I bought the M&P-22 Compact with the understanding that it was a threaded barrel gun based upon the ad from Impact Guns. When I looked at the gun at my FFL it wasn't a TB gun so I called Impact. They did some checking and said it was a TB gun. Meanwhile, I watched some youtube videos and sure enough the gun has a TB. Impact offered to exchange the gun for the model I expected if I paid the difference in price and paid to ship the gun back to them. Between the cost difference and the shipping vs. the wrench and adapter it was a push so I decided to make the transfer.

I can see that it has a thread protector on it even though the barrel doesn't extend beyond the slide. I have tried everything to remove the thread protector and have not succeeded. I bought a wrench and adapter from Gemtech at an additional cost of $53 which was an unexpected expense and that wrench doesn't fit the S&W thread protector. I also attempted to order a EWK Arms wrench but they are out of stock and unavailable.

I have already marred the thread protector and am now afraid that I am going to break the barrel from the polymer frame. Youtube is full of videos on the M&P-22 Compact with thread protectors that look like they've been on a grinder. I now read that some of these models have the thread protector epoxied on for compliance with CA rules.

I have asked S&W to please send me a wrench and a replacement thread protector. We'll see how they respond.

I am shocked that S&W is selling these guns without a 25 cent wrench! I am a loyal S&W customer and shoot my M&P-9's and M&P-15's competitively. I probably have a dozen S&W's between AR's, M&P-9's, M&P-45's and Shields and just expected more than this from S&W. Why put a threaded barrel on this gun and then force the user to screw up their gun and pay more money to buy an adapter to use it? It doesn't make sense to me.

This seems to have been a snake-bit transaction from the start with Impact. In fairness, I guess Impact tried to meet me half way, but who wants a gun with a TB that you have to put $53 more into in order to put your suppressor on it?

I needed another .22LR like a hole in the head but saw what I thought was a good deal on a TB gun. This hasn't worked out so well so far.....

Let's hope S&W is in the mood to help!

PS - The gun itself seems really nice and I'm anxious to try it out!

Not sure why people spend so much for a one-size wrench.

Look up:
Engineer TWM-07 Thin Jaw Adjustable Smart Monkey Wrench

I agree that S&W should've included a wrench, but it was probably a part of their plan when they decided to sell a version with the extension already included. And THOSE should definitely have a wrench with them since you have to remove it to remove the slide.

Are you sure the jaws are thin enough for the S&W thread protector? Have you used it on this gun??? I ask because the Gemtech wrench wasn't thin enough for the S&W thread protector.

This whole thing makes me wonder if S&W's people are shooters????

I'm a little confused by this, there were two versions of the 22compact, one suppressor ready, which came with the barrel extension/suppressor adapter, thread protector, and a wrench, and the non-suppressor version, which came with just a short barrel extension so that the same barrel could be used on both versions. No wrench was included with the non-suppressor version because there is no need to ever remove the barrel cap on that one. I have the 22 compact suppressor ready version, and did not have to buy anything else, and for $269.00 new was hard to beat on price..... why buy the non suppressor version if you want to add a suppressor ?

My MP 22C came with the threaded barrel adapter, a thread protector and a wrench. It sounds like the OP did not get a threaded barrel version even though his dealer claimed he did. Following the advice of others, I took the pistol to the range and ran about 120 rounds through it and removed the adapter with the supplied wrench while it was still warm. Took some torque but off it came. 120 rounds of CCI standard without a hickup. I like it a lot.

My thread protector came off hard, too. Pad the grip jaws. The adapter itself was not as difficult to remove. The cheapo wrench worked OK. The thread protector does not have to come off to remove the adapter and field strip the pistol.

I emailed S&W asking about non threaded barrels. Here's the reply:

I haven't found any aftermarket barrels, either, but since everything comes apart OK, I don't feel the need for one.

__________________
Bob

The original .22 compact (which I have) has a thread protector which seems impossible to remove. At the time there were no valid suppressor adapter options.

