TriStar KR22: Turkish .22 LR Rimfire Rifle Review

While many shotgunners are familiar with TriStar as an importer of affordable, well-made guns from Turkey, rifle shooters may not have heard of the firm. But that could change, as the company is now importing its first .22 rifle, the KR22, from Turkish maker Kral Arms.

The KR22 is a semiautomatic that feeds from Ruger-style 10-round rotary magazines. It features an 18.6-inch barrel that’s threaded 1/2x28. The fixed two-dot rear sight is set inside the forward section of the polymer receiver’s integral Picatinny rail. The front sight is a red fiber optic that’s adjustable for elevation by turning an Allen screw at the front of the base, and the necessary Allen wrench is part of a supplied tool set that’s thoughtfully key-ringed together.

I think the rifle’s main selling point, aside from the price, is its synthetic stock. The butt has a large cutout that contributes to the rifle’s svelte four-pound, 14-ounce weight. Better still, it incorporates an adjustable comb. Insert the correct Allen wrench into the screw in the side of the stock, loosen it and slide the comb up or down to accommodate an optic or the open sights.

The stock has a beefy wrist that’s nicely textured for a sure grip, and it flares noticeably at the base. The butt has a rubber recoil pad/cap cut with V-shape grooves to keep it in the shoulder. The fore-end is smooth but has a series of diagonal cuts to provide a bit of traction. The fore-end tip sports a rakish angle and incorporates a sling swivel stud, as does the buttstock.

Ergonomics and Handling

The action’s charging handle can be swapped to either side, and the necessary Allen wrench is included on the key ring. There is no bolt stop, and the action doesn’t lock open on an empty magazine.

The trigger is a bit creepy with a four-pound, 10-ounce pull weight, but it’s fine for plinking. It has a red safety lever in its face, and that safety is paired with a triangular crossbolt safety at the front of the trigger guard. It’s red on the left side for a good visual reference.

The magazine releases by pushing forward on a lever at the rear of the mag well. The two supplied magazines dropped freely and inserted easily.

Disassembly is straightforward. Barreled action and stock are held together with a single screw (the manual says you have to turn out the front sling stud, but that wasn’t the case with my sample); the trigger group has screws fore and aft; and the barrel is secured to the action by screws at three and nine o’clock. All the required Allens are provided on the key ring.

Design and Range Time

Unlike with a 10/22 and similar designs, the bolt can’t be removed from the receiver. When reassembling, take a longish, thin-bladed screwdriver or similar tool to hold the magazine latch forward while reinstalling the barreled action.

While I would usually throw a red dot on a rifle like this, for testing I mounted a Zeiss Conquest 3-9X on the integral Pic rail to get a better idea of how this newcomer would shoot. While you’re not going to win an Olympic medal with the KR22, its 50-yard accuracy was decent, as you can see in the accompanying chart.

With the bench work done, I removed the scope and shot the iron sights offhand at 25 yards. The rifle balanced well, and rapid-fire accuracy was soda can or better. The sight picture is a little different in that you can see both the entire front sight blade and also part of the blade’s base within the rear sight notch. It did take a little getting used to.

There were three light firing-pin strikes that caused failures to fire—one from the bench and two offhand—with the SK load. Everything else functioned fine. It’s just another example of how rimfires can be particular about ammo.

Lasting Impressions

Overall I liked the KR22, although the lack of a bolt hold-open might be a deal-breaker for me. For one thing, trying to clean the rifle at the range with a pull-through is a pain since you can’t lock the bolt back. Further, since you can’t keep the action open you’ll always need to have a chamber flag handy, especially if this is a rifle you want a beginning shooter to use.

The other thing I discovered is that I couldn’t fully thread my Banish 22 suppressor onto the barrel. It started okay, but about two-thirds of the way back it got hard to turn. Not wanting to strip threads, I didn’t force it.

Aside from those criticisms, the KR22 is a fine plinker, and the ability to adjust comb height for irons or optics is a big bonus on a rifle in this price class. It’s light, decently reliable and accurate, and a lot of fun to shoot.

TriStar KR22 Specs

• Type: semiauto rimfire
• Capacity: 2 10-round rotary magazines supplied
• Barrel: 18.6 in., threaded 1/2x28
• Overall Length: 38 in.
• Weight: 4.9 lb.
• Finish: blue
• Stock: polymer w/adjustable comb
• Sights: fixed 2-dot rear, elevation-adjustable red fiber-optic front; integral Picatinny rail
• Trigger: single stage; 4 lb., 10 oz. pull
• Safeties: trigger blade, crossbolt
• Price: $289
• Manufacturer: Kral Arms
• Importer: TriStar, TriStar.com

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