Taurus TX22 Rate Reducer & Weighted Backplate – Tombstone 1.5 oz

The Tombstone is a 1.5 oz CNC-machined steel Taurus TX22 rate reducer and weighted backplate. It replaces the factory rear slide backplate and adds reciprocating mass to help moderate cyclic rate and tune slide behavior in certain Taurus TX22 configurations, including forced-reset and suppressed setups. After machining, every steel Tombstone is professionally nitrided to improve surface hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. The rear of the weighted backplate also includes an M4-threaded interface for the optional Tombstone charging handle, sold separately. Tombstone Taurus TX22 Rate Reducer Features 1.5 oz component weight: A fixed-weight rear slide mass selected to cover a broad range of TX22 configurations. CNC-machined steel: Manufactured from steel rather than printed polymer or filled plastic. Professional nitride treatment: Improves surface hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Weighted backplate and slide weight: Adds mass directly to the rear of the reciprocating slide assembly. TX22 FRT rate-reducer application: Designed to help moderate cyclic behavior in certain forced-reset configurations. M4-threaded interface: Accepts the separately sold Tombstone MJF charging handle. TX22-family compatibility: Designed for standard, Gen 2, T.O.R.O., Compact, and Competition models, subject to the configuration notes below. Lifetime warranty: Backed directly by Cicada Research. How a Taurus TX22 Rate Reducer Works A rate reducer changes the cycling characteristics of the pistol by adding mass to the reciprocating slide assembly. The Tombstone places that additional mass at the rear of the Taurus TX22 slide, where it functions as a weighted backplate or slide weight. The added mass can moderate slide acceleration and reduce cyclic rate in some configurations. This is why similar products may be described as a TX22 rate reducer, TX22 weighted backplate, weighted back plate, or TX22 slide weight. These terms describe the same basic function. The Tombstone is a tuning component, not a universal cycling cure. Results depend on the individual pistol, ammunition, optic, suppressor, recoil spring, maintenance, and other configuration variables. Why the Tombstone Weighs 1.5 oz More rear slide weight is not automatically better. Too little additional mass may have little effect, while excessive mass can prevent the slide from completing its full cycle in some configurations. Cicada Research selected the current 1.5 oz weight through internal testing as a middle ground intended to cover a broad range of TX22 setups. The goal is to provide useful additional mass without automatically moving into the 2 oz or heavier range used by some other rate reducers. Premium Professionally Nitrided Steel The Tombstone is CNC-machined from steel and then sent out for professional nitriding. Nitriding is a surface-hardening treatment rather than paint or a conventional deposited coating. It improves surface hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance while retaining the machined dimensions of the component. The nitride treatment provides a hard, durable surface with improved wear and corrosion resistance. As with any firearm component, normal cleaning and protective maintenance are still recommended. The professional nitride treatment is intended to provide a more durable, finished product built for long-term use. Taurus TX22 Model Compatibility The Tombstone is designed for the Taurus TX22 family, including: Taurus TX22 standard and original/Gen 1 models Taurus TX22 Gen 2 Taurus TX22 T.O.R.O. Taurus TX22 Compact and TX22C Taurus TX22 Competition Compatibility describes physical fitment, not guaranteed performance in every configuration. Slide mass, optic weight, ammunition, suppressor, recoil spring, and manufacturing tolerances can all change cycling behavior. Competition-model note: Extremely light TX22 Competition configurations may require different recoil-spring tuning. A heavier recoil spring may be beneficial in some Competition setups, but results remain configuration-dependent. TX22 FRT and Suppressed Configuration Considerations The Tombstone is a weighted backplate and rate reducer—it is not a trigger. Customers assembling a forced-reset configuration can pair it with the Cicada Research stainless-steel Taurus TX22 FRT. The Tombstone and FRT are sold separately. In an FRT configuration, the additional slide mass is intended to help moderate cyclic behavior and may improve cycling consistency in certain setups. The amount of change will vary, and no specific cyclic rate is guaranteed. Suppressed TX22 performance is especially configuration-sensitive. The Tombstone may help some combinations of pistol, suppressor, ammunition, optic, and recoil spring. In other combinations, 1.5 oz may provide too much mass for the slide to complete its cycle. It is not guaranteed to correct cycling in every suppressed TX22 configuration. M4-Threaded Charging-Handle Interface The rear of the Tombstone includes an M4-threaded interface for the optional MJF charging handle for the Tombstone. The charging handle is sold separately and is not a standalone TX22 charging handle. The separate handle listing includes its M4×14 mounting screw. No charging handle or screw is included with this Tombstone listing. Specifications Brand: Cicada Research Platform: Taurus TX22 family Product type: Rate reducer, weighted backplate, and rear slide weight Component weight: 1.5 oz Material: CNC-machined steel Surface treatment: Professional nitriding Rear interface: M4 threaded Charging handle: Optional and sold separately Warranty: Cicada Research lifetime warranty What Is Included? One Tombstone 1.5 oz Taurus TX22 rate reducer and weighted backplate Cicada Research lifetime warranty Not included: Firearm, charging handle, FRT, recoil spring, optic, suppressor, or other accessories shown in photographs. Installation and Safety Installation changes the reciprocating mass of the slide and can affect firearm cycling. Always confirm that the firearm is completely unloaded before installation, inspection, or maintenance. After installation, perform an unloaded function check before live use. If you are not comfortable replacing or inspecting slide components, have the Tombstone installed and evaluated by a qualified professional. Stop using the product if you encounter abnormal wear, incomplete cycling, damage, or inconsistent operation. Frequently Asked Questions What does a TX22 rate reducer do? It adds reciprocating mass to the TX22 slide assembly. The additional mass can moderate slide speed and cyclic behavior in certain configurations. The amount of change depends on the complete setup. Is the Tombstone also a TX22 weighted backplate or slide weight? Yes. “Rate reducer,” “weighted backplate,” “weighted back plate,” and “slide weight” are different names used for this type of rear slide-mass component. Is a TX22 FRT included? No. The Tombstone is not a trigger. The Cicada Research Taurus TX22 FRT is a separate product. Will the Tombstone fix suppressed TX22 cycling? It may help some suppressed configurations, but it is not guaranteed to improve every setup. Suppressor characteristics, ammunition, optic weight, recoil spring, pistol model, maintenance, and individual tolerances all affect cycling. Does it fit the TX22 Competition? The Tombstone is designed to fit TX22 Competition models. Extremely light Competition configurations may require different recoil-spring tuning, and functional results will vary. Is the charging handle included? No. The Tombstone has an M4-threaded interface, but the compatible MJF charging handle and its M4×14 screw are sold separately. Why is the steel nitrided? Professional nitriding improves surface hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. It provides a more durable finished surface than untreated steel, although normal maintenance is still required. Lifetime Warranty and Support The Tombstone is backed by the Cicada Research lifetime warranty. If you experience a manufacturing or fitment problem, contact Cicada Research before modifying the component so we can help evaluate the issue. Trademark Notice Taurus and TX22 are trademarks of their respective owner and are used solely to identify product compatibility. Cicada Research is not affiliated with or endorsed by Taurus.