Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum: a new rimfire pistol with TEMPO locking system
Smith & Wesson introduces the new M&P 22 Magnum semi-automatic pistol, chambered for the snappy .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge and featuring Smith & Wesson's own, patented TEMPO locking system
Officially made available for commercial sales on the US market on July 11, 2023, the Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum semi-automatic pistol, chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, is the latest variant of the M&P series and one specifically dedicated to target shooting, training, competition, and – where allowed by law – to activities such as varmint hunting and pest control.
Very similar to the M&P 5.7 first showcased at the 2023 edition of SHOT Show, the Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum is a polymer frame, internal hammer-fired single-action pistol, and like its 5.7mm caliber counterpart, it is based on Smith & Wesson's patented TEMPO gas-operated, locked-breech barrel system, which doesn't allow the barrel to cam and thus the slide to unlock until the bullet passes the gas port.
This allows the Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum to better handle the snappy .22 WMR caliber, offering increased accuracy and rapid fire capabilities with relatively low levels of recoil and muzzle climb, and more importantly thanks to the gas-operated system, a smoother operation – which is something shooters will definitely love, given how straight blowback-operated rimfire pistols are usually prone to malfunctions.
The black polymer frame of the new Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum pistol features a built-in MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for accessories, ambidextrous manual safety and slide stop levers, and a reversible magazine well for left-handed operation.
The M&P 22 Magnum is extraordinarily high for a rimfire pistol, at approximately 15 centimeters (5.9"), which is due to the grip size and magazine well depth: the proprietary double-stack polymer magazine will offer a staggering 30 rounds of .22 Winchester Magnum ammunition, plus one in chamber.
Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum semi-automatic pistol – right side
Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum semi-automatic pistol – left side
The blued steel slide hosts a set of dovetailed sights – including a green fiber-optic front post – and comes with an all-too-popular milled modular interface that will allow the installation of some of the most popular micro red dot or reflex sights through the use of adapter plates.
Standing in at 21,3 cm / 8.4" in overall length and weighing in at 623 grams (22 oz.) when empty, the Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum offers features such as a flat-face precision trigger with integral trigger safety and a 11 cm / 4.35" long barrel with a 1:10" twist rate.
The new Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum semi-automatic pistol is currently available on the US market at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $649.00; for informations concerning availability and pricing outside of north America, consult your closest Smith & Wesson international distributor.