Really thinking of buying the S&W 22A

[ThemBastards]

Are you guys fans? Enough accuracy to go squirrel or rabbit hunting?

[mala in se]

Solid, cheap .22 lr. only used it for target, but i imagine it could take out a squirrel easily. later, if you decide to upgrade to a model 41, the magazine are interchangeable.

[dedub]

I was thinking of buying one too until I rented one at On Target. Too uncomfortable to grip for me. For the record, I have a 92FS and a 1911, both of which I find very comfortable.

[srmc]

I would suggest trying before buying. The grip was too uncomfortable for me. I have a S&W 422 which handles better, and also like the Ruger 22/45 much better. I simply could not get accurate and consistent groups with the 22A and believe it was due to the lack of comfort.

[Ross]

I had one, got rid of it and chose to go with a MKIII Hunter.

I didn't care for it too much though the guy at work I sold it loves it.

[djleisure]

I have one. It's a fun plinker - good intro gun for any new shooters - eats any ammo I feed it. It is NOT good for training to use a "real" handgun though, because its mag release is in a weird spot on the front of the grip and there isn't a full slide (P22 or Mosquito for those things.) I got a sweet deal on mine (<$150) so that helped as well.

[2DoorImpala]

I have one and its awesome. It will eat anything but those POS golden bullets

[Peter.Steele]

I would suggest trying before buying. The grip was too uncomfortable for me. I have a S&W 422 which handles better, and also like the Ruger 22/45 much better. I simply could not get accurate and consistent groups with the 22A and believe it was due to the lack of comfort.

This. I like the 422 better as well.

[SalfromCal]

The S&W 22A is a great shooter, very easy to disassembly/reassembly for cleaning, the barrel comes off with the push of a button and also make this pistol a good choice for those "not mechanical inclined" or who can not comfortably take apart and put together other .22 pistols like the Ruger MKII/III. The reasons I got rid of my S&W 22A because I didn't like the recoil spring is very fragile and it bends very easy during assembly, is good to keep an spare one just in case it gets damaged. Also the pistol comes with two extra plastic recoil buffers in an envelope but you also need to keep few more of them because they wear out very quick specially if you shoot very often, S&W is aware of this and they will send you few of them for free if you request them. The last thing I didn't like is the magazine release, is on a odd spot, on the front of the grip, which seems like it could lead to unintentional ejection of the magazine; never happened to me but it did happen to my son while shooting. I now own a MKII Std and MKIII Hunter I'm very happy with them, no problems at all...

[ap1040]

Got one for my wife for Christmas last year when she asked for a 22. It was ether that or a Buckmark (I don't like Ruger 22 pistols, tried several and don't like the grip or the mags, that is just me).

The S&W is great for shooting paper, will be more accurate then the average shooter, is easy to clean and it breaks down without tools (I like this a lot). For grins I put a red dot scope on it a few times (it has a rail system) and had great fun getting very small groups.

Its not a target gun and will never be a collector, if you want an inexpensive shooting gun, its a great choice, if you want an investment grade gun go with something else.

Regarding the spring and the nylon buffers they can be issues, but I've not had to replace either yet on my wife's yet. The Browning Buckmark also has spring and nylon buffers in them BTW, just FYI. I have a Browning too but it cost a lot more then the S&W.

Turners is currently having a sale on the S&W this week BTW so can get a new one for a pretty good price.

[ArmyMedicMoose]

Turners has them on sell I think till thursday

[Longhill]

One feature I really like is the size of the sights, really big.
Twice the size of the 422.
From what I have read the magazines do not interchange with the 422 series.

[TYCONTEST]

The grip was too thick and uncomfortable for me. I ended up getting the Buckmark Camper. Grip feels great.

[brassburnz]

I have a 22A I picked up in a package deal from a friend. It was a good deal, otherwise, I never would have bought it. It's a very good plinking gun and I use it to introduce new shooters to our sport. Everything about it is OK, but not outstanding.

If you save up another $50 or so, you can get a Ruger 22/45. I've never owned one, but Rugers in general are very good guns.