Model 422 Promo - Code 102831

NCBeagle · Dec 19, 2020

I sold my 422 and 622 a few years ago and need to pick up another for target shooting with young / new shooters. My FFL stumbled into an estate sale stash of 422 and 622. One stands out. It is a NIB 4.5 barrel, with a bottle of Rem Oil, Box of Remington Ammo, tools, everything. The box identified feature as "Promo." Product Code 102831. The Standard Catalog identifies it as a 1987 introductory / promo model.

I'll probably snag one of the standard 6 inch models for shooting but like this little package. Here's the deal...my FFL is a friend and not familiar with old school Smiths. He specializes in NFA, Class III, suppressors, etc. In fact, he's outfitting these pistols with suppressors.

Questions -

Anyone else have a 422 Promo model? If so, can you tell me anything else about it?

Any thoughts regarding whether a complete Promo package increases value and, if so, by how much?

murphydog · Dec 19, 2020

I have seen them and suspect the "promo" package doesn't add a great deal of value. Someone here probably has one and will comment.

A recent post here detailed the woes of someone who bought a fixed sight 422 or 622 that printed far off the sight picture, so the ideal solution for you is to buy the early package gun for your collection, and an adjustable sight one for shooting. Merry Christmas!

vigil617 · Dec 19, 2020

Hey Ryan, these do pop up from time to time, although I'd say most of the ones I've seen are the 6" 422 guns. You'd think the promo package would add a factor of value, but strangely, it doesn't seem to make much difference. As a collectible, it can be an advantage as long as it's NIB and you intend to keep it that way. But there's little or no premium associated with 'em based on observed prior sale prices.

Good choice for the 6" 422 for your young shooters, especially if you don't care about the relatively easy-to-mar black finish. The 622 is a bit better in that regard, although the slide is carbon steel with some sort of silver finish on it, and you need to be sure to clean it (especially around the slide serrations) to keep light corrosion at bay. Also, be aware that for some reason, the grip screws tend to back out of these models easily, so a bit of green Loc-Tite might be in order.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

NCBeagle · Dec 19, 2020

vigil617 said:
Hey Ryan, these do pop up from time to time, although I'd say most of the ones I've seen are the 6" 422 guns. You'd think the promo package would add a factor of value, but strangely, it doesn't seem to make much difference. As a collectible, it can be an advantage as long as it's NIB and you....!

Hey, thanks. I passed on the collector version because we are going to shoot. Snagged a 6” 422. New w/o box. My FFL tossed in a suppressor adapter.

Hope all is well. Appreciate your thoughts on the Promo.

Ryan

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murphydog · Dec 19, 2020

Nice gun! Be sure to watch the sight leaf screw, it also tends to loosen and Loctite there may save the rear sight from being launched into low earth orbit.

robvious · Dec 19, 2020

so what is the going rate on these...
asking for a friend... lol

NCBeagle · Dec 19, 2020

It seems to have gone up in the last couple years. I used to find these in the box with a couple of magazines for $350 or less. The big auction site shows them commanding higher prices. So, I paid $400. Frankly, I’m not sure about a good market price as of today. Only spent about two minutes looking. Wanted to snatch it up before heading out to the farm to shoot.

Took it out with a couple other nice 22s...a 617 (no dash) and 617-6. Had the SWCA’s youngest member with me to supervise.

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Model52guy · Dec 19, 2020

Years ago when the 422 first came out I kinda snubbed them as a “cheap little M41 wanna be”. I had a model 41 and Model 52 as my bullseye shooters. About 5 years ago I shot one my buddy had. Well, now I have, I think. 14 , 422, 622, 2206, 2213, 2214’s. Great little 22’s. I also have a 4” “Promo” in the box but it is a target sight version. Had to restore the foam liner. They have really gone up in the past few years. I figure a “promo” version with target sights would be in the $475- $500 range in the current market. 2213 & 14’s also in that range depending on how many $100 magazines are included.

robvious · Dec 19, 2020

I have a 6 inch target with a roughed up box and no oil or ammo.. box is just a curio adding about zero value at this point..

MajorD · Dec 26, 2020

I have the 4.5” adjustable sight version, and it is my most reliable .22 autoloader. I have a suppressor in jail currently and put on an Ewk adaptor on mine. Funny thing, after installing the adapter per instructions, the gun shot high and to the left a good bit. After a couple hundred rounds it settled back down.

Muley Gil · Dec 27, 2020

I have had two of the 4 1/2" M422s. Both shot great. Both went bye-bye when I needed some money.

I need to get another one before the prices go out of sight.

panther · Dec 27, 2020

I had a couple 422's back in the day, one with black plastic grips, one with wood. I think both were 4.5" models.
I remember when local shops sold them as budget S&W's for people who couldn't afford much better. I paid as little as $150 for one of the guns I had. When I started to see them at $250-350 at gun shows I just chalked it up to high gun show prices.
I'm sure the 422 would be a great pistol to train young shooters, and your young assistant there is a cutie.

BigBoy99 · Dec 28, 2020

It is easy to see why your friend likes the 422 because it is an ideal host for a suppressor. It already has a muzzle nut and replacing it with an adaptor to mount a suppressor makes for a quick attaching method. With the suppressor attached,the guns functions perfectly and with the low barrel, the attached suppressor doesn't block the guns sights.

ordnanceguy · Dec 28, 2020

Hello Ryan:

I am glad to see that you went with the 6 inch M422 without the box for your shooter. An excellent choice.

Here is an old thread on my M422 6 incher that was NIB. Mine did not have the end label saying "Promo" but rather had a label that said "Low Number".

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...nib-low-number-model-422-a.html#post137415534

Glad also to see the newest member of the S&WCA. I'll bet that she turns out to be a fine shooter.

Model 422 Promo - Code 102831

NCBeagle

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