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Table of Contents
What’s the Difference Between Ruger SR22 vs M&P 22 Compact?
The main difference between Ruger SR22 and M&P 22 Compact is on their barrels. The M&P 22 Compact features a threaded barrel while the SR22 Ruger features a standard and threaded barrel for their various models. Thus, with a longer barrel, an M&P 22 Compact could give you a little extra velocity, but you might find the standard SR22 Ruger models to be more concealable.
Some choose a threaded barrel for pure aesthetics, but it’s required if you wish to add or make a 22 suppressor or other muzzle devices. In both cases, Ruger and Smith & Wesson designed their pistols for training or recreational shooting. Additionally, handgun experts don’t recommend them as a replacement for your traditional target pistols.
Specification Chart
Ruger SR22
- Brand: Ruger
- Height: 4.90 inches
- Weight: 17.5-18.7 oz
- Length: 6.40-7.40 inches
- Trigger: Double-Action/Single-Action
- Barrel: 3.50 Standard Stainless Steel
- Calibers: .22 LR
- Capacities: 10+1
M&P 22 Compact
- Brand: Smith & Wesson
- Height: 5.03 inches
- Weight: 15.3 oz
- Length: 6.7 inches
- Trigger: Single-Action
- Barrel: 3.6 inches Threaded
- Calibers: .22 LR
- Capacities: 10+1
In-Depth Comparison
SR22 vs M&P 22 Compact Pricing
As mentioned, both guns possess high accuracy to cost ratio. For us, you’ll be hard-pressed to look for quality semi-automatic .22 caliber pistols at their price range.
Yet, for a slight difference, this one goes to Ruger SR22. However, one of the downsides could be its ammunition price. Regardless, both show that you could get a great gun without necessarily breaking the bank.
Learn about recreational pistols in this Heckler & Koch P2000SK and P30SK article.
Design & Ergonomics
According to our research, most handgun users prefer the grip of Ruger SR22 mainly because the grips are interchangeable compared to the Smith & Wesson M&P’s fixed backstrap. The SR22 also offers about four handle combinations that can fit most hands.
In terms of design, the two have polymer-based grips, Picatinny-style accessory rail, and ambidextrous manual thumb safety.
Compact M&P 22 or SR22 Ammunition
Ruger SR22 prefers pricier ammunition because, based on our experience and several user feedback, cheaper ammo seems to cause misfeeds. During our tests, we encountered problems on firing and ejecting rounds as cheap as the ammo gets. Still, the gun mostly shoots anything.
As with the M&P22 Compact, we discovered that the barrel does not give a high velocity 22 ammunition enough room for supersonic speed. But at 1260 fps on a Federal Champion ammo, the gun works perfectly for us.
For other reliable pistols, check out this Ruger LC9s and Ruger EC9s comparison.
Trigger
The trigger of the M&P 22 Compact vs SR22 Ruger is both hammer-fired designed for easy cocking. However, if you prefer a light and consistent 6 lbs single-action, get the M&P22 Compact. But if you’re a fan of the double-action/single-action, you might find the Ruger SR22 as the better option.
Please take note, though, that some find the Ruger SR22’s trigger to be heavy and gritty that many do not recommend its DA mode.
22 Compact & Ruger SR22 Sights
Both guns use a dovetailed, white three-dot sights system, with the fixed front sight and an adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.
Despite being highly visible, we prefer the sights of Ruger SR22.
You could compare its performance to an iron sight that we found advantageous for rapid target acquisition.
Rounds
The Ruger SR22 and M&P 22 Compact include two 10-round magazines. However, for higher round capacity, you could put up to 15 rounds on an SR22 Ruger with the tandem cross magazine extender. Besides capacity, everything else is equal in terms of reliability as we run through more than 500 rounds on the two guns.
Related Post: Attaching a Suppressor to a Non-threaded Barrel
Accuracy - M&P 22 or SR22?
Some experienced a few left offsets at 15 yards with the Ruger SR22. Still, we found the pistol to be pretty accurate even as far as 20 yards.
The Smith & Wesson M&P22 compact works similarly accurate at bench rest and given good grade ammunition. But it has a slight advantage over the other gun especially given the slightly
M&P 22 Compact Pros & Cons
PROS
- Slightly more accurate
- Lower ammunition costs
- Reversible magazine release
- With little extra velocity
- Can add suppressors or muzzle devices
CONS
- A little more expensive
- Factory Polymer sights
Ruger SR22 Pros & Cons
PROS
- Generally cheaper
- Better sights
- More product variety
- Various grip handle combinations
- Might be more concealable
CONS
- Higher ammunition costs
- Heavy and gritty double-action
M&P 22 Compact or SR22 Ruger? We Choose…
Between the M&P 22 Compact vs SR22 Ruger, we choose Ruger SR22. Despite some of the double-action shortcomings that Ruger SR22 users experience, most didn’t consider it a hindrance to its accuracy and ballistic performance. Besides, it offers various model types and grip combinations.
But if your goal is to add muzzle devices or suppressors, in addition to better accuracy, M&P22 Compact is the pistol to go.
If you want to check out other popular handguns, you’ll find this Sig SP2022 and Sig P226 interesting.
Our #1 Recommendation
Ruger SR22
- Ergonomically-designed
- Comes in different barrel types and slide finish
- Cheaper but prefers more expensive ammo
- Better sights
