Smith & Wesson 22a 22s Instructions Manual

							Read the instructions and
warnings in this manual
CAREFULLY BEFORE using
this firearm.
2100 Roosevelt Avenue • Springfield, MA  01104
1-800-331-0852  •  Fax: 413-747-3317
www.smith-wesson.com
Owner’s Manual
22A/22S Sport Series
Target Pistols 
						

							READ THESE  INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS  CAREFULLY. BE
SURE YOU  UNDERSTAND THESE
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM.
FAILURE TO  READ THESE
INSTRUCTIONS AND TO FOLLOW
THESE WARNINGS MAY RESULT
IN SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH
TO YOU AND OTHERS
This SAFETY, INSTRUCTION
and PARTS MANUAL should
always accompany this firearm
and be transferred with it upon
change of ownership or
presention to another person.
A copy of the SAFETY, INSTRUC-
TION, & PARTS MANUAL is avail-
able FREE upon request from:
SMITH & WESSON
CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER
2100 ROOSEVELT AVENUE
SPRINGFIELD, MA  01104
TEL.: 1-800-331-0852
E-mail: [email protected]
2
WARNING 
						

							Your Safety Responsibilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-6
Safe Storage and Transportation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8
Nomenclature  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9
Preparation for firing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-12
Model Number Identification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Inspecting Your Handgun Prior to Firing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Loading  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16
Firing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Clearing Misfires  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Unloading  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Field Stripping Disassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19-21
Field Stripping Reassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21-22
Lubrication  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23
Magazine Disassembly for Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Magazine Reassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23-24
Rear Sight Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Cleaning & Maintenance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-25
Service, Shipping & Parts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26-27
Warranty  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29
Extended Service Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Components  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Warnings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
3
YOUR SAFETY
RESPONSIBILITIES
SAFETY IS YOUR NUMBER ONE
RESPONSIBILITY!!!!
At home, in the field, at the range, or anywhere, the first
concern of every firearm owner should be safety. Apply the follow-
ing safety rules in every situation, with any kind of firearm.
WARNING:YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL
OF THESE SAFETY RULES TO ENSURE
THE SAFE USE OF YOUR FIREARM
•Safe gun handling is YOUR personal
responsibility at all times.Firearms are dangerous 
and can cause serious injury and death if they are 
misused or used inappropriately. Safety must be the 
prime consideration of anyone who owns or handles 
firearms. 
						

							4
•You are responsible for the firearm at all times.
In owning a firearm, you must undertake full-time 
responsibility for your firearm’s safety and security.
You must protect yourself and all others against 
injury or death from misuse of the firearm.
•Saf
e storage is your responsibility.In particular,
you must secure firearms safely from children and 
unauthorized users. A lock has been provided for 
your use with this firearm. Never assume that the
use of this lock is sufficient to safely secure your
firearm. You must always evaluate your personal
situation and employ the security system(s) that
meets your needs and prevents children and 
unauthorized users from gaining access to your 
firearm.
•Accidents are the result of violating the rules of 
safe gun handling and common sense.
•For your safety and the safety of others, never 
rely on mechanical features alone.Only your
safe gun-handling habits will ensure the safe use of 
your firearm. This is your responsibility.
•Ne
ver keep ammunition in the same location as 
the handgun.Store in a separate and secure 
place.
•Ne
ver attempt to modify or permit your firearm to 
be modified unless specifically directed to do so 
in this manual.
•Do not manipulate or adjust any part of your 
firearm unless specifically directed to do so in 
this manual.
•READand UNDERSTAND these instructions 
before using your firearm.
•BEFORE HANDLING ANY FIREARM,UNDERSTAND ITS OPERATION.Not all firearms 
are the same. Familiarize yourself with the
mechanical features of any firearm you intend to 
use. If you feel uncertain about any operational aspects
of your handgun, please contact Smith & Wesson 
at 1-800-331-0852 before proceeding with its operation.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D.
WARNING!
THE FAILURE TO  FOLLOW THESE  BASIC 
FIREARM SAFETY RULES MAY RESULT IN AN 
UNINTENDED DISCHARGE WHICH COULD CAUSE 
SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU
OR OTHERS. 
						

