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Back in 2018 we reviewed the Grand Power K22 on our YouTube channel. It was at the time and remains, the most ammo-friendly .22lr semi-auto pistol we've tested. I think that term is more correct than "reliable" as most semi-autos are reliable if you feed them the right ammunition. While I admit we haven't reviewed many .22lr guns, the K22 remains a go-to when we don't want to worry about the ammunition.
Why a K22? Unlike so many other .22lr pistols on the market, the K22 is built just like any other Grand Power pistol. That is to say that the frame is the same as a K100, all controls are truly ambidextrous, and they even use the same billet-steel chassis construction inside the frame that they use on their more-seriously chambered pistols. To top it all off, Grand Power continues their tradition of pride in craftsmanship and accountability: the smith who assembles the gun has his/her initials etched in the chassis. If there's ever a problem Grand Power knows exactly who built that gun!
What's X-Trim? The K22 X-Trim is Grand Power's competition-oriented version of the K22. What makes it different from the regular K22 is the use of a full slide, fiber-optic front sight, adjustable rear sight, and enlarged safety levers. As with all Grand Power X-Trim models the slide is skeletonized, though with a blowback .22lr it serves both form and function.
Specifications
Caliber: .22LR
Weight w/o magazine: 23.63oz
Width through controls: 1.42″
Height w/o magazine: 5.25″
Overall Length: 7.38″
Barrel Length: 4.6″
Slide Treatment: Tenifer QPQ
Capacity: 10+1
Pricing as of 28JUL22:
In the Box:
Instruction manual
Bore brush
safety lock
3x 10 round magazines
low-profile safety levers
4 total 3-sided backstraps
That Slide adds 0.8 ounces of mass according to my scale over the open-top design of the regular K22. I see the K22 X-Trim's slide as being better for those looking for a training pistol as it handles more like a regular pistol for those who like to rack from in front of the chamber. I was curious to see if the extra weight would create any reliability (ammo sensitivity) issues. We hit the range for our standard battery of tests (minus the spinner as .22lr won't move the heavy steel)
Ammunition seen in our Shooting Impressions video was made possible by our Patrons and supporters of our ammunition savings account through Ammo Squared. Additional, on-demand ammunition through True Shot Gun Club.
Some Ammo Sensitivity did happen. Remington's Golden Bullet bulk-pack stuff was too poorly formed to feed reliably and a couple of the loads tested in our What's For Dinner™ test had enough energy to eject, but not enough to cycle the slide far enough to pick up the next round. If you want to drive a performance car you need to feed it performance fuel. The same remains true with the Grand Power K22 X-Trim.
In Conclusion the Grand Power K22 X-Trim is a premium-grade .22lr pistol either for use in competition or as a trainer alternative to the K100. It may require higher-velocity ammunition than the standard K22, but it handles much more like a "regular" pistol. The extended safeties can work nicely as a "gas pedal" to push your thumb against, but also got in the way at times. I had to activate the safety to reach the slide release, but maybe that's a positive if the pistol is being use as a trainer for new shooters. I think for our use we'll be converting to the low-profile levers that were included in the box.
Nice review, thanks! You would think that after the TX22 and P322 manufacturers would realize people would like to have more than 10 round capacity. It clearly is doable.