tnieto2004
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Anyone know if they are good target shooting guns .. ? I figure I would get a cheap pistol for target shooting since ammo is getting $$$$
Smith & Wesson 22A .22LR opinions
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MatthewVanitas
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Yep, we're running two different S&W 22a variants at the UT Austin campus range, and very pleased with them.
They're the most affordable .22 pistols in our collection, and have been running like champs. Our Browning is finnicky, not sure if it's fluke or the nature of Buckmarks. Our Rugers run great overall, but start light-striking when they get really grungy.
As odd as it sounds, the market-newcomer plastic pistol runs the best out of the three manufacturers. It does need to have the little plastic buffer replaced every few thousand rounds, but it's a 20c part from S&W. It breaks down far, far easier than the Buckmark or MkII/MkIII, to the great joy of our apprentice gunsmiths.
The grip angle is good, the lighter weight is pleasant, and they come in a wide variety of variants. Kids like the softer grip and the swoopy/modern aesthetic.
Two main complaints: 1) the magazines are more fragile that the Ruger ones, due to the chintyz baseplate. 2) the mag release is on the front-strap, not really a problem per se, but an odd quirk. Threw me for a real loop the first time I tried to unload one.
If you have any particular questions, feel free to post them here, and I'll glance back later.
-MV
They're the most affordable .22 pistols in our collection, and have been running like champs. Our Browning is finnicky, not sure if it's fluke or the nature of Buckmarks. Our Rugers run great overall, but start light-striking when they get really grungy.
As odd as it sounds, the market-newcomer plastic pistol runs the best out of the three manufacturers. It does need to have the little plastic buffer replaced every few thousand rounds, but it's a 20c part from S&W. It breaks down far, far easier than the Buckmark or MkII/MkIII, to the great joy of our apprentice gunsmiths.
The grip angle is good, the lighter weight is pleasant, and they come in a wide variety of variants. Kids like the softer grip and the swoopy/modern aesthetic.
Two main complaints: 1) the magazines are more fragile that the Ruger ones, due to the chintyz baseplate. 2) the mag release is on the front-strap, not really a problem per se, but an odd quirk. Threw me for a real loop the first time I tried to unload one.
If you have any particular questions, feel free to post them here, and I'll glance back later.
-MV
tnieto2004
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I'm going to a gun show this weekend in Houston .. how much should I be looking to pay for one?
MatthewVanitas
Member
Best I've seen for the most basic model was $189 or so at the SAXET show, but I've also seen just about that good at McBride's Guns (don't recall Academy prices).
You might want to look at S&W's website to see all the variants, you might want to drop the extra bucks to get the accessory rail, fiber-optic sites, nickeled barrel, or other frivolous things.
-MV
You might want to look at S&W's website to see all the variants, you might want to drop the extra bucks to get the accessory rail, fiber-optic sites, nickeled barrel, or other frivolous things.
-MV
gbran
Member
My freind has one and is quite good with it and it seems to be dependable. I've shot it numerous times and was terrible with it. It just doesn't feel right to grip it. Hope you can handle one before you buy. I ended up buying a Buckmark, which fits my hand perfectly.
tnieto2004
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I'll see what I can do .. I will probably get a basic model .. I'm trying to save $$ and have a target gun to practice with .. I was looking on BUDS and they have one for 177.00 .. not to bad .. I would like to find one at the gun show this weekend.. thanks for all your input
I've had them. I really like the design of them - they are sortof like the Buckmark design in that the whole bolt moves back to provide a huge opening for ejecting, inspecting, etc. but better. The buckmark requires you unscrew the sight rib from the rear of the gun, which I don't like (have buckmarks too).
I like the 22A better than the Ruger design too, which seems more complicated (I've had those too), it's more internalized and does not let you see so easily whats going on, much less break it down and put it back together.
The only problem for me with the S&W is that it's so ugly and I hate the gripframe. The buckmark feels just sublime in the hand to me (seems to be a common sentiment of the buckmark), and I wait and wait for S&W to make a 22A with a more traditional gripframe. Cannot comment much on how it shoots cuz I never shot it a whole lot and don't own one now.
