Don't have a 22 pistol and want one. Nice to be able to shoot 500 rounds a session again like I used to when 9MM was 5 bucks a box for Blazer. I know the Buckmark and the Ruger pistols are classics and reliable, but the Ruger is a PITA to strip and while I like the Buckmark, I just don't really dig the looks of it. The new M&P 22 just looks like a gun should look. For shooting at paper or spinning targets at less than 25 yards, is the M&P up to the task to keep a nice group? I also like the 12 round mags the M&P comes with. I also like the S&W warranty and I might get a M&P 9MM one day (not a big fan of striker fired plastic, but the M&P feels like it was made to sit in my hand)

I just purchased a M&P22 a few weeks ago and am having fun with it at the range. I don't have too much trouble keeping most rounds in the black of a 50' regulation pistol target at 30'. I'm not the sharpshooter I would like to be so "most" is good enough for me.

I have taken down bowling pins at 25 yards with it at one range session.

LTC

I love my M&P22. I had the exact same list you just described. Easy, affordable, more accurate than me and just plain fun to shoot. Pick one up and try it out if possible. First time I held one it was like I was pointing my finger, just a natural extension of my hand. I had never felt that before.

__________________
14/30/67/317/438/9c

Got mine a week ago. It felt really good in my hand and figured it would be a smart place to start before picking up a Shield. I've had a Berreta 92F for 20 years but just havent shot it much. Ran 300 rounds through the 22 before even cleaning it. LOL. Its so much fun its rediculous. Im not much of a shot so tight groups are what I get to improve on. I picked the M&P22 because the whole line of M&Ps are very close to the same. Figured once I have a few thousand rounds through it, going on to a Shield, 9c or maybe even a 40c would not be too big of a deal. Those other guns would feel pretty close to what I'm used to shooting already with the 22. I have a plan here as I want to go get my CCW and wanted something I could shoot the hell out of. 22 ammo is cheap and i could get lots of practice. Kinda like learning to ride a motorcycle. You dont learn on a $20,000 Hog. You start on a small 100cc dirt bike. Just my approach to learning I guess. Start small. Anyhow, guess what Im saying is I love the 22. Ill have it for a long time for sure.

Hayden.

I own a M&P 22, and have put ~650 rounds through it. I also own two Ruger MKII's, a Standard & 22/45. In my hands, the Rugers can put rounds almost on top of each other at 25 feet. The M&P 22 keeps a 2 - 2.5" group.

IMO, for a target pistol the Ruger MKIII has greater potential for accuracy than the M&P 22.

I didn't buy the M&P 22 expecting it to perform like a Ruger MKIII. I bought it to be a training companion to my M&P 9 full size. It does that job perfectly. The exterior dimensions are the same, and the trigger pull is very close between the two.






I cut roughly 3" square pieces of cardboard and stick a 2" sticker dot on it, put it out 25ft.

This is a M&P 9 full size target before purchasing a M&P 22:


This is a M&P 9 full size target after purchasing a M&P 22:

Two groups, one towards the top & one towards the bottom.

Being able to put hundreds of .22lr practice rounds downrange economizes my M&P 9 full size practice. I used to go through 200 - 250 rounds of 9mm per range session. Now, I shoot as many .22lr as I want and maybe 75 - 100 rounds of 9mm.

The other part of the fun is that the M&P 22 is very easy to field strip and clean.

__________________
-John

So the concensus is that the M&P 22 is really the 22 to get if you already own or plan to own an M&P, but not the one to get if you don't? It's real purpose is as a trainer for the full size M&P?

Sounds about right. There are other more accurate 22s out there. But this one is an almost perfect clone of it's big brothers. An like someone else said, it feels like a nice full size gun, not some tiny 22.

__________________
USN 1988-96
M&P9 M&P15-22

+1

+2

While the M&P22 is a great training pistol for the larger calibers it is a fun gun to shoot even if you don't have a M&P. There are more accurate 22s out there (I have the Ruger 22/45 that will shoot rings around the M&P) but if I want to just have fun I pick the M&P everytime. It fits my hand nicely and I can hit 8" steel plates out to 20 yards fairly easily. I'm sure it will do better but I'm not as good as I used to be. In case you haven't noticed, I like my M&P22 and so does my daughter.
WK1025

I'm still looking for a M&P22.

My thought are that it will NOT be a target gun. I have a Ruger Standard (before they were Mark 1) and a S&W model 41. The 41 is more accurate than I will ever be, and when I inherited it there was a scope on it. It hits exactly where you aim it. The Ruger is similar although I have never had a scope on it to verify.

I think the M&P22 will be like comparing my M&P15-22 to my target 22. The Anschutz makes one hole at 50 feet, the M&P15-22 has fliers. Both are fun, but you have to decide what your objective is. If you are picking matchsticks off a rail use the target gun. If you just want to pop balloons use the M&P. Obviously my 10 year old prefers the M&P15-22!

If you are going to compete, I don't think the M&P will satisfy you. The best thing to do is buy a fun gun and a target gun!

I have a Browning Buckmark and my buddy has an M&P 22.

The Buckmark is a much better shooter with a vastly superior trigger and sights. The M&P is not as accurate imo.

