I've been shooting a customized Ruger 22/45 in Steel Challenge for over 2 years now and I really like it, VERY reliable, eats any kind of ammo, I've stayed with 'iron' sights so far (actually Williams Fiber Optic sights) and they work very well. However, the new Victory SW22 caught my eye in the review from 22Plinkster a couple of weeks ago. So I called my local dealer and ordered one. It came in last Monday, $345 out the door.
My first day at the range was today, I could tell right away that the SW22 is a keeper! The felt recoil was less than the 22/45 which has a compensator!
Here's a shot of the two side by side:
First thing I did was weigh the two, the SW22 is 2.25 lbs and the 22/45 is 2.0 lbs. Balance on both pistols is very good.
Then I measured the barrels, the 22/45 has the standard 4.5" barrel with threads and I added a compensator, overall it's 6". The SW22 has a 5.5" barrel (I didn't get the threaded one so no compensator). Shooting them both right after each other I'd say the SW22 has less recoil than the 22/45.
After spending about two mags full to get the nice fiber optic sights on the SW22 zero'd I shot these groups from 10 yds.
I'd say both are very accurate. I'm sure they could do better with good ammo, I was shooting crummy Thunderbolt ammo just to see if I had any problems like others have reported. I've shot thousands of rounds of that in my 22/45, never a problem, I don't even clean it but a couple of times a year and shot thousands of rounds during the year. Steel Challenge monthly and practice during the month.
The SW22 had NO problems, I shot about 200 rounds of that crummy (cheap) Thunderbolt ammo today. I also checked the barrel a few times during the day, no lead buildup either. The only problem I had was the takedown bolt did come loose, it didn't affect accuracy but it was loose. I then noticed some oil had gotten in there from somewhere, so I gave it another cleaning with alcohol and tightened it up REAL good. We'll see how it does on the next range trip later this week.
Trigger measures 2 lbs on my 22/45 and 3.25 lbs on the SW22 when it was brand new, out of the box, NEVER shot. I'll measure it again after some break-in. I think I'll take out the magazine safety too after awhile.
My 22/45 is not stock, I got it for $325, put in the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit, Williams Sights, Hogue Grips, and Tandemkross Compensator, total spent is $560. The SW22 which shoots just as well is bone stock and was $345.
So far, I'm very impressed! I'm not going to get rid of the 22/45 just yet, I need to get 3 more mags for the SW22 so I can shoot Steel Challenge and need to do more reliability testing with various ammo to make sure it will be as reliable as my 22/45.
Oh! I checked today with Ultimate Clip loader folks (McFadden Machine Co., Inc.), they ARE working on a model for the SW22 mags, they've already had LOTS of requests! I love their loader for the 22/45.
.22 AUTO ULTIMATE CLIP LOADER | Brownells
My first day at the range was today, I could tell right away that the SW22 is a keeper! The felt recoil was less than the 22/45 which has a compensator!
Here's a shot of the two side by side:
First thing I did was weigh the two, the SW22 is 2.25 lbs and the 22/45 is 2.0 lbs. Balance on both pistols is very good.
Then I measured the barrels, the 22/45 has the standard 4.5" barrel with threads and I added a compensator, overall it's 6". The SW22 has a 5.5" barrel (I didn't get the threaded one so no compensator). Shooting them both right after each other I'd say the SW22 has less recoil than the 22/45.
After spending about two mags full to get the nice fiber optic sights on the SW22 zero'd I shot these groups from 10 yds.
I'd say both are very accurate. I'm sure they could do better with good ammo, I was shooting crummy Thunderbolt ammo just to see if I had any problems like others have reported. I've shot thousands of rounds of that in my 22/45, never a problem, I don't even clean it but a couple of times a year and shot thousands of rounds during the year. Steel Challenge monthly and practice during the month.
The SW22 had NO problems, I shot about 200 rounds of that crummy (cheap) Thunderbolt ammo today. I also checked the barrel a few times during the day, no lead buildup either. The only problem I had was the takedown bolt did come loose, it didn't affect accuracy but it was loose. I then noticed some oil had gotten in there from somewhere, so I gave it another cleaning with alcohol and tightened it up REAL good. We'll see how it does on the next range trip later this week.
Trigger measures 2 lbs on my 22/45 and 3.25 lbs on the SW22 when it was brand new, out of the box, NEVER shot. I'll measure it again after some break-in. I think I'll take out the magazine safety too after awhile.
My 22/45 is not stock, I got it for $325, put in the Volquartsen Accurizing Kit, Williams Sights, Hogue Grips, and Tandemkross Compensator, total spent is $560. The SW22 which shoots just as well is bone stock and was $345.
So far, I'm very impressed! I'm not going to get rid of the 22/45 just yet, I need to get 3 more mags for the SW22 so I can shoot Steel Challenge and need to do more reliability testing with various ammo to make sure it will be as reliable as my 22/45.
Oh! I checked today with Ultimate Clip loader folks (McFadden Machine Co., Inc.), they ARE working on a model for the SW22 mags, they've already had LOTS of requests! I love their loader for the 22/45.
.22 AUTO ULTIMATE CLIP LOADER | Brownells
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