Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-13-2016, 12:02 PM
ghouston13 ghouston13 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default SW22 Victory, is it just me?

First, I love my M&P's and S&W. Have had just about everything, was an avid Glock shooter before but once I held an M&P, I was sold. I'm short and have small hands and they just fit me. Carry a 40c and compete with a full sized .40. I also enjoy this forum. Have lurked quite a bit, but I had to join to ask this question and I'm sure I'll start posting more.

For the love of Pete, why didn't they give this thing an ambidextrous safety? WHY? Every single steel framed target style .22 pistol on the market for the last 60 years of this design has a single sided, right handed safety. I'm a lefty, I sold my 22/45 and various other .22 pistols because I can't actuate the safety with my left hand without contorting it. I would go out and buy a Victory tomorrow if it had an ambi safety. I just don't get it. I think it's a slick looking pistol and when I saw it, I thought "PLEASE have an ambi safety, they wouldn't go about designing a NEW .22 target gun in 2015 without thinking of the everlasting plight of lefties, would they?" When I saw photos of the right side of the gun, my heart sank a little.

I have friends that are new shooters, women and kids that are lefties and I don't like giving them a pistol that is so "wierd" for them to actuate the safety.

Oh well. I'm sure it was an oversight, I guess it could be an engineering problem, but with what we can do today in engineering it would surprise me that they can't put a lever on the right side of this pistol. Guess I'll stick with my polymer .22's.

Otherwise, keep up the good work, Smith!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 01-13-2016, 01:42 PM
TAROMAN's Avatar
TAROMAN TAROMAN is offline
US Veteran
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: The wet side of Oregon
Posts: 6,290
Likes: 8,789
Liked 7,778 Times in 2,375 Posts
Default

Its a target pistol, not a carry piece.
Fast safety actuation is generally not an issue in the target world.
__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-13-2016, 03:38 PM
ghouston13 ghouston13 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

But, with an ambi safety it can fill more than one role. Why bother with the mag release on the side, then? Why not stay with the European heel release? That was one of the major reasons that I read, when they designed the Ruger 22/45. More like full sized firearms. Standard grip angle, 1911 feel, mag release button on the side. It just frustrates me. I can use this to teach kids and people that haven't shot before using cheap ammo and very low recoil. Having a standard ambi safety would help a lot.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 01-13-2016, 08:13 PM
racemi's Avatar
racemi racemi is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 69
Likes: 146
Liked 86 Times in 39 Posts
Default

I'm with TAROMAN, the safety isn't an issue. You can still teach people about using a safety if you want to whether or not it's ambidextrous. Personally, I can't remember the last time I engaged a safety on any of the semi-autos I shoot. They are all DA/SA and I feel that the long heavy trigger pull is safe enough. Of course I don't carry so I can feel safe without using a safety.
I feel that you are making too big a deal of the safety. It's an inexpensive pistol that is a remake of an older design and they probably could not justify the expense of making the safety ambidextrous. They already made the mag release on the side instead of heel type, and that probably used up all the cost they could justify. Every little change costs, and companies today are all about the bottom line.
__________________
Remember...Squeeze!
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 01-13-2016, 09:22 PM
Sevens Sevens is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,822
Likes: 9,389
Liked 14,740 Times in 5,023 Posts
Default

This may come off as antagonistic but that is NOT my intention.

Some folks have made a pretty penny by making something that "seemingly" the masses would appreciate. Case in point? There is a company making good money building retro-fit parts to make the Ruger Mk I-III easier to field strip & re-assemble. (I never found it that hard but the MASSES have spoken and many do)

If you very genuinely believe, engineering-wise that it would have been -SO- easy for S&W to make it... then YOU should focus your efforts on doing it yourself.

If you followed that and put forth the effort, you would have:
--a .22 with an ambi safety
or
--a product that OTHERS will pay you cash to get!
or
--your inability to make it work could give you a more clear picture of why S&W didn't do it themselves
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 01-13-2016, 09:45 PM
AveragEd AveragEd is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Enola, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 591
Liked 2,579 Times in 1,125 Posts
Default

I have to agree with most of the posters to this thread who find the safety unimportant. As said, it is first and foremost a target/plinking pistol and as such, the safety is not much of a concern. But I can see your point as well - I'm married to a lefty and after 43 years of marriage, I'm teaching her to shoot.