I got mine for my FS M&P collection and a cheap (ammo) plinker. Target wise,I have a High Standard that will drive tacks if I'm dialed in.

I bought the M&P 22 and should have it in a few days. I hear what you're saying about the others having an edge in accuracy, but my gut was just screaming to get the M&P. I'm not a competition shooter and just didn't like the looks of the other 2. Also, the full size M&P feels so right in my hand. Maybe this will inspire me to get a 9MM version one day.

I'm not a competition shooter, I just like being able to shoot shotgun shells at 20yds with my Buckmark.

You're saying this can't be done with the M&P?

I know I couldn't do it and my buddy couldn't do it.

Aside from that, the M&P clearly doesn't group as well on paper.

I'll see if I can when it comes in. Don't regret the M&P, though. Feels like it was born to sit in my hand. Buckmarks don;t give me that feeling.

How does the grip size on the M&P .22 compare with that of the full sized M&P 40? I'm thinking about getting one for training, but I really like the small insert on my .40, and if the .22 is much different, I'm not certain that I'd like it.

I love my m & p 22
Probably my current favorite shooter
It's as accurate as I am,excellent ergonomics for me,looks like a pistol should,easy to field strip and super light.
It's has absolutely made me a better shooter imo
Plus It uses the identical holster to my m & p 45,
a blackhawk 13 Serpa level 2

One other point,
Some people like the thumb safety,some people hate them
Some are indifferent
When I ordered my m & p 45 I ordered it with the thumb safety.
My 1911's have thumb safety's and I like the thumb safety on the 22
It justs whatever your comfortable with

I was in the same boat as you and actually opted for the Ruger 22/45. It was a PITA to strip the first time, but now that I have done it several times, it is pretty darn simple. Just saying that shouldn't be anything to steer you away from the Ruger, just a steeper learning curve is all. That being said, I don't think you can go wrong either way. Just depends on what you want to do. I was looking for more of a target plinker. If I was looking for something to just have fun and throw lead down range, then the M&P 22 would be on the list.

One caveat to that though. I rented one at the range and it jammed on almost every other shot. Really put a bad taste in my mouth for it. I am sure it was probably never cleaned as it was a range rental, but it made me look closer at the Ruger and ultimately that is what I ended up with.

You're nuts! Every person thats picked up my Buckmark with the URX grips has commented on how its the most comfortable pistol they've held. Fits like a glove, even more so than my M&Ps.



Be careful with the aluminum slide on the M&P, it dings easily.

Ohhh I like that TeaQue. I like that a lot.

Hayden.

I have no plans on owning the larger Smith. My M&P .22 was purchased for the sheer fun of shooting without putting out great sums on ammo. It feeds absolutely everything and is accurate enough for me (I don't have the skill or desire to compete). It can go through hundreds of rounds per range session and does not leave me w/sore hands or the guilt of having spent too much on ammo.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I just shoot and shoot and shoot my M&P22. Again, not as accurate as a Ruger MKIII but way way more fun. I can constantly hit the top of a two pound coffee can at 45 yards, so it's pretty good. My shooting is not the best and this gun makes up for a lot. I did add one white dot to the back sight to form a straight eight type of picture. It helped my old eyes considerably. I can't say enough about this gun, and after 2K rounds, my groups with my M&P9 improved proportionally.

__________________
Endeavor to persevere. <><

How many rounds do you guys have through yours? My buddy's M&P22 jams like crazy on Federal bulk while the Buckmark ate it all until it got really dirty.

When he switched to CCI Minimags it was more reliable.

ive used both the federal target and the cci from wally world.
the cci is most assuredly superior but ive had probably a 95% success rate with the federal...to me thats acceptable for a 22 plinker that i would never use in a self defense situation

beautiful buckmark tq,love the grip

I bought the new Ruger SR22 pistol. It has functioned flawlessly with all ammo. My wife can shoot it extremely well and has a lot of fun doing it. Unlike other 22 pistols it is DA first shot and SA afterwards. She carries her FNP-9 and the Ruger mimics all the controls except for the manual safety since the FNP has none. Another + is the steel barrel unlike the M&P, Walther or the SIG barrel.

With CCI Minimags I have not had one malfunction. The Federal bulk from Wal-Mart is another story. Seems like I get one malfunction per magazine. So I am sticking with the Minimags.

__________________
USN 1988-96
M&P9 M&P15-22

Well said. I couldn't agree with you more.

__________________
-John

Thats the one I was looking at, and I have held it. Feels nice, but not so much nicer than the M&P. And I hate the looks of the Buckmark. Maybe I'll get one one day, though. I have a feeling the M&P is gonna turn me on to the .22 in a pistol. Looking forward to bring a brick to the range and letting rip.

For accuracy in a combat type pistol I believe the CZ Kadet in
.22 lr, which is double action / single action, is probably as
accurate as a Ruger MK II pistol. But the price of the Kadet
has a street price of over $600.00.

Looks like for pure plinking you can't go wrong with the M&P .22,
if you have the money why not buy both....

I agree. I got mine for tons of fun cheap shooting. Just gotta get it broke in.