Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review
Part 5 - Internal Features
January 14, 2012

Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

In this part of the review I'm going to cover some of the internal features of the Smith & Wesson M&P22 Pistol.  I have tried to add photos showing all sides of the assemblies and parts so you could see as much detail as possible.  Since I have covered many of the external features in Part 3, I will focus my comments mainly on the internal features.  Throughout the review, you can click on any photo to bring up a higher resolution photo showing the details.

 


Slide Assembly

The slide is made from some type of aluminum alloy (most likely 7075-T6) with a black anodized finish.

Figure 1
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 2
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

The slide includes a steel pin at the rear of the slide stop slot to prevent wear from occurring on the aluminum slide and it provides a smooth surface for the slide stop to bear against when releasing the slide forward.

Figure 3
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

The interior of the M&P22 slide appears to be well machined with an anodized coating.  The bottom of the breech block is polished where it contacts the hammer when the slide is moved rearward to cock the hammer.

Figure 4
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

At the rear of the breech block on the right side of the slide is the hammer block safety that is pushed up out of the way when the trigger is pulled.

Figure 5
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 6
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

           Figure 7                                                       Figure 8
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

The slide assembly has a steel breech block as shown below.  Although it is hard to tell in the photos, the extractor has a sharp point and a slight hook like shape to grip the rims of the cases.  Also note the steel pin that I mentioned above which is located at the back of the slide stop notch.

Figure 9
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

This photo below gives you another perspective on the hammer block safety at the rear of the breech block.

Figure 10
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Frame Assembly

Although there are many parts that makeup the frame assembly, I think there are three primary structural components.  The first is the polymer frame portion that you see externally.  The other two are the metallic frame side plates.  Unless you study this carefully, you may not pickup on details that the metallic frame is two pieces.  The easiest place to see this is at the rear of the frame where you see the "L" shaped split behind the hammer.  Since the M&P22 is made by Walther, I believe that Walther used the same MIM (Metal Injection Molding) cast zinc alloy for these frame side plate as the Walther P22.

Figure 11
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Another place you can see this is where the barrel block rests against the frame.  The barrel is actually housed in the right side plate which also contains the serial number markings.

Figure 12

In the photo below I have labeled these features; A - Ejector, B - Slide Stop Tab, C - Magazine Safety Tab, D - Hammer, E - Hammer Spring Transfer Rod and F - Sear.  Also note that the hammer is in the de-cocked position.

Figure 13

In the photo below you can see the magazine safety lever (G) and the hammer spring (H).

Figure 14

I added this photo to give you a close up view of the left side with the hammer in the de-cocked position.

Figure 15

The takedown lever pushes the guide rod and bushing forward when in it's normal position.  Rotating the lever and pulling it out allows the guide rod and bushing to move rearward which allows an additional travel of the slide during disassembly so that the rear of the slide can be lifted out of the channels in the side plates.

Figure 16

Figure 17

These next several photos give some more overall views of the M&P22 frame assembly.

Figure 18
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 19
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 20
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 21
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Barrel

The barrel is actually a steel insert with an interface block attached and the barrel measured 4.13" in length.  The barrel has an outside diameter of  0.316" and includes an M8x0.75 threaded portion on the end which is 0.38" in length.

Figure 22
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 23 - Top Side
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

The barrel comes with a proof mark on the left side along with the caliber markings "cal. .22 lr.".

Figure 24 - Right Side
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 25 - Left Side
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 26                                                           Figure 27       
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Barrel Sleeve

The steel barrel sleeve measured 2.76" in length with and outside diameter of 0.472",  The sleeve has a notch on one end that lines up with a mating feature on the inside of the barrel mounting hole in the metallic frame.  The other end of the barrel has a counterbore that mates with the barrel nut.

Figure 28                                                      Figure 29                                                      Figure 30
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Barrel Nut

The steel barrel nut includes and O-Ring to help center the barrel sleeve around the barrel and remove any freeplay.

 Figure 31                                  Figure 32                                   Figure 33 
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Guide Rod

The guide rod also appears to be the same MIM cast zinc alloy as the metallic frame (side plates).

Figure 34
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 35
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 36
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 37
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

Figure 38
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Guide Rod Bushing

The guide rod bushing is made from some type of polymer material and has a counterbored recess for the recoil spring.

Figure 39                                 Figure 40                               Figure 41
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review   Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review


Recoil Spring

Fully relaxed, the recoil spring measured 3.75" in length and 0.37" in diameter.

Figure 42
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review

 

Thoughts

There are some clear similarities (barrel & metallic frame) between the Walther P22 Pistol and the Smith & Wesson M&P22 Pistol, but I don't think you could say that the M&P22 is a copy of the P22.  This review isn't intended to be a comparison, but if you want to checkout the Walther P22 you can see an exploded view by looking at page 15 of their Operating Instructions.  After putting this pistol under the microscope for the past month, I can't wail to finally send some lead down range.

For more detailed photos and commentary, make sure you check out the other parts of this review and feel free to leave comments on my Reader's Comments page.  The following links are provided to help you see other parts of this review. 


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