By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
SMITH & WESSON
In 1854 – Smith & Wesson® introduced the .41 Magazine Pistol, “The Volcanic,” and never looked back. It was the first repeating American firearm capable of successfully using a fully self-contained cartridge.
In 1877 – The .38 Safety Hammerless became the world’s first double-action, concealed-hammer revolver.
In 1899, the .38 Military & Police was introduced alongside the .38 S&W Special cartridge, now known as the Model 10; over six million units have been produced since its introduction.
Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol, the .35 Automatic, in 1913.
1935 – Smith & Wesson introduces the .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies looking for a way to deal with more treacherous and better-armed criminals.
1942 – The Victory M&P model was released for the United States Women’s Naval Reserve, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at Norfolk, VA Naval Base, that carried important, confidential messages between various section units.
The Model 36, Chief’s Special®, debuted at the IACP conference in 1950.
In 1955, S&W unveiled the Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum – the handgun made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Dirty Harry.” In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
In response to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Smith & Wesson built a pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. In 1961, the Model 52 was introduced and became known as the most accurate target pistol of its day.
In 2003, an entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500™ is the world’s biggest, heaviest, most-powerful factory-production double-action revolver.
2005 Smith & Wesson® debuts the M&P® Pistol Series. Law enforcement officials championed the new line of polymer pistols. In the first year after their debut, over 100 departments purchased M&P pistols.
The M&P15 is introduced at the 2006 SHOT Show to overwhelming enthusiasm.
2017 – The M&P M2.0™ family is the culmination of a decade of research and design featuring upgrades to nearly every aspect, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
THE S&W M&P .22 MAGNUM
“The M&P22 MAGNUM combines the best features of our internal hammer fire control system with the patented TEMPO barrel design, creating a smooth operating experience for the shooter. The 22 WMR is a versatile and field-savvy cartridge that has been a legacy among American shooters, hunters, and trappers for decades. Smith & Wesson is proud to offer a new pistol that further supports the use of this cartridge outdoors or on the range,” said John Myles, Senior Manager of New Products.
THE FRAME
The .22 Magnum polymer frame features a slim, textured grip, an ambidextrous slide stop, and manual thumb safety. A flat-face trigger for consistent finger placement allows for more accurate and repeatable shooting and a 4-slot Picatinny-style rail for lights and lasers.
THE SLIDE & BARREL
The pistol features the locked-breech TEMPO™ barrel system designed for the M&P 5.7, where the stainless steel barrel doesn’t cam open until the bullet passes the gas port, and the front gas port keeps everything locked up until the round exits the barrel. This gives you a more consistent, reliable, and accurate platform. The slide is factory cut for direct mounting of optics that use the Shield RMSc footprint for an easier-to-see sight picture.
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame Size: Full
Action: Internal hammer-fired, Semi-automatic
Caliber: .22 WMR
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Sights: Fiber optic (green) front sight with black notched rear sight. Slide cut for optics.
Barrel Length: 4.35 Inches
Overall Length: 8.4 Inches
Weight: 22 Ounces
MSRP: $649
URL: www.smith-wesson.com
THE VERDICT
Smith & Wesson quality in a fun-to-shoot caliber. There are some complaints about the price, as other brands carry lower-priced .22 Magnum models. However, the price is fair considering the state-of-the-art engineering that went into the M&P 2.0 line, such as the TEMPO barrel system used on this model.
It’s up to you to decide. Check one out today at your Smith & Wesson dealer.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response.
His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected]