Tristar KR22
Review
In my opinion, everyone should have a 22lr rifle. You can go mild to wild when it comes to 22’s. The Tristar KR.22 would be considered mild. Mild enough to make it an inexpensive entry level 22 rifle. The KR22 has some good features, as well as a few that don’t quite hit home.
I had asked to get one of the TriStar KR22’s after talking about it on the Gun & Gear Review Podcast. The KR22 comes with a lot of features. Most important is that it will accept standard, available everywhere, Ruger 10/22 magazines. This is the reason I wanted to review it. I was also curious if more parts were compatible with the 10/22. They are not. The only parts compatible are those magazines. However, that does not stop the KR22 from having some good features.
The KR22 uses a synthetic stock. This stock comes with built in swivel studs. I like this because it not only gives you the ability to easily mount a sling, it also gives you the ability to mount a bi-pod. A bi-pod can help young shooters to use the rifle easier. There is also a nice rubber buttpad . But more important is that the KR22 has an adjustable cheek riser. So if you are mounting up some optics, you can adjust it to get just the right position to look through those optics. To adjust it, you just loosen a set screw, adjust the riser up or down, and then tighten the screw back up. I really liked having the adjustable cheek riser since I ran the KR22 with a Primary Arms GLx MD-21 red dot. I also readjusted the riser when I mounted a Primary Arms 4-16x44 for doing accuracy work. Also on the stock is a really nice textured pistol grip. It is grippier than most and I really liked it.
One of the nice features on the KR22 is the ability to move the bolt handle. You can swap it from the right side to the left. Just unscrew it and then screw it in the other side of the bolt. If you are left handed, or just like the bolt on the left side of the rifle, this feature just makes sense. The push button safety of the KR22 is not reversible though, sorry lefties. I would also like to mention that there is no feature to lock the bolt back. This doesn’t really matter to me, but if you are at certain ranges, or teaching a child, you will need a chamber flag to see if the chamber is empty and safe.
TriStar uses a fiber optic front sight on the KR22. The front fiber and standard style rear notch give the KR22 a decent sight picture. Windage is adjusted on the rear notch sight with an allen wrench and set screw set up. The front sight adjusts elevation , also with an allen wrench. These sights are tall enough to clear a suppressor, if you choose to mount one onto the threaded muzzle. All of this works okay, until you notice that the rear sight can move side to side a little. There is no way to tighten this down. So with iron sights, you can’t get very precise shot placement. Luckily, red dots are cheap and you can mount one on the built in pic rail.
I was pleasantly surprised with the KR22’s trigger. It is a flat style trigger with a flipper safety in it. The flipper safety just adds a little bit of extra safety and it isn’t noticeable when using the KR22. Of course there is a normal push button safety at the front of the trigger guard. Trigger pull came out at 4.5 pounds. There is essentially no pretravel, a decent wall, and then some over travel. But for a stock 22 trigger, it is better than I expected. The magazine release is located in front of the trigger guard. It is a flat style paddle that you push forward to drop the magazine. The size of the mag release is large enough to make it easy to reach and use.
Accuracy of the little KR22 was, what I would consider, normal. Using bulk box, cheap, 22LR ammunition I would get 3-4 inch groups at 50 yds. That was with about 5 different types of 22LR. The KR22 is not a match rifle, and that is about what I get with other 22’s. In this case, it is the ammo’s fault, as bulk 22LR ammo is not very consistent. I was able to get a few 2-2.25 inch groups with CCI MiniMags. This also did not surprise me as the CCI stuff is usually more consistent. For reliability in the KR22, I found the Winchester 36gr bulk packs and the CCI MiniMags functioned the most reliable. Some standard velocity 22LR didn’t always cycle the bolt all the way back to pick up a new round. So I would stick with hi-velocity 22LR ammunition in the KR22.
I do like the TriStar KR22 rifle. Once I figured out which ammo it liked, it functioned quite well. This is however the 2nd KR22 I was sent. The first KR22 had a burr in the chamber where the extractor slides next to it. I contacted TriStar and they immediately sent me a call tag. Within a week or so, the new KR22 had arrived. So if you do have a problem with anything TriStar, their customer service is top notch, and will have you up and running again in no time. Besides this minor setback, I did find an inconvenience with the KR22. Both rifles I received had slop in the rear iron sight. Even with the adjustment tightened down. These sights would move a little back and forth where they sit inside the picatinny rail. Enough that if I moved it to one side, and then the other, it would change the point of impact by an inch or so at 25 yards. As mentioned, just install a red dot on it and you won’t have to worry about that. Even with these minor problems, I think the KR22 has a lot of good features. The trigger is nice. It has that adjustable cheek riser for when you mount a scope or red dot. It also has a threaded barrel which allows you to install a muzzle brake or suppressor. The KR22 is a fun little 22 rifle.
The TriStar KR22 isn’t bad for what it is. It has a lot of nice features previously mentioned. Probably its biggest pro is the ability to use 10/22 magazines. Followed by its built in optics rail, because you will want to use it. The trigger is also pretty decent for a $250 22 rifle. So if you are looking for a lightweight 22 plinking rifle, the TriStar KR22 might fit the bill.
Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Inexpensive 22 rifle
Target Market:
Anyone wanting a 22lr rifle that is suppressor ready
Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:
Threaded Barrel (1/2 x 28 right hand thread)
Blow back semi-automatic operation
Push button & trigger safety
Reversible Bolt Handle
Adjustable Comb
Swivel Studs
Picatinny Rail integrated on receiver
Adjustable Front Fiber Optic Sight
2 -10 rd. Rotary Magazines
Accepts 10/22® Magazines
Barrel: 18.6”
Weight: 4.9 lbs
Overall Length: 38″
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
What others are saying?:
Nothing found as of publishing
Link to other reviews:
Shooting News Weekly on YouTube
Price point:
MSRP = $289.00
Retail = $234.00 at MidwayUSA
I need it now! Availability:
Tristar, MidwayUSA, or your local dealer
Our Rating:
Pros:
Lightweight
Threaded barrel
Built in picatinny rail for optics
Reversible charging handle
Adjustable cheek riser
Uses 10/22 magazines
Cons:
Rear sight moves side to side
No way to lock bolt back
Score: 6.50 Okay
Favorite Link: Primary Arms GLx MD-21 Review
