Can the J frame in a 22 be made to fire as well as the bigger frames?
Well JJHACK, it just depends on what you consider 'as well as bigger frames'.
Now take a good S&W K frame .38. If left alone (no modification) and then you get say a &W 34 kit gun in .22 lr., and disassemble it:
1. hone the rebound slide and the frame where the slide moves back and forward
2. polish the inside of the rebound slide with a cratex tool
3. use a 1 lb less weight return spring (it fits in the rebound slide) Wolf makes them.
4. use a 1 lb less hammer spring (wolf springs)
5. hone the bolt stop where the trigger slides against it
6. hone the sides of the side plate that fit against the hammer and trigger
7. make sure the 'window' where the hand fits has no burrs (and if so use a window file to take them out.)
8. polish the hammer spring strut so there are no burs or rough spots
9. and use a very good grease, like Microlon, on the insides
Then you might get the .22 to have about the same action as the .38 K frame.
Of course if you do all the above on the K frame you will then have a real real good action!
And yes, I do those kinds of things to my S&Ws.
Deaf