							5
•ALWAYS SAFELY STORE AND SECURE YOUR FIREARM.Safe and secure storage of your firearm 
is one of the most important responsibilities of 
firearms ownership. It is a full-time responsibility.
You must always secure your firearm and 
ammunition separately so that they are not 
accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.
(See Safe Storage Instructions.)
•AL
WAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED AND WILL FIRE IF THE TRIGGER IS PULLED.Do not take anyone’s word that the 
firearm is unloaded – always check for yourself.
Never pass your firearm to another person until the 
cylinder or action is open and you visually check that it 
is unloaded. Keep your firearm unloaded and safely stored 
when not in use.
•AL
WAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.Never point a firearm at anyone 
or anything you do not intend to shoot whether or not 
it is loaded. This is particularly important when 
loading, unloading, or field stripping the gun. ALWAYS 
control the direction of the firearm.
•NEVER
PLACEYOURFINGER ON THE TRIGGERINSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD UNLESS YOU INTEND TO FIRE.Ensure that other objects do not touch the trigger.
•AL
WAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.Always be sure of where the bullet 
will strike and shoot only where there is a safe
backstop free of obstructions, water or other
surfaces which can cause ricochets. Do not fire into 
the sky.
•NEVER DISASSEMBLE
your handgun or manipulate the 
internal components of your handgun beyond the field 
stripping procedure outlined in this manual. Improper 
disassembly or manipulation of your handgun may be 
dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.
•NEVER CARR
Y OR STORE A FIREARMwith the hammer 
or striker in the cocked position.
•NEVER ALLOW A FIREARM TO BE USED BY 
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOT READ THESE FIREARMS 
SAFETY RULESand do not understand its safe operation 
and the rules of safe gun-handling.
•BE SURE ALL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS HOLSTERS 
AND GRIPS, ARE COMPATIBLEwith the handgun and that 
the accessories do not interfere with safe operation.
•USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION FOR YOUR 
PARTICULAR FIREARMas indicated by the marking on the 
barrel. Never use non-standard, reloaded, or “handloaded”
ammunition which has not been subjected to internal
ballistic pressure testing.
YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D. 
						

							YOUR SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES CONT’D.
6
•HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL TIMES.
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, 
cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result 
in exposure to lead and other substances known to 
cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other 
serious physical injury. Review the warnings and 
labels for all ammunition and cleaning products 
carefully. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
•NEVER USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE 
SHOOTING.Do not use your firearm if you are on any 
medication which impairs, even slightly, your mental or 
physical ability.
•WEAR EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION SPECIFIED 
FOR FIREARM USEevery time you discharge your firearm.
Make sure others in the vicinity of where you will be 
shooting do so as well.
•DO NOT ALLOW ANY ALTERATION OR REPLACEMENT 
OF PARTS IN YOUR SMITH & WESSON FIREARM 
UNLESS PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED GUNSMITH
using genuine Smith & Wesson parts. If you do otherwise, 
improper functioning of your firearm may occur and serious 
injury may result.
•NEVER CROSS OBSTACLES SUCH AS FENCES OR 
STREAMS WITH A LOADED FIREARM.
•FIREARM SAFETY TRAINING IS AVAILABLE.Contact 
your dealer, law enforcement agency, local sportsman’s 
club, etc. for availability.
•APPROPRIATE USE FOR YOUR FIREARM MEANS 
USING YOUR FIREARM FOR LEGAL PURPOSES.For 
example - target shooting and lawful resistance of deadly 
criminal force.
WARNING: SAFE USE OF A FIREARM IS YOUR
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FAILURE TO
FOLLOW ALL OF THESE BASIC SAFETY RULES MAY
RESULT IN SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO
YOU OR OTHERS. YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFE-
TY DEVICE WHEN IT COMES TO THE USE OF YOUR
FIREARM AND SMITH & WESSON WILL NOT BE RESPONSI-
BLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE
THAT RESULTS FROM: (1) THE CRIMINAL OR NEGLIGENT
USE OF THIS HANDGUN; (2) A DISREGARD OF THESE
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS; (3) IMPROPER
OR CARELESS HANDLING OF THIS FIREARM; (4) THE USE
OF NON-STANDARD, DEFECTIVE, IMPROPER OR
RELOADED AMMUNITION; OR (5) IMPROPER OR 
NEGLIGENT MODIFICATIONS  OR REPAIRS TO THE 
HANDGUN. 
						

