Rimfire pistols are often treated like understudies, great for plinking, fine for training, but rarely taken seriously. The new Smith & Wesson M&P 22X flips that script. Built as a full-size .22 LR with duty-pistol ergonomics and premium features, the M&P 22X delivers serious capability in a soft-shooting, cost-effective package.
Chambered in .22 LR and running a hammer-fired, blowback-operated system, the M&P 22X brings together practical training value and flat-out range fun. Whether you’re stacking reps, introducing a new shooter to the platform, or just burning bricks on a Saturday afternoon, this pistol is designed to keep you pressing the trigger.
M&P 22X: Full-Size Feel, Rimfire Recoil
The M&P 22X mirrors the size and feel of a centerfire service pistol, making it an ideal understudy for defensive or competition guns. The slim, ergonomic grip frame sits naturally in the hand, promoting a consistent purchase during extended range sessions. At just 16.3 ounces unloaded, it’s light enough to carry all day on the range but substantial enough to track predictably under recoil.
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Speaking of recoil, there’s barely any. The .22 LR chambering combined with the pistol’s design results in minimal muzzle rise, allowing shooters to stay on target and focus on fundamentals. It’s a confidence builder for new shooters and a skill sharpener for seasoned ones.
The flat-face trigger offers a clean, crisp break, enhancing control and consistency. For a rimfire pistol, the trigger feel punches above its weight, giving shooters a more refined experience than many expect in this category.
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20+1 Reasons to Keep Shooting
Capacity matters, even in rimfire. The M&P 22X ships with two 20-round magazines, giving you a 20+1 capacity that keeps downtime to a minimum. More rounds per mag means more reps, more transitions, and more fun between reloads.
Controls include an ambidextrous manual thumb safety and a Picatinny-style rail for lights or lasers. That makes the M&P 22X adaptable for training in low-light scenarios or setting up a rimfire rig that mirrors your defensive handgun.
Optics & Suppressor Ready
Modern shooters expect modularity, and the M&P 22X delivers. The slide is optics-ready, allowing users to mount many of today’s popular micro red dots for a faster, more intuitive sight picture.
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Out of the box, the pistol comes equipped with a HiViz LiteWave H3 fiber optic front sight, paired with a blacked-out, serrated square-notch rear. The bright fiber front enhances visibility in a wide range of lighting conditions, and the package includes replacement red, white, and green fibers, along with the tool to swap them out.
For those looking to run suppressed, a threaded barrel adapter is included, along with the necessary wrench. Add your favorite rimfire can, and the M&P 22X becomes an ultra-quiet training or varmint-ready setup.
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Bottom Line
The Smith & Wesson M&P22X isn’t just another plinker. It’s a thoughtfully designed, full-size rimfire pistol that blends high capacity, premium features, and modern adaptability into one affordable platform. For training, recreation, or just stretching your ammo budget further, this .22 delivers big-gun performance without the big-gun cost.