I like the 22A better than the Ruger design too, which seems more complicated (I've had those too), it's more internalized and does not let you see so easily whats going on, much less break it down and put it back together.
The only problem for me with the S&W is that it's so ugly and I hate the gripframe. The buckmark feels just sublime in the hand to me (seems to be a common sentiment of the buckmark), and I wait and wait for S&W to make a 22A with a more traditional gripframe. Cannot comment much on how it shoots cuz I never shot it a whole lot and don't own one now.
I like my 22A much better than the ruger government model I once owned. Personally I like its looks and it's grips. Haven't had a bit of trouble of any kind with it. The only trouble is, it is so fun to shoot, it is easy to go through a lot of ammo.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I bought a S&W 22A a month ago. It has a 7" Fluted Bull Barrel and it's very accurate. I'm using CCI Standard Velocity (#0032) .22LR right now. I shot about 8 or 9 different types through it and that's the one. (Other than CCI's Pistol Match (#0051) ammo that's twice the price)
skynyrd1911
Member
We have one(wife & I). Was mine until I mounted a red dot scope on it....now it's hers.
Haven't had much trouble with it. Very accurate for the money. (good value)
Haven't had much trouble with it. Very accurate for the money. (good value) 
wally
Member
Its got some quirks but I've the 7" fluted bull barrel model with the green fiber optic front sight and its my best shooting iron sighed gun.
Mine had a problem with the hook at the rear of the frame that let the slide wiggle up and dwon too much leading to mis-fires. S&W fixed it under warranty in under 14 days door to door and paid the shipping both ways -- I was only out a trip to FedEx.
Only serrious irratation is that hollow points (only tried Federal copper plated & Remmington Golden Bullet bulk packs) sometimes hang on the mag catch cut outs leading to a feed failure with an empty chamber -- happens on the second shot of a 10-round loading or the third of a 10+1. Otherwise works great with all the cheap ammo. Other quirk is the plastic recoil spring buffers don't seem to last anywhere near the claimed 5000 rounds, but again S&W sent be some more for free when I asked.
Takedown is easy but leaves springs under pressure so you have to be careful, re-assembly, well a third hand really helps But fortunately its so open that its easy to flush out with brake parts cleaner and a couple of Q-tips so I rarely take it apart.
--wally.
Mine had a problem with the hook at the rear of the frame that let the slide wiggle up and dwon too much leading to mis-fires. S&W fixed it under warranty in under 14 days door to door and paid the shipping both ways -- I was only out a trip to FedEx.
Only serrious irratation is that hollow points (only tried Federal copper plated & Remmington Golden Bullet bulk packs) sometimes hang on the mag catch cut outs leading to a feed failure with an empty chamber -- happens on the second shot of a 10-round loading or the third of a 10+1. Otherwise works great with all the cheap ammo. Other quirk is the plastic recoil spring buffers don't seem to last anywhere near the claimed 5000 rounds, but again S&W sent be some more for free when I asked.
Takedown is easy but leaves springs under pressure so you have to be careful, re-assembly, well a third hand really helps
But fortunately its so open that its easy to flush out with brake parts cleaner and a couple of Q-tips so I rarely take it apart.--wally.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
tnieto2004,
To add to my above post, there is some good info in this thread.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=249084
Also, I have spoken to 2 owners of the S&W Model 41 and they are not happy with the money they spent. They told me they would have been happier with a 22A at 1/3 the cost.
wally,
My 22A has the same 7" Fluted Bull Barrel and green fiber optic front sight. Funny thing is, the product code is 107438 and I can't find a listing for it on the S&W site or in the new SCSW 3rd Edition. Is that the product code for your 22A also?
To add to my above post, there is some good info in this thread.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=249084
Also, I have spoken to 2 owners of the S&W Model 41 and they are not happy with the money they spent. They told me they would have been happier with a 22A at 1/3 the cost.
wally,
My 22A has the same 7" Fluted Bull Barrel and green fiber optic front sight. Funny thing is, the product code is 107438 and I can't find a listing for it on the S&W site or in the new SCSW 3rd Edition. Is that the product code for your 22A also?
wally
Member
Not sure where I'd find the product code, unless its on/in the box which is up in the attic and way too much trouble to find. I've only seen one other besides the one I bought. It was $280 at a gun show, I paid $260 for mine. IMHO well worth trying to find!
