huntershooter
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Ordered a Mod. 22 last Fri. Anyone have any first hand experience with this revolver? I've owned several Mod. 25's and 625's, they were nice guns. Thanks.
S&W Mod. 22
- Thread starter huntershooter
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nitesite
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I bought mine in November last year. Overall quality is very good, the finish is more black than the deep rich bluing seen on Model 29s and 27s from the 50s and 60s. But I would say that the fit and finish is much better than several I've owned that were made in the 70's and 80's. Metallurgy and CNC has made some real strides in machining lately.
Strangely, they come with a pronounced turn line on the cylinder so the gun looks to have been fired when it actually hasn't.
The Magna grips are very nice looking. Although I like they way look on the gun I switched mine out after shooting it. They simply aren't large enough and don't allow me enough control because I shoot rapid fire and double-tap with mine. I'm sure the factory grips would be better for slow fire.
The chamber throats measured .451" on mine and all mic exactly the same. The timing is excellent on all six chambers and the DA trigger is heavy but smooth and getting better. The SA trigger is probably around 3-4 pounds and has almost zero take up or creep or overtravel.
It is reasonably accurate as far as grouping goes, and after building the first few hundred guns the sights seem to shoot dead on with 230-gr standard velocity ammo (the POA/POI is an issue with the earliest guns which shot WAY low to the sights). Mine shoots about 2-3" groups on my average days with WWB ball ammo at 20-yards. At 25-yards I normally shoot 4-5" groups offhand. The sights are a bit more coarse for me than I would like for finer bullseye shooting. But I bought mine to be a draw-and-shoot gun, rarely beyond 10-15 yards. It makes a wonderful revolver for nightstand use, plinking, hiking, and even CCW in cold weather.
It probably won't like lead (non-jacketed) bullets being shot out of it. The rifling is fairly shallow like stock 1911 barrels, etc which were designed to shoot jacketed bullets. If you want to shoot lead loads, a gun with broached or Ballard-type rifling will most likely shoot better.
Overall it has a nice balance with the weight further back in my hand than the full-underlugged stainless 625 adjustable sight revolver.
Here's a pic of mine. I'm keeping it!
Strangely, they come with a pronounced turn line on the cylinder so the gun looks to have been fired when it actually hasn't.
The Magna grips are very nice looking. Although I like they way look on the gun I switched mine out after shooting it. They simply aren't large enough and don't allow me enough control because I shoot rapid fire and double-tap with mine. I'm sure the factory grips would be better for slow fire.
The chamber throats measured .451" on mine and all mic exactly the same. The timing is excellent on all six chambers and the DA trigger is heavy but smooth and getting better. The SA trigger is probably around 3-4 pounds and has almost zero take up or creep or overtravel.
It is reasonably accurate as far as grouping goes, and after building the first few hundred guns the sights seem to shoot dead on with 230-gr standard velocity ammo (the POA/POI is an issue with the earliest guns which shot WAY low to the sights). Mine shoots about 2-3" groups on my average days with WWB ball ammo at 20-yards. At 25-yards I normally shoot 4-5" groups offhand. The sights are a bit more coarse for me than I would like for finer bullseye shooting. But I bought mine to be a draw-and-shoot gun, rarely beyond 10-15 yards. It makes a wonderful revolver for nightstand use, plinking, hiking, and even CCW in cold weather.
It probably won't like lead (non-jacketed) bullets being shot out of it. The rifling is fairly shallow like stock 1911 barrels, etc which were designed to shoot jacketed bullets. If you want to shoot lead loads, a gun with broached or Ballard-type rifling will most likely shoot better.
Overall it has a nice balance with the weight further back in my hand than the full-underlugged stainless 625 adjustable sight revolver.
Here's a pic of mine. I'm keeping it!
Invisible Swordsman
Member
I just picked mine up about three hours ago, and would pretty much echo everything Nitesite said (except I haven't shot mine yet). Mine also had the pronounced drag line. The other thing I noticed is that the double action trigger pull is much heavier than I expected. I won't know how that's going to affect shooting until I get out next week.
This was actually my second attempt. The first one that came in from the distributor had a badly canted barrel, a glaring defect that shoud never have left the factory. I didn't accept that one and had to wait for the distributor to send another one.
This was actually my second attempt. The first one that came in from the distributor had a badly canted barrel, a glaring defect that shoud never have left the factory. I didn't accept that one and had to wait for the distributor to send another one.
huntershooter
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I'm putting a Tyler grip adapter on mine for the reason you mentioned Nitesite. Thank you both for your input. It is encouraging. The heavy double action can be resolved.
nitesite
Member
huntershooter~
Here are a few more pics for you...
And my fave photo because the serial number of my Thunder Ranch Revolver Model 22 is...
Here are a few more pics for you...
And my fave photo because the serial number of my Thunder Ranch Revolver Model 22 is...
Eager
Member
Nice pics. I just ordered on in the 800 serial No. range, plus some moon clip junk.
I had to send mine back. The cylinder was hanging up, opening and closing. The ejector rod was the problem, but I couldn't get it any tighter. Not even using the proper tool that I borrowed from my gunsmith.
But I'm not discouraged. The TR mod 21 that I bought a while back has been a great gun.
But I'm not discouraged. The TR mod 21 that I bought a while back has been a great gun.
huntershooter
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Outstanding NS. Again ; my thanks.
My TR 22 has become my favorite revolver. I had S&W perform a Master Revolver Action Job on it and the trigger is sweet. Shoots to POA with standard 230 gr stuff. I like the way the gun handles, and the fit and finish on mine are very nice.
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