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Old 02-24-2016, 11:17 PM
docohm docohm is offline
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First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22  
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Default First Range Day with the new Victory SW22

I've been shooting a customized Ruger 22/45 in Steel Challenge for over 2 years now and I really like it, VERY reliable, eats any kind of ammo, I've stayed with 'iron' sights so far (actually Williams Fiber Optic sights) and they work very well. However, the new Victory SW22 caught my eye in the review from 22Plinkster a couple of weeks ago. So I called my local dealer and ordered one. It came in last Monday, $345 out the door.

My first day at the range was today, I could tell right away that the SW22 is a keeper! The felt recoil was less than the 22/45 which has a compensator!

Here's a shot of the two side by side:


First thing I did was weigh the two, the SW22 is 2.25 lbs and the 22/45 is 2.0 lbs. Balance on both pistols is very good.

Then I measured the barrels, the 22/45 has the standard 4.5" barrel with threads and I added a compensator, overall it's 6". The SW22 has a 5.5" barrel (I didn't get the threaded one so no compensator). Shooting them both right after each other I'd say the SW22 has less recoil than the 22/45.

After spending about two mags full to get the nice fiber optic sights on the SW22 zero'd I shot these groups from 10 yds.


I'd say both are very accurate. I'm sure they could do better with good ammo, I was shooting crummy Thunderbolt ammo just to see if I had any problems like others have reported. I've shot thousands of rounds of that in my 22/45, never a problem, I don't even clean it but a couple of times a year and shot thousands of rounds during the year. Steel Challenge monthly and practice during the month.

The SW22 had NO problems, I shot about 200 rounds of that crummy (cheap) Thunderbolt ammo today. I also checked the barrel a few times during the day, no lead buildup either. The only problem I had was the takedown bolt did come loose, it didn't affect accuracy but it was loose. I then noticed some oil had gotten in there from somewhere, so I gave it another cleaning with alcohol and tightened it up REAL good. We'll see how it does on the next range trip later this week.

Trigger measures 2 lbs on my 22/45 and 3.25 lbs on the SW22 when it was brand new, out of the box, NEVER shot. I'll measure it again after some break-in. I think I'll take out the magazine safety too after awhile.

My 22/45 is not stock, I got it for $325, put in the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit, Williams Sights, Hogue Grips, and Tandemkross Compensator, total spent is $560. The SW22 which shoots just as well is bone stock and was $345.

So far, I'm very impressed! I'm not going to get rid of the 22/45 just yet, I need to get 3 more mags for the SW22 so I can shoot Steel Challenge and need to do more reliability testing with various ammo to make sure it will be as reliable as my 22/45.

Oh! I checked today with Ultimate Clip loader folks (McFadden Machine Co., Inc.), they ARE working on a model for the SW22 mags, they've already had LOTS of requests! I love their loader for the 22/45.
.22 AUTO ULTIMATE CLIP LOADER | Brownells

Last edited by docohm; 03-07-2016 at 03:03 PM.
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Old 02-24-2016, 11:29 PM
AlwaysArmed AlwaysArmed is offline
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First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22  
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I use a Hilljak loader. SW22 Victory 22LR
One is about $10.
Your take down screw will be tighter if you use oil on the threads. The stretch of the screw is what holds it fast. I use 40 in./lbs. on my FAT wrench.
I shot 500 rounds of every brand I had yesterday evening without a failure or take down screw coming loose. Cleaned it today in about ten minutes and it's ready to go again. From the looks of it I could have most likely gotten 1000 through it without a failure.
Enjoy your SW22. :-)

Last edited by AlwaysArmed; 02-24-2016 at 11:42 PM. Reason: Grammer. Edit URL
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Old 02-24-2016, 11:32 PM
docohm docohm is offline
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First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22  
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I ordered my Hilljak loader yesterday! Hope it gets here soon...
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Old 02-26-2016, 09:44 PM
docohm docohm is offline
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Over 200 more rounds down the pipe today, NO problems except for the time I forgot to turn off the safety! It's tested now, it works! I shot up the last of my Thunderbolt ammo today and tried some Federal AutoMatch and it functioned perfectly too.
I took the fiber optic sight off and tried two different red dot sights that I have, they both worked great.
Ordered some more mags this week too...
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Old 02-27-2016, 01:11 PM
Starwalker Starwalker is offline
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I have had mine for over a month now and have approx. 600 rounds through it. I had a few jams at first but after less than 200 rounds the Victory started shooting perfectly with no problems.

I found that mine likes cheap bulk Remington HV hollow points, but will shoot all ammo I have tried really well.

For the price I think this pistol is a very good buy. I am looking forward to wood grips and more barrel choices in the after market.

