New S&W 22a!

sell33 · 10-03-2009, 04:43 PM

As the title says, i just picked up a 22a. It is the 5.5 inch barrel model, two tone with the rubber/plastic grips. it is actually used but i don't think it was hardly ever shot. the guy i bought it off of said literally 4-5 rounds through it and i believe him. it is in mint condition and i stripped it to find basically zero dirt. I have been wantin a target/plinker and this just kinda fell into my hands at a gun show. i sold a shotgun and about 5 minutes later saw a guy with a smith box in his hand and it had exactly what i was lookin for in it. i have heard great things about the accuracy of these guns so i will go give her a run through here in a bit! I will also probably use this to run a trap line this winter...well see. debating mounting a red dot but for a trap line i think i may not want it just because idk if i will be able to find a holster to fit it. who knows i haven't really looked yet. guess i need to do some research. but first.. need to go try her out with the irons. hopefully i can keep the groups tight. I have been shootin my glock a lot lately bein in the academy so im hoping i can group this well too.

HEMI · 10-03-2009, 07:41 PM

Great gun. You will love it and it will soon be your favorite fun gun.

sell33 · 10-03-2009, 08:40 PM

Well i shot it today just plinkin around...didn't have time to get to the range. but i already love it. i can't believe how clean and crisp that trigger is being factory..its just amazing. i hope to get to punch some paper tomorrow and see how she does. i am already pretty sure a red dot is in the near future though, those factory sights are just not very good. unless i can find aftermarket tru glo or some sort of hi viz i will be gettin a scope or red dot.

anyone have suggestions as to aftermarket sights?

ironhead7544 · 10-04-2009, 07:24 AM

Ive had my 22S for 10 years now. Great sights and the trigger broke in to be better than out of the box. I think it got the best sights out there. Easy to mount a scope with the built in rail. Very accurate. When I think my pistol skills are going bad, I pull out the 22S and it makes me feel better. With a scope off a rest Ive managed 1 inch groups at 50 yards with the preferred ammo. Best buy for the money. Just my .02.

HEMI · 10-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Yup

MLN1963 · 10-04-2009, 08:27 PM

I bought my son a 22A for his 13th birthday. It's the camo 5.5" bull barrel Real Tree All Purpose Green model. I think these are fantastic little guns. They are woefully underrated IMO. I also have Ruger and Browning 22s for plinking. They are all great guns and lots of fun to shoot.

I put a cheap red dot sight on the 22A and it groups very well. I honestly don't think the more expensive Ruger or Browning would do any better with the same red dot sight.

sell33 · 10-04-2009, 11:47 PM

^^Yep that looks just like mine other than the camo of course. mine is the black with gray trigger guard/frame. black grip still black barrel. love it so far. no range report yet though...hopefully tomorrow

sell33 · 10-05-2009, 06:13 PM

well i stuck a cheap red dot on it today and hit the range..groups at 25 yards (10 shot) were right around an inch. im happy with it so far. and thats only the first try on ammo. good things to come.

MLN1963 · 10-05-2009, 06:23 PM

I can tell you from experience that I have a high failure to fire rate with Remington Golden Bullet 550 pack ammo from Wal Mart in the 22A. If you can avoid those I would. I usually have 1-2 failures per magazine (10-20%). The same rounds are MUCH more reliable in my Ruger MKIII and Browning Buck Mark. I attribute this to the sharp chisel point on the 22A's firing pin. Some day I'm going to try file it flat like the Ruger and see if that helps or hinders firing.

sell33 · 10-05-2009, 06:40 PM

hmm thanks for the advice. so far i shot a few federal bulk pack..just plinking idk how they would have grouped, and a few remington vipers just plinking again. the only ammo i had at the range (well that i had time to shoot) was eley sport. i have never shot it before and it functioned fine with the exception of one fte...i think it was just getting dirty after a hundred rounds. not sure. but it grouped well

M14man · 10-05-2009, 07:07 PM

Mine looks like yours sell33, and it always has functioned perfectly. I also like my Ruger MK1. Great shooting guns.

MLN1963 · 10-05-2009, 08:06 PM

The RGB group pretty good for cheap bulk ammo. I think they are a little tighter grouping than the Federal 550 packs, although only slightly. The Federal has been very reliable in all my .22s. I have some Aguilla stuff I'm trying now and it is possibly a little better but not significantly so. I have more Aguilla target ammo coming and hope that is better. Since I just like to punch holes in paper for fun I don't buy the expensive stuff.

sell33 · 10-05-2009, 11:42 PM

yeah i have never bought expensive stuff because i usually burn through it pretty quick. this eley sport i bought is the most expensive bulk 22 i have ever bought, but the gun shop i was at didn't have bulk federal in or i woulda gotten that. i have had bad experiences with both winchester and remington bulk so now i stay away from them. although the eley was a bit more expensive i want to hunt with it so im glad its very accrate!

btw the only bulk federals they had were a 31 grain bullet...i have never even seen those one. anyone have experience with them in anything???

