Mp 22 Pistol - Back in June, I wrote a whole post about my search for the ideal compact 22 pistol that could be paired with my new Silencerco Sparrow rimfire suppressor. Not particularly satisfied with any of the current production options, I ended up with the now discontinued and obscure S&W Model 2213. I've had more trigger time with the gun since I wrote that post, and it's ... well. It still doesn't scratch the Compact 22 itch.
What I was really looking for wasn't officially released for a few more months: the Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact. When I first heard about this gun, I wasn't particularly interested. I handled the full size M&P 22 that came out a few years ago and wasn't too impressed. The trigger isn't great and has a "toy-like" feel that I've complained about in other 22 gun reviews. Not surprisingly, production of the full-size M&P was contracted out to Walther, whose 22 pistols did not have a particularly robust reputation.
Mp 22 Pistol
Conversely, the new M&P 22 Compact is being produced in-house by Smith & Wesson and features a durable aluminum slide. That caught my attention. If you've watched many of the previous videos in the hall, you've probably noticed that I'm a big fan of the full-size, compact 9mm M&P pistols, so I feel right at home with the controls and layout of the M&P series. I could really use it if the 22 M&P was as good as the compact's central cousins. So let's see what we have...
Smith & Wesson M&p 22 Compact 22 Lr, 3.6\
Like most .22 LR pistols, the M&P 22 compact fires from 10-round magazines, two of which are included with the pistol. It lacks the interchangeable backstraps of the rest of the M&P centerfire double-stock pistols, but that detail is less critical in a light recoiling rimfire.
The sights are of the bland variety painted in white with three dots, but the back is perfectly suited for height and wind, which is always nice to see on the 22nd. I plan to black out the rear dots and I may replace the front sight with a red fiber optic sight from Dawson Precision. If not, I'll probably take advantage of the front accessory rail and try equipping it with little Crimson Trace Railmaster lasers because... "Pew Pew" laser beamz!
Speaking of “pew pew,” the M&P 22 Compact comes with a screw-down muzzle from the factory, which is covered by a barrel cap. This fact is easily missed if you don't look because Smith & Wesson failed to include any mention of a threaded barrel in the owner's manual, or they didn't provide the right size wrench to remove it. After much cursing and gnashing of teeth, I finally managed to wrestle the cap loose by modifying a small wrench I had with another screw gun.
You'll notice I didn't include close-up photos of the barrel cap, and what I had to do to remove it later wasn't exactly photogenic. It has since been replaced by a wall adapter, which is required if you want to attach a suppressor or other muzzle device. I ordered mine from EWK Arms to extend and convert the M&P's 3/8"x24 threads to a standard like 1/2"x28.
M&p 15 22: Upgrade It With The Right Accessories
Same form factor as compact centerfire M&Ps. The original compacts shared the same dimensions as the full-size M & P, just with a shorter barrel/slide and shorter grip. The 22 Compact, on the other hand, has the same proportions as the full size, but is 15% smaller in size. The end result is a gun that is much closer in size and feel to the single stock M&P Shield than any other M&P offering. At 15.3 ounces, it's a bit lighter than the Shield's 19 ounces, and I wish it was a few ounces heavier to help keep the sight steady for those long shots.
That said, I like the overall size. It's small enough to be used by people with very small hands, but the grip is long enough for the average person to get their entire finger on the board. The 3.56-inch barrel is long enough to provide a decent sight radius, but not too long for its light weight.
I'm not sure why rimfire pistols are always overloaded with unnecessary safety mechanisms, but the M&P 22 Compact is no exception. It features an ambidextrous manual thumb safety modeled after the optional thumb safety found on standard M&P pistols. It's large, easy to use, and unobtrusive, especially if you're using a 1911-style thumb safety.
That's not really a problem. I object to the magazine disconnect safety and the internal safety "lock" that uses a small key to disable the gun. I've already expressed my thoughts on the S&W revolver's internal lock, and I can't think of any reason why it would be more desirable in a semi-auto. As for the magazine disconnect, I think that really makes the gun
Prudent Pistol: .22 Handgun For The Farm (part 2) — Goats On The Go®
Safe If I'm going to dry fire a gun for practice, I don't want a magazine in the gun if possible. The requirement to present the magazine gives another opportunity for a round to inadvertently end up in the chamber when it's empty. But, you know...lawyers and stuff.
Well, lame safety features aside, I still think the M&P 22 Compact is a great little plinker, confirmed after taking it to the range. The trigger breaks at about 6 lbs, which is about the same size as the latest and more advanced centerfire M&P triggers. When handling and shooting the 22 compact, it's just that
Like the M&P, although they are a slightly different size than any of the existing pistols in the series. Accuracy wasn't bad either. As I mentioned in the Sig P938-22 review, these compact lightweight .22 LR pistols are no substitute for more traditional target pistols, but for what it's worth, I had no problems shooting inch-sized groups in the '20. Yards using match grade ammunition and bench rest.
When using the M&P 22 Compact as a self-defense training tool, my one complaint is the slide lock lever. Lefties will notice right away that it's not as ambidextrous as the original M&P pistols, but even as a right-handed user, I haven't found it particularly useful for reloads. The slide lock levers on my other M&P pistols were stiff at first, but all loosened up after the first few hundred rounds. The lever on the 22 Compact is a bit stiff out of the box – at this point I can't lower it past the slide lock without snapping several fingers. I think this is another point for advocates of the "power stroke" method of reloading.
Smith & Wesson M&p 22 Compact Semi Automatic Pistol 22 Long Rifle 3.56
Realistically, I'm less likely to use the M&P 22 Compact as a serious training tool for myself but more likely as a fun range gun and something for new shooters to start with. This means it is equipped with a suppressor that would normally look right at home in an M&P 22 Compact. Along with the Silencerco Sparrow, it's at least as quiet as any host of full-size rimfire suppressors I can recall. At least with the loads I've tried, I've found that the short barrel doesn't provide enough room for high-velocity 22 ammo to get the bullet to supersonic velocity, which means most factory ammo needs to be quieter and subsonic for suppressor users.
With the .22 LR still in limited supply, I didn't shoot a dozen bricks through the little M&P for review like I wanted to. However, I managed to salvage a few boxes from our warehouse's inventory of damaged boxes. I shot about 300 rounds of CCI mini-mags (after sifting through the shattered remains of the little CCI plastic boxes to find unidentifiable rounds) then a few magazines worth of Federal Champion Bulk Pack lead nose and some Eli subsonic hollowpoints.
Then, delving into the target-grade 22 supply I squirreled away for reviews, I tried each Federal Gold Medal UltraMatch and Wolf Match Target out of the box for accuracy, both with the excellent results I mentioned earlier. Without adding a couple drops of lube to the slide rails, the M&P 22 Compact ran 500 rounds out of the box with no damage to speak of — no small feat for a typical .22LR pistol.
If all this talk of 22 ammo makes you jealous, Smith & Wesson is coming to the rescue. For the next two months, when you buy an M&P 22 Compact, you can send them your receipt and get a free 222-round box of Winchester plinking ammo to go with it. But after you've burned it and you need to rebuild, don't forget who gave you the heads up. Among the most attractive recent offerings from Smith & Wesson is the M&P22 compact. This gun is similar to the Shield 9mm, but different in mechanics.
Smith & Wesson M&p .22 Pistol In Original Box
Smith & Wesson claims they have
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