S&W 22a

[dw149a]

I am interested in a .22LR semi auto pistol and was wondering if this is a "good" gun. Are they accurate, reliable, function well? I am comparing it to Ruger and Browning. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

[mschliebs]

It's a poor man's excuse for a S&W 41.

[morrcarr67]

It's a poor man's excuse for a S&W 41.

Most anything is a poor excuse for a S&W 41.

That being said they are very good guns. I friend of mine just bought one for his girls; 12 & 6, and they really like it. I think they've put about 1000 rounds through it with a few FTF's and FTE's. Overall they are happy with it.

[317cmbtengr]

I've had my 4" model for more than 10 years and have fired thousands of rounds through it. I always take it when I go shooting and as soon as I tire of sending expensive lead down range I pick it up and have fun. It is pretty accurate for it's price. It had a couple of problems, one was the nylon buffer that got hammered from using high velocity ammo, but as soon as I called S&W they sent me two replacements for free. The other problem was the rail that the barrel is attached to broke at the back where it connects to the lower, another call to S&W and they sent that piece for free also. It was an updated part that addressed the weak part. This is fantastic customer support for a pistol that I only paid $160 dollars for.

[92greenyj]

I just put one in jail today at Turners. 5.5" bull barrel. With their coupon cost me 290 out the door. I'll let ya know what I think in ten days

[mnh2obuff]

Mine is as accurate as my 22/45. The only issue is occasional jams on the first round with a full magazine. I only loaded 8 or 9 for a while, but the last time out I had not issues with full magazines. It might have been a "breaking in" sort of thing?

[Mail Clerk]

I am interested in a .22LR semi auto pistol and was wondering if this is a "good" gun. Are they accurate, reliable, function well? I am comparing it to Ruger and Browning. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

dw149a,

I have one of the target versions. There not bad pistols as it's much more accurate that I am holding it. It's clunky though and the target grips stink in my opinion. Your much better off getting the Ruger stainless steel target pistol. I prefer the tapered 6 " barrel with some good target grips. Browning is excellent too but you have to change the plastic bushing out every 500 rounds or the bold will start pounding the rear post.

Mail Clerk

[Annex138]

I just put one in jail today at Turners. 5.5" bull barrel. With their coupon cost me 290 out the door. I'll let ya know what I think in ten days

I did the same as you. Only 5 more days left for me.

[BSlacker]

I am comparing it to Ruger and Browning. Any thoughts?

They don't compare.
The Browning is a good pistol with a good aftermarket support with parts and people and a fine record in bullseye.
The Ruger is a known quality pistol. In free states it has good aftermarket support but in CA is lacks due too the sn being on the receiver not the frame. Barrel changes are difficult and are your only choice in CA for a barrel upgrade. Clarks will take your Ruger and make it shoot. Get a MKll if interested.
The 22a is a fine pistol that offers a entry level person a decent, accurate and reliable pistol for a low price. You have to like what it is out of the box. There is no reason to put 100.00 grips on a 180.00 dollar gun. So most of the grip companies have past it by. If the factory grips are ok for you then you go for it.
I have one with both barrels. The long barrel has a cheap scope and is a good shooter that goes with me every range trip. I try to shoot every week so it gets thousands of rounds a year. The short barrel has a cheap red dot and hardly ever gets shot.
I bought it used and after about 80k rounds the frame broke at the trigger pin going up to the slide rail. The breach end of the long barrel had receded so much that the slide hit the ramp and left a ding that caused jams. Called S&W they sent a return slip and after two weeks I got it back right at my door for free. New long barrel and frame with the same sn. They even put my modified rail on the new long barrel. I have never cleaned it I try not to shoot cheap/dirty bulk ammo. It never jams with SK Pistol Match and anything else I have tried. It has a little plastic recoil buffer that will need to be changed if you shot high velocity ammo otherwise it will be fine. You can get free ones from S&W just call them and have your sn handy they will send a couple. Brownell has them for a buck or two get a few and shipping will be more than the part and it is easy to change. It is easy to field strip. Barrel changes are quick and easy. But it isn't a Buckmark or Ruger. If it helps I have been a Ruger owner since 1959.

[JoeFaz]

I am interested in a .22LR semi auto pistol and was wondering if this is a "good" gun. Are they accurate, reliable, function well? I am comparing it to Ruger and Browning. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

I LOVE mine! Got it on G/B a couple years ago for an excellent price ($165 new!) and have never once had an issue with it. Never FTF or FTE, have fired numerous mags at rapid fire through actually trying to get some sort of malfunction and it has performed flawlessly thus far. Oh, did I mention the accuracuy of it? In a word, amazing. And I'm talking even out to 50 yards, draw from the hip and fire. I would not sell nor trade this for either of the other models you're considering.

[10101100]

I was thinking about buying one. And then I heard about how you have to replace some internal parts every couple thousand rounds or so (as recommended by SW). Some may have no problem with this, as it is not expensive to do, but I am a rugged, reliable, durable AK47 kinda guy where if I'm going to buy something I want it to function properly at all times no matter how much it has shot. Good price though. But for only a couple bucks more the neos seems to be a better option from beretta. To be honest that part replacement thing is the only issue i have with this gun. And that it's kind of ugly....

[BSlacker]

I was thinking about buying one. And then I heard about how you have to replace some internal parts every couple thousand rounds or so (as recommended by SW).

The gun will run without the little plastic buffer part. I think most people will want to clean or at least field strip and wipe down the gun after a few hundred rounds some clean after each session. The little plastic buffer comes out when you field strip it. The part is a slip fit onto the end of the recoil rod. I shoot standard velocity stuff below 1080fps and have thousands of rounds on my buffer. I don't even clean it just shoot clean ammo. If this stops you then you will be left out of a bunch of fun inexpensive guns.

[loose_electron]

No complaints with mine, its a lower cost plinker, yes.
Got mine with the larger wood grips, and it fires bulk ammo
without pain or problems.

There is a little plastic square in behind the recoil/slide
spring that they gave me some extras for. Got a few bricks thru
it and have not needed to replace it yet.

[92greenyj]

But for only a couple bucks more the neos seems to be a better option from beretta. To be honest that part replacement thing is the only issue i have with this gun. And that it's kind of ugly....

only issue there is that Beretta let the NEOS certification lapse. you can no longer buy them in CA. I know because that was what I had wanted originally but its now off roster.

[JoeinLA]

I have to poo poo the 22a. I have one and after just a couple of months and 5,000 rounds, the lower frame cracked in half. S&W took their sweet time with it, and I had to chase it down. S&W eventually replaced the lower frame, but it was a real hassle. After all the hassle and time of dealing with it, and being without it for 2 months, i didnt save anything over any of the slightly more expensive 22's out there.

Ive got one that I'd sell for cheap if anyone wants it, but i wouldnt feel good putting it up in the marketplace.