Why do 22LR pistols have such low magazine capacity?

[230RN]

Libshooter:

Wouldn't a 30 round magazine need a much stronger spring than a 10 rounder? Because of the relatively weak round the recoil spring and all the slidey parts of a .22 auto pistol need to be as light as possible. It seems to me the first few rounds in a long extended magazine would be pushed really hard against the bottom of the action. Would that make the pistol more likely to malfunction?

Also, the metal of the cases is relatively thin and can easily be dented by the following round if the spring is too strong. I have put dents in the cases just by loading the last one or two rounds in a mag or if I lose count or something and try to put an extra round in an already full magazine.

Terry, 230RN

 

[lcambre]

The S&W model 41 has had 12 round magazines for a long time. There was the exception of the 1994 to 2004 ban. Tactical solutions also has 15 rounders for their Glock .22 conversion.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

That was it, CraigC. Thanks.

 

[Jim NE]

When I'm shooting my .22 pistol, I sometimes wish it would hold more than 10 rounds, but I don't really need the extra capacity. My tube fed semi-auto .22 rifle holds 15 rounds, and my pet name for it is "the ammo waster."

 

[pikid89]

^ thats the name for my 10/22 with 4 steel lips mags that all run perfect lol...i can clean out a whole brick in no time at all