Estimated studying time: 12 minutes
Smith & Wesson’s M&P22X brings full-size ergonomics, a crisp 3.5-pound set off, 20+1 capability, and suppressor-ready comfort to the .22 LR lane. We ran it with irons, a pink dot, and a can to see if this rimfire actually shoots laser flat and stays dependable.
Huge-Gun Really feel, Rimfire Prices, Actual Coaching Payoff
The Smith & Wesson M&P22X brings full-size ergonomics, a 20-round journal, a threaded barrel, and optic prepared slide to the rimfire area. This makes it a powerful choice for coaching, leisure capturing, and varmint management. Chambered in .22 LR, the 22X retains capturing prices low whereas providing a well-known guide of arms for shooters already invested within the M&P ecosystem.
Desk of contents
Huge-Gun Really feel, Rimfire Prices, Actual Coaching PayoffOut Of The Field: Every little thing You Want To Shoot TodayDesign And Ergonomics: Full-Dimension Management, Rimfire LightnessTrigger Efficiency: Clear Wall, Constructive ResetSights And Optics: Prepared For Irons Or Micro Crimson DotsMagazine Design: Actual 20+1 Capability With Minor QuirksAccessories And Rail: Construct A Night time Pleasant RimfireRange Outcomes: Ammo, Teams, And 100 Yard SteelSuppressed Capturing: Quiet, Enjoyable, And Predictably DirtyPrice And Worth: Optic Prepared, Suppressor Prepared, Priced RightSmith & Wesson M&P22X SpecificationsPros And ConsRelated Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
Out Of The Field: Every little thing You Want To Shoot As we speak
The Smith & Wesson M&P22X ships with every little thing wanted to rise up and working. Contained in the field are the pistol, two 20-round magazines, an optics cowl plate put in on the slide, and a threaded barrel adapter for mounting suppressors utilizing normal 1/2×28 threads. A wrench is included to put in or take away the adapter, permitting the pistol to be configured rapidly for suppressed or unsuppressed use.
Additionally included are the proprietor’s guide and normal security lock. The general presentation is easy and purposeful, with all of the essential elements. Contemplating the optic-ready slide and threaded barrel system, it’s nice to see Smith & Wesson embody the suppressor adapter relatively than making it an additional buy.
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Design And Ergonomics: Full-Dimension Management, Rimfire Lightness
The M&P22X makes use of a polymer body with a slim, full-size grip that carefully mirrors the texture of centerfire full-sized pistols. The grip is barely thinner than the M&P M2.0 sequence, however nonetheless gives practically full-size grip size. That permits for a constant, repeatable firing grip and makes the pistol a superb coaching software.
Grip texture is medium aggressive and strikes a superb steadiness between management and luxury. It secures the pistol in my hand with out changing into abrasive throughout longer vary periods. Mixed with the light-weight aluminum slide, the pistol shoots extraordinarily flat and has nearly no felt recoil.
Controls are intuitive and nicely positioned. The ambidextrous thumb security is constructive with out being overly stiff, and the reversible journal catch works equally nicely for left or right-handed shooters. Total, the ergonomics are nice and really feel very acquainted.
A very intelligent function is the threaded barrel design. As an alternative of extending threads previous the entrance of the slide, Smith & Wesson conceals the threads beneath a bushing and features a 1/2×28 adapter. With out the adapter put in, the pistol seems to be like a regular non-threaded handgun. While you wish to run a suppressor, the adapter installs securely and holds up completely via tons of of rounds. It’s a good design that works particularly nicely on a .22 LR platform.
Set off Efficiency: Clear Wall, Constructive Reset
The set off on the M&P22X is above common for a rimfire pistol. Take-up is clean, the wall is nicely outlined, and the break is clear with no felt creep. Reset is constructive, tactile, and lands proper again on the wall, making quick follow-up pictures simple. This pistol makes use of an inner hammer-fired working system, which contributes to the crisp set off really feel whereas maintaining the slide profile clear and streamlined.
Set off pull weight was measured constantly at 3.5 kilos. I feel that is higher than any of the opposite M&P centerfire pistols I personal, and it helps me squeeze out each little bit of accuracy I can from this technique.
Sights And Optics: Prepared For Irons Or Micro Crimson Dots
Out of the field, the M&P22X comes geared up with a blacked-out, serrated square-notch rear sight and a vivid inexperienced Hiviz LiteWave H3 fiber optic entrance sight. This is a perfect iron sight configuration in my eyes. The rear minimizes glare and distraction, whereas the entrance fiber optic is simple to select up in a variety of lighting circumstances.
The pistol is optic-ready and suitable with the most well-liked micro pink dots. One distinctive facet of the design is that the rear sight is retained by a screw from the underside of the slide. To mount an optic, each the optic plate cowl and the rear sight should be eliminated. This isn’t an issue, however it’s one thing to pay attention to when beginning the set up.
The optic reduce itself will not be significantly deep, however it paired extraordinarily nicely with a Vortex Defender CCW. The match allowed the entrance fiber optic sight to stay seen via the cutout within the optic housing. Whereas not as forgiving as conventional co-witnessed irons, it might completely work as an emergency aiming reference if wanted.
For shooters preferring irons or are nonetheless saving up for a pink dot, the manufacturing facility sights work very nicely and don’t really feel like an afterthought.
