine are stored in a spiral around the center of the magazine, facing the direction of the barrel.There are...
made for the popular Ruger 10/22
Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rimfire rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It has a removable 10-round rotary magazine which allows the magazine to fit flush with the bottom of the stock. Higher capacity magazines are also available...
rifle. The extractor is also interchangeable with 10/22 extractors.
Accessories
The below items are advertised for mail order in the 1994 TEC-22 manual:- Barrel extension
- Scope base
- Recoil compensator
- Sling set
Reliability
Failure to eject ("stovepiping") is a common complaint of TEC-22 owners. Some owners report better reliability with certain magazine brands that have steel feed lips. The magazine well is fairly loose, allowing the magazine a wide range of possible orientations. The ejector in 10/22-style firearms is integral to the magazine. Because of this, the play in the magazine orientation can affect ejection.Another common complaint is the tendency of the firing pin to break. Aftermarket firing pins are available.
An issue commonly found on these pistols that affects reliability revolves around the spacing found between the chamber wall and extractor ramp. The space is so vast that the extractor does not get enough of a grip on the spent casings lip to properly extract the round. Several pistols have been made into reliable guns by reducing this space.