It's a very nice glowing review but I do have to quibble about the accuracy report. Specifically, the rather poor 2.75 inch group reported for the Winchester Xpert HV.

As for why, sitting next to me is a target from my last excursion with my 6 inch 617. If I throw out the one flyer where I jerked the trigger, it's a 17 shot group at 100 feet that spans 1.759 inch using that exact same ammo and I believe that if I were a better shooter the gun would would have grouped under an inch using this exact same ammo. Because I know darned well that on some shots in that group I did rush the trigger a touch and that flyer was a near spasm when I pulled the trigger. BTW, that one flyer took the span out to 2.595 inch.

Frankly, I am not starting to wonder if some of these writers shouldn't spend a bit of time on the basics. Quite simply, I suspect that too many times the ammo gets blamed for the defects of the shooter. I also have to wonder it there isn't a bit of a subtext that you can only get great accuracy by shooting the premium ammo.

Yeah, it's a bit of a rant. However, I am SOOOO tired of the obvious bias of the "reviews" that get published in this country, they NEVER criticize anything and the "reviews" are nothing but puff pieces for whoever is buying advertizing.

That sort of goes along with my theory that whatever S&W invents or perfects Taurus can immediately replicate, and whatever Taurus can replicate, Dick Metcalf can give it a glowing report. That is odd to me since every single Taurus I have ever bought (all new, direct from distributors) has been defective. None have ever been fixed by Taurus under their Lifetime Service Plan.

Examples of problems: Rear sight that would not hold zero (on a 22), cylinder that would not rotate with ammo in place after firing the first couple of rounds, but which rotates fine with no ammo in place, or with ammo in place but none fired), parts missing, loose barrels, constant jams in autos, cheap, substandard springs and thin metal used for magazine bodies so that feed lips are not rugged enough, etc., etc.

Now, they have taken away any real front locking (yeah, I know about the little spring loaded "bearing," if you can call it that, but it really is not effective), and the lock on the hammer will react to recoil and lock up the pistol, and they put the same mechanism into the reciprocating slide, which makes it more likely to lock on its own, etc. etc.

Taurus is just not to my liking, and I have good reason. I do not even bother picking up their literature at SHOT Show any longer as their products are just too much trouble - constant need to fix, etc.

I no longer subscribe to Shooting Times because I just do not feel it can be depended upon to "tell it like it is."

Where are Phil Engeldrum and the boys when you really need them???

are you fellas talking about the well known smith pimp from shooting times?

I thought all the Smith & Wesson pimps were still over at American Handgunner.

This is one rant that may be unjustified.

I have extensive experience with all levels of .22 ammo in rifles, revolvers, and auto pistols at competitive levels.

Nearly ALL of them are very ammo sensitive. Seemingly identical revolvers, rifles or pistols will react quite differently with various brands of ammo.

I particularly recall a test my oldest son and his shooting buddy performed with their particular .22 autos. My son's was a target High Standard (an oldy but goody) and his buddy's Ruger target pistol. It was deep in the winter and they did the test indoors at fifty feet. The clamped a Ransom Rest to a solid support and it was AMAZING how the different ammo performed. Some wouldn't stay in 4" at FIFTY feet and some shot in one hole at that distance. It was a real learning experience for both of them and the people that were watching.

The experience that was reported by the writer may be EXACTLY what he found - that would be my bet.

FWIW
Dale53

I agree this is a sorry way for S&W to substitute that ball bearing as a front lock up on $$$$ performance center guns.

If it was in addition to the front center pin lock up, I'd be ok with it...but it isn't.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

Yeah I seen it and there was no surprise's to be had. The accuracy thing is probibly what he shot. Twentytwo's are very picky at times about what they eat and sometimes it can be a real hassell. I just about got rid of a real nice M-18 till I found the right ammo for it. I seen a new M-17 at a local dealer listed at $749.00, makes me feel good about that 1947 vintage K-22 that I bought for $650.00 a few months ago.

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Stay safe people!

"I seen a new M-17 at a local dealer listed at $749.00, makes me feel good about that 1947 vintage K-22 that I bought for $650.00 a few months ago."

Isn't that the truth! What a great value that '47 model is!