The main pros of the Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum are its massive 30-round flush-fit magazine capacity, innovative Tempo barrel gas-delayed system, and extremely reliable feeding, while the main cons are its somewhat mushy trigger and the relatively high cost of .22 WMR ammunition compared to standard .22 LR. Built to revolutionize rimfire tactical pistols, this full-size handgun uses a unique internal gas-retardation mechanism rather than a traditional blowback design to handle high-pressure magnum rounds safely and smoothly. While it consistently delivers exceptional accuracy and lightning-fast follow-up shots for small-game hunting or pest control, its larger grip frame can feel unwieldy for shooters with small hands. Because it features an optics-ready slide and an internal hammer-fired mechanism, it serves as a highly capable trail gun and a high-capacity plinker.
Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum Pros And Cons
| Feature | Pros | Cons |
| Accuracy | Consistently shoots tight 2-inch groups at 25 yards thanks to its fixed, rigid barrel design. | Fixed barrel means the muzzle device or suppressor adds significant length to the front. |
| Build construction | Lightweight polymer frame paired with a rugged, black-armornitride finished stainless steel slide. | The polymer frame can feel a bit hollow or light when loaded with 30 rounds. |
| Sights and optics | Comes factory optics-ready with a low-profile slide cut for micro red dot sights. | Factory iron sights are basic black-on-black dots without night visibility. |
| Trigger pull | Smooth internal hammer mechanism with a positive, tactile trigger reset. | The trigger pull has noticeable take-up and a somewhat spongy, indistinct break. |
| Capacity | Revolutionary 30-round capacity in a flush-fitting magazine using a unique internal rotor design. | Loading 30 tiny rimfire cartridges into a single-stack-feeding magazine can strain thumbs. |
| Reliability | The Tempo barrel system bleeds off gas to ensure flawless extraction with various WMR loads. | Rimfire ammunition is inherently prone to occasional duds due to primer inconsistency. |
| Recoil management | Almost nonexistent recoil, allowing for blindingly fast, flat-shooting multi-shot strings. | None. |
| Ammunition performance | Blazing-fast .22 WMR velocities deliver devastating terminal performance on small pests. | .22 WMR ammunition is significantly more expensive per box than standard .22 LR rounds. |
| Ergonomics | Features the classic M&P grip angle with four interchangeable palm-swell backstraps. | The grip is noticeably longer and thicker front-to-back to accommodate the long WMR casing. |
| Safety features | Incorporates an internal hammer drop safety and an optional ambidextrous manual thumb safety. | The manual safety levers are low profile and can be slightly stiff to manipulate under stress. |
| Price/value | Incredible value for a high-capacity, optics-ready tactical rimfire pistol. | Specialty holster options are less common than for standard compact 9mm M&P models. |
| Best use | Pest control, small-game hunting, trail carry, and high-capacity rimfire range fun. | Not practical or legal for self-defense against human threats due to rimfire cartridge limitations. |
| Limitations | Unbeatable rimfire capacity and innovative gas-delayed operating system. | The physical size of the grip frame will not comfortably fit shooters with smaller hands. |
Accuracy And The Tempo Barrel System
The defining engineering marvel of the M&P 22 Magnum is its patent-pending Tempo barrel system. Unlike traditional blowback .22 pistols that rely purely on slide weight to stay closed, the barrel on this pistol is fixed to the frame, and a gas port near the chamber delays the opening of the slide until the bullet has safely left the barrel. This fixed-barrel design keeps the slide locked tight during the initial ignition, resulting in exceptional mechanical accuracy. Shooters can easily stack rounds into tight clusters at 25 yards.
Capacity And Feeding Mechanism
Rimfire pistols have historically struggled with high-capacity magazines because rimfire cartridges feature a protruding rim that causes “rim lock” when stacked in traditional box magazines. S&W solved this by designing a custom 30-round flush-fitting magazine that utilizes an internal rotating rotor to keep the cartridges aligned smoothly. Loading 30 rounds of .22 WMR into a single magazine provides an astonishing amount of firepower before needing a reload.
Terminal Ballistics And Velocity
Firing the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) cartridge out of a pistol gives you a massive performance upgrade over a standard .22 Long Rifle. Factory .22 WMR loads regularly achieve velocities exceeding 1,200 feet per second from a handgun barrel. This high velocity translates into flat trajectories and violent expansion when using polymer-tipped or hollow-point ammunition, making it an absolute powerhouse for eradicating coyotes, raccoons, armadillos, and other farm pests.