But here's a very real thought. As you have no doubt discovered, left-handed folks are going to pick up a lot of guns in their lifetimes with right-handed engineering. Since an ambidextrous safety is a combative handgun feature, those people you are training might some day have to defend themselves with a handgun without an ambidextrous safety. It's best that they know how to handle such a challenge.

On a carry gun, I want an ambidextrous safety in case I have to use it left-handed for whatever reason. Because of that, the gun I bought to carry if I think it necessary is a Smith & Wesson E-Series 1911Sc which, as you may know, comes with an ambidextrous safety.

Ed

Last edited by AveragEd; 01-13-2016 at 09:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-14-2016, 01:00 AM
ghouston13 ghouston13 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

I do see what you are all saying, and I have carried for a decade and been shooting for much longer. I can, if necessary can use a pistol without an ambi safety, but sometimes I feel that righties don't really understand the plight of us southpaws. I'm not the only one that dislikes the G3 for the very reason that it sucks for any real use for a lefty other than shooting on a square range. I am a person that is used to adapting. I'm short. 4' 11" and ride a BMW R1200CL, I'm a lefty and shoot a right handed Remington 700 ( I would prefer a left handed action, but I got a good deal on it and I have learned to shoot it well). I can reload revolvers in decent time. I’m not talking about not being able to adapt. Maybe it is extremely difficult to engineer an ambi safety into this pistol. I think I remember when I owned my 22/45 trying to see if I could do something about it. I think that the disassembly lever in the back of the grip was the main obstacle, and since the Victory doesn’t have that, it seems like it would be rather easy. I may be remembering wrong, it’s been a while.
Here are my main reasons. I shoot at a local range’s USPSA events. Have for a long time. We have several youngsters that want to get involved and we’d like to use .22’s. I know how easy it would be to teach my 11 year old step son how to shoot single stack with a Victory or 22/45 with an ambi safety. He’s not big enough yet to shoot any of the major calibers with any confidence. He’s too wet behind the ears to put him into a situation where he’s moving on a range AND having to manipulate controls made for the wrong hand. I’m not trying to start ****. If I came off like I was bitching, just to bitch, I apologize. I have been a Smith fan for decades and this isn’t a “S&W” gripe. It’s just a gripe for a lefty who wants to be able to use a left handed safety. BTW, everything I shoot at the moment is polymer as well. I sold my Springfield 1911 because my thumb kept pushing the slide lock out when firing. It’s just where my thumb naturally goes and I didn’t feel like having it milled down. I will probably buy another 1911 and have it done, though. I miss shooting it. Last, I have carried my 22/45 at a friend’s farm for little critters. It’s a pain to draw it and have to fiddle with the stupid safety. Hey, I hate slide mounted safeties too, I have small hands, but here I am in a Smith forum and have owned several with slide mounted safeties.

Last edited by ghouston13; 01-14-2016 at 10:00 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-14-2016, 06:38 AM
AveragEd AveragEd is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Enola, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 591
Liked 2,579 Times in 1,125 Posts
Default

You plight is understood and appreciated. Although statistics apparently say otherwise, it sure seems like there is a large enough portion of the American population that is left-handed to make manufacturing of items for those people practical and profitable. My late father-in-law was left-handed, my wife is left-handed, our daughter-in-law is a natural lefty but can do some things right-handed and our granddaughter, while only eight months old, appears to favor her left hand. That's just in our small family and if representative of the country, indicates there are a lot of people who are left-handed.

Ed
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-14-2016, 07:02 AM
k22fan k22fan is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 5,161
Liked 5,242 Times in 2,483 Posts
Default

The O.P. makes a good point. A local mother brought her teenage daughters to our irregular timed action pistol or what ever you want to call them matches. Fortunately both daughters were right handed so Ruger .22/45s worked. The point is, life isn't all bullseye matches anymore. They could not participate with single action pistols that lacked safeties.

