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

[nntw]

I'd really like a .22 semi auto. I do like the idea of an S&W but can't afford a 41.

I know this is an S&W forum, but really, beyond the brand loyalty, is a 22A a good idea? Is it really the best deal, compared to say a Buck Mark or Ruger Mk whatever?

 

[chessail 77]

I have a S&W 22 A and love it..... but many others prefer the Ruger, however the S&W customer service and warranty should be a factor as well as price.

 

[leejack]

If you want the 22A, by all means, go for it!

The Buckmark and Ruger are great guns also. Each of the three has it's good points.

The Browning is very sexy, but no written warranty.

The Ruger has the "built like a tank" reputation, but a pain to field strip and requires tools.

The Smith is the easiest to take apart for cleaning; no tools required, and, has the best warranty. When you need more recoil spacers, they'll send you some.

All three are nice guns, I wish I had one of each. Correction: make that 2 of each!

Have fun!

Lee

 

[mlk18]

I owned a 22a for about 3 weeks, just did not like it. It's a fine gun and was perfectly reliable, I just did not like the way it felt in my hand and could not get excited about it. It was certainly not on par (IMO) with the 422/622/2206 series. The guy I sold it to loves it.

And for the record I also bought a Ruger 22/45 and promptly sold that one off too. I will let you know when I find a .22 pistol that I like.

 

[~tc~]

I think the 22A has got an undeserved bad rap from the web community, while the Rugers have got an undeserved good reputation.

When I was buying my 22A, a friend was looking for a 22 pistol also, and bought a Ruger MkIII. It is SUPER finicky about ammo, and as pointed out above, a it hard to clean. I have shot it, and I wasn't all that impressed. His was also considerably more expensive than mine.

For the price, the 22A is hard to beat.

 

[~tc~]

One thing - make sure you hold a 22A before deciding to buy one - the grips are kinda wide, and don't fit everyone.

 

[ab4ka]

I like the 22A, but as stated the grips are pretty large (they fit my hands just fine). I had a Ruger 22/45 and it shot great, but was such a PITA to take down and put back together I finally gave up on it.

 

[nntw]

i live in Toronto, and it's become such a gun-unfriendly city that I'm not even sure where there's a shop that sells pistols any more. May end up being mail order!

 

[Rick-F]

Try Larry's for mail order. I could not be more pleased with a .22 auto for under $200. I have had ZERO issues with my 22A.

Smith & Wesson Model 22A Pistol [107412] - $199.99 : Larrys Pistol and Pawn, Best Pricing around!

And buying from this place was flawless. I placed the order on line; emailed a copy of the FFL, and few days later I picked it up at FFL holder's shop.

 

[nntw]

Seems like an AWESOME deal... unfortunately, i'm in Toronto CANADA, and most places won't ship cross borders, and it's a fair bit of $$$ if they do.

 

[~tc~]

i live in Toronto, and it's become such a gun-unfriendly city that I'm not even sure where there's a shop that sells pistols any more. May end up being mail order!

I would recommend you come across the border to Buffalo or Detroit and try some out before buying online. $0.02

 

[stevenorlando]

Just bought one

Hello All!

I am new to this forum. I just bought a 22A for $199. I haven't got it yet, I hope I like it.

Some people on the net say the trigger isn't too good. I felt it, and it didn't feel too bad to me. Dry-fired with a snapcap.

I have a high-standard, and I'm sure it won't compare to that.

I plan to use it in 22 steel matches. I'll probably still shoot my high standard in bullseye, but you never know.

Are there any references to detail-stripping the gun, and improving the trigger, if necessary?

Steve

 

[Lock&Load]

Mlk
Try a Ruger Mark II with a standard barrel
I think they might even have a Mark III with the standard barrel

 

[k22fan]

My 2 cents worth.

Hello nntw,

The Rugers are more popular due to 50+ years establishing themselves as an American classic .22 and a darn fine gun. They don't have the triggers of Model 41s, but if you are handy, you can improve them and there are lots of aftermarket parts for them. I own a Mk I and a Mk II and had three others in the past. All were accurate and reliable.

