The Rimfire Report: A Gunsite First Look at the TKX22 Light Rifle

April 12, 2026
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TANDEMKROSS and Gunsite Academy—a pairing that initially raised my eyebrows like a surprise reload at a high-stakes match. Gunsite isn't some backyard plinking paradise; it's the gold standard for serious tactical training, forged by Jeff Cooper's legacy where plinking means precision under pressure. Yet here we are, with TKX22's principal designer Tyler Marcos and his team hauling first-production samples of their groundbreaking 10/22-inspired Light Rifle to Gunsite's hallowed grounds, courtesy of a launch partnership with Davidson's. This wasn't a stuffy demo; it was a laid-back range day that let a select crew wring out the rifle's potential, blending TANDEMKROSS's innovative edge with Gunsite's no-nonsense proving ground. The result? A rimfire platform that's not just aping the Ruger 10/22—it's reimagining it from the ground up as a 100% in-house evolution, lighter, slicker, and primed for everything from casual backyard sessions to serious smallbore drills. Diving deeper, the TKX22 Light Rifle shines in ways that scream smart engineering for the modern shooter. Clocking in lighter than your average 10/22 clone without sacrificing rigidity, it features TANDEMKROSS's signature upgrades like their Game-Changer PRO charging handle and Precision Rimfire barrel—tweaks that make cycling buttery smooth and accuracy pop at 50 yards and beyond. We burned through mags on Gunsite's ranges, noting how the rifle's modular chassis and drop-in compatibility open doors for endless customization, turning it into a budget-friendly chassis host that rivals pricier .22LR rigs. Contextually, this launch hits at a pivotal moment: with ammo prices stabilizing and rimfire bans looming in blue states, TANDEMKROSS is betting big on in-house production to sidestep supply chain headaches that plagued the 10/22 ecosystem during the panic buys. It's a masterstroke—delivering a rifle that's as at home in a Gunsite carbine class as it is teaching new shooters the fundamentals. For the 2A community, the implications are electric: the TKX22 isn't just another me-too product; it's a declaration that innovation thrives in the rimfire space, keeping .22LR the ultimate trainer, varminter, and SHTF backup without gouging your wallet. By partnering with Gunsite, TANDEMKROSS elevates rimfire from toy status to tactical contender, potentially sparking a renaissance in affordable, high-performance plinkers that empower everyone from novices to pros. If you're building a red-dot-ready trainer or stocking up for the grandkids, this Light Rifle demands a spot on your radar—watch for street prices soon, and expect it to dominate the next wave of 10/22 mods. TANDEMKROSS just leveled up the game.

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TANDEMKROSS and Gunsite Academy—a pairing that initially raised my eyebrows like a surprise reload at a high-stakes match. Gunsite isn’t some backyard plinking paradise; it’s the gold standard for serious tactical training, forged by Jeff Cooper’s legacy where plinking means precision under pressure. Yet here we are, with TKX22’s principal designer Tyler Marcos and his team hauling first-production samples of their groundbreaking 10/22-inspired Light Rifle to Gunsite’s hallowed grounds, courtesy of a launch partnership with Davidson’s. This wasn’t a stuffy demo; it was a laid-back range day that let a select crew wring out the rifle’s potential, blending TANDEMKROSS’s innovative edge with Gunsite’s no-nonsense proving ground. The result? A rimfire platform that’s not just aping the Ruger 10/22—it’s reimagining it from the ground up as a 100% in-house evolution, lighter, slicker, and primed for everything from casual backyard sessions to serious smallbore drills.

Diving deeper, the TKX22 Light Rifle shines in ways that scream smart engineering for the modern shooter. Clocking in lighter than your average 10/22 clone without sacrificing rigidity, it features TANDEMKROSS’s signature upgrades like their Game-Changer PRO charging handle and Precision Rimfire barrel—tweaks that make cycling buttery smooth and accuracy pop at 50 yards and beyond. We burned through mags on Gunsite’s ranges, noting how the rifle’s modular chassis and drop-in compatibility open doors for endless customization, turning it into a budget-friendly chassis host that rivals pricier .22LR rigs. Contextually, this launch hits at a pivotal moment: with ammo prices stabilizing and rimfire bans looming in blue states, TANDEMKROSS is betting big on in-house production to sidestep supply chain headaches that plagued the 10/22 ecosystem during the panic buys. It’s a masterstroke—delivering a rifle that’s as at home in a Gunsite carbine class as it is teaching new shooters the fundamentals.

For the 2A community, the implications are electric: the TKX22 isn’t just another me-too product; it’s a declaration that innovation thrives in the rimfire space, keeping .22LR the ultimate trainer, varminter, and SHTF backup without gouging your wallet. By partnering with Gunsite, TANDEMKROSS elevates rimfire from toy status to tactical contender, potentially sparking a renaissance in affordable, high-performance plinkers that empower everyone from novices to pros. If you’re building a red-dot-ready trainer or stocking up for the grandkids, this Light Rifle demands a spot on your radar—watch for street prices soon, and expect it to dominate the next wave of 10/22 mods. TANDEMKROSS just leveled up the game.

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