S&W 422/622/2206 - Opinions and Experiences

TT1900

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As the title states, just wondering if anyone has experience with the 422/622/2206 line of S&W pistols. Positive or negative? I ran the search and came up with very little.

I'm looking to pick up an inexpensive plinker/learner/loaner gun that is durable, reliable, and not ammo sensitive. Mag compatibility with the Model 41 would be nice, but not at the expense of function.

Thanks,
 
ive got a 422 and a 622.
ive had them for...... 22 years?

nice pistols.
my daughters shoot them now and love them.
they where the first 22 pistols i ever purchased.
and the 41's mags work in them.

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I found a 422 at a swap meet about 7 years ago and it was one of my early handguns. It's performed super well over the years. The only time it's been picky is when it's fed hollow point ammo. But anything with rounded noses it eats just fine without any hiccups.

A couple of years later I found a sweet looking short barreled 2206 that looks just like wayupnorth's. The 422 being the longer 5 inch barrel version. After some early barrel leading issues it's been fine. And the barrel leading leads me to believe that it was never shot or shot very little. It was waiting for ME to break it in. It leaded up after a few hundred rounds exactly twice and since then it's been 100%. Other new guns from various makers have done the same thing to me from shooting bare lead. So I sort of figured it would be something that it "outgrew".

Just a few months back I completed the Triumvirate of Awesomeness with a Model 41. I am one happy rimfire camper since then.

If you should come across a 422, 622 or 2206 in nice shape I would not pass it by. These are superb and very reliable rimfire pistols. The ONLY downside is that the grip angle might not be for everyone. They do tend to have a fairly vertical angle. The grip is a touch more straight up and down then a 1911. But that's a "quirk" more than it is a shortcoming.

The 41 and the others do use the same magazine. But where the 41 has the more usual cross button latch the 422 family has a center button on the front strap. Some of the 41 "only" magazines have a latch slot which does not continue around the front of the magazine quite far enough to work with the center latch. But it's a simple matter to extend it with a careful touch of a Dremel and grinding disc or a needle file. Of the two I'd suggest the needle file since it give you more control. And then they work with either gun.
 
the 422/622/2206 that entire family has a cult like following in the states.
ive seen guys who have like 10 of them and they treat them better then their kids i swear!
 
wayupnorth - when I searched the forum yours was the only in depth post I found about the guns. Very helpful.

I have found reference on other sites that the takedown pin on top of the slide tends to break regularly. Any truth to this in your guys experiences? I see Brownells still carries some parts, but some critical pieces are not. Does S&W still support this gun? I don't mind having an orphan if I'm only shooting a box per month as a novelty, but a .22 is going to be run much harder.
 
I had a 622 I liked it, just don't shoot stingers or mini mags from it. Too hot for it.

I doubt S&W still supports this gun being the 2206 was the last model they made. Then moved onto the 22A series.

You best option is call warranty centers and see if they can still get parts. But might be SOL and forced to places like Numrich or Brownells if anything breaks.

Numrick still stocks alot of parts..

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Id probably buy another.
 
I've got 3.75 of the 422. the 0.75 representing parts from a dead 422 that was not registered, and the owner chose to dispose of - rather than give me the whole gun (too bad, cuz then I would have four of them). they are great guns, great to teach new shooters, and cheap to feed. A little bit odd to fully break down so i just don't bother, but very fun plinker and accurate. If you do buy older Model 41 mags, you will need to extend the magazine catch slot to make them work in the 422. easy to do with a jewelers file and 10 minutes of spare time.
 
wayupnorth - when I searched the forum yours was the only in depth post I found about the guns. Very helpful.

I have found reference on other sites that the takedown pin on top of the slide tends to break regularly. Any truth to this in your guys experiences? I see Brownells still carries some parts, but some critical pieces are not. Does S&W still support this gun? I don't mind having an orphan if I'm only shooting a box per month as a novelty, but a .22 is going to be run much harder.

ive never had anything break on mine and im not known for being gentle on my guns.
that said they didnt get used for many years as i picked up new and more shiny guns and the old ones collected dust.
now my kids shoot these so they are back in circulation again, but no breakage of any kind so far.
 
I have owned at least one for 20 years. Never had a part fail. Love the low barrel axis. I have had dozens of otber .22 pistols but they
all went down the road. Not ammo picky either. Usually need a good cleaning before the 500 rd mark to keep it running smoothly. Easy field strip.
 
Holster options?

If anyone knows of any quality holster options for the 2213/2214, I'd love to hear about it.
 
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