I have a S&W model 422 that I've had for 30 years, hasn't been fired since then, however, I have kept it clean, looks brand new inside and out. Went out yesterday to shoot it and when I pull the slide back and release it, the bolt will not strip off a .22 round from the clip. I also noticed I cannot pull the slide back far enough to engage the slide stop. Took the L. wooden grip off to look at the mechanism and it looks perfectly normal. Cannot figure it out. Help, anyone!

30 year old mag spring also might not be pushing the top round up far enough. Have you tried hand-cycling a few rounds?

Mikedj54 Welcome to the Forum and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. As its been sitting for quite a while I suggest a good cleaning and lubing of this gun. Sometimes sitting like that for many years they can dry out and become sticky inside which could cause this problem.

Sounds like the two issues you stated are related, although it is difficult to determine issues with out the pistol in our hands.

If the slide doesn't travel far enough back it won't load a round.

I would start with removing the slide, cleaning the pistol and lubricating it. Check the recoil spring for any issues.

As others have stated I suspect it is a dirty/lubrication issue but I can't put my hands on the pistol to see what is going on...

My Father-in-Law has an old (1932) Colt auto in 32acp that wouldn't work right. He had a "gunsmith" work on it to no avail, so he brought it to me. I disassembled it and found internal parts that were incorrectly installed. Put it back together and now it functions great.