New Compact .22; first thoughts

[Ranger17]

Been pondering for awhile to add a compact to my small .22 collection (a Buckmark and a 50's Colt) as a range/fun toy. Picked one up this weekend and snuck over to the range today. No 9's made the trip, just wanted to get a feel for the newbie.
It was easy for me to notice the obvious differences between the Compact and the BM and while both feel different they are both nice to shoot. I've owned the BM for a couple+ years and have ran 4500 rounds thru it. So while it is more accurate than i will ever be it seems easy to shoot well.
I needed to tweak my grip on the compact compared to what i use on my BM and even my MP 9's and only ran 120 rounds thru it today. Sights out of the box were fine for now, some shots placed well and some not so much lol. But that's ok as i enjoyed shooting it and where the BM doesn't seem to care for Federal champ at times the Compact didnt have one issue. Both ran perfect on mini mags. Oh i may also blame some scattered shots on the guys next to me; lets just say i jumped more than once when they shot their canon off (SW 500 ). Holy ****!
Anyhow long story short am glad i have another Smith in the household. I see lots of smiles coming. The pic is just an example. Spent most time in the 6-8 yard range.

 

[Smitty357]

I enjoy the heck out of mine also. One of the nicest shooting plinkers ive added to the stable.

 

[BigDog48]

I took mine out yesterday for the first time, and it is fun to shoot.

I'm not crazy about the size of the magazine release, though. With my hands, it is too easy to push with my support hand. I may switch it to the other side if I don't get used to it, as unconventional as that would be.

 

[Ranger17]

I took mine out yesterday for the first time, and it is fun to shoot.

I'm not crazy about the size of the magazine release, though. With my hands, it is too easy to push with my support hand. I may switch it to the other side if I don't get used to it, as unconventional as that would be.

i noticed that as well at the beginning; just had to move my thumb a bit on my support hand which seemed to work. That is different than how i hold my MP full size and compact 9 and my buckmark, but heck i'm still a bit of a newb so can be taught new tricks lol

 

[Ballistic147]

I bought a 22 compact a few weeks ago to compliment my Shield 9 and 40c which are my 2 main carry guns. It makes a great "cheaper" practice gun that simulates the feel of the larger caliber M&P's. My only two complaints are the weight is a little too light and the size should have been a little closer to either the Shield or the compact. Either way it's still a great little gun for what it was designed to be.

 

[Old cop]

Got my .22C a couple of months ago and could not be happier.

 

[blankford]

Awesome! Glad you are happy with your purchase.
I could not be happier with my 22Compact. Now if my suppressor paperwork could come back already I could complete it.

 

[Smitty357]

Awesome! Glad you are happy with your purchase.
I could not be happier with my 22Compact. Now if my suppressor paperwork could come back already I could complete it.

90 days or so was my wait. I'm told now days its sped up a little bit.

 

[rlongclu]

Took my new .22C to the range for the first time today and loved it. It is my first .22. The only problem is that the .22 ammo seems to disappear a lot faster that the 9mm ammo. That happen to anyone else?

 

[Ranger17]

Took my new .22C to the range for the first time today and loved it. It is my first .22. The only problem is that the .22 ammo seems to disappear a lot faster that the 9mm ammo. That happen to anyone else?

yep, though as i have 5 mags for my full size MP 9; i can run thru boxes of ammo playing with that thing at the range as well

 

[kmanick]

congrats! I wish I could get a Mass compliant .22 compact.
My wife shot one a while back and loved it .
I'd have to find one used

 

[cyfman1]

I'm planning to pick one up pretty soon myself what/how does getting a suppressor for it go ? Or in other words whats the process and what are decent ones that won't break the bank.

Thanks for any help

 

[dpsk]

Took my wife to the range today and plinked a bit with my -.22 compact. It's one of those firearms that puts a smile on my face every time I shoot it.

 

[Ranger17]

Had the day off and wanted to get the compact to the range again; to run some more ammo thru it and get a better feel for how it shoots. Not quite a couple hundred rounds today, tried mini mags, auto match and fed champ. Not one issue; to be honest this compact is not as picky as my Buckmark is which is nice if i have a variety of ammo brands to play with.
Didnt touch the sites so after 2 range visits i think i will leave them as is. I did tweak my grip compared to the Bm (as well as my two MP 9s) but it was easy to adapt. I did notice the mags seem a bit wider than my Bm and when filling them the rounds could stand up if i dropped them in too fast. I am sure thats a "my bad" and easy to avoid.
Most of the time today was at 8 yds; was happy with the results considering i tend to play around and fire quickly. I can definitely say i am glad to have this new toy in the collection.

 

[JCase]

How does the .22 compare to the pro core 9L?

I'm talking about grip and trigger?

 

[Ranger17]

How does the .22 compare to the pro core 9L?

I'm talking about grip and trigger?

Physically the compact 22 is pretty close to a Shield if that helps any. I dont have a core, just a full size 9 but there are obvious differences in dimensions between the 22 & the 9. But to be honest for me, the ergonomics/feel of the 2 have enough similarities that both feel pretty natural in my hand. Heck i was able to run a few mags in my full size 9 today inbetween time with the 22 and because of that similarity i was an easy transition back and forth.
As for trigger i can only say the compact 22 trigger somewhat reminds me of what i have in my full size and compact 9's in how it 'feels'. All my guns are stock and for me i am good with that.

 

[hoc9sw]

what/how does getting a suppressor for it go ? Or in other words whats the process and what are decent ones that won't break the bank.

Thanks for any help

Check the SilencerCo and Silencer Shop web sites. Both discuss the options and can facilitate for you. My range offers the service of doing the trust & sale, also my FFL. I did a family trust with my FFL and chose a SilencerCo Sparrow. Am very happy with it.

Much will depend on your county sheriff. If they will sign off easily, you can do a personal purchase (I'm not up on details). My county sheriff will not sign off on any request, so I went the trust path, and put a couple of very close friends on it so they can transfer it when things finally go south for me.

You'd best have a good sized piggybank, as the $$ involved are in the $700 - $1000 range.

(other companies make good equipment as well, but those I mentioned are those I've worked with)

 

[ball3011]

I'm just about a month into my M&P 22 Compact and I'm loving it!! Just finished up 500 rounds through it the other day and not a single failure. (Freedom Munitions, CCI Minimag and L&B through it). Anyone on the fence for one of these, jump in with no concerns!!!!

Here are rounds 481-500, 2 10 round mags at 10 yds, rapid fire... I can't complain at all!!



Planning on a full review / report here soon!

 

[Ranger17]

I'm just about a month into my M&P 22 Compact and I'm loving it!! Just finished up 500 rounds through it the other day and not a single failure. (Freedom Munitions, CCI Minimag and L&B through it). Anyone on the fence for one of these, jump in with no concerns!!!!

Here are rounds 481-500, 2 10 round mags at 10 yds, rapid fire... I can't complain at all!!

View attachment 226685

Planning on a full review / report here soon!

Nice shootin'.
I've found this compact is going to be more accurate then I will be, same as my Buckmark and both my MP 9's. With my eyes, if i want to nail a bullseye every shot I will need different sights but that's not what i bought these for. These are toys for me in a hobby I am quite enjoying. And for that, the little compact works quite well. And as it seems it can use about any ammo with no issues? Bonus!

 

[glenncal1]

I just bought the Compact for the wife for valentines day. Haven't got it to the range yet. Did you guys need to clean/oil before first trip?