Should I get a 22a, or something from some other (lesser) manufacturer?

[Andyd]

I have a 22A since a little over a decade and think that few of those guns have had an equally hard life as mine. My 22A has now a little over 90,000 rounds through it. Three firing pins broke, the hammer spring was setting and noticeably shorter than the new one that S&W sent me. The old integral claw of the sight rib broke and around 60k rounds, the frame cracked. I got all parts from S&W under their phantastic warranty and had sent the frame in for replacement, which was returned with the same serial number within less than six weeks.

I also have a couple of other cheap rimfire guns, two MkIIs among them and whether you choose a 22A, MkII/III, or a Buckmark, really depends on personal preference.

I like my old, beaten 22A. It works, is accurate - and my hand molded to its grip by now. This little pistol, I have the 4" version, is one fast gun!

 

[jacksmatrixxx]

im cleaning my sons 22a now 500 rnds of wally world bulk ammo not one problem,my son shot 300 rnd when new of cci mini mags never a problem

 

[stevenorlando]

Got my 22A back today

Well, today I visited the dealer who sold me the 22A. I mentioned my options and we decided that the best thing would be to send it back to S&W, since S&W sent me a prepaid sticker.

They gave me a fedex box. I will include all the mags and a note describing all the problems I've been having. Frankly, if the problems get resolved and I keep hitting the steel plates with it, I'll keep it. Since I have a high-standard that isn't going anywhere (my father gave it to me), that is going to be my bullseye gun. NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE 22A AND THE HIGH-STANDARD!!!!!! (The high standard is more on par with the S&W 41).

So let's see what happens when I get the 22A back from S&W.

Incidentally, I may be getting a model 28 revolver.

Steve

I got my 22A back today. I haven't taken it to the range yet, but so far I'm pleased.

They replaced the barrel and the slide, and the trigger seems alot better

Will give a range report.

Steve

 

[22bond]

Own quite a few Ruger MKII/IIIs and Browning.
Never thought of buying a 22a until I read this thread.
Saw one used yesterday and bought it.
Shot it as is - no cleaning - today - 800+ rounds of Fed lightning, Fed550 and Win333.

Can't believe how accurate it is. Especially first shooting a 22A and having to get use to the really big grip.
Ruger and Browning took me thousands of round before I got as accurate as the 22A.

Only 4+ Failure to Eject.

Grips is really big causing hand to be a little sore.
Will get use to it.

Only other problem is about 10+ rounds didn't move up in the mag thus causing dry fire on empty chamber.
Now I see why there is a spot on top of chamber like someone was dry firing w/o snap cap when I bought the gun.

Maybe the mag needs cleaning. Have to try a new mag.

Too bad mag doesn't work w/Ultimate Clip loader.
After 800+ rounds, tough on thumb.

Definitely a keep.

Couldn't believe local range has a big sale today.
They had the same 22A two tone for $15 more than my used one.
If only I had waited one day.

Oh well definitely a keeper.

 

[stevenorlando]

I think I'll keep it

I got my 22A back today. I haven't taken it to the range yet, but so far I'm pleased.

They replaced the barrel and the slide, and the trigger seems alot better

Will give a range report.

Steve

Hello All,

Had it out at the range yesterday and today.

Shot pretty accurately, no misfeeds, however, two of the five mags shot the first round, then didn't chamber the second one.

With nine rounds, they are fine.

The S&W rep told me that that is common with new mags, we'll see.

The trigger is much improved, and tomorrow I hope to take it out again with my High Standard and compare them.

Right now it looks like the 22A will be used for practical or steel matches, and the High Standard will be used for bullseye. However, you never know

 

[RPM2DAY]

I really regret passing on a .22A from my local gunstore. I think it was stainless and had been around a bit but the asking price was "cheep cheep".
Long story short, I bought a Ruger MKII 6-7/8 Target and it's great. Cost me more than the S&W. Buckmarks are even higher in my area.
Most .22s are fun with good ammo.
Go for it.

 

[LoneStarWings]

I really like my 22a as well. Once I found the type of ammo it likes (cci mini mags) it has only had one malfunction in 500 rounds. It won't cycle the cheap winchesters or remingtons very well though, so I only buy mini mags now.

I enjoy shooting steel challenge with it, and although it's not quite as ergonomic as my M&P's the trigger is quite good and the grip fits my hands reasonably well. My favorite thing about it are the sights. I have the 5" bull barrel model.

The jamming on the 2nd round issue was a problem with mine. You need to use a small file to take some material off of the magazine catch on the inside of the magwell. It doesn't take much, but once you do that, you'll never have this problem again. Unfortunately the gun doesn't work right until you do this.

