Smith & Wesson 22A or 422

[Savage92]

I would like to know which is more reliable, accurate and just better overall, the new Smith & Wesson Model 22 or the Smith & Wesson 422.


Thanks

 

[wally]

Isn't there almost a factor of three or four difference in price or have I confused the 422 with something else?

I've only shot the M22A the one with the fluted 7.5" bull barrel. Its got a few quirks but its by far the iron sighted .22 I shoot the best.

--wally.

 

[brasskeeper]

of the two I prefer and own a 422 but I must admit that I own a model 41 and its better than the either one.

 

[doubletapp]

I have never shot the 22a, own the 422 and its a good shooter.
No failures, eats everything I feed it, my wife loves the gun!

I think it would be a bit harder to find a 422 because they are no longer produced.
Production dates: 1987-1996

 

[Savage92]

"Isn't there almost a factor of three or four difference in price or have I confused the 422 with something else?"

You must be thinking of the Smith & Wesson 41, the 422 was predecessor to the model 22. And I already have a Model 41, I would just like one of these to have a smaller lighter semi as well.

 

[wally]

Thanks for the clarification.

I really like my M22A. It had to go back to S&W initially but it has been great since its return. SInce S&W pays the shipping both ways its only a minor hassle if you get a bad one.

--wally.

 

[varoadking]

I bought a NIB blue 422 from - guessing - the '80's. It came with wood stocks but I have since picked up a set of black nylon grips from Numrich.

I like the 422 very much - had it to the range again today - except that the trigger is a bit stiff compared to my five MKII's with Volquartsen sears...

It is very lightweight and a great shooter. Glad I bought it...though I will admit that I have been considering a 22A as well...

 

[jakeswensonmt]

I have not owned a 22A, but I have used one. The gun shoots OK, trigger was so-so, accuracy was good, and it looks tacti-cool, but it sure felt flimsy in my hands. The slide release felt so thin and cheap I expected it to break anytime.

I have read reports of 22A frames breaking, and other reliability problems Some say (and allege that S&W also says) that the lifespan of the 22A may be only 6K-10K rounds, not much for a 22lr when you might burn a brick in a long day of plinking.

 

[Savage92]

I doubt Smith & Wesson would say that it has a lifespan of 6-10k rounds, they have a lifetime waranty and I bet most people would shoot more than a brick of ammo a year, so I'm thinkin that those people got a lemon and don't like S&W.

 

[akanotken]

I'm not voting as I don't have a 22a, but I've had my 422 for years and love it.

I'm thinking of suppressing it, there is a good bit of offset between the bore and sights, so it seems an excellent candidate.

But I don't know anything about the 22A.

 

[camsdaddy]

I am completely unfamiliar with the 442. I do own a 22A and have for sometime it stays in my truck and is shot whenever there is an oportunity I have no idea how many rounds have been through it but alot. I will admit that most of the rounds have been bulk ammo the rest velocitors and it doesnt get cleaned very often translated to almost never. It has worked flawless even dirty. I am very pleased many armodilos have gone on to the flowerbed in the sky along with more than a few rattlesnakes. It was well worth the price paid its fun, accurate, reliable.

 

[Halo is for Kids]

My vote is for 422

My extractor is worn from thousands of rounds so now I have to use high velocity 22lr until I get around to having it repaired. Still, it's been reliable for over 20 years now. ETA (My first gun BTW.)