I am thinking about a Smith & Wesson 22 caliber semi auto. Can anyone give a comparison between the M&P 22 and the Smith & Wesson 22A. I'm sure neither are defensive weapons per se, so it comes down to plinking and target shooting. As the M&P is quite a bit more expensive, is the extra cost justified? And is the 22A about the same grip and fit so it would work as a practice pistol for an M&P in larger calibers?

My opinion is that the 22A is drastically different from the M&P. It is a great 22, but if you want something that simulates the larger M&P then the M&P22 is the way to go. It is almost exact in every way.

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USN 1988-96
M&P9 M&P15-22

The 22A is a standard 22 semiauto. Shoots decent. It never took the place of my Browning Buckmark though. The biggest difference that I can see between the two is that you can mount a red dot on the top of the 22A, not so with the M&P22. I like red dots on 22s, teaches trigger control and they're fun. It's pretty much open sights only with the M&P22 even though you could mount a laser or light on the frame rail.

You are correct sir. The M&P 22's exterior dimensions are practically the same as a M&P full size. The trigger feels almost the same.








The M&P 22 is very easy to field strip & clean. Mine cycles Federal and Winchester bulk ammo.

I don't own a S&W 22A (yet) to give an opinion. What I can say is that the M&P 22 isn't a bullseye target pistol in my hands. It's great for practice and pure fun.

For .22lr bullseye shooting, I use a Ruger 22/45.

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-John

They are two different pistols for sure, if you want something for cheap practice for your full size guns then the M&P is the ay to go. If your wanting something more on the line of a Bullseye gun then one of the 22As' would be a better choice.

We have a couple 22A's I'm not a big fan of the gun, though I can's say why. Always just rather shoot the Ruger 22/45. That may change now that I have a M&P 22 that complements my M&P Pro 9 competition gun.

My daughter loves the 22A but that's because she's a lefty and that center grip mag release is easier for her left handed /small handed grip.

The 22A is JUNK compared to my Buckmark! My buddy got an M&P 22 as well and I like it............but I have still not shot a .22 that I liked more than my Buckmark and it's 100% stock.

I had a 22A and didn't like the sights, the rest of the gun was ok, nothing wrong with function. I now have the M&P22 and it is just out of the park great. Everyone that has shot it loves it. I also have the M&P9 which was the reason for getting the .22. More money than the 22A, but more like a real gun. As my son put it, "Shooting the M&P22 isn't like shooting some little .22 pistol." He was referring to the Walther P22 also offered by Smith. Be warned, the M&P22 will definitely raise your .22 ammo budget. It is just too much fun to shoot.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

I just wish it had a 17 round mag and a compatible Ultimate Clip Loader.

My buddy says that every time we go shooting.

(I have a Buckmark and Ultimate Clip Loader, he has an M&P22)

Who needs an ultimate clip loader. I made this one for me and 2 more for the wife and daughter who shoot Walther P22's. It is a box divider for a Plano tackle box tray. Works great. I have personally loaded over 1000 rounds so far using it.





My matched set

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14/30/67/317/438/9c

OUTSTANDING idea. I'm off to invade my fishing gear.

Thats need and all but it doesn't hold a candle to this: The Ultimate Cliploader - YouTube (start at 1:00)

Yeah but they are no where close to fitting an M&P22 mag.

The M&P22 mags are wider in both dimensions.

My friend called them and they are supposedly releasing a version that will fit the P22 and M&P22 mags this year. Maybe if more people email/call them they'll get on the ball!

Maybe they can make one to work with my Blackdog / CMMG mags too.

I'll contact them and add to the want list.

As most folks who reply to this kind of request end up saying, I would recommend "Try 'em both and determine which fits you best." I owned a 22A for years, having bought one as soon as they were released. I presently have an M&P. Based on experience with both, here's my take on your question.

I believe the 22A is inherently a little more accurate than the M&P. With a red dot attached and using Eley match ammo, it produced some breathtaking 50 yard groups when rested over sandbags. If that's what you are interested in, the choice is easy. However, I will add that although my 22A never had any problems over the decades I owned it, it was a really crudely constructed device. The trigger's OK but not outstanding. For my hand, the grip was too large and difficult to grasp properly. When all is said and done, that grip is why I replaced it with a Ruger 22/45.

The M&P came my way almost by accident. My dealer had a killer deal on an M&P 45c and I bought the 22 as a companion piece. To my delight, I discovered I like the 22 far better than I expected. It fits me perfectly and although these two M&P's are my first striker fire guns, I find that the 22's trigger is very pleasant and easy to use. As the target below attests, it is also accurate enough. For me the M&P is a far more pleasant pistol than the 22A.

You'll notice that the Ruger won the shootout pictured below (the targets were shot off hand at 25 yards at an indoor range on different days using cheap Federal bulk and represent a "good" rather than an average target for each of the pistols.) I suspect that the Ruger's victory is entirely due to its after market trigger kit rather than inherent accuracy.

Very hopeful response.