I bought this 422 a couple of month ago. I filled a long lost hole. The first pistol I ever bought was a 422. I even used it for a carry gun as it was all I had to carry at the time. I had little money at that point and foolishly traded it in on a P89 Ruger so I could have something in a larger caliber. I should have just saved more money, but you know how the story goes.
Fast forward to recently, I saw this 422 in the local shop and decided to trade a Ruger MKII standard (I just could not get used to that barrel profile, though it was a good shooter) that was just taking up space in the safe. I was thrilled, as it was in good shape and a good price.
It didn't work.
It would fire, but only when you were pushing up on the mag for all it was worth. The shop took it in and the gunsmith messed with it a bit, thought he had everything working, but when I went to pick it up, it still wasn't right. They said the heck with it and sent it back to Smith for repair. It took a little while but it seams to be OK now. I will try to get out this afternoon to test it out.
BTW, the serial number places it as a first year production.
****** photo.