Slidemuzik
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- Joined
- Jan 25, 2013
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Welcome and I hope you will not scoff at me for being so excited about finding a 622 VR 4.5".
If this series of S&W .22 semi autos isn't your thing and you think. "It's just another .22.", this thread might be silly to you. If not, please read on and I hope you enjoy the read and help advise me if you can.
A little background, feel free to skip ahead if you know the history of this series. The 622 VR (vented rib) was only made in 1997, the last year of production of the 422/622/2206 series. They came with a 6" or a 4.5" barrel like the rest of the series. I believe there were fewer of these made than any of the others.
According to S&W, I was told there were 1029 total 4" 622 VRs produced. Of that, only 320 were made with fixed sights. I was actually surprised that there were that many because I have only read of one other, and have seen no photographic evidence of any. That's why when I saw this one with the fixed sights I was immediately drawn to it. Any 622 VR is hard to find. A 4.5" is really hard. A fixed sight version of either I haven't seen before in about a year of watching this series. Perhaps not the definition of really rare to some of the more serious on this board, but one of 320 total sounds rare from my perspective.
This poor thing has definite marks from use. Some wear, a couple of scrapes and absolutely filthy. My FFL looked at it and said "OMG, that looks like it's never been cleaned. Ever."
I said, "Seller told me that it's been jamming."
"Ya Think????" he said and laughs. I examined the bore with a light and it was.... furry. I said, " I can't tell for sure, but it doesn't look pitted." He said, " Probably too filthy to rust."
So I field stripped it and the retaining clip in the top of the slide took a lot of coaxing to remove. I removed the recoil spring and pin. Both were powder and oil caked. I then took the slide off and something fell on the desk that looked like a felt washer. I wondered if this was some sort of buffer? NO it was **** that accumulated at the back of the recoil spring housing and formed into that shape! At this point I promised this poor thing it would never look like this again as long as I own it. I have reassembled it to show it to a friend before I begin the cleaning. If I don't show him now, he'll think I'm exagerating when I get it cleaned up.
I thought about some detailed photos, but it seems a little like hanging a crime victim photo with the rest of the family pictures. It's bad enough that the pistol went this long without being cared for, photographic record seems cruel.
Has anyone here actually done a complete disassemby/reassembly on one of these?? I've seen a two part youtube video and it looks difficult.
What can anyone tell me about ultrasonic cleaning? Does it have to be completely disassembled to do it?
I'd appreciate hearing any comments so far.
If this series of S&W .22 semi autos isn't your thing and you think. "It's just another .22.", this thread might be silly to you. If not, please read on and I hope you enjoy the read and help advise me if you can.
A little background, feel free to skip ahead if you know the history of this series. The 622 VR (vented rib) was only made in 1997, the last year of production of the 422/622/2206 series. They came with a 6" or a 4.5" barrel like the rest of the series. I believe there were fewer of these made than any of the others.
According to S&W, I was told there were 1029 total 4" 622 VRs produced. Of that, only 320 were made with fixed sights. I was actually surprised that there were that many because I have only read of one other, and have seen no photographic evidence of any. That's why when I saw this one with the fixed sights I was immediately drawn to it. Any 622 VR is hard to find. A 4.5" is really hard. A fixed sight version of either I haven't seen before in about a year of watching this series. Perhaps not the definition of really rare to some of the more serious on this board, but one of 320 total sounds rare from my perspective.
This poor thing has definite marks from use. Some wear, a couple of scrapes and absolutely filthy. My FFL looked at it and said "OMG, that looks like it's never been cleaned. Ever."
I said, "Seller told me that it's been jamming."
"Ya Think????" he said and laughs. I examined the bore with a light and it was.... furry. I said, " I can't tell for sure, but it doesn't look pitted." He said, " Probably too filthy to rust."
So I field stripped it and the retaining clip in the top of the slide took a lot of coaxing to remove. I removed the recoil spring and pin. Both were powder and oil caked. I then took the slide off and something fell on the desk that looked like a felt washer. I wondered if this was some sort of buffer? NO it was **** that accumulated at the back of the recoil spring housing and formed into that shape! At this point I promised this poor thing it would never look like this again as long as I own it. I have reassembled it to show it to a friend before I begin the cleaning. If I don't show him now, he'll think I'm exagerating when I get it cleaned up.
I thought about some detailed photos, but it seems a little like hanging a crime victim photo with the rest of the family pictures. It's bad enough that the pistol went this long without being cared for, photographic record seems cruel.
Has anyone here actually done a complete disassemby/reassembly on one of these?? I've seen a two part youtube video and it looks difficult.
What can anyone tell me about ultrasonic cleaning? Does it have to be completely disassembled to do it?
I'd appreciate hearing any comments so far.
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It's so hard to get, if he doesn't price it high enough, it's gone to the hoarders. Can't blame him for trying to keep something on the shelf. I need range time!
I can't find another picture of one with the fixed sights anywhere on the internet.
