The Rimfire Report: Franklin’s Binary-Equipped F22 Pistol - First Look

Hello and welcome back to another edition of The Rimfire Report! This ongoing series is all about the rimfire firearm world and all of its cool guns, ammo, shooting sports, and history. Today, we’re going to take a look at the recently released Franklin Armory Binary-Equipped F22 Pistol. This series is meant to give the end user a quick and easy way to the fun that binary triggers bring to a plinking day. Franklin Armory offered me the chance to check out the new series, and out of the two, I decided to check out the pistol. Today, I’ll walk you guys through a broad overview of the pistol before we take it to the range and see how it handles.

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The Rimfire Report: Franklin’s Binary-Equipped F22 Pistol - A First Look

Franklin Armory’s F22 series, available in both pistol and rifle configurations, is a limited production run, according to their press release. This doesn’t mean Franklin is phasing out their binary triggers – far from it. Instead, the F22 seems like a test to see if shooters prefer a complete, factory-assembled firearm with a binary trigger over piecing one together themselves. While Franklin offers standalone BFSIII 22-C1 binary trigger systems, the F22 Pistol aims to deliver a hassle-free, optimized package for rimfire fans looking to spice up their plinking sessions without the added complication of assembling the damned thing (it’s not an easy task).

What’s in the Box?

Right out of the gate, the F22 Pistol feels like more than just a Ruger 10/22 Charger with a binary trigger slapped in. One common issue with binary triggers in 10/22 platforms is their lack of reliability, thanks to the vast array of OEM and aftermarket parts that can lead to inconsistent performance. When they work, though, binary triggers are an absolute blast at the range. The F22 seems designed to address this by offering a curated build that maximizes reliability and therefore fun. Here’s a breakdown of the F22 Pistol’s features that I think might help address some of those reliability issues:

Binary Triggers in a Forced-Reset World

Binary triggers, like Franklin’s BFSIII, allow for a round to fire on both the pull and release of the trigger, delivering high rates of semi-auto fire in a controlled manner compared to bump firing. While I find binary triggers a bit gimmicky in centerfire firearms, they’re an absolute riot in .22LR platforms. Compared to forced-reset trigger (FRT) conversions for .22LR, which I’ve found to be about 80% reliable at best, the binary system shines for its simplicity and, most importantly, its ability to work very well in 10/22s. It’s all about learning your gun’s rhythm and running it at the right pace, and of course, having a clean and well-put-together gun. Whether the F22 Pistol delivers on that promise remains to be seen – we’ll put it through its paces at the range in the next Rimfire Report.

Thoughts Going Forward

The F22 Pistol feels like a thoughtful, purpose-built platform that takes the guesswork out of enjoying a binary trigger in a .22LR firearm. With its curated components and focus on reliability, it should prove to be a more fun, hassle-free plinking experience. That said, with the rise of FRT-style triggers, I’m curious: do you still see the appeal in binary trigger systems? Have you tried Franklin’s BFSIII or other binary setups? Drop your thoughts below – I’d love to hear from you!