 

[stevenorlando]

pics?

I really like my 22a as well. Once I found the type of ammo it likes (cci mini mags) it has only had one malfunction in 500 rounds. It won't cycle the cheap winchesters or remingtons very well though, so I only buy mini mags now.

I enjoy shooting steel challenge with it, and although it's not quite as ergonomic as my M&P's the trigger is quite good and the grip fits my hands reasonably well. My favorite thing about it are the sights. I have the 5" bull barrel model.

The jamming on the 2nd round issue was a problem with mine. You need to use a small file to take some material off of the magazine catch on the inside of the magwell. It doesn't take much, but once you do that, you'll never have this problem again. Unfortunately the gun doesn't work right until you do this.

Hello,

Right now I'm using CCI Stand. vel. I can try minimags, though. I also tried green tag. The gun cycles well, but it's the mag that causes the problems.

Can you please provide pics of where to file off material?

THANKS!

Steve

 

[Catbird33]

I have a variety of .22s that I've accumulated over the years. Here are just a few of them. While NOT the most accurate by any means, my Walther P22s have the highest "fun factor" for me.

 

[stevenorlando]

First, Fourth and Fifth

I have a variety of .22s that I've accumulated over the years. Here are just a few of them. While NOT the most accurate by any means, my Walther P22s have the highest "fun factor" for me.

What is the first, fourth and fifth?

Steve

 

[BrianE]

I picked up a Walther P22 a couple weeks ago and have taken it to the range twice now. Put 200 rounds of CCI mini mags through it with '0' malfunctions! Its also very accurate for what it is..... From all the negative feedback on these things, mine has veeb a great experience so far!

 

[Catbird33]

What is the first, fourth and fifth?

Steve

1. Browning Buck Mark

4. Smith and Wesson model 617, 10-shot, 4" bbl

5. Smith and Wesson model 41 (purchased NIB circa 1980)

 

[LoneStarWings]

Hello,

Right now I'm using CCI Stand. vel. I can try minimags, though. I also tried green tag. The gun cycles well, but it's the mag that causes the problems.

Can you please provide pics of where to file off material?

THANKS!

Steve

Unforutnatlely I can't really get a picture of it because it's inside the magwell, but here is an article about it!

Mr. Completely: Smith & Wesson Model 22A

Here is how it was explained to me in an private message on glocktalk:

OK...here's the fix....remove magazine from pistol...rack/lock slide back...look inside the frame with small flash light....locate the leaf spring behind the mag release button.....with a sharp flat needle file carefully knock off the sharp edges at the tip of the spring(2 tips to file but you file both at the same time and keep them level)...hold the file level to the frame and do it slowly by feel(i file both ways...from the bottom and from the top of frame)....you won't be able see your progress but the objective is just to smooth the sharp edges...no more no less. You might have to do it over again if the bullet is still getting caught. i had to do it at least three/four times until it no longer catches the bullet. Remember a little goes a long way...don't over do it..apply only minimal pressure with file.

 

[stevenorlando]

22A Performed Very Well after coming back from S&W

Hello All!

I got to use my 22A at a .22 steel match after S&W sent it back to me with a new slide and barrel.

It performed very well! NO JAMS! NO MISFEEDS! I used minimags, and I think they work the action better than CCI SV. I only loaded my mags with 9 rounds, since it was a match and every sequence I hit all five steel plates with five shots, except for three, where I took six.

I have to try the minimags with ten rounds, though.

Steve

 

[shootmeselfinfoot]

you should go with something louder & more recoil to impress the babes at the range

 

[stevenorlando]

no babes at range

you should go with something louder & more recoil to impress the babes at the range

On Long Island, there ARE no babes at these matches!

Steve

 

[k22fan]

Babes at matches?

There are several female competitors at all the varieties of faster blaster matches that I shoot in, just none at the bullseye matches. It is questionable whether any of them are young enough to be called "babes" but they are all very friendly without being impressed and are all very good competitors.

 

[stevenorlando]

There are NONE!

There are several female competitors at all the varieties of faster blaster matches that I shoot in, just none at the bullseye matches. It is questionable whether any of them are young enough to be called "babes" but they are all very friendly without being impressed and are all very good competitors.

On Long Island, THERE ARE NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! whether at the faster blaster matches, or at the bullseye matches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have NEVER seen a woman at ANY match shooting on Long Island!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

 

[m41]

I have a NIB 22A-1 I would ship to your FFL for $325.00. I bought it and never took it out of the box and put it in the safe.