Oddly enough, the new Victory replaces a pistol that had an ambidextrous safety, the 22S and 22A series. The largely forgotten 22Ss had stainless frames. Have you handled one?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-14-2016, 10:32 AM
ghouston13 ghouston13 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

k22an, I have not seen the 22s I have seen the 22a. I can't seem to find anything on the 22s on the web. Got any links?
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 01-14-2016, 10:46 AM
Salty RI's Avatar
Salty RI Salty RI is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: RI
Posts: 5,666
Likes: 2,469
Liked 10,307 Times in 3,607 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghouston13 View Post
k22an, I have not seen the 22s I have seen the 22a. I can't seem to find anything on the 22s on the web. Got any links?
New SW22 Victory 22LR target pistol?
__________________
Don
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-14-2016, 11:31 AM
AveragEd AveragEd is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Enola, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 591
Liked 2,579 Times in 1,125 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by k22fan View Post
Oddly enough, the new Victory replaces a pistol that had an ambidextrous safety, the 22S and 22A series.
My 22A-1 does not have an ambidextrous safety.



I honestly can't say I can recall ever seeing one that did but maybe a certain version did.

Ed
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-14-2016, 02:28 PM
k22fan k22fan is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,835
Likes: 5,161
Liked 5,242 Times in 2,483 Posts
Default

My bad. I was remembering the mag release on the front of the grip strap. What can I say? I haven't fired any of my .22 autos in a while and it was late.

If you've seen a 22A you can imagine a 22S. The only difference is the metal the frames are made out of.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-14-2016, 08:33 PM
AveragEd AveragEd is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Enola, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 591
Liked 2,579 Times in 1,125 Posts
Default

Hey, no problem - I've made my first mistake this year too.

Ed
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-19-2016, 09:34 AM
ghouston13 ghouston13 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default

I will hold out hope, guys! Thanks for listening to me complain.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-10-2016, 02:58 PM
Old-Veteran's Avatar
Old-Veteran Old-Veteran is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Delaware
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AveragEd View Post
You plight is understood and appreciated. Although statistics apparently say otherwise, it sure seems like there is a large enough portion of the American population that is left-handed to make manufacturing of items for those people practical and profitable. My late father-in-law was left-handed, my wife is left-handed, our daughter-in-law is a natural lefty but can do some things right-handed and our granddaughter, while only eight months old, appears to favor her left hand. That's just in our small family and if representative of the country, indicates there are a lot of people who are left-handed.

Ed
Being left-handed, I'm aware of the lefty plight. Baseball gloves, golf clubs, even scissors! Fortunately, my right handed brother taught me to shoot when I was 10 and never even considered that I was left handed. Consequently, shooting is the only thing I do right handed. Just lucky I guess.

Took my 14 year old granddaughter to the range for the first time on Spring Break from school and started her with the Ruger Single Six, then went to the S&W Victory. Now get this - she is right handed, shoots with her right hand, BUT her left eye is dominant and that is the eye she uses to shoot. If I had to shoot with my left eye, I think I'd fall down!

Before anyone tells me I should be shooting with BOTH eyes open - I just can't do it with my old eyes. I see double images! It's fine with my red dot, but not with standard sights. The granddaughter can't do it either.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 04-10-2016, 07:36 PM
Barrie Barrie is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 675
Liked 714 Times in 534 Posts
Default

Its strange to me why most 22's even have safeties on them as both my M41 and m46 have never been used. I strongly believe the vast majority of all 22 owners Never use the safeties on their guns at all. Its because they are Target guns and NO more then that. My 45apc does have a double sided safety on it but I do not carry it except to the range and back in its locked case with a trigger lock on it also.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #18  
Old 11-03-2016, 05:33 PM
Clathrus Clathrus is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TAROMAN View Post
Its a target pistol, not a carry piece.
Fast safety actuation is generally not an issue in the target world.
Fine for Bullseye type shooters. But what about Steel Challenge shooters? Or any shooting discipline requiring speed shooting, starting from safety enabled?
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #19  
Old 11-03-2016, 08:45 PM
Jaymo Jaymo is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 3,512
Liked 1,578 Times in 912 Posts
Default

Funny, how a left handed safety is never important, to right handers.
Imagine how they'd howl if the majority of pistols only had southpaw safeties.
I'm a lefty and shoot handguns with either hand.
I prefer an ambi, because you never know when you may have to shoot with your weak hand.
I'm amazed at how many right handers refuse to learn to shoot with their weak hands or have an ambi on their pistols.
Lefties tend to be more open minded about ambis and learning to shoot weak handed.

