Smith & Wesson Model 422

The Smith & Wesson Model 422, was a semi automatic .22LR pistol manufactured by Smith & Wesson.

Smith & Wesson Model 422
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1987-1996
Specifications
Weight	22 (4.5") and 23.5 oz (6")
Length	7.5" overall with 4.5" bbl
Cartridge	.22 Long Rifle
Caliber	.22
Barrels	4.5" and 6"
Action	blowback
Effective firing range	50 yds
Feed system	10 or12 round box magazine
Sights	fixed (field) or adjustable (target)

Production history

Produced from 1987-1996, the Model 422 was the company's entry into the lucrative mid-priced rimfire pistol market. This niche was, at the time, dominated by Sturm Ruger's highly successful Mk I and Mk II series of pistols. Smith & Wesson had previously left the market position after 1966, when the Model 46 was dropped from their catalog. The pistol retailed for roughly $250US before it was discontinued in 1996.^[1]

Design Details

A very unique design feature of the 422, along with the Model 622 (stainless steel version of the 422), was the fact that the barrel, which was non-moving and was fixed to the frame, resided in a low position in the frame just above the trigger guard. The barrel came threaded from the factory, with a protective "barrel nut" fitted.

The bolt assembly, which comprised the top rearward portion of the pistol, moved behind as well as above the axis of the barrel and resembled an L shape. The recoil spring was contained in the portion above the bolt, which also housed the firing pin. Above the barrel was a large frame lug, which gave the gun a pleasing look of constant width and depth from the trigger guard forward to the muzzle, while also serving as a solid block for the bolt to hit against when the recoil spring returned the bolt to battery. The low bore axis served to greatly reduce muzzle jump, and served to allow the fitting of a suppressor without losing the use of the factory sights.^{[2] [3]}

The model 422 was introduced with a 12 round detachable box magazine, but was later shipped with a 10 round box, in answer to a 1992 "hi-cap" magazine ban.^[4]

Variants

• S&W 61:
• S&W 622:
• S&W 2206:
• S&W 2213:
• S&W 2214:

See also

• Smith & Wesson Model 61

References

Smith & Wesson Revolvers Top Hinge Model 1 Model 1 1/2 Top Break Model 2 Model 3 Safety Hammerless I-frame Model 30 Kit Gun J-frame Model 36 Bodyguard Model 60 Model 340PD Centennial Model 640 K-frame Model 10 Model 12 Model 13 Model 14 Model 15 Model 17 Model 19 Model 617 Model 64 Model 65 Model 66 Model 67 L-frame Model 581 Model 586 Model 619 Model 620 Model 646 Model 681 Model 686 M-frame Ladysmith N-frame New Century .38/44 Model 22 Model 27 Model 28 Model 29 Model 57 Model 610 Model 625 X-frame Model 460 Model 500 Z-frame Governor C-frame (experimental) Model 73 Semi-automatic pistols Model 1006 Model 1913 Model 22A Model 39 Model 4006 Model 41 Model 422 Model 4506 Model 469 Model 52 Model 5906 Model 6904 Model 59 Model 61 Model 645 Model 910 Bodyguard 380 M&P M&P22 SD VE SW1911 SW99 Sigma Long guns Model 1940 M&P10 M&P15 M&P15-22 Model 320 Model 76 Assault Shotgun Cartridges .22 Short .32 S&W .32 S&W Long .35 S&W Auto .356 TSW .357 Magnum .38 S&W .38 Special .40 S&W .41 Magnum .44 Russian .44 Special .44 S&W American .44 Magnum .45 Schofield .460 S&W Magnum .500 S&W Magnum Horace Smith Daniel B. Wesson