Smith & Wesson launched a new pistol called the SW22 Victory. A dedicated .22 LR target gun, the pistol essentially replaces the previously discontinued Model 22A guns in the company’s catalog.

The new guns are single action pistols that are designed to be affordable, accurate and easy to take down. While fans and owners of the Browning Buck Mark or Ruger Mark III may not be swayed away from their pistols, the new SW22 does offer a number of things that shooters may like.

First off, the new gun is disassembled by removing a single screw located under the barrel and forward of the trigger guard. Once the screw is removed, the gun comes apart for cleaning or barrel replacement. The barrel is a match grade bull barrel, and I expect S&W will be offering other lengths in the near future.

Next, the gun has fiber optic sights standard (front and rear.) The rear sight is adjustable. Should you not the factory sights, they are replaceable. Also included with the sale of every SW22 is a Picatinny rail that easily mounts to the top of the pistol. This makes adding a red dot or scope pretty easy.

The pistols are single action, and the company includes a user-adjustable trigger stop. The frame is made of stainless steel. The removable grip panels are polymer and have cuts for pulling the magazine out if needed.

According to S&W, the company extensively tested these pistols to ensure reliability with a wide range of .22 LR ammunition.

At launch, the guns will be available in the basic model plus two additional. The first variant is a threaded barrel model. This gun is identical to the base model, with the exception of having a 1/2-28 threaded barrel for the addition of a sound suppressor. The second variation has a Kryptek Highlander camouflage pattern on the barrel and receiver. The camo gun has a standard barrel.

Specifications

• 5.5″ barrel
• 36.0 oz
• 10 round magazines (two included)
• frame, bolt, barrel material: stainless steel
• satin stainless finish (Kryptek Highlander optional)

The base SW22 Victory has a MSRP of $409. The threaded barrel and camo models are priced at $429 and $459 respectively. Though the pistols are more expensive than the 22A, they are well below the suggested price of the Model 41 pistols that start at more than $1,300.

Although it bears the Victory name, these guns have no known relation to the Victory revolvers of World War II fame.