[FIREARM REVIEW] Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact

Having shot many .22 pistols in my life, I have learned that they can be very finicky and ammo sensitive. There is just something about those little rim fired handguns that can be inconsistent and sometimes frustrating with light strikes along with other failures. When I had the chance to review the S&W M&P 22 Compact, I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive. The pistol felt great, looked nice and had a threaded barrel nut which excited me to shoot it with my Huntertown Guardian .22 suppressor.

Being a fan of the M&P line of pistols, S&W did a great job making this little 22 Compact consistent with their larger models. Everything from the grip texture to the magazine release to the trigger, this is all M&P. For those who carry or compete with M&P handguns, this 22 Compact would be a great training tool without eating up the high cost of ammo. Several viewers on my channel commented that they choose this pistol to teach their kids and beginners how to shoot. For me, I consider it an excellent choice for slapping those little .22 bullets at my steel target while having a great time at the range.

Specifications:

Model: M&P .22 Compact Threaded Barrel
Caliber: .22LR
Capacity: 10+1
Safety: Manual Thumb Safety
Barrel Length: 3.5”
Overall Length: 7.3”
Front Sight: White Dot
Rear Sight: White 2-Dot – Screw Adjustable
Action: Single Action
Grip: Polymer
Weight: 15.3 ounces
Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
Slide Material: Aluminum Alloy
Frame Material: Polymer
Slide Finish: Armornite
Frame Finish: Black
MSRP: $409

While searching gunbroker, I found the average market price for the M&P 22 Compact with the threaded barrel to be right around $350. S&W also makes the same model without the threaded barrel for just a little less. For those like myself who really dig shooting suppressed, the additional $10 – $15 is a no brainer. The total package in the cardboard box includes, the .22 Compact pistol, two 10 round magazines, two trigger safety keys, a wrench for the threaded barrel nut, a gun lock and the paperwork.

So off to the range I went and after the first couple magazines, my .22 apprehensiveness was gone. I used CCI standard velocity mini mags and the combination of the pistol and ammo was perfect. The M&P 22 Compact fed, fired and ejected each of the 200 rounds with ease. My faith in .22 long rifle handguns had been restored.

The pistol’s accuracy was excellent. The large white dots while using a center hold allowed me to tag my target with ease. I stepped back from 10 yards to 15 yards and my 10 inch target was pinging with every shot. The M&P 22 Compact was dependable with both function and accuracy.

S&W uses a hinged single action trigger with their M&P 22 Compact. I found this trigger to shoot amazingly quick. I measured the trigger weight at five pounds on my trigger scale. What I found very advantageous was the short trigger reset. On the video above, you will see how fast I was able to fire double taps with this single action trigger. The slide cycled so quick that it looked like only one shot was fired. Now I know why S&W classifies this trigger as single action.

Other features of the M&P 22 Compact include and 1913 rail, reversible magazine release, ambidextrous manual thumb safety and a interior trigger lock located behind the thumb safety. S&W includes two keys for the trigger lock. Although the trigger lock is not something I am interested in, the mechanism is available for the safety conscious shooter who may have a need for that feature.

To disassemble the M&P 22 Compact is a simple process that requires the use of the wrench provided. Once assuring the firearm is safe with the magazine removed, the slide needs to be locked back. At this point, use the wrench to loosen the threaded barrel nut and remove it from the barrel. The take down lever, located directly above the trigger, needs to pushed down to vertical position. At this point, the slide has to be pulled back further and lifted up to clear the rear rails to remove the slide from the frame. The barrel is attached to the frame so the only piece that can be removed is the recoil spring and guide rod assembly. This completes the disassemble process. To reassemble, simply perform the same steps in reverse order.

Overall, the M&P 22 Compact is a nice shooting and reliable pistol. I appreciate the way S&W was able to duplicate the quality features from the M&P line to this smaller and lighter handgun. I like the threaded barrel nut option for suppressed shooting and the accuracy and quickness of the shots were amazing. If you are looking for a fun gun at the range or an excellent training tool for beginners or children, the M&P 22 Compact may be the gun for you.