M&P Compact 22 vs Full-size 22

[Indynick]

I am looking to buy a 22 for use as a training tool for friends and family, and myself. I am down to the M&P Compact (3.5”) and the Full-size (4”). I held a compact at the LGS and all my fingers fit on the grip, but I have small hands. If anyone has used both, do you find any advantages of one over the other?

 

[Gripgrabber]

Hello, I have both, and would say the compact is similar to my mp 9 and 40 compacts. I don’t have a full size m&p to compare.
Btw my wife took the compact as her carry piece. It’s the only gun she will carry. Go figure
Semper paratus

 

[MyDads38]

I am teaching my wife to shoot with my 22c, she is doing very well and I'm very proud of her. The 22c in comparable to the Shield, IMO. I'd still like a FS 22, but I'm in no hurry. If you have the chance to shoot both, I would to see the differences. Enjoy

 

[Indynick]

Thank you Grip and Dad. This is what I was looking for.

 

[Backon4]

I prefer the full size 4”. It is more of a true trainer pistol to me. The Walter PPQ 22 is the same gun with some cosmetic changes. I have 2 full size 22’s and 2 of the PPQ 22’s. All 4 are excellent. I use them to teach fundamentals all the time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ScottS]

As I've mentioned in other threads, I provide M&P 22 Compacts for the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting courses I teach, to students of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Never had anyone complain about the size. It seems perfect to me.

 

[Indynick]

Thanks. Do you know if the 12 round mag will fit in the compact?

 

[Backon4]

It does not


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ScottS]

Thanks. Do you know if the 12 round mag will fit in the compact?

The one thing that rubs me the wrong way.


If they could have figured out a way for the magazines to be interchangeable, I would have loved to mix in a few "full size" M&P 22's, but the logistics train of another set of magazines is too much for me. Not to mention the mags look identical, and the problems that would inevitably cause at range time.

 

[Backon4]

You think those mags look close. The PPQ mags and M&P mags are nearly identical. Base plates are slightly different and the mag catch is off by like a mm to keep them from working.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Indynick]

My son is an electrical engineer at an auto company, and I asked him why parts on different models are not interchangeable, and he said, each model has it own engineering team, and they don't talk to each other.

 

[ScottS]

My son is an electrical engineer at an auto company, and I asked him why parts on different models are not interchangeable, and he said, each model has it own engineering team, and they don't talk to each other.

Well, even worse--in the case of the M&P22 and the M&P22 Compact, they're made at different factories by different companies.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I had the M&P 22 full size and now own the compact version. No contest, the compact in my opinion is far better. It took many many rounds before the full size began to function properly, the compact was perfect out of the box. It shoots everything I have asked it to, even junk bulk ammo. Hope this helps a little. And the compact is made by S&W, not Walther.

 

[Backon4]

Mine all function great, my one even cycles CCI quiet suppressed. I heard the compacts were hit and miss. I was looking for 2 when I found the PPQ’s so I figured I would try them. Wasn’t a fan of the p22 or dig mosquito. Got rid of both of them. If I can find a compact cheap maybe I will pick one up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ScottS]

Mine all function great, my one even cycles CCI quiet suppressed. I heard the compacts were hit and miss. I was looking for 2 when I found the PPQ’s so I figured I would try them. Wasn’t a fan of the p22 or dig mosquito. Got rid of both of them. If I can find a compact cheap maybe I will pick one up.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Actually, this post if the first time I've ever heard Compacts were "hit and [sic] miss." They have quite a reputation for feeding anything right out of the box. (Except crappy Remington 22, I think).



I have 5, and I guess I got all "hits?"

 

[Indynick]

OK, I am convinced. The Compact is the way to go. Thanks all.

 

[Jerry_B]

Have a Victory, which is great and I shoot it well, but becomes heavy for wife after just three or four magazines. Got her a 22 compact, problem solved. Bit aggravating mags aren’t interchangeable, but that is a small nit to pick with these two great guns.

 

[Indynick]

Has anyone tinkered with the 12 round, to see if it can be changed to fit the compact?

 

[Jerry_B]

My understanding is that doing the 12 round conversion ends the last round hold open feature. For me, on a rim fire gun, that’s a no go.

 

[Targets Guy]

I bought my compact to help me with the Shield 9mm. Works fine. Haven't shot the big one.