Smith & Wesson drops a rimfire duo: the new M&P 22X pistol and M&P FPC 22LR pistol caliber carbine, both chambered – you already guessed it right – in .22 LR. We already introduced the M&P FPC in 9mm a couple of years ago: a folding design which is optics-ready and compatible with M&P full-size and compact pistol double-stack magazines. The latest .22 LR rimfire version has the same features of its 9mm counterpart, including two extra magazines with in-stock storage and M-LOK slots in the forend.
The M&P22X pistol, on the other hand, is an internal hammer-fired handgun featuring an optic-ready slide. What's more important, the M&P 22X and M&P FPC 22LR both feature a shared 20+1 magazine compatibility and familiar M&P ergonomics.
Smith & Wesson M&P 22X pistol and M&P FPC 22LR video introduction
Smith & Wesson M&P 22X pistol and M&P FPC 22LR, engineered for consistency across platforms
“Consistency across platforms” is the basic concept of the M&P 22X pistol and M&P FPC 22LR carbine duo. Smith & Wesson rightly also reminds the cost-effectiveness and convenience of having a handgun and PCC firing the same inexpensive cartridge from the same 20+1 magazines, and also featuring very similar ergonomics/functionality.
But while a .22 LR iteration of their folding-stock M&P FPC PCC was to be expected, Smith & Wesson's M&P 22X pistol probably deserves some more attention.
Described as “the perfect sidearm to the FPC 22LR”, it's a full-size, polymer-framed gun with 4.1"/104 mm stainless steel barrel. The M&P 22X's slim grip, added to a weight of 462 g, should also provide more comfort for long range sessions.
A suppressor 1/2X28 threaded barrel adapter and the respective wrench are included. The optic-cut slide is anodized aluminum.
As for sights, you get a blacked-out serrated square rear notch and a Hiviz LiteWave H3 fiber optic front sight. (A replacement tool with additional red, white, and green fiber optics enabling users to customize their preference is also part of the package.)
Frame has the usual Picatinny front rail, while the grip front and rear are textured grip. Trigger is a flat-face type, the magazine catch is reversible and the manual thumb safety is ambidextrous. The M&P 22X ships with (two) 20-round magazines
The new Smith & Wesson's .22 LR platforms bring a price tag of $499 (M&P 22X pistol) and $549 (M&P FPC 22LR PCC).
