GUN TESTS GRADE: C

$800-$1000

The Anschütz RX22 is not what we usually think of when we think Anschütz. Not a classic target rifle, the Anschütz RX22 is a 22 LR replica of the FN SCAR. In service in approximately 20 countries, the SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) was designed in response to a 2004 Special Operations Command (SOCOM) competition for a modular assault-rifle platform with advanced ergonomics that could fire both the 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO cartridges. Built in South Carolina, FN created two variants: the MK16 SCAR-L (light in 5.56) and MK17 SCAR-H (heavy in 7.62). The SCAR-H can be converted to use either caliber with a variety of barrel lengths. Weighing between 6.7 and 8.2 pounds (depending upon configuration), the SCAR is a piston-driven gas-operated short-recoil, select-fire weapon. The stock can be folded to the right side due to the piston-driven design. The brass deflector on the right side of the receiver locks the stock in place. The two-part receiver has an aluminum upper and a polymer lower. The SCAR has Picatinny rails at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions, with the top rail extending the full length of the action. The rail can accept any MIL-STD-1913 optic or accessory. The rifle comes with an M16 compatible pistol grip and an extendable buttstock.

The magazine well is flared, and there is raised fencing around the safety and magazine release. The SCAR uses a proprietary 30-round magazine that is not M16/STANAG compatible. The SCAR-L was initially deployed in 2009 by the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. The SCAR-L only saw service for a year and was cancelled, primarily for financial reasons. Several variants of the SCAR-H remain in limited service with U.S. Special Forces. While not a movie star like some of the rifles in our previous article, the SCAR is featured in several video games and was therefore of interest to the gamers in our testing group. Other testers were looking forward to trying out the clone of one of the most modern assault rifles on the market.

Made in Austria, the Anschütz RX22 is practically a twin of the SCAR. With a smooth black finish and black furniture, the RX22 at 6.9 pounds was even the same weight as the MK16 SCAR-L. Like the SCAR, the buttstock folds to the right, extends, and includes an adjustable comb. Despite all this flexibility, not one tester found this rifle to be comfortable with the provided pop-up open sights. Additionally, the rubber buttpad kept falling off the rifle.

The sights were interesting. When folded, they looked like standard three-dot pistol sights. When raised up, they had a front post and a rear peep sight. The front post was adjustable for elevation, and the rear sight was adjustable for windage. The rifle might be more comfortable with a scope, but we tested each of the rifles as they came out of the box with open sights.

While the ejection port is on the right-hand side, the bolt handle can be installed on either side of the action. This was a popular feature with our testers who preferred to use their left hand to rack the bolt. One of the testers found the bolt difficult to pull all the way back.

The 22-round magazines (available several places for $30) loaded very easily and dropped freely. The magazine release is ambidextrous. The bolt locks back when empty and stays locked after you drop the magazine. This is a nice feature in a rimfire because it reduces the amount of dry firing (which can theoretically damage the chamber or firing pin over time). The safety lever indicates Fire in the up position. Some of the testers found it a little difficult to flick the safety up to Fire, but placing the rifle on Safe was very easy. The two-stage trigger is user adjustable and averaged a light 4.7 pounds. However, the RX22’s trigger showed that weight isn’t everything because it had a gritty take-up, spongy release, and lots of overtravel.

To clean the rifle, the user must turn the rifle over, remove two screws and their bolts, and then remove the grip section. At this point the action, chamber, and barrel can be cleaned from the breech with a flexible rod or cleaning rope. Anschütz does not recommend any further disassembly to clean the rifle.

Regarding the stock, none of the testers found it easy to get a consistent cheek weld. Our more petite shooters thought the rifle was a little too heavy to keep steady during for extended off-hand shooting. The 16.5-inch barrel is made by Anschütz, so we would expect it to be accurate. Despite the lackluster trigger, in formal accuracy testing the RX22 proved fairly accurate with ammunition it liked. While the Winchester 32-grain hollow points averaged a mediocre 1.5 inches, both of the 40-grain roundnoses averaged 1.0 inches. The Federal was incredibly consistent, with all groups within 0.1 inch in size. When plinking, the rifle usually hit the 50-yard gong, but the trigger threw off a few rounds. Some testers thought that the RX22 would likely be a tack driver with match ammo and a cleaner trigger.

The RX22 was adequately reliable. We experienced one failure to feed with the Winchester and one failure to fire with the Aguila. Since we observed a good firing-pin indentation, the failure to fire was almost certainly an ammunition failure and not a failure of the rifle. Because no other failures occurred, the testers expressed no significant concerns regarding the Anschütz’s reliability. However, we are concerned about the Anschütz’s availability. The Anschütz did not stay on the market very long and is no longer available brand new. When new, the RX22 had a MSRP of $900. You can sometimes find them used for $800-$1000.

Our Team Said: While the RX22 rifle was accurate, other rifles in the test performed as well or better. The trigger was sub-par, the buttpad kept falling off, and no tester was able to get comfortable with the rifle and its open sights. None of the testers thought the RX22 was worth the money and said they would look elsewhere.

Written and photographed by David Tannahill, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers.

22 LR Range Data