MLN1963 · 10-06-2009, 07:46 AM

Those 31 gr bullets, are they hyper velocity rounds? l don't shoot any of those in our 22A because of the aluminum frame. I don't remember if the manual says to stay away from them or not?

sell33 · 10-06-2009, 10:45 PM

hmm idk? ill have to look. i wouldn't mind trying. i shot a mag of those remingtons that are hyper velocity without a hitch but if thats a no no ill stop lol. i think those federals i saw were hyper but i havent ever seen hyper velocities in a bulk pack like that i don't think. idk. i just know ive never seen them before.

big boomer · 10-06-2009, 10:57 PM

They claim they shoot as good as the old S&W 41's at alot less money.

sell33 · 10-06-2009, 11:03 PM

Hope so ha. im happy with mine so far and i have only grouped one ammo. the eley sports are groupin right around an inch at 25 yds. 10 shot groups. im happy with that as a starting point

MLN1963 · 10-07-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sell33

Hope so ha. im happy with mine so far and i have only grouped one ammo. the eley sports are groupin right around an inch at 25 yds. 10 shot groups. im happy with that as a starting point

I've never seen Eley bulk ammo. Can you post a picture of the box. Where did you get it and what did it cost? I have about 15K rounds of various ammo so I shouldn't even be thinking about buying more. But you know what they say. You can never have enough ammo. Unless your house is on fire!

sell33 · 10-07-2009, 10:16 AM

um the box isnt with me atm but its basically just a case of 50 round boxes that my local shop was selling as bulk...500 rounds was 32.99. its a purple box just says Eley Sport on the side. so far i love it. one jam so far but it was late in a shooting session so i blame the dirty gun...who knows. ill get a picture of it when i can.

M14man · 10-07-2009, 11:03 AM

Sell33,
The term "bulk" is usually referred to as the ammo that is loose packed, 300-600 rds per container. Eley Sport is just their bargain brand but is packed as most in 50 rd boxes in the plastic sleeve.

10-03-2009, 04:43 PM	#1
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	New S&W 22a! As the title says, i just picked up a 22a. It is the 5.5 inch barrel model, two tone with the rubber/plastic grips. it is actually used but i don't think it was hardly ever shot. the guy i bought it off of said literally 4-5 rounds through it and i believe him. it is in mint condition and i stripped it to find basically zero dirt. I have been wantin a target/plinker and this just kinda fell into my hands at a gun show. i sold a shotgun and about 5 minutes later saw a guy with a smith box in his hand and it had exactly what i was lookin for in it. i have heard great things about the accuracy of these guns so i will go give her a run through here in a bit! I will also probably use this to run a trap line this winter...well see. debating mounting a red dot but for a trap line i think i may not want it just because idk if i will be able to find a holster to fit it. who knows i haven't really looked yet. guess i need to do some research. but first.. need to go try her out with the irons. hopefully i can keep the groups tight. I have been shootin my glock a lot lately bein in the academy so im hoping i can group this well too.

10-04-2009, 08:27 PM	#6
MLN1963 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW OK Posts: 126	I bought my son a 22A for his 13th birthday. It's the camo 5.5" bull barrel Real Tree All Purpose Green model. I think these are fantastic little guns. They are woefully underrated IMO. I also have Ruger and Browning 22s for plinking. They are all great guns and lots of fun to shoot. I put a cheap red dot sight on the 22A and it groups very well. I honestly don't think the more expensive Ruger or Browning would do any better with the same red dot sight. Last edited by MLN1963; 10-05-2009 at 08:07 AM.

10-03-2009, 07:41 PM	#2
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,180	Great gun. You will love it and it will soon be your favorite fun gun.

10-03-2009, 08:40 PM	#3
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	Well i shot it today just plinkin around...didn't have time to get to the range. but i already love it. i can't believe how clean and crisp that trigger is being factory..its just amazing. i hope to get to punch some paper tomorrow and see how she does. i am already pretty sure a red dot is in the near future though, those factory sights are just not very good. unless i can find aftermarket tru glo or some sort of hi viz i will be gettin a scope or red dot. anyone have suggestions as to aftermarket sights?