Ergonomics And Grip Size
The pistol shares the iconic 18-degree grip angle of the M&P family, making it point naturally and comfortably for most adults. It ships with four interchangeable backstraps (small, medium, large, and x-large), allowing you to tailor the grip to your hand. However, because .22 WMR is a much longer cartridge than .22 LR, the grip circumference—specifically the front-to-back depth—is noticeably blocky and long. Shooters with smaller hands may struggle to achieve a high, secure grip.
Trigger System
The M&P 22 Magnum utilizes an internal hammer-fired system rather than a striker-fired mechanism. The trigger pull is relatively light and features a very positive, distinct tactile reset that makes rapid-fire strings easy to manage. However, the pull itself has a long, spongy take-up and lacks a crisp, glass-rod wall. While it is completely fine for plinking and pest control, it is not a match-grade trigger.
Recoil And Handling
Because the .22 Magnum is a rimfire cartridge, the recoil is virtually nonexistent. The combination of the heavy steel-lined polymer slide, the gas-delayed operating system, and the light mass of the bullet means the pistol barely moves during firing. This allows the shooter to track their red dot sight through rapid strings of fire without losing sight of small, moving targets in the field.
Price And Value
Smith & Wesson priced the M&P 22 Magnum very aggressively, making it an accessible option for rimfire enthusiasts. When you factor in that it comes optics-ready, includes a threaded barrel adapter for suppressors on select models, and packs a massive 30-round magazine right out of the box, the overall value proposition is exceptionally strong.
Main Drawbacks
The primary disadvantages of the platform are the blocky grip size required to house the long WMR cartridges and the rising cost of .22 WMR ammunition. While .22 WMR is cheaper than centerfire pistol calibers, it is roughly double the price of standard .22 LR, which eats into budget plinking savings. Additionally, the lack of iron-sight co-witnessing options on some red dot mounts can frustrate modern optic users.
Final Verdict
Is Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum good?
Yes, it is an innovative, highly reliable, and immensely fun pistol that redefines what a rimfire handgun can achieve.
This handgun is best suited for small-game hunters, rural property owners dealing with pest control, and shooters who want a high-capacity, low-recoil trail gun. The 30-round capacity and gas-delayed system set a new industry standard.
However, shooters with small hands who cannot comfortably reach the trigger, or those looking for an ultra-cheap training pistol to shoot bulk .22 LR ammunition, should look elsewhere, as this gun is exclusively chambered for the more expensive .22 WMR cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I shoot .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) in the M&P 22 Magnum?
No. The pistol is strictly chambered for .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR). Firing a .22 LR cartridge in a .22 Magnum chamber will result in a dangerous rupture, gas leaks, and potential firearm damage.
2. How do you load the 30-round magazine?
The magazine features an internal rotor mechanism. You push down the follower button or use the built-in assist tabs on the sides of the magazine to compress the spring as you drop each round into place, allowing the internal rotor to properly stagger the rimmed cases.
3. Does the M&P 22 Magnum have a threaded barrel?
Many versions of the pistol ship with a threaded muzzle adapter hidden beneath a thread protector, allowing you to easily attach a rimfire suppressor. Always verify the specific SKU features before purchasing.
4. How does the Tempo barrel system work?
The Tempo system features a gas port near the chamber that delays the rearward movement of the slide via gas pressure until the bullet has exited the barrel, ensuring safe and reliable extraction of high-pressure magnum loads.
5. Is the pistol optics-ready?
Yes. The slide features a low-profile optic cut designed to accept a wide variety of micro red dot sights using direct-mounting plates.
6. What is the trigger pull weight?
The internal hammer-fired trigger typically breaks at around 4.5 to 5 pounds, offering a smooth pull with a distinct and tactile reset.
7. Can I use this gun for concealed carry?
While its light weight and polymer construction make it physically possible, the full-size grip frame is difficult to conceal, and the .22 WMR cartridge is generally considered underpowered for self-defense against human threats compared to central 9mm rounds.
8. Does it come with a manual thumb safety?
It is available in multiple configurations. You can purchase models with an ambidextrous manual thumb safety or models configured strictly with internal drop safeties.
9. How many magazines come in the box?
The pistol typically ships with two 30-round magazines included in the hard case.
10. Why is the grip so thick?
The grip frame must be deep from front to back to accommodate the length of the .22 WMR cartridge case while still allowing a straight, reliable feeding angle into the chamber.