Ruger .22 autos have earned their following, but S&W's 22A and 22S guns are just as accurate, require cleaning much less often, are easier to disassemble for cleaning and are much easier to reassemble afterward. The Rugers trap firing debris inside their receivers because it can only get blown out through the small ejection port while the 22A/S design vents unburnt powder freely out both sides the same as a High Standard or Buckmark. When your 22A or 22S does need cleaning, just press in the button with your thumb, then lift the barrel up the same as a High Standard. I have not owned a Buckmark so I will leave it to others to comment on them. I prefer the all stainless 22S's heft over the 22A, but the 22S was discontinued.

Most of the time we buy what looks good to our eye when we would be better off buying what fits our hand. S&W offers 2 stock choices for their 22S and 22A, bulky wood and the standard smaller ugly rubber. The rubber fits me well and the 22S is not good looking with any stock so I'm happy with ugly.

The tubular Ruger receiver also looked unconventional when it was introduced. It took Ruger 30+ years selling them at bargain prices to make them as familiar and popular as they are. Rugers are no longer a bargain. For about half the price of a steel framed Ruger .22 you get a better gun in a 22A.

Hope this helps you decide;
Gil

 

[~tc~]

Oh - one note I did not realize/pay attention to when I bought mine:

The Hiviz sight is only available on the "two-tone" model, not the all black model! I like the looks of the all-black a lot better, but the all black sights are kinda hard to see at an indoor range - the Hiviz fiber optic version would be nice!

 

[CBR240]

~tc~ The 22A-1 is available in all black with high vis sights. It's SKU 107426. 5/12 bull barrel. I know, I bought one 2 weeks ago. Very happy with it.

 

[SgtSam]

My two all time favorite .22lr pistols are the two that I own now. One is a 622 which I've had for over 15 years. The other is 2206 which I've had for about a month. Both with adjustble sights. To me, they're the best balanced, easiest shooting .22 pistols I've ever owned. They're also extremely accurate.

Problems, yes a few. They're a pain in the ass to give a real thorough cleaning. Tear down is a little bit of a hassel and they're quite intricate, so you want to keep them clean because once they get really dirty, you'll be busy for a while.

But, they're a joy to handle and shoot. And, they're one hell-of-a conversation starter. Most guys just aren't familiar with them and everyone wants to shoot them.

If you watch the gun auctions, they do pop up. I don't think you'll go wrong. And, you get to keep up the S&W loyalty while buying a real quality weapon.

Good Luck on your search for that elusive perfect .22!

SgtSam

 

[nntw]

it's just too bad the 22a's are so $!$!#$ing expensive in Canada compared to the U.S. I'm looking at $400 for hiviz sights, which with the $ almost at parity, is pretty steep!

 

[Sod]

I have 3 9mm's pistols, all S&W
I have 1 45ACP pistol, also S&W
I have 1 .38 revolver it is a S&W
I have 3 .22lr firearms all are Ruger's, 1022, MKII and a Bisley Single Six.
My 10 year old has a Bearcat so I guess that makes 4
Someday I will get a 617 but I am keeping my Ruger's.

 

[1HAWKEYE]

Go for it!! I have a 5 1/2" model 41 and I just got a used 5 1/2" model 22a with the fiber optic front sight & the rubber grip.The fit & finish are not at the 41's level but the trigger pull and accuracy are Very Very close. I've had Ruger MKII's with bull barrels they were ok until the upper got sloppy on the grip assembly from being field stripped.Then accuracy went out the window.The Buckmarks are kind of neat in the fact they have an ejector for the magazine. But the ones I've had all suffered from very creepy trigger pulls.I would have to say get the 22a its from my experience the best of the three and from what I've see its also the lowest priced. Good Luck.

 

[Steelhead]

I have a 22a
Great little 22-very happy with it
sure it's not a 2206 or 41 but they are not $200ish new either
The trigger is decent-to good
Accuracy is great
Reliability is good-to great with most ammo
Very good value in my opinion
My 22a is my holdover till I can get a 41 and 2206

 

[stevenorlando]

I don't like it!

I have a 22a
Great little 22-very happy with it
sure it's not a 2206 or 41 but they are not $200ish new either
The trigger is decent-to good
Accuracy is great
Reliability is good-to great with most ammo
Very good value in my opinion
My 22a is my holdover till I can get a 41 and 2206

I tried mine out, and I don't like it at all. The trigger is very bad! The accuracy stinks, groups scattered all over the place, and the mags don't shoot 10 rounds without chambering problems.