Journal Design: Actual 20+1 Capability With Minor Quirks
One of many greatest benefits of the M&P22X is its 20-round journal capability. In a market the place many .22 LR pistols are nonetheless restricted to 10 rounds, having as much as 20+1 on faucet retains capturing periods shifting. Additionally it is practically at all times higher to have extra rounds loaded and able to go. The magazines function slit sides, making it simple to visually verify and depend what number of rounds are loaded at a look.
There are a few quirks value noting. Initially, the magazines didn’t drop at no cost in any respect. Because the pistol wore in, empty magazines would finally drop free on their very own. Nevertheless, when loaded, magazines nonetheless have to be manually pulled from the gun. Additionally, loading 19 rounds into the journal was simple, however getting all 20 rounds in constantly required the stack to stagger good and didn’t at all times cooperate. These are minor inconveniences relatively than dealbreakers, however they’re value mentioning.
Equipment And Rail: Construct A Night time Pleasant Rimfire
The Picatinny rail provides versatility to the M&P22X. I configured mine with a Streamlight TLR VIR II, which turned the pistol into a superb nighttime varmint setup. Between the suppressor, weapon gentle, and optic-ready slide, the 22X is simple to configure for low-light or night time use round my farm. For shooters on the lookout for a rimfire pistol that may realistically function a nighttime pest management or coaching software, this rail provides significant worth.
Vary Outcomes: Ammo, Teams, And 100 Yard Metal
All through this assessment, I put tons of of rounds via the M&P22X. Nearly all of the ammunition used was 38-grain Aguila Tremendous Further provided by AmmunitionToGo.com. They’re the official ammo sponsor for this assessment and provide a big selection of competitively priced ammunition. Ordering was easy, delivery was quick, and the ammo arrived at my door inside the week. For these , they wrote an article on 22LR ballistics, which will be discovered utilizing the hyperlink.
The pistol ran nicely general, significantly with the Aguila ammunition I used to be utilizing. Accuracy was spectacular for a rimfire pistol, with five-round teams at 10 yards constantly hovering across the one-inch mark relying on ammunition. I consider the good set off actually helped me preserve these teams tight, the place most pistols make this tough. Outcomes proven within the desk under:
The set off, grip, and very flat recoil impulse make the pistol simple to shoot nicely. I used to be additionally in a position to obtain pretty constant hits at 100 yards on a C zone metal silhouette, which speaks to each the mechanical accuracy and shootability of the platform.
Suppressed Capturing: Quiet, Enjoyable, And Predictably Soiled
The M&P22X was shot extensively with a SilencerCo Sparrow suppressor. Suppressed efficiency was excellent general, and the pistol is completely listening to secure when shot suppressed. Many hundreds which are sometimes supersonic ended up capturing subsonic via the brief 4.1-inch barrel.
One factor that was not possible to disregard was the quantity of unburnt powder. I used to be continuously getting hit within the face with particles when capturing suppressed. Whereas that is widespread with suppressed .22 LR pistols, I don’t suggest capturing the M&P22X suppressed with out eye safety.
Across the 250-round mark of suppressed capturing, the pistol started to gum up and expertise occasional malfunctions. After a fast wipe down, it returned to working nicely for the rest of the session. This habits is typical for suppressed rimfire pistols, and the M&P22X seems to be no exception.
Value And Worth: Optic Prepared, Suppressor Prepared, Priced Proper
The Smith & Wesson M&P22X is a well-executed, feature-rich rimfire pistol that excels as a coaching gun and suppressed varmint choice. Full-size ergonomics, a genuinely good set off, 20-round magazines, and robust accuracy make it a straightforward advice for shooters who need greater than a primary plinker.
Whereas it may be used for competitors, quirks comparable to magazines not dropping free when loaded, issue constantly loading the complete 20 rounds, suppressed fouling, and the reciprocating slide make it lower than ultimate for match-focused use.
With an MSRP round $499 and avenue costs dipping as little as $400, the M&P22X is priced fairly for what it provides. An optic-ready slide, threaded barrel system, ambidextrous controls, and a standout set off give it stable worth in in the present day’s rimfire market. At its present avenue worth, it feels purpose-built, shoots extraordinarily nicely, and delivers precisely what most shooters need from a contemporary .22 LR pistol. Reasonably priced to shoot, simple to run nicely, and easily enjoyable.
Smith & Wesson M&P22X Specs
Professionals And Cons
Professionals: Full-size ergonomics, 3.5-pound crisp set off, 20+1 capability, optic-ready, threaded barrel with included 1/2×28 adapter, very flat capturing, sturdy accuracy, nice manufacturing facility sights. Cons: Magazines could not drop free when loaded, the final spherical will be tight to load, suppressed capturing will get soiled quick, and occasional fouling-related hiccups round 250 rounds.
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Mitchell Graf is a devoted hunter, aggressive shooter, and firearms fanatic. As a former teacher and president of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Group, he has a powerful basis in marksmanship and competitors capturing. Lately, he spends as a lot time as attainable chasing pigs and coyotes with night time imaginative and prescient and thermal optics.
When he’s not within the discipline or on the vary, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer within the Aerospace and Protection business and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether or not he’s behind a rifle, designing elements, or working the land, his drive for precision and efficiency stays the identical.
Expertise:– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time skilled within the Aerospace/Protection business.– Aggressive Shooter & Teacher – Former President and Teacher of Oklahoma State’s Sensible Capturing Group.– Night time Imaginative and prescient & Thermal Hunter – Obsessed with night time time predator and hog searching.– Half-Time Farmer – Working to supply for my household, and lift meals for this nice nation.
