22A slide lock problem/question

[darkwaterkid]

Greetings...

At the range today my friend had a problem with the slide lock on her 22A. It had slipped forward of its normal position, and wasn't moving freely. After field-stripping and removing the left grip panel, we could see that when the slide lock moved forward it got stuck between the frame and what I believe is called the "spring plate assembly". Also, the spring that pulls the slide lock down (except when the magazine follower is pushing it up) had moved out of position.

It was easy enough to get the parts back in place, and it seems to be working now. However, right now the slide lock is basically free-floating except for the spring tension and I'm wondering if there's supposed to be a pin helping maintain the orientation.

I'm attaching a couple pictures (with and without an inserted empty mag), and pointing with a pen to the location where I'm wondering about a "missing pin". The spring plate, slide lock, and frame each have a hole there that appears to be where they should align.

Can anyone tell me whether anything is really missing here? If so, is it addressed by replacing the spring plate assembly, or just an individual pin?

Also, is my friend's tendency to use the slide lock as a "slide release" (rather than slingshotting the slide) putting unnecessary stress on the assembly?

Thanks!

 

[roadrunnerh]

Currently, I have the exact same problem. How did you fix this?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I think that first image (Area B) on link is helpful:
http://guntalk-online.com/images/S&W22A-1Disassembly.pdf

 

[roadrunnerh]

Thank you for the link! However, what holds the spring plate against the frame? Mine keeps sliding out, as in the second pic.

 

[NIMROD808]

22A slide lock problems

I just had the same problem with mu 22A. The pictures previously posted show that the pin (rivet) that holds the slide lock is missing. In my case I had been pulling down the slide lock to release the slide. When trying to examine the gun when it was malfunctioning, I saw something fly out from under the left grip near the slide lock. Sure enough the pivot pin was gone. About $20 at Brownell's will get you a new "Spring Plate" . Taking it out is easy, reinstalling - not so much. See videos on stripping the 22A for help there.

 

[Barrie]

We Welcome DarkwaterKid and Nimrod808 to the forum. Hope you get the answers and re-sults you need. The 22A usually don't have many problems but I would imagine you guys have fired these guns a lot over the years so some parts do wear out.

 

[AveragEd]

Don't forget that your guns are covered by Smith & Wesson's lifetime warranty.

Ed

 

[murphydog]

We are about 8 years late for the OP, he posted once and never returned...

To the recent poster - I would call factory customer service to check if the parts for the 22 series guns are still available, as the model went out of production a few years ago. If so they can fit the new part assembly to your gun, and if not a non-factory gunsmith can do the same.