							WARNING:SAFE AND SECURE STORAGE OF YOUR
FIREARM IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RULES
OF FIREARM SAFETY. YOUR FAILURE TO FOLLOW
THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH TO YOU OR OTHERS.
•You must always secure your firearm and ammunition 
separately so that they are not accessible to children or other 
unauthorized persons.
•Safe and secure storage and transportation of your firearm 
are your responsibility. It is a full-time responsibility.
•AL
WAYS STORE YOUR FIREARM UNLOADED.Your firearm and ammunition should be stored separately in 
places and in a manner inaccessible to children and 
unauthorized persons.
•SMITH &
WESSON HAS PROVIDED A LOCK FOR USE WITH YOUR FIREARM.Please read and follow the
instructions packaged separately for the use of this lock.
There are other alternative locks and safe storage contain-
ers available in the marketplace which may be appropriate 
for your particular needs. Consult your local gunshop,
hardware store, or local police department for guidance on 
the variety of other safe storage devices or practices which 
may be appropriate for your particular needs. By purchasing 
this firearm you have taken on the responsibility of safely 
securing the firearm at all times and preventing its unautho-
rized use. Never assume that the use of this lock is 
sufficient to safely secure your firearm.It is your personal 
responsibility to select and use whatever devices or practices 
that will enable you to safely secure your firearm at all times.
WARNING: DO NOT USE A LOCK ON A LOADED
HANDGUN AND NEVER LOAD A LOCKED HANDGUN!!
Onl
y you can determine what devices or practices are appropriate for the safe storage of your firearm and your ammunition.
•NEVER ASSUME THATA“HIDING”PLACE ISASECURE STORAGEMETHOD.Others may be aware of 
your storage location or come upon it by chance. It is your 
personal responsibility to use common sense when storing 
and securing your firearm and ammunition and to always 
make sure that it is not accessible to children or other 
unauthorized persons.
•FOLLO
WTHELAW!!You must be familiar with all local, 
state, and federal laws regarding the safe storage and 
transportation of your firearm. Failure to know and follow 
the law may result in unauthorized access or use of your
firearm by another. Obey all laws relating to the storage 
and transportation of firearms.
•NEVER 
TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.When transporting your firearm, be sure it is unloaded
and that the cylinder or action is open.7
SAFE STORAGE &
TRANSPORTATION 
						

							SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION  CONT’D.
8
•Your local police department or gunshop will furnish you 
with available information on storing and/or transporting a 
firearm legally.
•Y
OUR FIREARM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.Protect your firearm from theft or misuse by untrained or 
unqualified individuals.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE ST
ORAGEWhen storing, do not encase your firearm in anything that will attract or
hold moisture, for example, leather or heavy cloth. Also, do not store
guns with a plug inserted in the barrel for this can be a contributing 
factor to moisture accumulation. If your firearm is to be stored for an
extended period, the bore, chambers and internal working mechanism
should be oiled with acid-free lubricating oil or preservative, and the
external working mechanisms, frame, cylinder and barrel should be
coated with an anti-rust oil. Before using your firearm again, be sure to
clean it. Every time you clean your firearm, check it for signs of wear.
If wear is noted, do not use the firearm. Return it to Smith & Wesson
for service or have it checked by a qualified gunsmith.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE USE
Before using your firearm, it should be cleaned. (See Cleaning
Instructions)  Your firearm has been treated with either a preservative
or oil to protect it against corrosion. Before using it, all excess oil
should be wiped from the bore, chambers (charge holes), and exposed
areas using a clean swab or patch. A light coat of high quality gun oil
should be applied to the outside surfaces and mechanism. Care
should be taken not to oil the mechanism to the degree that dirt and
powder residue may be trapped by the oil. There are further instruc-
tions on page 25 of this manual.
SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION  CONT’D.
Smith & Wesson handguns are reliable and safe to use when
the firearm safety rules are followed. There are a number of
internal safety mechanisms within the lockwork of the 
handgun which ensure that the firearm will not discharge
unless the trigger of the handgun is pulled. That is one 
reason why it is important to never modify or alter your
firearm. Before you use your handgun, you should be fully
familiar with its operation.
Here is a list of basic firearms terminology.
AMMUNITION - CENTERFIRE
-Ammunition which 
contains the primer in the center of the base of the case. Among
the most common centerfire handgun cartridges are the .32, 
.38 Special, .380, 9mm, .357 Magnum®, .40 S&W®, .45 ACP
and the .44 Magnum®.
AMMUNITION - RIMFIRE
-Ammunition which contains the
primer material in the rim. Among the most common rimfire
handgun cartridges are the .22 Long, .22 Short, .22 LR, .22CB,
.22BB, and .22 Magnum.
CALIBER
-The diameter of a bullet, designated in
hundredths or thousandths of an inch (.357) or in 
millimeters (9mm).
NOMENCLATURE 
						

