First Looks and Features
Perhaps the most notable aspect of this Retay is that it's a handgun. The company is known for budget shotguns that deliver big results, which is part of the reason the handgun flew under our radar when it was announced earlier this year.
Since the announcement, this gun has proven a hit among those looking for a budget .22 LR plinker.
For clarity, Retay sent me not one, but two, RXP22s, and all testing was done on these two guns. They sent me a threaded and all-black model, which was exciting since I just got a new .22 can, and a black/FDE version. Another plus: the RXP22 comes in a variety of colors that should suit nearly any buyer.
It's a simple DA/SA gun with a slide-mounted manual safety. I noticed immediately that the manual safety still allows the trigger to be pulled even when it’s on safe. This isn’t a unique feature, as I’ve experienced it on other platforms before, but it always kind of irks me. I want the safety to totally deactivate the trigger.
The trigger seems standard-issue otherwise, though the single-action pull has a bit of creep at the front. The ergonomics of this gun are where it shines. It fills the palm well. The finger grooves fit me naturally, and it points well. The three-dot sights with the fiber optic front sight were easy to acquire – just begging for the range.
The last noteworthy feature, right out of the gate, is the optics mounting system, which we’ll get to in a minute.
Specs
Here are the basic specifications for the Retay RXP22.
Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 10, 13, 18+1
Magazines: 2 included
Length: 7.5 inches
Muzzle Thread: 1/2x28
Optic Footprint: RMR/RMSC
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Opening Shots
There is a certain joy to shooting .22 LR, and right out of the box, the RXP22 didn’t disappoint. As soon as I cleared my NICS check, I went straight into the range and put approximately 40 rounds through each gun without adjusting anything.
Sights were easy to get on target, and all the ergonomic goodness I was feeling before led me to print decent groups despite relatively small effort. Both guns functioned flawlessly out of the box without a hiccup.
Of course, it didn’t take long for me to ask why I was shooting uncivilized when it’s easy to throw on a can and make a pleasant shooting experience even better.
Going Quiet
I recently picked up a B&T Print-X TiGER22 that was looking for some first shots. The RXP22 made for a perfect companion. The first thing I noticed was that I didn’t notice anything when it came to noise. Even at the indoor range, this combo is whisper-quiet.
Related: B&T TiGER22 - Ninja-Quiet 3D-Printed Ultralight .22 Suppressor
I put another 60 rounds through the suppressed RSP22 using bulk Federal ammo. I was amazed at both how fun it was to shoot and how accurately I could shoot without a front sight. Tactical suppressor-height sights would be an improvement, but for a budget purchase, I don’t really expect them. I suppose I can always upgrade later or perch an optic on top of the slide, which is what we’ll get into next.
Adding Optics
One useful feature of the RXP22 is a universal adapter-style optics plate that allows you to mount a variety of different optics on top of the slide. I happened to have a couple of different Vortex Defenders on hand, including one in FDE that I think paired well with the FDE-framed variant.
By loosening three screws in the optics plate, I was able to quickly pull it off and add the provided plate adapter. Retay includes screws to attach the plate to the slide, but you will be on your own for getting the optic onto the plate. Luckily, Vortex supplies several screw options that worked here.
I look forward to seeing how these guns shoot with the new additions, especially suppressed.
Closing Thoughts for Now
The RXP22 is a great budget plinking handgun, and the ability to add optics and suppressors should appeal to a lot of shoppers. Keep an eye out for more as I continue to run these guns through their paces.
