S&W M22 .45 Questions

[brizbane]

I am considering buying either a S & W M22 or M325, to join a couple of 1911s I already own. My reason for this purchase is that I want to standardize the ammo to .45 cal to simplify things.

I am not familiar at all with .45 revolvers and would like to know what the loading protocol is.

Are moon clips the only way to place rounds into the cylinder or can each round be loaded individually?

Also, this gun will be used for SD and range practice so would the M22 or M325 be the better choice?

Any significant differences between these two models?

Thanks. This is my first post at THR.

 

[FoMoGo]

I have the M22-4 Thunder Ranch.
If you use auto rim, you can individually load the cyls... but with the speed and ease of moonclips I see no reason to want to.
http://www.ezmoonclip.com/ Polymer moonclips for range use, way easy to moon and demoon.
The M22 is heavier, so it has less recoil.
I have no issues carrying the M22 CCW, but the 325 IS lighter.
If you are a target shooter and shoot long distance, the 325 has adjustable sights... and is easier to set up for the load you are shooting.
One reason I chose the M22 was the fixed sights, you wont have a rear sight damaged if it hits on something.
Which 325 are you looking at? The night guard, PD, or TRR?
I LOVE my M22 and think it is a great SD AND range gun.
The 3 revolvers I use for carry/SD/HD are all fixed sight models.


Jim

 

[bluetopper]

Moon clips are not necessary, just makes for faster ejection.

 

[FoMoGo]

Moon clips are not necessary, just makes for faster ejection.

True, some of the earlier .45 acp pistols dont headspace on the rim... the M22 does.
If you dont use moonclips you have to use a fingernail to pull the cases out or poke them out with something like a pencil.


Jim

 

[Master Blaster]

True, some of the earlier .45 acp pistols dont headspace on the rim... the M22 does.
If you dont use moonclips you have to use a fingernail to pull the cases out or poke them out with something like a pencil.

.45 acp headspaces on the case mouth as it has no rim. Moon clips were invented at first so .45 acp could be used in .45 colt revolvers already being produced by S&W and colt. Since about 1917 or so .45 acp revolvers have used moon clips to aid ejection, but the cylinders headspace rounds on the case mouth.

I have a model 22-4 made in 2006, it shoots great, and will fire .45 acp without moonclips, they are easier to extract with the moonclips but often when I am plinking I shoot them without the clips (dont feel like loading them) and use a dowel to tap out any that dont fall out.

 

[FoMoGo]

Some 625s have had reported issues on not headspacing on the case mouth, there are a few threads about it on the S&W forum.


Jim

 

[Oro]

There are other models you can check out, of course.

Among new ones, the 625JM, or the "classic" 25 in 3" that Lew Horton is distributing. The 22 comes in two variants, including a WWI reproduction (1917).

That Lew Horton model is nice, even if it is a lock gun:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=53940&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y


Among old ones, there are more varied 25 and 625 models with various barrel lengths, and "real" 1917s, etc.

I find range work and plinking more fun with an adjustable sight model. My fixed sight guns are fun, too, but not as enjoyable to me. Choose what works for you and you like the looks of.

 

[FoMoGo]

The Lew Horton is a beauty.
I think my next N frame has to be a 2"-3" barrel.


Jim

 

[krs]

I think my next N frame has to be a 2"-3" barrel.

JMO of course, but a 2" barreled N frame looks silly. It's TOO short and 3" is much better proportionally.

Besides that I think the only 2" .45 acp available is that performance center model with slabsided barrel and if you wore that thing to a barbeque people would look at you funny and talk about you behind your back. The kids would probly throw rocks at you too.

 

[FoMoGo]

Not really one that goes for looks first.
I am looking for a good packing large bore 6 shooter.
I am thinking an N frame round butt snubby with combat grips fits that pretty well.


Jim

 

[rishooter]

Oro-

I recently saw the 1917 version of the 22-4.I have a 22-4 TRR 1950 Model and I really like it.Why did S&W,with their penchant for changing model designations for every different screw change,give two completely different revolvers the same Model and dash #

 

[rishooter]

FoMo Go-

I just bought a Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrel and molded rubber grips with finger depressions.Absolutely on the money at 25 feet.

 

[FoMoGo]

Yea, we had a 4" in stainless... GREAT shooter.
The hole in the barrel was just a little too small...


Jim

 

[Oro]

The Lew Horton is a beauty.
I think my next N frame has to be a 2"-3" barrel.

Yeah, I agree with KRS, 3" (or 3.5") is the best looking length on a square butt N frame. They made, I think, only one gun with the 3.5" - the 27, from '35 to about '80 or so then made it 4" and dropped the 3.5". I waited a long time to make sure my 27 was 3.5". I wished they had made the "classics" 3.5", but 3" is still better than 4".

I have a guess as to why they made two versions of the 22. I think it was because when they brought the TR model out, there had been no other .45acp fixed-sight model since the early 60s, so they used the 22 name as the 1917 had back then. This was reasonable. But then when they decided to bring back a 1917, they had a problem! In essence, it's ok since they are on the same frame, same cylinder, etc., just different barrel lengths.