S&W 22a

Mark Cowan · #1 10-21-2009, 09:40 PM

Seriously considering purchasing a 2-tone model from Bud's, is this a good quality 22. See alot about the 41, not the 22a. Longevity, misfires and accesories are important to me.

Opinions please!!!

kytown2 · #2 10-21-2009, 09:44 PM

I think it is a great gun...my 22a has been reliable and is a good shooter. It is a little picky on what I feed it, but besides that I highly recomend it. I think it is a good quality 22 for the money.

mtgianni · #3 10-21-2009, 09:49 PM

There is/was a recall on some 08-09 for a firing pin/slide issue. I had a failure and mine is form the mid 90's. I called about buying a slide and the sent a repair authorization return paid fed-ex box. Turn around time was 5 weeks and it shoots as good as it did before. I can ring a 6" gong @100 yards off hand 6 or 7 out of 10 shots which is all I ask of it.

neon8 · #4 10-21-2009, 09:51 PM

I bought a used one a few weeks ago and this thing puts a smile on my face every time I use it. I installed a red dot sight. It seems you may get some units that are ammo selective. I have used CCI minimags and Remington Thunderbolts(yeah, thunderbolts) without any problems. It's very easy to clean and take apart. I've shot a friend's Ruger mark III and it seems comparable to it. Try the search function and you will be able to dig up some more information about it.

Edit: I got rid of the BSA PMRS red dot. That thing did not hold zero and a complete waste of time. I was better off using the open sights. Now I have to search for another one. Eyes are getting old.

neon8 · #5 10-21-2009, 09:54 PM

http://smith-wessonforum.com/searchr...22a&sa=Go#1026

DrewW · #6 10-21-2009, 10:48 PM

Bought one Friday, have already shot 1500-2000 rounds out of, mine shoots everything that I have fed it, the only complaint I had was the black on black sights but a little model car red paint on the front sight and all is well.

Rick-F · #7 10-22-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Cowan

Seriously considering purchasing a 2-tone model from Bud's, is this a good quality 22. See alot about the 41, not the 22a. Longevity, misfires and accesories are important to me.

Opinions please!!!

I was considering that very same purchase from Buds's - - - but I found Larry's Pistol & Pawn (do a search on Google). On sale now thru end of month: S&W Model 22A for $199.99 + Free Shipping (that cost you $3.00)= $202.99 delivered to your FFL. Not a bad deal-- and if you are not in Alabama, there is no sales tax either.

kytown2 · #8 10-22-2009, 08:06 PM

DrewW - I did the same thing with my front sight...I made mine white...big difference.

Rick-F · #9 10-26-2009, 04:46 PM

I took my Model 22A-1 out for the first time this weekend. It is a very nice hand gun for $200; I could not be more pleased.

The black sights were a bit difficult for these tired old eyes, and they needed considerable adjustment to shoot at 25 yards. I'm not sure where the factory had them set-- but after getting them adjusted, I was able to put 10 of 10 in the 3" black ring at 75 feet.

I've ordered a red dot similar to the one on neon8's piece pictured above. This is a great little 22 target gun for the money. I put about 200 rounds through it with not one problem.

Also fired about 150 from my 9mm Sigma with no problems-- the Sigma is not nearly as accurate (in my hands) as the 22A, but then it does not need to be as it is not a target gun.

DrewW · #10 10-26-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kytown2

DrewW - I did the same thing with my front sight...I made mine white...big difference.

I actually had mine out shooting today with the paint fully cured and the red has darkened to much, I just stripped it and painted white this afternoon, hope that is better than the red.

This is actually my third color, first was a neon green, worked great until I realized that it perfectly matched the neon paint on my spinner target, hopefully white will be the ticket.

RV4driver · #11 10-30-2009, 06:54 PM

My 22S came with a fiber optic front sight, plenty visable, but the danged thing has a rounded top. That doesn't work very well with the flat top rear sight. I don't know what they were thinking.

The gun started having numerous FTF's with various ammo, so I sent it back to Smith. It came back working exactly like it left, so I went at it myself. Polished some stuff and cut some off the recoil spring. Now it works mostly fine most of the time. If it was worth anything, I'd sell it. Since it isn't, I'll keep it for when I take newbies to the range. I could never get comfortable with the grip, either. Just doesn't fit my hand.

