I am looking for a nice 22 for some range use...nothing serious. I love S&W(quality CS etc) and would like to stick them. Plus the info I found on them seems promising...however I still have some nagging questions. Could you guys just help me with a few questions.
1) is the 22s really stainless steal. The pics of it look like a grey finish, and not stainless(like my 5906)?
2) Is this gun reliable? I keep reading mixed reports, and I am somewhat spooked(so much so I am thinging of the Neo instead).
3) Finally my local dealer said he can get the 22a nad may have trouble with the 22s. If thats the case hows the finish on the 22a?


Thanks for your time

PS I use to own a Ruger, nice guns but too much of a PITA to clean. I ruled that out very early on in my search. I like tool less disassembly

My 22a was very reliable, very accurate, and extremly easy to clean. The only problems I had with it was shooting some 15+ year old federal lightning that my 10/22 had problems with also. I'm pretty sure that the frame on the 22s is just painted or powder coated that color.

I'd expect the 22S to have a bit more longevity than he 22A. That being said, my 22A has over 15k rounds and doesn't show any significant wear or problems except for a firing pin at 9k rounds. NBD to fix and if you don't want to, S&W will fix at no charge including shipping.

I bought the 22A as a trainer when I decided to get back into shooting and planned to shoot it until I decided which "real" gun to buy. Shoots so well that my "real" guns have to share time with it.

The 22a can be a bit picky on ammo. Mine does better with SV ammo (tighter groups), absolutely detests heavily lubed Aguila, Thunderbolts and Golden Bullets.

Around here, 22A's can be bought for $200 and up. The 22S would be more expensive, and I've never seen one in a shop.

Great gun for the money and should give you years of shooting pleasure.

I put about 200 rounds (all Remington bulk) thru my new 22A a couple of weeks ago with nary a malfunction. I love it.