Exploding Plinking Pistol

[jofrdo]

I've been concerned about how much $$ I've been spending on 40 cal. range rounds so I bought a 22 cal. S&W 22A plinking pistol (on sale for $219 at Bass Pro Shops). It should pay for itself within a couple of years on ammunition savings. I'll still shoot my carry guns, but some of my range time will be spent with the less expensive rimfire.

I took it to the range yesterday to make sure it goes bang and to adjust the sites. Last evening I disassembled it for cleaning. While reassembling, the recoil spring got away from me and shot across the room. I ended up losing the plastic recoil spacer at the end of the guide rod. Fortunately, S&W had a spare one packaged with the gun.

All of my other guns are revolvers or DAO polymer pistols so I've never experienced that. Now I know what all the 1911 guys mean when they describe the spring flying across the room!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Chooie]

There is indeed an advantage to having a captive recoil spring. If you think that .22 is hard to take down and clean, you should try a Ruger MK II sometime.

[jofrdo]

I think of the Ruger Mark II or III as the reference standard for that type of gun, but I based my purchase almost excusively on price and the Smith was lots cheaper. I think Bass Pro used it as a loss leader to get shoppers through the front door and made very little profit on the sale. I don't think I'm going to be shooting in the Bullseye League, just throwing lead down range.

I was surprised how little recoil (like none) there is with such a long heavy barrel and a light load.

[HotGuns]

You need to wear safety glasses when you are disassembling. It wouldnt be the first time that a spring hit someone in the eye and blinded that eye. They have a lot of force behind them.

[jofrdo]

The owners manual recommended use of eye protection. I ignored it but won't in the future.

[SIXTO]

A couple of years? Heck, it should pay for itself sooner than that.

Yes, almost all the the 22 autos can be tricky to strip down, follow the directions.

[P95Carry]

Eye protection - definite 'yes'.

May I suggest this simple expedient tho - when disassembling where springs can try and go into orbit .......... drape a very light weight white sheet (bed sheet) over yourself and work area - it will catch such errant objects and save a long hunt!!

[jofrdo]

I think I'll try a nice floral print; we have no white manly sheets around here.

[bob21bobby]

I do my asm-disasm in a large, clear plastic bag. Big enough to get both hands in and room to more around. I don't know how many springs, screws, pins, parts that has saved.!!.

[swiftyjuan]

Eye protection - definite 'yes'.

May I suggest this simple expedient tho - when disassembling where springs can try and go into orbit .......... drape a very light weight white sheet (bed sheet) over yourself and work area - it will catch such errant objects and save a long hunt!!

And do it at Halloween and you get candy!

[SIXTO]

Since we are talking about workbench tricks, I take mine apart in a large ziplock freezer bag, and for larger guns I use a pillow case.

I also got a piece of carpet from the carpet store... a short knit sample thats about 2x3. I use as a bench pad to keep small parts of rolling off into the black hole never to be seen again.

[Supertac45]

Springs always have a mind of their own.

[rocky]

I once slipped with a guide rod reassembling a S&W 4006 . sent the guide rod into the drywall a few feet away.