422 in Springfield

donk52 · #1 09-13-2018, 09:33 AM

I thought I would start a new thread about the 422. The "422 obsolete?" thread was getting off track. I wondering if anyone knows when the 422's came to Springfield to be assembled. I worked there from 1978 to 1989. Most of my time spent there was fitting the Model 52's. After seven years I moved to assembling the 41's 45's and 9mm's. I ordered my 422 in 1987
after hearing about them. I was told they were being assembled in Houlton, ME. That was the first I heard of S&W having another facility besides Springfield. I worked in outside repair just before I left and I never saw one come through for any reason and if I did I would not have known how to do any repairs to one. So I guess I'm looking for any history about this gun. Here is my gun with no Houlton stamp and my invoice from 1987.

TTSH · #2 09-13-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donk52

I wondering if anyone knows when the 422's came to Springfield to be assembled. I worked there from 1978 to 1989. Most of my time spent there was fitting the Model 52's. After seven years I moved to assembling the 41's 45's and 9mm's. I ordered my 422 in 1987 after hearing about them. I was told they were being assembled in Houlton, ME.

This is one of those cases where the limited information out there is easily misread or misinterpreted. Production of the Model 422 (from 1986 to 1996/97) was always intended to be in Houlton, Maine. But does anyone doubt that the design, testing and manufacturing of the Model 422 were thoroughly worked out in Springfield before production was shifted to Maine? Of course it was.

So when you read about "early production guns coming out of Springfield" before production was "moved" to Maine, I'd take it with a grain of salt. I, too, would love to know just how many Model 422 pistols were produced in Springfield entirely of Springfield-produced parts (and not just assembled from Houlton-produced parts)?

This would be a good question for Roy.

tjtoolbox · #3 09-13-2018, 02:48 PM

Have a Model 422 that has a Springfield stamp. Serial No say's that it is a 1988 gun.
Walnut grips, 4 1/2" barrel, adjustable sights.

shoot summ · #4 09-13-2018, 03:45 PM

Interesting, I just "assumed" that city/state was the manufacturing location, bad assumption on my part.

I will say I know of several distinct differences in the guns that are marked Houlton from the ones marked Springfield.

All good info though, would be nice to have the official story.

Rodinal220 · #5 09-16-2018, 07:18 PM

After reading this thread I dug out the old 422,same type as Donks. Mine has a Springfield Mass. marking. I purchased mine sometime in 1988.