I worked with EWK to get the Sparrow details right, and have that adapter on mine. I also bought their wrench. It fits. It works. No experiments or trials needed.

Long after that, S&W came out with an adapter-included version. I do not have that, and can not offer observations.

I am not a Ruger fan boy, but I own five of em.
I bought a SR-22 which has a different model number for the threaded barrel. No problems with the barrel tip with their wrench. Fact is I liked shooting it so much I bought another one that showed up as a deal.
I love smiths but only own two of em. Go figure. All my Rugers are 22's. Smiths are 38 caliber revolvers. Still on the hunt for the right 22 at the right price.
Heating that barrel like one poster suggested sounds like the way to go.

As I said in my original post, the gun was advertised by Impact Guns as having a TB. I disputed that when I looked at the gun at my FFL. Impact admitted to me that the gun wasn't what I thought I had ordered, but since it did have a TB they delivered what they advertised. Shame on me for not researching this further before purchasing. It was an inexpensive gun and an impulse buy.

The gun did not come with a wrench or adapter - shame on S&W (IMO).

I opted to just keep the gun rather than pay to ship it back figuring I could buy an adapter - shame on me again.

I bought the Gemtec kit for this gun but still can't get the S&W thread protector off. So, an impulse buy has now morphed into a project that has lasted a few weeks that has accomplished nothing.

You should look up the SKU number and talk to S&W to see if YOUR model is a NY or California compliant model with the Thread protector permanently attached.

It might be to avoid triggering their assault weapon bans.

NY bars this model with threaded barrel.

Bluntly YOU bought the gun and if the SKU indicated it was NOT a threaded barrel, then you are to blame for not being a wise buyer.

You bought on price not on feature.

Call S&W with your serial number and look up the SKU number on your box.

They should be able to tell you something. BUT I think you have to be a informed consumer to KNOW what you are buying. Especially when gun laws are involved. YOUR state may not be impacted but close to half the US population suffers under gun laws that require special actions by the manufacturers. If you buy out of state from the internet it is UP TO YOU to know what you are buying.

Otherwise pay full price in state and have someone take care of you if you need coddling.

Maybe they sent you the wrong SKU NUMBER. Then they should make it write. Maybe you clicked the wrong button.

That is correct, if in fact it is the TB version of the compact 22. It would have come with a thread protector and thread adaptor. The adaptor makes it 1/2x28 as the factory threads are not that size. Also u would have gotten a wrench to remove the adaptor when u need to clean the weapon. Since the slide can NOT be removed from the fixed barrel unless u remove the thread adaptor. If u need pics, i have plenty.

it has been awhile.But I think I used thin metric wrench to remove the adapter.I forget the size sorry.

Since ye be of such little faith



This is the aforementioned thin-tooth adjustable wrench on the S&W flush barrel cap. It's a perfect fit. It's cheaper than those one-size options. You'll use this on other things. It's a quality piece.

Not technically true, or at least a bit misleading.

As described by S&W above, all M&P Compact 22's have threaded barrels. Those of us who bought early, and wanted to add a suppressor adapter, had the "pleasure" of removing the barrel cap ourselves, with no wrench from S&W. It was/is a bitch. People have suggested heat/cold/Kroil/shooting until hot--many different methods, with mixed success. I got mine off with a visegrip and a scary amount of torque. It released with a loud "SNAP." Made me think I broke something.

While many of us were working on fitting suppressor adapters on our own, S&W decided to release the "suppressor ready" version of the Compact that comes with a 1/2-28 suppressor adapter already threaded on. Thanks, S&W. You couldn't have introduced that one first?

I bought both, the "original" and the "suppressor ready."

So, all Compacts are, indeed, threaded barrel Compacts, but not all Compacts come "suppressor ready."

I received a wrench from S&W today and the wrench broke when I tried to use it. Factory thread protector is still stuck.....

Mine broke the second time I used it. Called S&W today, they're out of wrenches. Hmmm...

