SW22 Victory - New Product Review

[whatnickname]

I was so impressed with the review of this product in this month's American Rifleman that I bought one of these pistols at my local gun shop this afternoon. Stainless steel and modular construction seemed pretty well thought out. I generally give a new pistol a pretty good going over inside and out before I shoot it looking for metal shavings and burs. Well I'm sorry to report that this is where it all went to hell. Someone at Smith & Wesson either cross threaded the screw, put it in with ten ton press or used epoxy or ALL THREE. I'm not using cheap tools either...Brownells 1/8" allen wrench. The head of the screw is completely stripped out. I'm sure that Smith & Wesson will be really sorry for the "inconvenience" and I'm sure they'll be glad to take care of the problem in three or four weeks. I'll also bet that someone at Smith & Wesson thinks this is damn funny too. I bet they won't think this review is nearly as funny. Smith & Wesson? Well what can I say? They don't make 'em like they used to!!!

 

[P5 Guy]

From what I've gathered about this new offering is that at first the folks buying the Victory 22 complained they could not keep the bolt holding the barrel tight enough to make it thru one hundred rounds. It looks like the answer to those complaints is to torque down that bolt to insane levels.

 

[Hangingrock]

Its easy to go negative, I had a problem with a RAP45. The dealer contacted Ruger and Ruger paid the shipping both ways plus expedited the warranty repair. The dealer took care of the packaging and sending of the item. Ruger returned the Item with a detailed letter as to the warranty work and test firing thus back to the dealer. I've had warranty work done by S&W and they have been prompt in addressing the issue and returning.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I haven't had a Victory in my hands yet but my buddy has a Ruger 10/22 which I have shot. He put a cheap red dot on it and that's about as much fun a person can have with a pistol.

I'm stuck in the last century and still prefer my MKII target. There doesn't seem to be enough weight to these new 22's to shoot them accurately. Maybe it's just me.

 

[midland man]

lol I'm glad you were the guinea pig I read that review in American riflemen but I wasn't convinced! ruger now has their new mark 4 out it has one button push takedown so here comes the 22 rimfire war!!

 

[bumbazine]

The first time I took my victory apart the take-down screw was indeed very tight, but I made sure my wrench was well seated all the way down and really cranked on it and it came loose. I haven't had any problems with it coming loose on me either, but I have pretty strong hands (most days) and get it pretty tight.
However, if Ruger had had the mark 4 out then I probably would have gotten it instead.
If they ever start making a 22/45 with a steel or even aluminum frame, I'll probably have to get one anyway.