After my "wonderful" experience with the 22A, I took out my High Standard 22. Trigger, NO COMPARISON!, accuracy, NO COMPARISON! The only thing wrong with the High Standard are mag problems.

I'm going to get rid of my 22A. I'm going to try locally first.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I have S&W 22S and Ruger 22/45.

My 2 pennies -- Both have been trouble free reliable pistols and a pleasure to shoot. Both will stay on a 2'' target all day long at 50 feet with cheap Fed Value Pack from Walmart. The 22S can produce slightly smaller groups. The Ruger can shoot dirty much longer. Don't know what they are capable of from a rest or with higher grade ammo at longer distances. Triggers are about on par. If you like to modify, Ruger pistols have a lot of available accessories and high performance gadgets from Volquartsen and others. You can't go wrong with either pistol, IMO.

ps. Rumor has it that Ruger disassembly is a pain. My 22/45 has well over 50k rounds through it.... if I ever take it apart I'll let ya know.

 

[todd51]

nntw, if you like the 22A go for it. Two friends and I plink regularly, one has a 22A, another has the Buckmark and I have a Ruger MK III Hunter. Each of us like our particular pistol for our personal reasons. The Buck is occasionally ammo sensitive, the Ruger cost the most. The only "negative" for the 22A is it cost much less that either of the other two, ha. Accuracy wise all three pistols are more accurate than the three old guys pulling the triggers. There have been no issues with the 22A what so ever.

Go for it.

 

[MakeMyNight]

Bought a new 22s instead of 22a for the heft, and strength of stainless steel on (this date) 9-11-01.

Great shooter, with light, crisp trigger, though this gun does not feed W-W Wildcats very well. Just about everything else feeds very smoothly, especially the Federal Value Pack ammo from wallyworld.

I frequently see shooters at the range with S&W 22a pistols, so I'm thinking it must be a good value for the cash outlay.

 

[zx9rt1]

I have the 22A and a High Standard Dura Matic. My 22A is by far the best shooter out of the bunch. Easy to add scope/red dot and supper easy to add different barrels. I put the target grips on mine with a Tru Glow red dot and a 7" barrel. After 3k rounds I have no complaints at all. The 22A makes for a better squirrel gun than the High Standard any day. And did I mention that S&W customer service is the best thats out there? Wouldn't get rid of mine for good money!

 

[tlr16]

I have never had a 22a but from my experience with the Ruger MkII they have been great guns. I also own a High Standard 107 Trophy which have been known to shoot with the Smith 41s but the 22 of mine I like best is the 617

 

[stevenorlando]

NO COMPARISON

I have the 22A and a High Standard Dura Matic. My 22A is by far the best shooter out of the bunch. Easy to add scope/red dot and supper easy to add different barrels. I put the target grips on mine with a Tru Glow red dot and a 7" barrel. After 3k rounds I have no complaints at all. The 22A makes for a better squirrel gun than the High Standard any day. And did I mention that S&W customer service is the best thats out there? Wouldn't get rid of mine for good money!

My high standard model 107 BLOWS the S&W out of the water.

I went back to the store I bought it to express my unhappiness, and they suggested I try and break it in a bit more, and they gave me a box of win wildcats to try with it. Hope I can make it work!

Steve

 

[nntw]

So, I found myself annoyed by the fact that any 22A is well over $300CDN up here- this with the two currencies almost at parity. I kept holding off, holding off....

Then I came across an ad for a Browning Challenger for $300.... and the store also had an S&W 17.

Next thing I knew, I'd ordered both of them!

So, we'll see how this works out!

 

[Capt Steve]

I've had my 22A, 7" for nearly 12 years and more rounds through it than I can count, but something north of 20K. It was cheap to buy, remains cheap to shoot and will eat anything. It was a tack driver right out of the box but have added target grips and a red dot sight just for grins. The trigger gets better with time and rounds down range (but was never bad to begin with). I cannot imagine more bang for the buck in a just plain fun plinker. A few dings after all these years but still a lot of fun to shoot. (o;