Why oh why only 10 rounds in a .22 mag.???

[GZOh_Jr]

If we can have high-capacity 9mm pistols with 18 round mags., why are all .22 mags. limited to 10 rounds?

With staggered mags. using the same space as a 9mm, we should be able to get 25-30 rounds minimum, no? Even if not staggered, you would think that 20 rounds would at least be possible.

Is there a legal/regulatory hurdle in the way?

Is it the rimmed case?

The light weight of the .22 requiring a special spring?

I can't believe it would be as simple as manufacturers being a bunch of sheep and just blindly following some unwritten convention of 10 rounds "because that is what it has always been."

This is a pressing concern, and clearly one of the biggest issues facing modern society. Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[Phil DeGraves]

The rimmed case makes functioning problematic beyond ten rounds. Smith did make some 12 round single stack magazines for some of their .22 pistols, but when I am shooting .22, it is easier to just load ten rounds out of the ammo box.

 

[mp510]

I believe Ceiner makes conversion kits that will hold 15.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Biggest reason few box magazines over ten rounds in .22 rimfire: the rim makes stacking .22 rimfire in a pistol magazine over ten capacity iffy.

I have four ten-round magazines for my Ruger that work fine. I have a twelve round after-market magazine that will only function reliably with Federal brand ammo. I had a fourteen round aftermarket magazine that was more trouble than it was worth: ten you can count on is more than fourteen you cant rely on.

Another reason for making ten round magazines is most target shooting disciplines score based on ten rounds per target.