M22 w/ pic and questions

[glassman]

Okay, the picture is taken care of...now the questions. Went to the range today and found this in the case. I bought it on impulse without doing any research whatsoever...experience has taught me to get it now because it will be gone tomorrow. It was labeled as M22 ACP "Thunder Ranch". It is a factory demo that I got for $650 out the door. Can someone tell me what makes it a "thunder ranch"? Am I able to shoot .45 colt through it or must I stick with the ACP and moon clips. I have zero experience with moon clips but it looks like they take up the head space to allow the firing pin to reach the primer. Any help is appreciated.

 

[63rdOVI]

Glassman:

Nice revolver!

It is a "Thunder Ranch" model because it was brought out to capitalize on the popularity of the shooting course at Thunder Ranch in Oregon, run by Clint Smith, who advocates the use of the old-fashioned service revolver in defense situations in addition to other types of guns.

Your revolver is chambered for .45 ACP and you can also shoot .45 Auto Rim, but it is NOT chambered for .45 Colt. The modern Smiths may not be designed for use of the .45 ACP round without moonclips--however, you can load the chambers and fire rounds without moonclips in the Smith Models 1917 and 1937, and also in Colt 1917s after serial number 50,000 or thereabouts.

You can, of course, shoot the .45 Auto Rim as is, since it is designed to be used in place of the .45 ACP with moonclips.

Have fun with it--it's a terrific revolver.

 

[glassman]

Thanks for that. I originally thought maybe a trigger job or some such thing made it thunder ranch but on dry firing, found that not to be the case. In loading up the moon clips, I found them excessively tight. I guess they'll have to wear in with use.

 

[rishooter]

M22

You got one of my favorite handguns there.A few points:
1)I changed out the stock grips for Pachmayrs-much more comfortable.
2)If you are using steel moonclips,there is a de-mooning tool sold by Brownell which makes removing spent casings easy
3)Don't use half-moon clips-harder to remove rounds and no advantage over the full-moon clips
4)There are polycarbonate moonclips for sale on line-I forget the company's name,but you can google it-it may be EZ Moon or something like that.They are easy to load and unload with no tools.
5)If you are considering the revolver for SD or HD,load up 3 or 4 steel moonclips with your ammo of choice and leave them alone.Constant loading and unloading can occasionally warp the moonclips made of steel.The polycarbonates are just great on the range,but not secure enough to stake your life on.
6)If you have an early production model,it may shoot low.I just compensate by misaligning the front sight a tad higher.At self defense ranges,a little low is better than a little high.
7)The trigger will smooth out very nicely after 1000 or so rounds.
8)Don't use the triggerlock.
HAPPY SHOOTING

 

[rcmodel]

Here are the Rimz clips rishooter refered to:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20526/Product/S_W_REVOLVER_RIMZ_SPEEDLOADER

Tools:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=6727/Product/MOON_CLIP_STRIPPER

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20208/Product/S_W_REVOLVER_MOONSETTER

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=.../CALIFORNIA-COMP.-WORKS/search=moon_clip_tool

rc

 

[glassman]

RISHOOTER...thanks for the tips. I think the poly clips will be the way to go for me. I can't wait to shoot it and see how it performs.

RCMODEL...thanks for the links. I have to look at it again but if memory serves, no mention was made of the M22. They talk about the M25 and 625. Are the clips used in those models compatible with the 22?

63rdOVI...I will look for the auto rim. That way I can avoid the problem all together.

 

[rishooter]

Auto Rim

Georgia Arms has the best prices on Auto Rim.Their delivery time when I ordered it was not bad,because I don't think it's ordered that often compared to 9,45ACP,40,357,etc.
They have a choice of 230 grain RNL or HP's,which I think are 200 grain.
My M22-4 likes 230 grain.
Strangely S&W has issued a new "classic"-the Model 1917 in 45 ACP,and they designated it the Model 22-4 also!!
I don't get it-with all the numbers they have available,they duplicate the exact model number on a different revolver.
BTW the trigger on the 1917 remake I looked over was terrible.

 

[rishooter]

RIMZ

Thanks to RC Model for the correct name.The RIMZ clips are fully compatible as is for the M22.I think their clips have to be trimmed for some other models.
ezmoonclip.com is the direct sale site for the products.The RIMZ 25 is specifically designated as compatible with the 22-4.

 

[glassman]

To further complicate things

rishooter..I took a few more pics of the new gun. As you can see, there's another date to contend with. I'm gonna order some of the poly clips that rcmodel was kind enough to post a link for. You and others have been a wealth of knowledge and I am most appreciative.

 

[rishooter]

1950

This really isn't a remake of the 1950 Model,because that revolver had a 5" barrel and no underbarrel partial lug to protect the ejector rod.
This actual configuration never existed before in 45ACP.
The original 1950 will set you back big bucks if you could even locate one as relatively few were produced.
This forum is all about exchanging info to help other shooters with questions as well as discussing technical matters.