I have two M&P22 COMPACTS, a Flat Dark Earth Model that shipped from the factory on December 13, 2017, and a Flat Black Suppressor Ready version that shipped from the factory on June 3, 2019. So far, I've fired roughly 500 rounds through each one of them and have yet to encounter a single instance of failure to extract or failure to eject. In fact, I'm a little amazed with the reliability of my two examples, 100% to date. The ammunition used has been High Speed, Target, and Low Noise. I've encountered no difference in gun function with any of the ammunition used.
S&W M&P22 COMPACT, FDE, 3 5/8" (3.625") Barrel
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S&W M&P22 COMPACT, SUPR READY, 3 9/16" (3.563") Barrel
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Some Targets from the FDE M&P22 COMPACT fired at 15 yards. I apologize for not having any photos with shooting results from my SUPR READY M&P22; I've just never gotten around to snapping any photos. I can tell you that the FDE Model shoots slightly better than the All Black one.
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Several of the comments I read in this thread piqued my interest (I'm left handed) and caused me to go pull out the two pistols in the above photos for some critical study. Maybe helpful, maybe not; I'll let the Forum Members decide.
I'm truly sorry for the trials and frustration) outlined by the Original Poster. I sincerely hope you will get all the issues sorted out, and soon. It was some of the comments in that O.P. that really got me started on a critical look at my two M&P22 COMPACTS.
For those of you who don't know, I'm an old (broken down and highly arthritic) competition shooter who spent a considerable amount of time (around ten years) engaged in the use of a 1911 style pistol. Most people know that the surest way to avoid an inadvertently applied safety on the 1911 platform is to shoot with your strong side thumb riding on top of the safety. I'll reveal the possible importance of this in a moment.
Over about 15 minutes of time (after I pulled out the two M&P22's), I developed some conclusions that may or may not be helpful.
Point 1 - The Magazine Release Button on both of my examples is indeed very easy to engage; very little pressure is required to drop the magazines.
Point 2 - After trying various shooting grips; I came to the conclusion that the M&P22 Compact's Magazine Release is actually better designed than the one on the 1911. This is due to the almost 45° angle formed between the face of the Release Button and the side and front of the grip. The 1911 sticks straight out from the side (flat surface) of the grip frame. The angle actually makes it more difficult to accidentally drop the magazine, while at the same time it's quite easy (natural?) to drop the magazine with your trigger finger. In other words, it's easier to hit quickly with your trigger finger.
Point 3 - With a high thumb (strong side thumb on top of the safety lever), I found it nearly impossible - for me - to exert enough pressure with the strong hand middle finger to cause a magazine drop. In this position, the middle finger is below the Magazine Release Button.
Point 4 - Switching over to my right hand, I found no easy way to accidentally drop a magazine as long as the high thumb hold was selected. With a low thumb hold, again using my right hand as the strong hand, I found that unplanned magazine drops could occur even while just holding the gun in a static position.
Point 5 - Feeding failures can often be induced when attempting to fire the gun with a relaxed grip. I hold my M&P22 Compacts with the same grip (firmness) I use when firing one of my .45 ACP 1911's. Note: the trigger on the M&P22 Compact is on the heavy side, and many times, the shooter will become so involved with trying to get a clean trigger break that he/she will unintentionally relax the firing grip. The result can be a gun jam.
My conclusion? If you're left handed, leave the Magazine Release Button in the factory installed position. If you're right handed, reverse the Magazine Release (Button on Right Side of Frame) and enjoy the trigger finger operation of the Magazine Release that only a few years ago was only available to left handed shooters. It's also safer; if you're using your trigger finger to drop your magazine while reloading, it HAS to be outside of the trigger guard. A good thing. Firm grip, high thumb.
For those of you who made it all the way to the end of this extremely long post, thank you for that, and I hope some of it will be helpful.