10-04-2009, 07:24 AM	#4
ironhead7544 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 252	Ive had my 22S for 10 years now. Great sights and the trigger broke in to be better than out of the box. I think it got the best sights out there. Easy to mount a scope with the built in rail. Very accurate. When I think my pistol skills are going bad, I pull out the 22S and it makes me feel better. With a scope off a rest Ive managed 1 inch groups at 50 yards with the preferred ammo. Best buy for the money. Just my .02.

10-04-2009, 05:39 PM	#5
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,180	Yup

10-04-2009, 11:47 PM	#7
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	^^Yep that looks just like mine other than the camo of course. mine is the black with gray trigger guard/frame. black grip still black barrel. love it so far. no range report yet though...hopefully tomorrow

10-05-2009, 06:13 PM	#8
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	well i stuck a cheap red dot on it today and hit the range..groups at 25 yards (10 shot) were right around an inch. im happy with it so far. and thats only the first try on ammo. good things to come.

10-05-2009, 06:23 PM	#9
MLN1963 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW OK Posts: 126	I can tell you from experience that I have a high failure to fire rate with Remington Golden Bullet 550 pack ammo from Wal Mart in the 22A. If you can avoid those I would. I usually have 1-2 failures per magazine (10-20%). The same rounds are MUCH more reliable in my Ruger MKIII and Browning Buck Mark. I attribute this to the sharp chisel point on the 22A's firing pin. Some day I'm going to try file it flat like the Ruger and see if that helps or hinders firing.

10-05-2009, 06:40 PM	#10
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	hmm thanks for the advice. so far i shot a few federal bulk pack..just plinking idk how they would have grouped, and a few remington vipers just plinking again. the only ammo i had at the range (well that i had time to shoot) was eley sport. i have never shot it before and it functioned fine with the exception of one fte...i think it was just getting dirty after a hundred rounds. not sure. but it grouped well

10-05-2009, 07:07 PM	#11
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 1,162 Images: 10	Mine looks like yours sell33, and it always has functioned perfectly. I also like my Ruger MK1. Great shooting guns.

10-05-2009, 08:06 PM	#12
MLN1963 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW OK Posts: 126	The RGB group pretty good for cheap bulk ammo. I think they are a little tighter grouping than the Federal 550 packs, although only slightly. The Federal has been very reliable in all my .22s. I have some Aguilla stuff I'm trying now and it is possibly a little better but not significantly so. I have more Aguilla target ammo coming and hope that is better. Since I just like to punch holes in paper for fun I don't buy the expensive stuff.

10-05-2009, 11:42 PM	#13
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	yeah i have never bought expensive stuff because i usually burn through it pretty quick. this eley sport i bought is the most expensive bulk 22 i have ever bought, but the gun shop i was at didn't have bulk federal in or i woulda gotten that. i have had bad experiences with both winchester and remington bulk so now i stay away from them. although the eley was a bit more expensive i want to hunt with it so im glad its very accrate! btw the only bulk federals they had were a 31 grain bullet...i have never even seen those one. anyone have experience with them in anything???

10-06-2009, 07:46 AM	#14
MLN1963 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW OK Posts: 126	Those 31 gr bullets, are they hyper velocity rounds? l don't shoot any of those in our 22A because of the aluminum frame. I don't remember if the manual says to stay away from them or not?

10-06-2009, 10:45 PM	#15
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	hmm idk? ill have to look. i wouldn't mind trying. i shot a mag of those remingtons that are hyper velocity without a hitch but if thats a no no ill stop lol. i think those federals i saw were hyper but i havent ever seen hyper velocities in a bulk pack like that i don't think. idk. i just know ive never seen them before.

10-06-2009, 10:57 PM	#16
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,310	They claim they shoot as good as the old S&W 41's at alot less money.

10-06-2009, 11:03 PM	#17
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	Hope so ha. im happy with mine so far and i have only grouped one ammo. the eley sports are groupin right around an inch at 25 yds. 10 shot groups. im happy with that as a starting point

10-07-2009, 10:16 AM	#19
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,035	um the box isnt with me atm but its basically just a case of 50 round boxes that my local shop was selling as bulk...500 rounds was 32.99. its a purple box just says Eley Sport on the side. so far i love it. one jam so far but it was late in a shooting session so i blame the dirty gun...who knows. ill get a picture of it when i can.

10-07-2009, 11:03 AM	#20
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 1,162 Images: 10	Sell33, The term "bulk" is usually referred to as the ammo that is loose packed, 300-600 rds per container. Eley Sport is just their bargain brand but is packed as most in 50 rd boxes in the plastic sleeve.