Smith and Wesson 622/422 semi-auto .22 pistols?

[His lordship.]

Picked up an older book on disassembling pistols today and saw a gun I once shot in the early 1990's.  I had forgotten about the Smith and Wesson 422-622 series semi-auto pistols in .22 rimfire, there is not much info on the internet for these.  The one I shot was a rental and it jammed alot, but it was very dirty, so I figured that was the problem.  One person on the internet said they were ammo sensitive. 

Does anyone know the story on these as I don't see them around anymore and they used to be at the gun shows in large numbers.  It must have been a short production run?  The few used ones for sale are pretty affordable.

Thanks.   

[Hammerdown]

Hello Chris
The S&W 422 & 622 were the Light weight versions of the more affordable Semi-Auto .22 Pistols that S&W Offered. They had an aluminum frame and came with a 10 or 12 shot magazine that Interchanged with the much more expensive model 41 Target Pistols in .22 LR. These Pistols were single action only and came with a 4-1/2" or a 6' Barrel and were told to be an Improved version of the Older Model 61 escorsts from the early 1970's time span. They have an under barrel design like the 61's and 41's have as well. They made Two models of them one being the fixed sighted field model and the other being a target model with adjustable sights. These were made from 1987-1997 time span. The early ones were made in the Springfield Plant, then later ones came from The New Houlton, Maine plant that was constructed to produce these at a faster rate. When they were discontinued in 1997 they were replaced with the model 22-A which is still being made in Houlton. They are not difficult to dissasemble, but a video has been made to show how to take one down to clean it and a link of that video is below. The reason you do not see many for sale in my opinion is that the guy's that own them like their accuracy and they are very reliable if kept clean, so most that bought them still have them. They are a great Little Plinker and I have one of the First year models as shown that was built in Springfield with a 4-1/2" Barrel that is a Pure Tack driver.... Hammerdown




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAEB1L2s_N0

[gunblade]

They also made an all steel model...the 2206 I believe.  Some came with adjustable sights, some fixed. 

[Hammerdown]

They also made an all steel model...the 2206 I believe.  Some came with adjustable sights, some fixed. 

Yup... And a Model 2213 & 2214 Both with 3" Barrels and fixed sights, But I left them out as this thread pertains to the 422 & 622...

[mattmillerrx]

These have been catching my eye as well.  I prefer the weight of the 2206 but have not found one in that made it home with me,yet.

[DANNY-L]

I've got a 422 bought it used about 7yrs ago I've never had a problem with it and it has worked with any ammo I've put in it. Its very light so you dont even know you are carrying it. My brother has the 622 he bought new and has never had a problem either.

[Hammerdown]

I've got a 422 bought it used about 7yrs ago I've never had a problem with it and it has worked with any ammo I've put in it. Its very light so you dont even know you are carrying it. My brother has the 622 he bought new and has never had a problem either.

Hello Danny
I have not heard of any complaints from any of the Owner's of the 422's, 622's or for the fact of that matter here, on  the 2213's, 2214's and the stainless cousin the 2206 either. I feel sales were very strong on these back when they were available and that fact alone may have Hindered the sale totals of their Famous Model 41 .22 semi-auto Target Pistols. I have one of the 41's and can say the Only real difference I can see is a Little better trigger Pull on the 41's as the cheaper priced 422's, 622's, 2213's. 2214's and the 2206 all seem to have very stiff trigger Pulls. I have had my 422 worked on as far as the trigger goes and it now seems to shoot every Bit as Tight as far as Groups go as my model 41 so long as I do my Part...I Like the Under Barrel design that these Pistols have as it seems to Balance them out Nicely...

[dla]

Picked up an older book on disassembling pistols today and saw a gun I once shot in the early 1990's.  I had forgotten about the Smith and Wesson 422-622 series semi-auto pistols in .22 rimfire, there is not much info on the internet for these.  The one I shot was a rental and it jammed alot, but it was very dirty, so I figured that was the problem.  One person on the internet said they were ammo sensitive. 

Does anyone know the story on these as I don't see them around anymore and they used to be at the gun shows in large numbers.  It must have been a short production run?  The few used ones for sale are pretty affordable.

Thanks.   

Great little pistol. I have a 622 (6" barrel, stainless). Smoothed up the trigger a little, runs great. Very reliable. Eventually will get so dirty that it will stop running, but that takes at least a brick. Hose it out with your favorite cleaner and it is good to go. Plenty accurate. Magazines will rust pretty quickly and the frame panel screws should get locktite blue to keep the top one by the thumb safety from getting lost. I recommend changing the recoil spring after a couple thousand rounds or when it starts flinging cases in your face.

I don't know why S&W discontinued it, but that was back in the bad-old-years when S&W turned out a new model a minute.