The right ammo makes a difference

[DanGunner]

I have this affinity, or addiction, to older .22 semiautos (which is why I have two 70-year-old High Standard sport kings in jail right now). Anyway, some months ago I bought a S&W Model 422 target pistol in like-new condition but had been disappointed with accuracy and reliability. So today I took it to the range with several varieties of ammo. CCI Mini-Mags, my go-to favorite, were erratic in cycling and accuracy as usual, and some Remington sub-sonics wouldn't work at all. However, I fed it some CCI standard velocity and it worked perfectly, without a single hitch, for 150 rounds and was dead-on accurate to boot. Love it now.

[FNGGlock]

CCI SV has been surprisingly good for me. Runs my semi autos fine and way more accurate than HV stuff like mini mags. Not quite match grade accuracy though and has a few flyers at 100yds with a target rifle, but likely not noticeable in a pistol or normal rifle.

[Bullwinkle]

CCI Mini-Mags, my go-to favorite, were erratic in cycling and accuracy as usual,

Can I assume you mean "as usual for this one particular gun" (otherwise, why would it be your favorite)? Took me a while to figure out what you were really saying. My bad, but boy did it make me do a double-take!

[sofbak]

If you are just now "discovering" that 22lr gunz are ammo sensitive, yoy have NOT done your homework.

But glad tou found the solution for your 422.

[hermosabeach]

Match ammo was easy to find with mail order

Have you considered buying 3-4 brands of match and seeing if it makes a difference?

[Usmc0844spare]

I've run all kinds of "slightly high end match" ammo through my Kidd 10-22 (SK, Eley, and Wolf) and CCI SV is pretty much just as good as all of them.

Of course, all that really means is that my barrel likes CCI SV.

[Tank 57]

I pick up a couple bricks of CCI SV at Scheel's every year. Very solid performer.

I only have one rimfire handgun that I can't get acceptable accuracy from. I've got a beautiful 4 inch Colt Diamondback that will not group with any ammo. It's pretty to look at.

[sealocan]

Just in case you can't find CCI standard velocity or have to pay a premium for it ( It is quoted velocity from the factory at 1070 FPS with a bullet that's 40 grains), you might try "CCI Blazer
.22 rimfire long rifle" (the bulk box pack cheaper CCI stuff) and although it's their lower budget ammo it has a just slightly faster factory quoted velocity of 1145 FPS and the bullet weight of also 40 grains.

Of course you mileage may vary if your pistol doesn't function well with that approximate 75 FPS faster round.

[foothillman]

Been using CCI MiniMag in my 2206 and 422 with no issues.
The 2206 took more than 500rds before becoming reliable.
The 422 was good to go but picked up used.
I define 22LR reliable as 1-2 failure per 100
If you do not have a back up recoil guide plug get one.
Have broken 4, buy new only.

[newbie1234]

...
Have broken 4, buy new only.

Man, what you did ?????

[foothillman]

^^^
Dad helped me pick out my first.
Usually 200-300rds when out to the range so thousands of rounds.
New shooters love it...NO real recoil.
422 = 24oz Frame aluminum alloy, 22oz for shorter barrel.
2206 = 39oz Frame stainless steel.
Barrel very low on frame and weight = no muzzle flip.

The barrel is getting a little worn so picked up another low round count.
Will swap out once reliability or accuracy starts becoming a issue.
Surprisingly the firing pin has held up, do have N.O.S. parts stash.
Lucky that the parts are the same for 2206, 422 and 622





The slide must be harder than barrel.



Clean all my firearms after every range trip.
Been using Mobil 1 than used Delo once it came out.
Wear is minimal but nothing can be done with impact damage.