I'm trying to decide on which of the subject rimfire pistols to buy. I have been reading a lot of different forums, blogs and YouTube reviews.

I called S&W Customer Service today to answer a few questions. My call was answered by "Joe".

My Q: Are there different SKUs for the M&P 22?
Joe A: Yes

My Q: Do they all have threaded barrels?
Joe A: No.

Joe Q: What state do you live in?
My A: Texas

Joe: You want SKU 222000.

My Q: Is S&W planning to discontinue the M&P 22?
Joe A: Not at this time.

My Q: Are there different SKUs for the M&P 22 Compact?
Joe A: No, there is a single SKU.

My Q: Is the M&P 22 Compact supplied with a wrench to remove the thread protector?
Joe A: No

My Q: Why not?
Joe A: The suppressor manufacturers are going to supply one.

My Q: Which manufacturers?
Joe A: Well, we work with GEMTECH.

My Q: Several forum posts state the M&P 22 Compact thread protector is hard to remove. Is it installed with a thread locking compound?
Joe A: No, but they are really torqued.

I'm leaning toward the Compact, but I'm a little annoyed that there is no supplied wrench to remove the thread protector and it was installed using a high torque value.

This is useful information. I am trying to decide between the two for my wife. She has shot the M&P22 and likes it (better than other similar 22s). We haven't shot the Compact 22. It isn't available for rent at our range. I wish you had asked the rep for a comparison of the trigger pulls on the two guns.

Thanks,
<TED>

I absolutely trashed the thread protector getting it off the 22 Compact. Had to get the gunsmith at my store to do it, and it was a nightmare for him to get it off. I called S&W and they sent me another, but it's a total joke there's no wrench in the box like with the full-size 22.

I don't see a suppressor in my future, even though they are legal in my state. I just turn off my hearing aids.

I really don't want a gun with a threaded barrel, even if it comes with a protector. It's just one more thing to lose or damage, as are unprotected threads. I suspect that's the reason it's over torqued, but they still should provide a wrench. I'd still want to use a rust preventative under the protector.

The Compact is neater than sliced bread! I have both ....Compact and Standard, the Compact is the perfect size, nice sights and mine has had flawless operation. Holding first the standard and then compact should make up your mind, Smith has a keeper with this pistol.

What would be nice is a NON THREADED version for the states that forbid threaded barrels. HINT, HINT S&W
My guess is that the majority of buyers will never use the threaded barrel for a suppressor anyway.

I have no need for a suppressor....
but I am VERY impressed with the .22 COMPACT .
A most excellent little pistol, but not a MATCH pistol obviously.
Great for plinking and practice for folks that CC a Shield for instance.

My wife is gonna LOVE her shiny new compact ....

None of us "need" them....

But that didn't stop me from buying 14 of them so far.

Seriously, if anyone on the forum has a pipeline to S&W, maybe they could plant a seed regarding making the compact in both configurations. It would probably cost less to manufacture also. LOL
Ruger makes both cofigurations in the SR22 A smart idea in my opinion

It might eventually cost less to manufacture! but you'd have to sell a lot just to recoup the investment.

If anyone has a pipeline into S&W, I'd just like to tell them to ease off on the torque. My thread protector came loose with a loud SNAP!

I truly believe they would sell plenty without the threaded barrel. JMHO
worth what you paid for it I suppose

I need suppressors. I value my hearing. Shooting is much more safe and comfortable using them. It's irresponsible that politicians heavily restrict these safety devices.

The compact M&P 22 is made by S&W in the USA. The M&P 22 full size is not! It's made by Walther. George

You need a skinny 11mm wrench that is 2mm wide to remove the thread protector. Applying some WD-40 between the muzzle/protector crevice overnight really helps. Bicycle shops have cone wrenches that are perfect for it.

Nonetheless, I still think S&W should've included a wrench AND a 1/2x28 adapter. Unfortunately it's all about cutting down on extra costs.

rimshaker,

got a link for such a wrench? I've not tried a bicycle in over 30 years, so not into what shops have these days.

Park Tool Co. * DCW-1 : Double-Ended Cone Wrench : Hub & Axles

I got lucky and found a local shop with 11mm/12mm wrench ends. And these wrenches are long enough that you can easily exert enough torque to bust the TP off.

Thank you for this! I searched high and low at HD, Lowes and Harbor Freight. Didn't think of bicycle. Haven't found them online but will go by a bike shop this week.

Go to sears get a good 11mm or whatever size you need and grind it to the thickness you need just keep it cool.Or better yet thay have what are called tappet wrenches they will work as is and are very handy to have worth getting a set..George

Looks like this might be the exact one:

Park CBW-4

I'm going to get one just to see if it works! Good tips guys I would have never thought bicycle.

did that wrench work??

I don't really think that it's considered a thread protector for a threaded barrel for mounting a suppressor. If you look at the design of the barrel, the barrel is inside a sleeve. The so called thread protector is meant to hold the barrel tight in place. Removing it would allow the barrel to move inside the sleeve and possibly compromise the accuracy of the gun. The M&P22, 22a-1 is the same type of design.

Wait are you referring to the new 22 Compact? Because its barrel is one solid piece, not like the sleeved pencil barrels on the full size m&p22 and other Walther pistols.

did the wrench work??

I bought the EWK wrench, since I was already there looking at the adapters. Getting that cap off was a major challenge.

I received the wrenches today and have not tried them yet. I bought 2. Why I really do not know LOL.

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M&P 9C, 22C, 15-22 Next!

Just in case you loose one.

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Don

Got a call from the store that our 22 was back from smith and ready for pickup. They replaced the barrel.

Anyhow first thing I did was try the wrench on it, it is still too thick but not by much. I'll surface grind it before the weekend and post back what the exact thickness has to be to remove the thread protector.

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M&P 9C, 22C, 15-22 Next!

Proper thickness is 2mm. The bike wrench I used was 11x2mm. Overall wrench length was almost 6" to apply enough torque. Was surprised it took a few tries to break free, but it finally did with no damage to the TP.

Resurrecting this old thread! Got the wrenches in. Surface ground the wrench to .080 (just over 2mm). Put it on the thread protector on my 22C and it came right off no problem.

Maybe it is because I recently got it back from S&W and they replaced the barrel... don't know but mine came off rather easily.

wrench.jpg

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M&P 9C, 22C, 15-22 Next!