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First Look At The New Smith & Wesson M&P 22X and FPC .22LR
Smith & Wesson has significantly improved its offerings over the past few years, particularly in its pistols and carbine-style firearms. Have you shot the newer M&P 2.0s? There are not that many pistols on the market that feel as good or as balanced right out of the box as they do.
S&W has also been ensuring that all the calibers have been getting the attention they deserve, and that includes .22 LR! Now, you can find the popular FPC (Folding Pistol Carbine) in .22 LR and a long overdue upgraded version of the M&P22 pistol, called the M&P22X.
Ready for some rimfire fun? Source
We hope to have them both in-house for hands-on reviews sooner rather than later, but for now, let’s take a closer look at them to see what they have to offer.
M&P 22X
Building off of the M&P22 Compact, the 22X delivers the upgraded features we’ve been waiting for. Most importantly, it offers a higher-capacity magazine and an optics-ready slide. From saving money on ammo for training to defending your property against varmints, this pistol is up to the task.
Who knew 22s could look that good? Source
Trigger
The 22X features a really nice flat-face trigger, which is by far one of the best factory triggers on the market. It’s incredibly crisp, tactile, and consistent, which I like to compare to the Walther Pro triggers.
It does not have that long take-up that you typically find on striker-fired pistols, and is very repeatable. Definitely a trigger that lends to better consistency in shots.
Magazine Capacity
Pistols chambered in .22 LR are typically known for having a solid magazine capacity. The 22X is no exception. It comes with two 20-round magazines that are extremely easy to load, thanks to the pull-down tab on the side, which allows for quick reloads after the 20 rounds are exhausted.
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Optic Ready
What is a pistol these days if they aren’t optics-ready? Especially a plinker like the 22X. The footprint used on the 22X can accommodate most popular optics on the market, giving you a better sight picture and making it easier to take shots at a distance. If you don’t feel like mounting an optic, S&W has ensured that the sights are also upgraded.
Fits like a glove. Source
Sights
No more plain old white dot sights. You’ll find a Hiviz LiteWave H3 fiber optic front sight and a blacked-out serrated rear sight. Together, they provide excellent contrast and allow for quick target acquisition.
Threaded Barrel
Shooting a .22 LR can be extremely fun when done suppressed, and it’s also better for your ears and your neighbors if you can keep the volume down. The 22X comes with a threaded barrel (and thread protector) to make suppressor use quick and easy.
FPC
With the ability to fold in half while keeping your optic mounted, it doesn’t get much more versatile than the FPC. We’ve tested the FPC in both 9mm and 10mm, and had a blast. We can’t wait to get one in .22 LR now!
Utilitarian of the year. Source
M-Lok style handguard
Just like the AR-15, the FPC offers ample space to accommodate the attachments you’ll need to get the job done. M-LOK slots cover the sides and bottom of the forend of the FPC, while a Picatinny rail covers the top.
All the space for attachments and optics. Source
Since almost all optics on the market mount to a Picatinny rail, you won’t have any trouble finding one that serves you best. You can also find a bunch of M-LOK foregrips, lights, and lasers to make your life easier as well.
Flat-face trigger
Just like all the good Smith & Wesson pistols these days, the FPC comes with a flat trigger that makes the platform much more consistent for your trigger finger, making accuracy and follow up shots far easier.
On the FPC, which can be considered a small game hunting gun or a backyard plinker, those shots go by in the blink of an eye. Nothing beats a good trigger, and Smith & Wesson has one of the best. If you have a rodent problem and use the FPC to take care of that problem, you can see how well a good trigger will serve you.
Stock
The stock on the FPC allows you to keep two spare magazines in a position that also allows for quick reloading, and the magazines can be released via a quick-release tab. With two magazines in the stock, you get a total of 60 rounds, which is enough to get you a good amount of rodents or soda cans out of the way.
Even when the rifle is folded in half, you can leave the magazines in the stock.
You can fit it almost anywhere. Source
Folds In Half
Of course, its ability to fold is the main feature. With the push of a lever, you can fold your FPC down to a total of 16 ⅜ inches, making it capable of fitting into any space with ease. I’ve seen some use the 10mm variant as a backpack and truck gun. The possibilities are endless.
Conclusion
Both the 22X and FPC are ready for a multitude of tasks. They have great magazine capacities, are capable of supporting all of your favorite accessories, and have everything else you can need for .22 LR purposes.
I’m excited to get my hands on them, and when I do, you can expect some hands-on reviews. However, so far, these new additions to the Smith & Wesson lineup appear to be excellent for addressing rodent issues, plinking in the backyard, and plain old range fun.
Be good and take care.
