S&w 22a

[TxAggie94]

Does anyone have experience with a S&W 22A. I was looking at 22s today at two shops. Both had a 22A for $199. One had a Buckmark for $270, and everything else at both shops was $450+.

For the price, I might be willing to go with the S&W if its reliable and accurate. The only things I did not like about it was that it was heavier than the Buckmark Camper I compared it to; and it had a plain grip - I'd really like a molded grip. I assume that I could buy a grip later. The $270 Buckmark also had the plain grip - only the $450 ones had the molded.

Anyway, back to the point, why is the S&W so much less than the rest - is it still a good firearm. Or maybe I should be asking why the Rugers and Brownings were so expensive, since I've seen folks on here quoting $200-$250?

[omegapd]

I've got the S&W 22S, which is a steel version instead of the alloy. It's a great shooter. Accurate and reliable. Take down is a little bit of a pain (like most .22 handguns- ask the Ruger crowd) but for the money it's been an excellent gun.

And yes, you can find different grips for it. I've seen a few shaped like those big target grips that go on the S&W 41. I think they're in the S&W catalog.

EW

[bscman]

I've been thinking of buying one for a while now...researched it a bunch a few months back.

Seems like the general idea is the new ones are pretty good. Early models years ago had issues with alloy frames cracking, but that's not really any issue anymore.
The only other *issue* is that the buffers wear with time. S/W says they should last at least 2,500 rounds but some people say they don't. Either way, they come with three in the box and they'll send you more for free if you're nice when you talk to customer service

For the most parts I've heard they are pretty reliable, especially once you find the right ammo.

Other choices in the 200-250 price range would the the Beretta Neos and the Ruger 22/45.

[Brickboy240]

If you shoot XDs, 1911s or other centerfires with this grip angle and control placement, the Ruger 22-45 makes alot of sense. It feels very similar to your other pistols and is accurate and reliable.

I have had a 5.5" target model for over 10 years and still love the thing.

- Brickboy240

[Popa75]

I have an a22 that I am getting ready to send back. It does not eject 2 in 10 rounds and it is very frustrating and the gun always felt very cheap in my hands if that makes any sense but it is accurate as hell.

[TxAggie94]

Thanks for the input.

Popa75, does it seem to do this regardless of the brand of ammo you use?

I've read on other threads that some 22s seem to be fairly picky about what brand they feed it. My preference would be for a gun that eats any and everything I put in it. From what I've been reading, though, I'm not sure that gun exists in a 22

[joshs21]

I've got this version of the 22A http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...10&isFirearm=Y

It's the stainless slide model with the rubber target grips and hi-viz front sight. I've been really happy with it, it's a great shooter. It has been a little picky about ammo however. I had probably one FTE per magazine shooting the Remington golden bullets out of it, but I had the same problem with that ammo in my marlin. Other than that it eats everything without complaining.

I've got a friend who has the same gun but with the target grips similar to the model 41's. It's also a great shooter, and he has also not had any problems with his. I prefer my rubber grips, as his grips feel a little large in my medium sized hands.

[bscman]

Originally Posted by TxAggie94

I've read on other threads that some 22s seem to be fairly picky about what brand they feed it. My preference would be for a gun that eats any and everything I put in it. From what I've been reading, though, I'm not sure that gun exists in a 22

It is, indeed, the nature of the round.
Being a rimmed cartridge is it very difficult to get to feel properly in a traditional magazine. The rim causes all sorts of issues. Add to that, the cartridge has a very little chamber to enter--so there isn't much forgiveness if it doesn't feed at the exact perfect angle. Also, since most .22lr's are soft lead, they have a tendency to simple deform and stick rather than continue to slip into the chamber if the tip of the bullet accidently strikes the edge of the chamber while loading.

Semi-Auto 22 manufacturers have done just about everything they can to get it to work correctly (which is way there are so many .22 autos out there with uncomfortably goofy grip angles) but as you can imagine, there is less time spent fitting/finished a cheaper gun than a more expensive one.

Owning seven 22 rifles, a 17hmr rifle, and two older .22 handguns, I can tell you that at least 50% of the rimfires I come in contact with have needed a little "fluff and buff" or magazines tweaks to make reliable. It seems like the magazines are really the weak point for almost any .22 auto.

Plain and simple, just about every .22lr will jam occasionally. More so when they are dirty and/or new. You really need to experiment with all types of ammo, and pay close attention to firearm function...you may find something needing a slight tweak. You may find that shooting the heck out of it and keeping it clean is all that it needs.
My last Marlin Model 60 was the latter...it jammed like crazy when new. However, by the third outting I started to realize it was getting smoother and jamming less. By about 1,500 rounds it was working at least 99%. Now, several years later, I can't recall the last failure this model 60 has had...it's been flawless the last several trips.

From my experiences, Winchester Xpert's and Remington Golden Bullets are about the two absolute worst rounds you can try in a semi-auto...they seem to jam and deform more than any other round. Federal Champion #510's seem to work quite well in just about anything (and are about $11 per 500 to boot )

[Popa75]

Originally Posted by TxAggie94

Thanks for the input.

Popa75, does it seem to do this regardless of the brand of ammo you use?

I've read on other threads that some 22s seem to be fairly picky about what brand they feed it. My preference would be for a gun that eats any and everything I put in it. From what I've been reading, though, I'm not sure that gun exists in a 22

It does it with the six different types of ammo I have tried, at first I thought it just needed a break-in but it has thousands of rounds through it now so It is probably defective and im shure that S&W will take care of it as soon as I get a chance to send it in.

[caperman]

Hello folks, I just joined the forum. I purchased a S&W 22a in late March-took it to the range and had all kinds of problems: wouldn't feed, misfires, trigger wouldn't reset after cartridge loading, etc. Sent it back to dealer and obtained a replacement 1 week later. Took second pistol to the range and had a recurrence of all problems listed above. I had made aquaintance of range officer and asked for assistance. He brought five different brands of .22 lr to try in the weapon all with the same result. I subsequently returned this one also. Dealer advised that the two pistols were in serial number sequence and would return them to S&W as they appear to be from a bad batch. I am now waiting for a Browning Buckmaster.