For those of us who like to carry a pistol when hunting, an easily operated safety is very important.
__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #20  
Old 11-03-2016, 09:23 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In The Woods Of S.C.
Posts: 8,833
Likes: 13,927
Liked 13,636 Times in 4,936 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghouston13 View Post
First, I love my M&P's and S&W. Have had just about everything, was an avid Glock shooter before but once I held an M&P, I was sold. I'm short and have small hands and they just fit me. Carry a 40c and compete with a full sized .40. I also enjoy this forum. Have lurked quite a bit, but I had to join to ask this question and I'm sure I'll start posting more.

For the love of Pete, why didn't they give this thing an ambidextrous safety? WHY? Every single steel framed target style .22 pistol on the market for the last 60 years of this design has a single sided, right handed safety. I'm a lefty, I sold my 22/45 and various other .22 pistols because I can't actuate the safety with my left hand without contorting it. I would go out and buy a Victory tomorrow if it had an ambi safety. I just don't get it. I think it's a slick looking pistol and when I saw it, I thought "PLEASE have an ambi safety, they wouldn't go about designing a NEW .22 target gun in 2015 without thinking of the everlasting plight of lefties, would they?" When I saw photos of the right side of the gun, my heart sank a little.

I have friends that are new shooters, women and kids that are lefties and I don't like giving them a pistol that is so "wierd" for them to actuate the safety.

Oh well. I'm sure it was an oversight, I guess it could be an engineering problem, but with what we can do today in engineering it would surprise me that they can't put a lever on the right side of this pistol. Guess I'll stick with my polymer .22's.

Otherwise, keep up the good work, Smith!
Because it looks like it was designed by ELMER FUDD.......Its not a target pistol......Maybe a plinker for those that don't want a 41/Buckmark/Mk IV.
__________________
S&W Accumulator
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #21  
Old 11-03-2016, 09:25 PM
lhump1961's Avatar
lhump1961 lhump1961 is offline
US Veteran
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: The Great Midwest
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 1,716
Liked 2,367 Times in 1,003 Posts
Default

Being a righty I am on the outside looking in but what about left handers and revolvers all these years? Never seen a revolver with the cylinder swinging out of the other side, I bet they could sell more than a few but talk about engineering costs!

I'll just count myself as lucky...

The new Ruger MKIV is ambi but also costs at least $100 more than the Victory.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11-03-2016, 09:33 PM
Wee Hooker Wee Hooker is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 3,068
Liked 4,294 Times in 1,610 Posts
Default

I'll break ranks and disagree on the importance of the safety here. The lessened importance of a safety may hold true for a true target grade pistol intended for use on a controlled firing line (under controlled conditions) but...the Victory is a gun designed more as a "do all" /plinking gun. (Much like the 22A). Therefore it has potential by intent, to be carried in a loaded condition in/out of a holster while in the field. Without getting into the ambi safety argument, I'll argue that a good accessible safety is important on any field gun. IF field use is the OP's intended use, I'd vote your $ would be better spent on a good 1911 conversion with ambi safety or a quality (617)revolver.
__________________
Dave

Last edited by Wee Hooker; 11-03-2016 at 09:39 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 11-04-2016, 11:15 AM
haertig haertig is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times in 41 Posts
Default

If offered a choice, at a reasonable price increase, I'd buy pistols with ambi-everything (like my HK P30S). And I'm right handed and never use the safety, except for emergency "cease fire, range is cold!" scenarios.

If having the ambi controls raises the price of the pistol, say, $100 (like the Mark IV price premium over the Victory), I would not pay the extra money for that gun. For a target/plinking gun that is. For a defensive pistol, I'd be willing to put out more cash for ambi-everything.