Now the Sig/Hammerli, with target grips...that puppy can shoot.

Jeff

chessail 77 · #12 10-30-2009, 07:22 PM

I bought a 22a several weeks ago and mine is not picky on ammo, shoots flawless, accurate, compliments my M&P 15-22 and one _ell a lot of fun to shoot....

greener · #13 10-30-2009, 08:30 PM

Can be fired accurately. Very dependable. The 7" barrel is not ammo-picky. The 5.5" barrel is a bit pickier, but not bad. The barrel finish could be better. I have Ruger's, a Buck Mark Standard and a 22A. The 22A holds it's own the the others.

edmannma · #14 11-01-2009, 07:38 PM

I've used my 22A in matches for over six years, it is very accurate at 50feet and dependable. Two years ago I upgraded to the bull 5.5" barrel with a red dot, (eyes are getting tired). The 4" barrel was a tack hammer but the finish is poor. Have not had a problem with the finish on the 5.5" I can't give a reason for the difference in finish.

madmedic1955 · #15 11-02-2009, 12:13 AM

I bought a new 22A-1 a couple days ago and got to go shoot it today and it is awsome I shoot 10 rings first ten right out of the box using the cheep rem golden bullets
I hand better amo with me but it was shooting so well I never tryed anything else--oh ya that was 20 yards I LOVE THIS GUN
I think it will have to go squirrel huntig with me next time out after a few more range trips trying diff ammos
Doc

RevDerb · #16 11-03-2009, 04:11 PM

I've had my 22a for about a year. Traded a Bersa Thunder 380 for it. I have never regretted the trade. It shoots whatever ammo I can find to put through it. The red dot sight makes it an even more fun gun to shoot. The trigger is smooth and predictable. Over the past year, I have purchased and sold may handguns of various mfg. I have never considered letting this one go. It is fun to shoot and, of course, with the price of .22lr vs. the rest is also cheap to shoot. I can shoot all afternoon for about $10. I think that it is one of the best handgun values in the marketplace today. Here's mine:

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...irearms008.jpg

madmedic1955 · #17 11-05-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDerb

I've had my 22a for about a year. Traded a Bersa Thunder 380 for it. I have never regretted the trade. It shoots whatever ammo I can find to put through it. The red dot sight makes it an even more fun gun to shoot. The trigger is smooth and predictable. Over the past year, I have purchased and sold may handguns of various mfg. I have never considered letting this one go. It is fun to shoot and, of course, with the price of .22lr vs. the rest is also cheap to shoot. I can shoot all afternoon for about $10. I think that it is one of the best handgun values in the marketplace today. Here's mine:

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...irearms008.jpg

oh so very well stated
Doc

Capt Steve · #18 11-05-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevDerb

I've had my 22a for about a year. Traded a Bersa Thunder 380 for it. I have never regretted the trade. It shoots whatever ammo I can find to put through it. The red dot sight makes it an even more fun gun to shoot. The trigger is smooth and predictable. Over the past year, I have purchased and sold may handguns of various mfg. I have never considered letting this one go. It is fun to shoot and, of course, with the price of .22lr vs. the rest is also cheap to shoot. I can shoot all afternoon for about $10. I think that it is one of the best handgun values in the marketplace today. Here's mine:

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...irearms008.jpg

RevDerb, I have to agree 100% with everything you said. I still have my Bersa .380 and love it but for just plain fun and cheap entertainment you can't beat the 22A. As I recall the rule is: You show me yours and I'll show you mine....so here's mine, nearly eleven years old and 20K + rounds through it. (o;

madmedic1955 · #19 11-06-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

RevDerb, I have to agree 100% with everything you said. I still have my Bersa .380 and love it but for just plain fun and cheap entertainment you can't beat the 22A. As I recall the rule is: You show me yours and I'll show you mine....so here's mine, nearly eleven years old and 20K + rounds through it. (o;

what size redot do you have? I was thinking of trying one just for fun and looking at some on the net and some look very large for the firearm
I like the size you have on yours it looks (right)
also do you think the wood grips are worth the extra $?
was thicking of giving them a try as well
Thanks
Doc