I bought it many years ago knowing they had reliability problems. The reason I bought it was that I had two early generation OD frame P99s, one in 9mm and one in 40sw. The P22 rounded out the OD frame P99 collection.

I took it out a put a mag through it. It wouldn’t extract the spent casing but maybe twice. We all know what happens then. Anyway, I put it back in the safe and there it sat for ten years. I did buy a Volquartsen upgraded extractor and put it in my box o’ parts to be replaced some day.

Over the weekend I decided to swap in the extractor which took about ten minutes. Much of that time was finding the right punch. Put it all back together and stepped outside to try it. I was pleased to find that it fired and cycled perfectly. I put 50 rounds through it.

There are reports of other problems these guns can have but this one doesn’t seem to have them….yet. It’s gratifying in the same way that sometimes you find a gun in the back of the safe you forgot about and then get to reacquaint yourself with it.

My first handgun was a P22 when they first came out. Mine likes CCI MiniMags and refuses to fire Thunderbolts. I graduated to center fire guns and the only time it comes out of the safe now is for a new shooter.

Overall, the grip is too small for my hands and the recoil spring is a PITA when reinstalling the slide. I wouldn't buy one today but it doesn't take up much room and probably has no resale value.

Yeah the recoil spring is retarded. It takes some fiddling and holding your tongue just right to get it back together. Really a shabby thoughtless design. There are captured recoil assemblies available that are reasonably priced. I’ll probably do that. I don’t expect to shoot it much myself, but like you say, other new shooters will. I have grandchildren who will for sure.

Glad yours works now. Mine took 3 trips back to S&W before I sold it, and picked up the Ruger competitor.