Materials used in the .22 Smith and Wesson models 22a and 22S?

[His lordship.]

Been thinking of eventually adding one of the Smith and Wesson model 22 pistols.  The cheaper ones are made out of "an alloy", and the more expensive ones are stainless steel according to the Smith and Wesson web site.  What do they mean by "alloy", is it aluminum, or pot metal?

Concerning the stainless steel, doesn't stainless slide/stainless frame rubbing contact have galling problems?

The cheaper model would be easier on my wallet, but not if the pistol has a much shorter life expectancy than a Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mk. 3.

Thanks.

[Old Syko]

An "alloy" is a combination of metals and other materials that are mixed together to attain certain properties of strength, weight, pliability, etc.  In this case the base metal used is aluminum.  My 22A has only seen around 6,000 rounds so far and hasn't worn out the first recoil buffer yet.  BTW the gun "new" comes with 1 installed and 2 spares in the box.  I've spoken to a guy on rimfire central who had at 1 time had 18,000 rounds through 1 with his most major problem being the sight rail screws comming loose.  Now this is the internet, and we can all choose to believe what we want, but 1 thing is for sure.  I'm glad I bought mine as it has served me well so far.  It was an inexpensive purchase that uses inexpensive ammo and is a lot of fun and great practice. 

[Keith L]

I consulted with the company that made the alloy frames for S&W about six years ago, and while I don't recall the exact alloy they used this foundry only made parts from aluminum alloys at that location.  I recall Smith to be a careful customer who required high quality from their suppliers.  While I don't own one (Buckmarks in this family) I wouldn't be afraid of one either.

[twentytwoAK]

Today, my 22A failed, in fact its the reason i joined this forum, to see if anyone else has had any problems.  Mine was a 1996 22A, I think.  Anyway, its the blued model, and definitely the alloy model should be skipped if you want to avoid the rear barrel stud from breaking after a mere 50,000 rounds or so...  I've been happy with it, its an accurate gun and I think I have gotten my $235 worth out of it... in fact, you have given me an idea, I was trying to figure out what to replace it with, and since I have the magazines, the red dot scope and a nice holster, I will buy the 22A again... no scratch that, I will buy a 22S, the stainless model.  Lets see if the stainless can survive one or two bricks a month for longer than ten years... its such a fun gun to shoot, and accurate too!  I have the 7 inch barrel, and it was good enough to get grouse and rabbits with a headshot every time.  Also, many soda cans were drilled using this gun... I am going to miss it.  Ya think the 22S is made more rugged?  I sure hope so. 

[coyotejoe]

If by "barrel stud" you mean the piece projecting downward from the barrel, I hardly see how you could blame the aluminum frame for that steel stud breaking off the steel barrel. Ship it back to S&W and they should repair it free of charge. Also you can buy accessory barrels for it.  I too have the 22A with 7" barrel and alloy frame and it is a tack driver with the Dr.Optic sight located over the original rear sight location. I chose the alloy frame because I could have the 7" barrel in a gun lighter than a 4" all steel gun. Alloy frames hold up very well in centerfire autos so I'd not be worried about a rimfire.

[BIG Dog454]

I have the 22S 7 inch, very accurate will out shoot a s&w 41 when I have a good day. It likes Federal cheap ammo best.  I've only put about 5000 rounds thru it.  If I don't clean it every 1000 rounds or so it seems to have a firing pin problem other then that no problems.  S&W replaced the firing pin free with a phone call.
Mike

















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[His lordship.]

The reason I was looking at the Smiths was that they would be different, light weight for hunting purposes and affordable. 

I was at my local gun shop the other day and they had two used ones, 22a, next to each other.
I usually get leery of a gun when I see a bunch of used ones together.  I have been seeing this with AR-15s, several of the guys I know who have bought an AR-15 felt bored with em' after awhile.  Shame to spend around $1,000 for a gun that could bore a shooter.  I think the reason they are so popular is that we see them on the news everyday in Iraq and they look cool.

I would really like a Smith model 41, the price tag is just too high on those. 

[greener]

After not shooting for a very long time, as part of my mid-life crisis, I bought a 22A to see if wanted to start shooting again.  I liked the 22A better than two Rugers I tried and thought that at the price, it would be a good (re)starter gun.  I've bought other pistols and revolvers since then and have slowed down on the amount of ammo through the 22A.  I liked the way the 5.5" barrel shot and just added a 7" barrel, which is even sweater.  For all the questions about quality, the pistol has held up for about 9k rounds and if it had a better shooter would be a tack driver with standard velocity ammo.  I haven't seen any significant wear on the "alloy" parts.  Besides, if S&W keeps their life-time warranty, when it breaks they can fix it.  So far it shoots nicely and has had almost no problems with loading and firing ammo that wasn't related to the ammo.  I thought that when I bought other pistols, the 22a would be relegated to trade status or be back in the case.  It shoots well enough and reliably enough that that just hasn't happened. 

[tomf52]

Don't worry about the aluminum alloy frame on the 22A. One of Smith's most widely used law enforcement models, the 3913 in 9MM also has an alloy frame and it is an almost indestructible gun. I doubt in rimfire it will ever wear out. Mine has only about 3000 rounds through it and has had no issues.

[greener]

I agree with tomf52, I don't think you are going to see any problems with the alloy frame on the 22A.  I haven't in 9k rounds.  If you start seeing problems, by reputation and my experience S&W will address them.  I've sent the 22A to S&W for something I should have fixed (firing pin) and an M&P9 back to fix a manufacturing flaw.  Both were done without charge, even shipping and were fixed quickly.  The only problems I've had with S&W's customer service is, either by email or phone call, to get them to discuss the question instead of here is how you ship it to us free and we will take a look at it.  That may be a combination of honoring their warranty and legal advice to avoid being sued over advice. 

At 15 months and 9k rounds I haven't seen any indications of problems with materials of construction or the quality of the pistol.  In hindsight, I think the firing pin problem may have been related to how I was cleaning, or not cleaning the pistol.  If you pay attention to cleaning the pistol it will function without problems.  Mine shoots very well with standard velocity ammo and not quite as accurately with high velocity ammo. 

[jcn59]

A friend had one of these and there is a small tab (pot metal of some sort) that rises vertically from the rear of the frame under the slide, WHICH BROKE OFF after some use.  The gun didn't seem to care so we shot it another year or two, & finally traded it for a SS Ruger MK II something.

The gun was accurate and a good value for the money.

[sparkyjan14]

Another vote for the 22a   absolutely great gun.

[greener]

My Walther P22 was returned Monday from repairs for a badly gouged slide at less than 1k rounds.  I called S&W to discuss their return comment that the wear was normal.  When I mentioned that my 22A hasn't shown wear like that in 12k rounds the response was that the 22A was made of much better materials and I shouldn't see similar wear on the 22A.  It was a much better-made pistol.