BTW: mine is very accurate.
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Old 02-27-2016, 02:38 PM
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Any problems with the allen screw backing out? That's the only thing holding me back from picking one up. I like to clean my guns after every range trip and the loctite idea I think would be a pain. My wife has taken over my M & P 22C since I started taking her shooting so I want to pick up another at a reasonable price for myself. The reviews seem very positive on the gun.

Last edited by Jim1392; 02-27-2016 at 02:40 PM.
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:11 PM
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No problem with the screw after my first range day. I don't think I got it clean enough the first time. I checked it 2 or 3 times on my last range day and it hadn't loosened at all. I didn't put any locktite on it either, just got it really clean with alcohol and very tight with the given allen wrench.
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Old 03-03-2016, 08:16 PM
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I ordered my WS22 yesterday and a Volquartsen fluted/ported barrel. The barrel just looked to cool to pass up. Don
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Old 03-03-2016, 08:23 PM
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Great stuff. I really enjoy the SW22 and can't wait to use the Hilljak
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File Type: jpg SW22 loader (3).jpg (97.7 KB, 65 views)
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Old 03-03-2016, 09:24 PM
docohm docohm is offline
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Another range day today. It was very windy! Tried out the 3 new magazines that just arrived yesterday. Only problem was they didn't want to stay inserted! Took some hard pushing on the bottom of the mag to keep them in but after a few uses they were OK.
Finished off the box of Federal AutoMatch ammo. No problems with it either. Zero'd in the red dot I installed on the rail and it worked great. Then I took it off and put the original sight back on, it stayed zero'd from before! Very nice.
I also took out the magazine disconnect based on the info on Youtube. The trigger pull went UP from 3.25 to 3.5 lbs. But it seems a little smoother.
Next trip, setup a Steel Challenge bay and time test both the new SW22 and my old 22/45.
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Old 03-07-2016, 01:22 PM
mjohn mjohn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by docohm View Post
I've been shooting a customized Ruger 22/45 in Steel Challenge for over 2 years now and I really like it, VERY reliable, eats any kind of ammo, I've stayed with 'iron' sights so far (actually Williams Fiber Optic sights) and they work very well. However, the new Victory SW22 caught my eye in the review from 22Plinkster a couple of weeks ago. So I called my local dealer and ordered one. It came in last Monday, $345 out the door.

My first day at the range was today, I could tell right away that the SW22 is a keeper! The felt recoil was less than the 22/45 which has a compensator!

Here's a shot of the two side by side:
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...lmyfv40kXOaPmD

First thing I did was weigh the two, the SW22 is 2.25 lbs and the 22/45 is 2.0 lbs. Balance on both pistols is very good.

Then I measured the barrels, the 22/45 has the standard 4.5" barrel with threads and I added a compensator, overall it's 6". The SW22 has a 5.5" barrel (I didn't get the threaded one so no compensator). Shooting them both right after each other I'd say the SW22 has less recoil than the 22/45.

After spending about two mags full to get the nice fiber optic sights on the SW22 zero'd I shot these groups from 10 yds.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1Q...a2BKaulBHNLCdG

I'd say both are very accurate. I'm sure they could do better with good ammo, I was shooting crummy Thunderbolt ammo just to see if I had any problems like others have reported. I've shot thousands of rounds of that in my 22/45, never a problem, I don't even clean it but a couple of times a year and shot thousands of rounds during the year. Steel Challenge monthly and practice during the month.

The SW22 had NO problems, I shot about 200 rounds of that crummy (cheap) Thunderbolt ammo today. I also checked the barrel a few times during the day, no lead buildup either. The only problem I had was the takedown bolt did come loose, it didn't affect accuracy but it was loose. I then noticed some oil had gotten in there from somewhere, so I gave it another cleaning with alcohol and tightened it up REAL good. We'll see how it does on the next range trip later this week.

Trigger measures 2 lbs on my 22/45 and 3.25 lbs on the SW22 when it was brand new, out of the box, NEVER shot. I'll measure it again after some break-in. I think I'll take out the magazine safety too after awhile.

My 22/45 is not stock, I got it for $325, put in the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit, Williams Sights, Hogue Grips, and Tandemkross Compensator, total spent is $560. The SW22 which shoots just as well is bone stock and was $345.

So far, I'm very impressed! I'm not going to get rid of the 22/45 just yet, I need to get 3 more mags for the SW22 so I can shoot Steel Challenge and need to do more reliability testing with various ammo to make sure it will be as reliable as my 22/45.

Oh! I checked today with Ultimate Clip loader folks (McFadden Machine Co., Inc.), they ARE working on a model for the SW22 mags, they've already had LOTS of requests! I love their loader for the 22/45.
.22 AUTO ULTIMATE CLIP LOADER | Brownells
When I click on either link this is the message that I get.

404. That’s an error.

The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know.
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Old 03-07-2016, 03:05 PM
docohm docohm is offline
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First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22 First Range Day with the new Victory SW22  
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Links to the photos fixed (I think). Let me know if they don't work for you.
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