For me, ambi is much more important for a defense pistol. There are scenarios for that where you may have to switch hands. And you need ambi-everything for those cases. An ambi-safety would be the least of the three that I'd want. First, I'd want an ambi-mag release, next an ambi-slide release, and in last place, an ambi-safety. But I would still want all three. Many defense guns are DAO or DA/SA and don't require safeties IMHO. For the SA guns, you need a safety. Some guns, like my P30S, can be carried DA/SA (just ignore the safety if you carry it that way), or SA, where you need the safety.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 11-04-2016, 11:24 AM
DocGlock DocGlock is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Arkansas
Posts: 95
Likes: 2
Liked 37 Times in 17 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lhump1961 View Post
...Never seen a revolver with the cylinder swinging out of the other side, I bet they could sell more than a few but talk about engineering costs!
...
I guess you've never seen this:

Southpaw | Charter Arms
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #25  
Old 11-04-2016, 04:08 PM
wfmiller's Avatar
wfmiller wfmiller is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Morgantown, PA
Posts: 23
Likes: 7
Liked 9 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I am a converted righty (Nuns) but shoot pistol left handed which is my dominant hand but shoot rifle right handed. I have been shooting so long that I never even think or worry about the safety as my hands memory knows what to do. Same thing with revolvers I just handle them as naturally as any righty would. Nuns have me so damn confused that I do half things lefty and half righty!!
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 12-08-2016, 07:04 PM
IFFV68 IFFV68 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Littleton Colorado
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

The reason they don't add the Ambi-Safety is, they don't have to.
People like you and me will purchase the right Hand safeties firearm anyway.
I also have several H&K's, one with Ambient Safety's. The others are De-cocking button.
Like it was mentioned above, the S&W Victory is usually not a CCW hand gun.
My S&W Model 41 is on the left side. I would never sell it. I'm 65, Vietnam Vet. All the M-16's are Right handed.
It's something you can get use to very easy. Don't fight the System. Follow the Money. Ambi-Safety will cost more with little benefit to the majority of Shooters..
Sin-Loy--Sorry.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 12-08-2016, 07:14 PM
LeftHand-Fu's Avatar
LeftHand-Fu LeftHand-Fu is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 40
Likes: 46
Liked 80 Times in 28 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by TAROMAN View Post
Its a target pistol, not a carry piece.
Fast safety actuation is generally not an issue in the target world.
There are competitions that require it. For example, it's a DQ not to engage the safety at low ready in our local PPC-style league.

Planning to send my M41 into Smith to have an ambi safety installed. It has needed some work even new out of the box anyway.

Last edited by LeftHand-Fu; 12-08-2016 at 07:16 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 12-08-2016, 11:59 PM
haertig haertig is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times in 41 Posts
Default

The safety is probably there only because the lawyers said it should be there. It's not really necessary on a target pistol. So the manufacturers probably want to do the cheapest thing possible to satisfy the corporate lawyers. Which is to make it simple, and non-ambi.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #29  
Old 12-09-2016, 07:31 AM
irishbob irishbob is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 32
Likes: 54
Liked 14 Times in 10 Posts
Default

Our LH plight continues to march forward in the shadows, unnoticed and unable to reach the safety on most guns without (ironically) unsafely doing the one-handed twist of it in our hands to reach the gun.
I concur with the masses, it's a cost issue, and it's too small a space to make an ambi add-on reasonable, like an ambi safety on an AR-15.
Which doesn't work that great anyway for me as the left side hits my hand when I work the lever with my thumb.
Sigh. We endeavor to persevere.
And I, like many, scoff at companies that offer Lefty bolt-action rifles now. It's too late, sister! My agency last week offered to switch my Glock out for one with a LH mag release. No friggin way! 19 yrs and countless rounds, and NOW the Man wants to accomodate me which would really mean I'd never remember the button was moved in a real situation.
We like to be challenged. The only ones more cooler than us are LH and right-eye dominant. They are badasses that can adapt to anything and probably breathe under water.

