Soliciting opinions on the S&W Mod. 422

[smitholdtimer]

This has wooden stocks, adjustable sights and the steel frame, anyone have any experience with these as far as quality of manufacturing, reliability and any comments relevant to the model. Thanks for your input.

 

[mlk18]

One of the best .22lr pistols ever made and discontinuing them was one of the worst decisions S&W ever made. I have owned a few 422's and 622's and every one was accurate, reliable and just plain fun.

 

[handgunner356]

The only downside I ever saw was they seemed too light weight. The 422 and 622 were alloy frames, I always preferred the 2206 that was the heavier all steel model.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I wouldn't have one of those

I have owned two other #422's but still have these seven. They are addictive handguns.

 

[smitholdtimer]

S&W Mod. 422

Thanks for the replies, sounds as though you all would recommend one or buy one if the opportunity presented its self. The pistol I saw looks exactly like the one on the bottom left in the photo. The owner stated that this was a steel frame as opposed to the alloy frame. Since I'm an old revolver guy I'm not familiar with this model but did learn that a Mod. 41 Magazine would fit this pistol. Are those other M-422's stainless? Or are they another Model such as the 622 or 2206? Thank you all for educating me.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Only the #2206 series had steel frames, and they were stainless steel. The #422/622/2213/2214 model pistols had alloy frames. This is my 4.5" barrel, FS, #2206.

This is my 6" barrel, AS, #2206

It has been nearly thirty years since I owned a S&W #41, so I never got to try to interchange the magazines, but I have read that they do.

These models are fine pistols, it is a shame they were discontinued. These guns bring big money in my area, when and if they come up for sale. Not many do. The #422 does suffer from having a fragile finish. Stuffing one in and out of a holster will wear the finish off all the sharp edges (and there are many) in a short while. I did so to my original pair of #422's. The one in the photo has never seen a holster. I prefer the stainless guns for toting around, though much heavier than the alloy framed guns.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Colby Bruce You are entirely correct!

After making a thorough investigation with a magnet, the 422 is, in fact, an alloy frame so I'm a little disappointed. Have heard that the alloy frame was fragile and did give some function problems. Am a little confused by the appearance of the other 422's in your photograph. They appear as "Stainless" but you do state that the lot is all alloy frames and that only the 2206 employed the steel frame. You mentioned that the 422 pistols bring premium prices in your area, will you share the approximate value of one just like the bottom left example in the photo wearing walnut stocks and having adjustable sights? Shows no signs of having been fired but is without box, paperwork or anything that would have been sold with a new 422. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge of this pistol.

 

[handgunner356]

There isn't any problem with the alloy frames, they hold up just fine with the .22LR. The 622 was the same gun, just a silver finish and stainless slide. I just prefer a little more heft to my gun so I always liked the 2206 better. I thought the 422/622 would make a good gun for a younger or small shooter that had trouble with a heavier gun.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Here is a slightly better photo to compare the #622's to the #2206 so you can see the difference in the finishes.

Pristine examples of these models, with boxes and papers, depending upon the configuration, $350.00 to $450.00+ at local gunshows. The #622 also came in a vent rib configuration, the #2206 was offered in a target version, and the #2214 had a limited run in brushed nickel. The pocket model in the photo with six pistols is one of those.

I would expect to pay $300.00 or so for the gun you are interested in, with one mag, no box or papers, around here. A #422 with a poor finish will bring much less.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Colby Bruce, handgunner356 & mlk18

Thank you all for the information you provided, the patience you exhibited and the sharing you have done regarding the M-422,622, 2206, 2213 & 2214 line of Semi-Auto Smiths. The prices seem in line with what I've seen in this area. I'm on the lookout for a nice 2206 and you never know when there will be one at the next show or gun store you visit. I feel better prepared to shop now and that is because of the help you have provided, thanks again!!!!

 

[yellowf4]

After making a thorough investigation with a magnet, the 422 is, in fact, an alloy frame so I'm a little disappointed. Have heard that the alloy frame was fragile and did give some function problems. Am a little confused by the appearance of the other 422's in your photograph.

Typically "6" with S&W means stainless or nickel finish. Examples 686, 629, 622, 642, etc (stainless or nickeled finishes). "5" and "4" is commonly used for blued or black finishes. examples are 586, 422, 442, etc. but not always. The blued version of the 66 is a model 19...lol!

I worked in a local shop for 15 years and not only do I own a 622, 422 and a 2206.....I've sold TONS of them. S&W neverused cheap materials and you should rarely if ever see an issue with the allow framed weapons, but if you do....send it back to them. They have lifetime warranty and gladly repair free of charge anything that goes wrong in most cases. I have put well over 40k rounds through the 622 and have never had an issue with it.

Make sure you keep an empty 22 case for disassebly if you didn't get the red "t" shaped piece that came with the gun.

Jp

 

[yellowf4]

They will also go through the gun for you if you are concerned about the safety of it....

 

[maggie]

I was told to watch the dry fires, so I bought spare firing pins. I think Smith quit making them also.