Model 22A1 Issues

[tacreload]

My grandson's other grandfather bought the boy a Mod 22a1 about a year an a half ago.After about a thousand rounds the pistol developed a cracked frame and ceased to function.S&W said send it back.Took about two months after the gun was in their possession before they agreed to replace it.Received a brand new one last spring and everything was fine or so I thought.They shot some over the summer and fall but didn't get out much due to work.They went to the range last Saturday and the replacement gun ceased to function and guess what,another cracked frame.He told me they only had about 500 rounds through this one.He told me it was cracked in the same place as the first one and for the life of me I can't remember where he told me it was.(Advancing senility?)
Anyone out there had any similar experiences with this model?
Thanks

 

[russp1]

I've got the M22A with 5.5" barrell, not sure of any dash number but have put a little over 2000 rounds through with no problems.

 

[handgunner356]

A little clearer idea as to where it's cracked might help, a picture would be great. I would guess it's not the first, but it is the first cracked frame on a 22A that I've heard of. There really shouldn't be that much stress on the frame itself unless it's a manufacturing defect.

 

[tacreload]

A little clearer idea as to where it's cracked might help, a picture would be great. I would guess it's not the first, but it is the first cracked frame on a 22A that I've heard of. There really shouldn't be that much stress on the frame itself unless it's a manufacturing defect.

Yes sir you are correct.Gonna try to be a little more specific and maybe get a picture this weekend.Sorry for being vague.

 

[jstanfield103]

Picture and some ammo specification may help?

 

[QMBOSUN]

I have two 22A-1's with over 4000 rounds run thru each and no such issues. Darn good guns for the money imho!

 

[m.p.driver]

Had a 22s for a short time.The hook holding the upper barrel/receiver broke off,so S&W repaired it by riveting a piece of sheet metal onto the back.Then a empty brass case gouged a chunk out of the feed ramp.At that point it was sold off and i just got by with a Ruger mk2, that i have put probably 20,000 rounds through without a problem.

 

[Barrie]

I have well over 8000 rounds thru my 22A and have never had any issue's with it other then getting dirty. I mainly use it for my backup gun now as I also have a M46 to go along with it which is even nicer to shoot with the beautiful trigger on it.

 

[tacreload]

Sorry it took so long to get these pics.Here is the location of the cracks on the 22A1 I was talking about.Ammo was common stuff you buy at Wal-Mart.Nothing off brand or unusual.The original gun cracked in the same place after a thousand rounds or so.This gun is at roughly 500.My grandson is 11 and does not have access to this gun on his own.It stays with his grandfather until they head to the range.The man owns several firearms,shoots IDPA locally and is definitely not a Bubba.His IDPA gun is an M&P 9mm Pro.He is a S&W fan,but is somewhat puzzled and a little disappointed.I am also kind of puzzled.Thanks for looking.

 

[handgunner356]

I could see it having extra stress there if the rear hook wasn't caught in the frame. Strange that you would get two guns and have both break at the same location, well at least S&W should warrenty it.

 

[tango6]

Send it back to S&W. I have a 22A that I have had for 3 years and shoot it every other weekend and use it to shoot the Ruger Rimfire Matches. Probably over 5000 rounds thru it. With CCI ammo, I have no issues but anything else just won't function. Stove pipes, FTF, FTE. But this is the ammo, not the gun.

 

[Tony S45]

A shooter in our Club also had a cracked frame on his M22 A-1 after many thousands of rounds. S&W replaced the gun.

When I decided to try a M22 I bought a used M22 S-1 which is the steel framed gun that was only produced for a couple of years and then discontinued. It will digest any ammo from Federal bulk to CCI Mini-mags to CCI standard velocity. My S-1 gun looks just like an A-1 model but the frame is approx 5 ounces heavier.

BTW, the -1 refers to a design change that S&W did a decade ago to replace the rear barrel hook that would break off on the original models when the owners disassembled/reassembled their guns.

Cracked frames not withstanding, I believe the S&W Model 22 A-1 is a great value in rimfire pistols.

 

[Geo9547]

My 22A-1 frame just cracked today

I have had this gun since October 2011(my first gun ever) and I love it. Have put around 4,000+ rounds through it with few problems. Today at the range the slide started locking back after each shot (as though the mag was empty). Called S&W directly at the Maine facility and within two questions I discovered the crack in the frame. I couldn't believe it. They are having me return the gun and they will replace, at a minimum, the frame. Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[WebVette]

Hi,

How long did it take for them to send the replacement? They have had my M22a for almost a month now.

Thanks.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Uh-oh!!

I have had this gun since October 2011(my first gun ever) and I love it. Have put around 4,000+ rounds through it with few problems. Today at the range the slide started locking back after each shot (as though the mag was empty). Called S&W directly at the Maine facility and within two questions I discovered the crack in the frame. I couldn't believe it. They are having me return the gun and they will replace, at a minimum, the frame. Here are a couple of pictures.

So I went to the safe and looked at my and sure enough I found something. Looking at your pictures and then looking at my pistol, I noticed something. The same places you have cracks is where mine has casting lines or I assume that is what it is. I cannot tell because it is under the coating or whatever is on the lower part of the frame. I can run my finger over it and I feel a slight deviation. I think it is a casting flaw because other ones I seen broken on the net all break in the same place. Here are some pictures.

James

 

[patbelly]

So I went to the safe and looked at my and sure enough I found something. Looking at your pictures and then looking at my pistol, I noticed something. The same places you have cracks is where mine has casting lines or I assume that is what it is. I cannot tell because it is under the coating or whatever is on the lower part of the frame. I can run my finger over it and I feel a slight deviation. I think it is a casting flaw because other ones I seen broken on the net all break in the same place. Here are some pictures.

James

Pretty sure yours is not cracked. That other picture (Geo's) is a definite crack. Yours looks normal.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Pretty sure yours is not cracked. That other picture (Geo's) is a definite crack. Yours looks normal.

No I'm not saying it is cracked but where they crack is the same place the casting marks are.

 

[labworm]

Figured I would post this picture of my 22S All Stainless Steel, weighing 41 ounces, purchased new in 2000.

Looks as though the frame has changed a bit.

 

[patbelly]

OKay. Gotcha. Looks like casting, but don't think it's a flaw. Keep an eye on it if you're worried, but don't think it's a problem. If anything happens, S&W will fix it or replace it. Shoot it a bunch. Lotsa fun.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

OKay. Gotcha. Looks like casting, but don't think it's a flaw. Keep an eye on it if you're worried, but don't think it's a problem. If anything happens, S&W will fix it or replace it. Shoot it a bunch. Lotsa fun.

True but it makes you think why it would crack right were the casting marks are. Hmmmmmm...... Not worried since I know S&W will give me a new frame.

James