.22 compact barrel

[Busch297]

Good afternoon.
I’ve got a .22 compact with threaded barrel, my state doesn’t allow suppressors and the thing loosens up when shooting. I don’t want to use Loctite because it’s then a pain to remove for cleaning the pistol. Is there a thread protector that will allow me to remove the slide without having to take the cap off?
Thanks for responses.

 

[Saudade]

Once upon a time, the .22s came with a thread protector where the outside diameter was the same as the barrel. The barrel did NOT have the adapter for a suppressor. The protector threaded on directly to the barrel. At the time these were sold to restricted states that didn't allow threaded barrels as they were "permanently" fixed.

You may try calling S&W CS and see if they can ship you one.

I can't say for certain but this one looks correct. You need a special wrench to tighten it. You should contact the vendor to confirm.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact Barrel Thread Protector - $14.95 : EWK Arms

 

[mckenney99]

Once upon a time, the .22s came with a thread protector where the outside diameter was the same as the barrel. The barrel did NOT have the adapter for a suppressor. The protector threaded on directly to the barrel. At the time these were sold to restricted states that didn't allow threaded barrels as they were "permanently" fixed.

You may try calling S&W CS and see if they can ship you one.

I can't say for certain but this one looks correct. You need a special wrench to tighten it. You should contact the vendor to confirm.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact Barrel Thread Protector - $14.95 : EWK Arms

That looks just like the factory thread protector that came on my M&P 22 Compact. It is slightly larger than the barrel diameter at the muzzle to help with mating/centering the muzzle in the slide. When I got the thread adapter kit to attach my suppressor it came with a thin stamped sheet metal wrench to remove the factory installed protector. I believe the same company offers a much heavier duty wrench that is kind of pricey. If the OP can call S&W customer service they might be able to provide the thread protector and the wrench.

 

[Dave Lively]

I believe the same company offers a much heavier duty wrench that is kind of pricey. If the OP can call S&W customer service they might be able to provide the thread protector and the wrench.

Mine came with the same thread protector yours has but no wrench. I bought the EWK wrench, used it once to properly tighten the thread protector and have never used it again. Before then it would become loose every couple of hundred rounds, even with blue Loctite. Since the thread protector fits inside the slide I did not want to get too aggressive with pliers to avoid creating burrs that would catch on or dig into the aluminum slide.

At $25 the wrench was pricey but it worked. The flats on the thread protector are shallow and you need some sort of specialized tool. If the OP can get S&W to send him the stamped wrench along with the thread protector that would probably work fine. If not, the EWK wrench will definitely work.

 

[Saudade]

They still sell the wrench but it's $30+ (shipping, tax, etc.).