Saw a model 422 at my dealer...

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HOUSTON RICK

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I never really contemplated buying a Model 422, but my LGS has one in very good to excellent condition. Are their any fans or detractors of the Model 422 here? It is overpriced, but they see my S&W addicted face enough to give me a decent enough markdown that it will not really interfere with other plans, but maybe I should apply the funds to that Model 41 someday. I understand that the Model 422 often has a similar issue to the current Victory Model regarding the loosening screw. Thank you in advance for any pros, cons, comments or abuse. Rick
 
HOUSTON RICK

They all are very nice plinker pistols, meaning the entire family of the M-422, M-622- M-2206 & the Models 2213 & 2214. I am more fond of the M-2206 because of the all stainless material from which it's made which provides more weight to counter act any felt recoil. All I've had experience with are accurate and have been dependable. They are gaining in popularity and their prices certainly appear to be increasing. My vote is to make the purchase if your frequent buyer discount helps you buy for a decent price reduction and then enjoy some decent .22 plinking fun.
 
The problem with buying a 422 is,,,,, then you want a 622 and a 2206. Then you want to get the target sights and the fixed sights. Then you want the 6” and the 4-1/2” and then you want the 2213 and the 2214. Pretty soon you have 16 of them. I started with a 422 about 6 years ago. They are great little pistols.
 
The finish is weak on the 422. If you intend to holster it a good bit, the 2206 would be a better choice.
 
HOUSTON RICK said:
I understand that the Model 422 often has a similar issue to the current Victory Model regarding the loosening screw. Thank you in advance for any pros, cons, comments or abuse. Rick
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The Victory definitely has that problem and the Victory is much like the 22-A series of pistols. The 422/622/2206 is nothing whatsoever like the Victory and 22-A. The 422 has no such problem with the loosening of anything.

I agree that the 422 finish is cheap. The pistols are fun and accurate and compared to the Victory, they are FAR more likely to work, quality made and built properly. The 422/622/2206 share magazines with the 41 and this is significant for some of us, as I have a 422 and 2206, sharing mags with my 41 is a fantastic benefit.

I really like these pistols but along with the cheap finish of the 422, I can name two genuine detractions to consider:

—they made MANY of these so in simple terms, you just do not need to overpay to get one. If the price for a 422 with no box isn’t under $301 out the door, leave it and find one that is.

—everyone will have an opinion but just like MOST men typically can agree that any random female is attractive, so can we typically with handguns. By and large across the board, the 422/622/2206 are ugly, homely pistols. A few folks may say they find beauty in them, yadda yadda okay, cannot tell you what you should see, but generally speaking, these are not sleek, classy pistols. They have a face only a mother could love. :D
 
I have had two M422s and the only reason I don't still have at least one of them is that I sold them when I needed money and have never got around to replacing one. Both of mine were good, reliable .22s.

I like 'em.
 
I’ve had several 422s and a couple of the stainless version. I like the 4” target version. Nice pistol to carry. It’s light and compact and accurate enough to be practical. Other than finish I have no beef with them. I have a set of the black plastic grips from field model I use for field carry. The 422 keeps me from carrying 34 around rough duty and water hazards.
 
I "discovered" this series S&W pistols after buying my first Escort (Model 61) which the series is based off of. I have about 12 of them and no longer have my model 41(swapped it for 4 model 2206s) I really like the balance and the mag release location and the various models and lengths. For the right combo I have paid $500-600 but for most plain janes $300 is fair.There are some "rare" target ventilated models that command 4 figures..but not in my collection. Mags are inexpensive and easy to find unless you need an 8 or 12 rounder. They are well built and accurate. Parts are available through Numrich. About the only thing Ive replaced are firing pins (Don't dry fire them a lot) and recoil springs.They are very supressor friendly. Enjoy!
 
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Hands down my favorite S&W .22 autos. I have the adjustable sight 4.5", and 6" 422s and the 3" 2214. I'm still on the lookout for a 2206.
This series of pistols were simply the highest quality .22 autos that Smith ever fielded short of the 41 and 46, and the market has recently begun to reflect that.
Every .22 auto that S&W has come out with after they stopped production of this series has been a disappointment to me.
My 422s have just been great guns. One I've owned since 1988 has thousands of rounds through it and has never needed any work of any kind.
Buy it and don't look back. You positively will not be sorry.
 
I will agree with the others that have posted favorably for the 422 and the other pistols in the series. While there certainly are better looking .22 pistols on the market I doubt you will be disappointed once you fire them. My 422 came with nice wood grips and adjustable sight and is very light weight. It shoots great and is easily as accurate as my Ruger Mark II & III pistols. My 2206TGT keeps up and / or surpasses my friends Model 41 at a fraction of the cost. Magazines can sometimes be an issue as some won't work in all of the series even though they are supposed to be interchangeable. Recent production S&W magazines in the black and red, M&P labeled packages have been good for me but I had troubles with some in the traditional SW blue labeled packages. I only wish the front sight was removable to allow for a fiber optic or gold bead. You can always add some paint on the front blade if desired. If the price and condition are good, I would definitely recommend you join the club.
 
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I like the 422 as it is an ideal host for a .22 cal. suppressor. I machined a replacement muzzle nut to permit the suppressor attachment and the lower barrel precludes the suppressor from blocking the sights.
 

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I have owned a 2206 for many years and posted about it on several forums throughout the years and have never seen anyone else comment on the trigger. Maybe mine is an anomaly but my 2206 has absolutely the best trigger pull of any handgun I have ever owned, and that includes a Les Baer 1911, MkII target, etc...
 
I bought a 622 NEW many years ago. It is great to shoot, and I love it. It is one of the many guns I would never sell.
 
I have a 422 with a 6" barrel, I bought it new many years ago. It's had intermittent issues with reliability, failures to feed or extract and especially failures to eject.
It's somewhat ammo sensitive, I found that for the most reliable operation, I need to use hotter ammunition to make it work right, like CCI Velocitors or Stingers..
I've replaced magazines which has helped with some of the reliability. I also changed the recoil spring to a slightly lighter one and that seems to have helped a bit.
I like it, very fun to shoot, it's just really finicky. I think if I had it to do over again, I would have gone with the 4" barrel.
 
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