Considering S&W 22a as a trainer/money saver, questions

[LoneStarWings]

Hi,

.40 ammo is putting a dent in my budget, and I have about 4000 rounds of 22LR Winchester Super X High velocity hollowpoints sitting around that I'd like to shoot up.

I'm considering a 22a, particuraly this model with the 5.5" bull barrel and hi-viz front sight. Why? I guess you could call me a bit of a S&W fan since I have an M&P .40 and really like it. Maybe it's shallow, but I also like the way the 22a looks.

I realize it probably won't be the most reliable pistol, being an inexpensive .22, but I wouldn't mind the occasional failure as a training tool since it'd just be a plinker/target pistol. I've heard about the recoil buffers wearing out quick on these but I think I could bevel the grooves on the slide to limit that.

Any idea if the pistol would run okay on the winchester high-velocity HP's?

Is the bull barrel worth it on a .22?

How are the Hi-viz sights?

Also, will QRW rings work on this type of optics rail? I realize the W stands for weaver, but I just wanted to make sure.

 

[bensdad]

I've heard about the recoil buffers wearing out quick on these but I think I could bevel the grooves on the slide to limit that.

Then you're either a pretty good gunsmith, or a guy who's about to bunk up his new toy
Seriously, just call S&W and ask them to send you some new buffers. I burned through the three that came with the gun in a couple years of heavy shooting. They sent me new ones upon request.

Any idea if the pistol would run okay on the winchester high-velocity HP's?

I have no idea. The ammo/gun reliability relationship has never made sense to me. Why one gun likes a particular ammo and another doesn't is beyond me. My 22a feeds Fed. bulk just fine. It hates anything that isn't plated.

Is the bull barrel worth it on a .22?

Subjective

How are the Hi-viz sights?

Don't know. I put a red-dot on mine.

Also, is it possible to mount a picatinny rail on top of this thing so I can use a scope with QRW rings (that I also use on other guns)?

Don't know. I put a red-dot on mine.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Thanks for the reply, bensdad. I almost considered the smith model 41 but am hesitant to spend that much on a plinker and have heard that the high velocity ammo will damage it.

I think the 22A will be ok.

 

[seuss]

I have a 22A-1 and its the gun i shoot the most. Cheap, accurate and if something happened to it i wouldn't have a meltdown. Buy one throw a red dot on it and plink away. You'll get your moneys worth immediately.

 

[ArmedBear]

I realize it probably won't be the most reliable pistol, being an inexpensive .22

My 22/45 is the most reliable semiautomatic firearm I have ever fired. Doesn't need frequent cleaning, doesn't care what ammo you feed it. Match-grade accuracy, too.

Take a look at the Rugers.

 

[lions]

My dad had one of those when I was a kid, I didn't like it. It hated every kind of .22 ammo we could find. I also didn't care for the sight picture, that huge rear sight just didn't cut it for me. I would have to agree with armedbear and recommend a ruger. I just can't imagine liking the looks of that pistol but that is your problem.