--wally.
--wally.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Yeah, it's on the box... I haven't seen one like mine either but I'm sure they are around. I paid $300 out-the-door. I was told it isn't a Performance model but it went through the Center because the original owner had money.
dogloose
Member
A good .22lr auto is essential... for plinking... and for introducing novice's to the gun culture. I had a Ruger Mark II... very heavy (girls didn't like it) and way too complicated to take down... so it was naturally neglected (until I helped it find a loving home.) A replacement has not yet been found. From what I understand, the S&W solves both problems... will definitely take a look. Thanks.
22a funny history
I'm not into pistols.
But I bought a 22a for fun because it was cheap. And I sold a ruger .22 bearcat.
Here's a SW economic disaster history of my 22a.
senior citizen
Now my 22A really works well. At last!
I'm not into pistols.
But I bought a 22a for fun because it was cheap. And I sold a ruger .22 bearcat.
Here's a SW economic disaster history of my 22a.
senior citizen
Now my 22A really works well. At last!
tnieto2004
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well I got one and shot 550 rounds through it .. Shot well besides some FTE's .. Sounds like you had a nightmare with yours .. did S&W charge you anything to fix it?
Sounds like you had a nightmare with yours .. did S&W charge you anything to fix it?
No charges.
It was fun to talk to the S&W guys.
My speculation is that S&W tried to make some money by a good design and poor implementation.
This apparently backfired. But S&W fixed their problems.
Our son bought a 22A. Works great.
We all makes mistakes.
Prize goes to those who recoginzes their mistakes, fix them at their cost, and move on ... to the next misake.
S&W get a prize for fixing the 22a.
I recommend a .22a.
I just bought a 3rd clip for the .22a at sportsman's warehouse.
regards from senior
No charges.
It was fun to talk to the S&W guys.
My speculation is that S&W tried to make some money by a good design and poor implementation.
This apparently backfired. But S&W fixed their problems.
Our son bought a 22A. Works great.
We all makes mistakes.
Prize goes to those who recoginzes their mistakes, fix them at their cost, and move on ... to the next misake.
S&W get a prize for fixing the 22a.
I recommend a .22a.
I just bought a 3rd clip for the .22a at sportsman's warehouse.
regards from senior
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Shipwreck,
Ruger makes a good 22 auto and so does Beretta, all 3 companies produce quality products. I bought the 22A because it felt better in my had than the different models of Ruger and Beretta I held. The 22A just felt right so I bought it. It's east to take down and clean and a pleasure to shoot. I went out today and before I knew it I had shot off the whole brick of CCI Standards I brought with me. I bought 3 extra mags for a total of 5 so after loading up it's real easy to go through 50 rounds in a snap!! Gota love the price of the ammo over the centerfire stuff!! LOL
I had no idea how much fun it was to shot a .22 pistol until I bought one last month.
Ruger makes a good 22 auto and so does Beretta, all 3 companies produce quality products. I bought the 22A because it felt better in my had than the different models of Ruger and Beretta I held. The 22A just felt right so I bought it. It's east to take down and clean and a pleasure to shoot. I went out today and before I knew it I had shot off the whole brick of CCI Standards I brought with me. I bought 3 extra mags for a total of 5 so after loading up it's real easy to go through 50 rounds in a snap!! Gota love the price of the ammo over the centerfire stuff!! LOL
I had no idea how much fun it was to shot a .22 pistol until I bought one last month.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Seems like a good buy for the money; but I can't say that I have ever shot
one? But, I have sold a good many of them lately. When faced with the .22
caliber auto-loader decision myself, I opted for the more expensive Browning
BuckMark Plus SE with the fiber optic (green) front sight and laminated grips.
And, I'm very happy with MY decision~!
one? But, I have sold a good many of them lately. When faced with the .22
caliber auto-loader decision myself, I opted for the more expensive Browning
BuckMark Plus SE with the fiber optic (green) front sight and laminated grips.
And, I'm very happy with MY decision~!
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