*That said, I don't use the safeties on the Victory or any of my .22s because they're too dang hard to reach. *******s!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #30  
Old 12-09-2016, 12:14 PM
LeftHand-Fu's Avatar
LeftHand-Fu LeftHand-Fu is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 40
Likes: 46
Liked 80 Times in 28 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by haertig View Post
The safety is probably there only because the lawyers said it should be there. It's not really necessary on a target pistol. So the manufacturers probably want to do the cheapest thing possible to satisfy the corporate lawyers. Which is to make it simple, and non-ambi.
Again, there are target competitions that require a safety. For example, it's a DQ not to engage the safety at low ready in our local PPC-style league.

Manufacturers leave the lefty side off simply to reduce cost. We add it back when necessary, but most lefties learn to operate just fine without any changes.

Related videos (from my signature on CalGuns):
Revolver reloading: de BethencourtAyoob (lefty at 4:30)
Semi-auto handling: SIG SAUER AcademyGunsite Academy
Reply With Quote
  #31  
Old 12-12-2016, 02:57 PM
3strokes 3strokes is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 87
Likes: 74
Liked 25 Times in 20 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Veteran View Post
Being left-handed, I'm aware of the lefty plight. Baseball gloves, golf clubs, even scissors! Fortunately, my right handed brother taught me to shoot when I was 10 and never even considered that I was left handed. Consequently, shooting is the only thing I do right handed. Just lucky I guess.

Took my 14 year old granddaughter to the range for the first time on Spring Break from school and started her with the Ruger Single Six, then went to the S&W Victory. Now get this - she is right handed, shoots with her right hand, BUT her left eye is dominant and that is the eye she uses to shoot. If I had to shoot with my left eye, I think I'd fall down!

Before anyone tells me I should be shooting with BOTH eyes open - I just can't do it with my old eyes. I see double images! It's fine with my red dot, but not with standard sights. The granddaughter can't do it either.
Hi I'm right-handed and left-eye dominant. The trick to shooting with both eyes open is to mask or flip a flippable eye patch over the non-dominant eye. You will not see double and the eyes will be both getting light. Less stress than winking (closing one eye). Now, I have a macular hole (it has been operated on and the hole is closed but my vision, from this dominant eye, is distorted. I am learning to shoot with my right-eye now.
__________________
NFA CSSA CCFR (Canada), NRA
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #32  
Old 12-12-2016, 03:00 PM
3strokes 3strokes is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 87
Likes: 74
Liked 25 Times in 20 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lhump1961 View Post
The new Ruger MKIV is ambi but also costs at least $100 more than the Victory.
I'd buy the Mk IV in a jiffy it it were a 22/45 (grip and angle).
__________________
NFA CSSA CCFR (Canada), NRA
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 12-12-2016, 04:49 PM
aphelion's Avatar
aphelion aphelion is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 674
Likes: 960
Liked 792 Times in 266 Posts
Default

I don't understand the opinion that .22s don't need a aafety because they are only "target pistols". Doesn't anybody use them in the field?

My wife and two of the kids are left handed. I tell them I am sympathetic to their handicap and they should be able to park right up front by the door too.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #34  
Old 12-12-2016, 05:51 PM
Pisgah Pisgah is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 37
Liked 5,413 Times in 1,756 Posts
Default

I would say that since the design is so backward in your eyes -- don't buy one. Problem solved! You're welcome. ;-)
__________________
Pisgah
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 12-13-2016, 12:20 AM
haertig haertig is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times in 41 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by aphelion View Post
I don't understand the opinion that .22s don't need a aafety because they are only "target pistols". Doesn't anybody use them in the field?
I don't "carry in the field" except to walk from the car to the shooting bench (ignoring self defense carry pistols for the moment). But do people actually chamber a live round in these single action .22's, cocking the gun in the process, and then use only the safety to protect themselves and others while walking around in the field? I wouldn't do that. Cocked-n-locked carry of a larger caliber self defense pistol is appropriate, but really only for highly experienced and expert shooters. I see zero reason for cocked-n-locked field carry of a .22LR.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 12-13-2016, 12:31 AM
Backlighting's Avatar
Backlighting Backlighting is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 332
Liked 1,906 Times in 523 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter View Post
Because it looks like it was designed by ELMER FUDD.......Its not a target pistol......Maybe a plinker for those that don't want a 41/Buckmark/Mk IV.
I love my Buckmark...better than the 41 I had.
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 12-13-2016, 09:52 PM
Barrie Barrie is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 675
Liked 714 Times in 534 Posts
Default