__________________
Bob

I followed another poster's advice and ordered an adjustable wrench from Amazon. S&W really stepped on their triggers with this one IMO.......

That does look good but too much for me for one use application. I'm gonna wait bit for S&W to get it together on that wrench. In the meantime, the slide can be lifted enough for bore snake, watercolor brushes, MPro7, dry Teflon, spot oil, and compressed air here and there. It shouldn't be too long a wait.

__________________
Bob

I went with a:

Engineer TWM-03 Thin Jaw Adjustable Smart Monkey Wrench

It was a little cheaper but had a coated handle. If $21 is something you consider a large investment, on a tool that isn't a one-use application, then maybe you should take a break from shooting until money isn't so tight.

I don't consider buying a tool I don't need right away a moral imperative.

It's OK that you do.

The wrench will be replaced by S&W soon enough. A wrench such as you ordered—nice as it is— would be a one use application as far as I'm concerned. I have other tools.

Maybe you should consider not offering unsolicited advice...

__________________
Bob

I often switch back to the original thread protector (no extension beyond the slide), as I shoot with folks who do not need to know that I have / might have a suppressor. So I've used the EWK wrench a dozen times. The same could be said of any adjustable wrench that would fit.

So yes, I bought a one-trick pony. But it does the trick often, stays in the range bag rather than being snagged for something else and being in the wrong place when needed. Also, EWK really stepped up to get the adapter right for my Sparrow. In total, the product and effort more than warranted what I spent.

Now, if I had both types, the adjustable wrench might be the best path. But I don't (yet), and I have heard that the EWK wrench can be modified to fit both. Guess Eric may hear from me asking for guidance if I should buy the second version.

I've not found a reason to be upset with anyone. I bought the pistol to be what it was. Later the Sparrow landed, and I revisited the Compact to see what I could do.

And yes, getting that thread protector off is one kind of a nightmare.

Lol unsolicited advice. You chimed in with an unsolicited opinion when I gave advice to someone else who wanted it; an unsolicited "that option sucks because it's too expensive for me" as if that helps anyone.

Many have broken the S&W wrench. You could wait for S&W to get around to sending you one only to find out it breaks on you, too. Other option is the EWK one-size wrench for $24 if you manage to find it in stock. Option I shared is buying a thin-tooth adjustable wrench for $21 which works perfectly, and can work in many other tasks around the house. I used it on an AR flash hider earlier today since it was nearby and my AR wrench was in my range bag in the car.

Chill, dude. I said nothing about anything sucking. You're putting that into play. I didn't offer an opinion, either. I made a statement about how I intend to deal with the situation and not how you or anyone else should. I simply don't have the same needs as you. I like your wrench and posted to that effect. I have other tools around the house I can use. I have no OTHER need for a thin-jawed adjustable wrench. Get it?

You don't have any idea whether or not S&W will replace my wrench with one just as bad. That remains to be seen. I don't think S&W is that dumb but I'll find out, won't I.

__________________
Bob

This is one of many threads involving folks who have had issues with the "threaded barrel" scenario. Several have burned through more than one S&W provided wrench. Those caps seem to be mounted for life.

The saga has ended. I received my adjustable wrench today, put my 22 Compact in my vise and leaned on it enough to break the factory thread cover loose. The saga has gone on for over a month and has unexpectedly cost me extra for an adapter and a wrench, but I now have another usable pistol for my suppressor.

S&W has been good in supporting me on this, but buying the adjustable wrench was the solution (thanks for the tip McE). My factory thread cover is pretty chewed up but I guess I won't be using it going forward anyway.

ETA - I thought the adjustable wrench was going to break but it held up and the snap I heard was the thread cover breaking loose.

When I first got the adapter off, it also made a loud snap, and there was brownish stuff on the threads that almost seemed like it was starting to rust seize.

Anyway, I do think that it was better for S&W to put them on crazy tight than to put them on where they could've been shot loose over time. The number of casual shooters who would never remove the cap is far greater than those of us who did need to remove it.