S&W .22 Pistols

Status
Not open for further replies.
robinkevin

robinkevin

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
482
Location
Northern Kentucky
Looking into a .22LR handgun and have decided on Smith and Wesson. However I am having a hard time deciding on the simple 22A or if I should spend a little more for the M&P22. This is going to be my only handgun for a few years. So being only handgun it will serve as my range gun, home defense (at least for investigating or retrieving shotgun), and of course my pack gun for camping and hiking. Which of the two would you suggest? Yes I am set on S&W...

Thanks for any and all insight!
 
Urm save $30 going that route. Not a bad deal...
Still $70 more than the 22A. Both to me have their pros and cons. 22A seems more of a target model where as the M&P22 is more tactical and light... But I wonder which would be more reliable.
 
I had a 22a and really liked it. Very accurate and very very optic friendly. Only downside is that with optics holsters are nearly impossible to find. I traded it off with intentions to buy the target model but then ammo dried up. I'm back in the market...and yes I will buy that over a similar ruger or browning.
 
robinkevin said:
Urm save $30 going that route. Not a bad deal...
Still $70 more than the 22A. Both to me have their pros and cons. 22A seems more of a target model where as the M&P22 is more tactical and light... But I wonder which would be more reliable.
Click to expand...
Both are reliable. The guy who has my 22a has an m&p22 as well. The 22a is much more of a target gun and the m&p22 is for blasting away ammo. There are a few more failures in cycling with the M&P22 but those likely are from getting the gun hot and not caring for it properly.
 
Based on my own experiences i would avoid the 22a like the plague. Mine was a terrible disappointment. Very unreliable with all ammo i tried, the thing gave me blisters from clearing jams, no joke.
I dont remember it being any more accurate than the two rugers i have, but i dont remember it being particularly inaccurate either.
Never warmed up to the oversized grips or wonky mag release.
I also hated that the thing had a disposable plastic buffer that must be replaced periodically.
I would take a ruger or buckmark any day, and would rather try the m&p22 than another 22a
 
Last edited:
How much would shipping and FFL fees cost on that? I am local to Budsguns which has it for $330...

Anyhow, so not to get too far off topic, what makes you guys choose the M&P22 over the 22A?



Was 17.00 for shipping and 25 for the transfer so the total was about $302.00
 
Based on my own experiences i would avoid the 22a like the plague. Mine was a terrible disappointment. Very unreliable with all ammo i tried, the thing gave me blisters from clearing jams, no joke.
Click to expand...

How long ago was this? Did you give S&W a chance to fix it?

There were some problems with the "hook" at the back of the upper and its engagement with the frame, mine (circa late 2004) was terrible out of the box because of this but a quick Email to S&W quickly had a pre-paid shipping label back to me and its been great ever since.

Had been running 10,000 rounds/yr through it until about 12 months ago when my .22lr ammo supply got to the point I needed to save what remained for my wife to shoot. So its probably at about 70,000 rounds, and S&W has been great at taking care of minor parts breakage (firing pin, sight rail crack) at no cost to me other than a drive to FedEx.


I shoot 9mm reloads instead of .22lr these days as I can reload it for less than .22lr ammo costs and the hassle of finding it and purchase limits when you do have most of my .22lr guns collecting dust these days :(
 
I have a 22a that runs like a champ. It is more of a target gun, but thats what i bought it for, basicallly a range toy. Think i payed $200 for it new during a sale at the gun shop. I just wish 22lr was cheap still. I cant bring myself to pay current prices, so i am sitting on my small stash for now.

S&W will send free buffers anytime you call. I have 3 or 4 extra.
 
Last edited:
I owned a M&P22 that I wish I had never sold. Never gave me any issues. Was a fun little 22 to shoot. Thought I wanted to go more to a target style so sold it and bought a 22A. Try to use the 22A for weekend bowling pin head shoots. Is pretty accurate, but I can expect a jam or two every outing.

That price for the M&P22 at PSA is fantastic. Their shipping to my location is $17 + a $10 FFL fee on this end. That's less than $290 to me. Can't find the M&P22 at any local places for less than $330.
 
I own a 22A-1. It's the stainless steel round barrel with flutes.
Looks like this one Here

It's been a great gun. It has reliably fed and fired lots of bulk ammo.
I did have to send it back to S&W some years ago as it cracked the lower receiver near the back. S&W paid shipping, and replaced the gun.
It is very accurate as well.

So, the question for you is, do you want more of a target gun or one that closer resembles/feels like the service pistol types?
 
The only issue I have had with my 22-A has been the broken firing pin...........broken when I bought it ( used ) and recently broke again, and I cant find a replacement.
 
When looking at s&W .22 pistols include the new US made M&P .22 Compact. This pistol is a dream to shoot and just the right size for carry while hunting or camping. I have both the Walther made and Compact pistols, both are real neat shooters but the Compact is the winner for me.
 
I a agree with the M&P 22 compact. I got one of these free from smith&wesson, took it straight out of the box and tried a torture test. No oil no pre cleaning and I put 1000 rounds trough it. No malfunctions other than ammo misfires. 100% awesome pistol that holds a really good group out to 15 yards and probably a little farther with with a better shooter!
 
My 22a has been fantastic. More accurate than my wife's 22/45.

Runs great with Win T-22. Other ammo is good too but that has been the best consistently.

Mine is heavy barrel Realtree model that I bought $175 used.

Had the rail cerakoted and the front sight duracoated orange.

The grips can be slippery so some skate tape in the right places keeps it glued to my hand.

Took third in my division in a local bullseye league with a cheap reflex. That's good enough for me right now.
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1415720330642.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1415720330642.jpg
    96.7 KB · Views: 4
  • uploadfromtaptalk1415720385853.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1415720385853.jpg
    88.8 KB · Views: 3
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
S+W 22A/22S vs. Walther P22. Your thoughts?
Replies
8
Views
2K
cratz2
C
B
  • Locked
Need info on .22's
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
exavid
E
B
  • Locked
carrying a S&W 22A/22S
Replies
0
Views
268
B yond
B
W
  • Locked
Owners of S&W MP 22 Compact Pistols, Well worth it?
Replies
18
Views
713
marvin02
marvin02
J
  • Locked
.22 Auto Pistol Browning or S&W
Replies
2
Views
309
viking499
V
Back
Top