I like my M41 better then my Buckmark I had a few years ago now. It was a decent gun but I personally find the M41 to be a much better gun as well as my M46 also. The hand feel to me is much superior over all 100 or so other handguns I have owned since the early 70's.
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 12-14-2016, 01:18 PM
Backlighting's Avatar
Backlighting Backlighting is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 332
Liked 1,906 Times in 523 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrie View Post
I like my M41 better then my Buckmark I had a few years ago now. It was a decent gun but I personally find the M41 to be a much better gun as well as my M46 also. The hand feel to me is much superior over all 100 or so other handguns I have owned since the early 70's.
Understood. For me the feel and balance of the Buckmark are perfect. As for accuracy, they both performed about the same. Considering the Buckmark's price is about half that of the M41, I'd say it's money well spent. Enjoy your 41 Barrie...especially if it floats your boat.

Last edited by Backlighting; 12-14-2016 at 01:19 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 12-14-2016, 02:35 PM
Tom S.'s Avatar
Tom S. Tom S. is offline
Moderator
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 18,473
Likes: 8,386
Liked 17,058 Times in 5,593 Posts
Default

I don't hear this guy complaining about the inconvenience of safeties being on the left:

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 12-14-2016, 03:42 PM
aphelion's Avatar
aphelion aphelion is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Idaho
Posts: 674
Likes: 960
Liked 792 Times in 266 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by haertig View Post
I don't "carry in the field" except to walk from the car to the shooting bench (ignoring self defense carry pistols for the moment). But do people actually chamber a live round in these single action .22's, cocking the gun in the process, and then use only the safety to protect themselves and others while walking around in the field? I wouldn't do that. Cocked-n-locked carry of a larger caliber self defense pistol is appropriate, but really only for highly experienced and expert shooters. I see zero reason for cocked-n-locked field carry of a .22LR.
It doesn't sound like you hunt with one. Plenty of people do though.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #41  
Old 12-14-2016, 07:48 PM
haertig haertig is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times in 41 Posts
Default

You are correct, I am not a hunter. I guess I am learning ... 22's are carried cocked-n-locked while hunting. I didn't know that.
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 12-28-2016, 08:47 AM
Old Army Guy's Avatar
Old Army Guy Old Army Guy is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 10
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by IFFV68 View Post
The reason they don't add the Ambi-Safety is, they don't have to.
People like you and me will purchase the right Hand safeties firearm anyway.
I also have several H&K's, one with Ambient Safety's. The others are De-cocking button.
Like it was mentioned above, the S&W Victory is usually not a CCW hand gun.
My S&W Model 41 is on the left side. I would never sell it. I'm 65, Vietnam Vet. All the M-16's are Right handed.
It's something you can get use to very easy. Don't fight the System. Follow the Money. Ambi-Safety will cost more with little benefit to the majority of Shooters..
Sin-Loy--Sorry.
Thank you for your service. I am a Vietnam Vet as well and I totally agree with your position. I was in charge of manufacturing for Fender Musical Instruments for years and have first hand (left as well as right) when it comes to offering a left handed option for when the product truly has a hand. Hey lefties, so sorry , but you are the one percenters. It truly isn't economical to offer left handed products. The only reason Fender did it on a few models was public relations. All you righties paid for it in the end with higher prices to offset the duplicate tooling and training required to produce what was truly less than 1% of overall demand.

Sin-Loy
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 12-28-2016, 11:12 AM
Targets Guy's Avatar
Targets Guy Targets Guy is offline
US Veteran
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Southwest Iowa
Posts: 10,867
Likes: 2,688
Liked 18,968 Times in 5,588 Posts
Default

I'm a lefty as well and have no problem with the safety on the Victory. Use my left thumb. Easy peasy.

When you represent less than 13% of the market place you have to adapt
__________________
Mike
S&WCA #3065
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #44  
Old 12-28-2016, 05:02 PM
Barrie Barrie is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 675
Liked 714 Times in 534 Posts
Default

Backligthing it not only floats my Boat but my Battleship as well. especially at 25 yards all day long.
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 12-28-2016, 09:00 PM
scoobysnacker scoobysnacker is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 622
Liked 1,425 Times in 566 Posts
Default

I don't have a Victory, but as a lefty I do own a number of pistols, some of which are ambi.

I don't think I've used the lefty safety much, I have naturally used the righty (I've learned to do it, and those are ALWAYS there).
Reply With Quote
  #46  
Old 01-10-2018, 02:47 PM
Semper Fi Charters Semper Fi Charters is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
Default

I am left handed and ever now and then I engage the safety without knowing it
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #47  
Old 12-31-2021, 02:57 PM
RoadKingRon RoadKingRon is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ghouston13 View Post
First, I love my M&P's and S&W. Have had just about everything, was an avid Glock shooter before but once I held an M&P, I was sold. I'm short and have small hands and they just fit me. Carry a 40c and compete with a full sized .40. I also enjoy this forum. Have lurked quite a bit, but I had to join to ask this question and I'm sure I'll start posting more.

For the love of Pete, why didn't they give this thing an ambidextrous safety? WHY? Every single steel framed target style .22 pistol on the market for the last 60 years of this design has a single sided, right handed safety. I'm a lefty, I sold my 22/45 and various other .22 pistols because I can't actuate the safety with my left hand without contorting it. I would go out and buy a Victory tomorrow if it had an ambi safety. I just don't get it. I think it's a slick looking pistol and when I saw it, I thought "PLEASE have an ambi safety, they wouldn't go about designing a NEW .22 target gun in 2015 without thinking of the everlasting plight of lefties, would they?" When I saw photos of the right side of the gun, my heart sank a little.

I have friends that are new shooters, women and kids that are lefties and I don't like giving them a pistol that is so "wierd" for them to actuate the safety.

Oh well. I'm sure it was an oversight, I guess it could be an engineering problem, but with what we can do today in engineering it would surprise me that they can't put a lever on the right side of this pistol. Guess I'll stick with my polymer .22's.

Otherwise, keep up the good work, Smith!
The SW22 was my only gun with a safty, I made the safty inoperatable and now ALL my guns are the same. Thats how I solved it.
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 12-31-2021, 08:39 PM
oink oink is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Southern FL, East side.
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 2,312
Liked 3,010 Times in 1,251 Posts
Default

I like the option of a safety. My MK4 has one, an ambi safety but I may remove the lefty safety. My Glocks and S.A. XDs don't have safeties but I'd prefer they did. My Shield does. If it has a trigger like my old Keltec it wouldn't need one.
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old 01-02-2022, 12:04 PM
Slicktop Slicktop is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Ozark Hogs Country
Posts: 137
Likes: 135
Liked 61 Times in 33 Posts
Default

My beef with the Victory safety is it being too easy to accidently engage whilst shooting and that there is no indication mark showing S/F.
Someone new to the gun would not know which position the switch is in. I added a dot of red fingernail polish to aid.

Last edited by Slicktop; 01-02-2022 at 12:07 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old 03-03-2023, 09:50 PM
Seabee58 Seabee58 is offline
Member
SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me? SW22 Victory, is it just me?  
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

My Victory shoots Steel Challenge just fine with no issues. Anyone with operational issues needs to be more careful in the cleaning process. The Victory, when clean, operates very well. Given the high heat it encounters, the firing pin spring will require routine changes. I've run through thousands of rounds, and it works fine.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New SW22 Victory 22LR target pistol? PA Guns & Ammo Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 230 10-10-2016 08:47 PM
Need advice on a SW22 scope, please? jebib3 Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 3 03-19-2016 02:15 AM
ALL Sold: Navy Victory, Aussie Victory, French MAS 45 .22 training rifle... canoeguy GUNS - For Sale or Trade 1 07-22-2011 05:49 AM
Victory Experts, Correct Web Gear Spare Ammo Pouch .38 Victory? Bell Charter Oak Holsters S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 11 05-11-2009 10:59 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:50 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)