							9
NOMENCLATURE  CONT’D.
DECOCK-The process by which the hammer or striker is
safely lowered.
DOUBLE A
CTION-A firing action where the hammer or striker
is drawn back, released, and the gun fired by a single pull of the
trigger.
DOUBLE A
CTION ONLY-A firearm designed so that it can only
be fired in double action.
PIST
OL-A handgun that contains the cartridges in a magazine.
REV
OLVER-A handgun that contains the cartridges in a
cylinder that revolves at the rear of the barrel.
SINGLE A
CTION-A firing action where the hammer or striker is
released from the cocked position by pulling the trigger.
The operation of your handgun will be explained in greater detail
in the pages that follow, as well as a greater description of key
component parts.
PREPARATION FOR
FIRING
WARNING!
THE FAILURE TO  FOLLOW THESE  FIREARM
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WILL CAUSE SERIOUS
PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU
OR OTHERS.
•Alwayswear adequate and proper ear protection specified
for firearm use to prevent permanent damage to your
hearing. Make sure others who are nearby are wearing ear 
protection as well.
•Al
wayswear safety glasses specified for firearm use, 
whether indoors or out. Safety glasses should protect your 
eyes from the firing flash and particles associated with the 
discharge of ammunition. Failure to do so creates a risk of 
personal injury from particle or debris spitting or ricochets
•Ne
vershoot at hard surfaces, water or up into the sky.
Always select a place to shoot that has a safe backstop and 
is free from obstructions and water surfaces which cause
ricochets.
•Al
waysbe aware of other people so that persons cannot 
accidentally walk into the line of fire.
•Al
waysposition the shooter and all others so that they are 
out of the line of fire and are not within an area where they 
may be struck by ricochets, particles spitting from a 
revolver, or by ejected cases from other types of firearms.
•Al
wayskeep fingers and other parts of your body away 
from the muzzle, away from the gap between the 
revolver barrel and cylinder, and away from the pistol slide 
and ejection port. 
						

							PREPARATION FOR FIRING  CONT’D.
10
•Alwaysbe alert and always follow the safety instructions of 
the range officer.
•Al
waysbe sure that all cylinders and actions of firearms 
are open, that chambers are clear of cartridges,
magazines are removed, and that firearms are 
pointing in a safe direction.
•Al
waysbe alert. Never shoot if you are tired, cold or 
impaired in any way.
•Al
waystreat your firearm as if it were loaded.
•Ne
veruse alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
AMMUNITION
PREPARATION FOR FIRING  CONT’D.
A.GENERAL PRINCIPLES•A firearm and ammunition are a system and must work 
together. Their performance is closely related. There are 
different types of ammunition for different types of firearms.
Your firearm has been designed for ammunition of a specific 
type and a specific caliber. It is important to select the 
proper ammunition for your firearm.
!!  W
ARNING  !!
•Never use ammunition not specifically designated for 
use in your firearm. Failure to use the correct type or 
caliber of ammunition may cause the firearm to jam, fail 
to fire or even generate excessive pressure which can 
damage or even rupture your firearm, causing personal 
injury or property damage.
•You are responsible for selecting ammunition that meets 
industry standards and is appropriate in type and caliber for 
this firearm.
•Locate the caliber designation printed on the  handgun.
This information indicates the ammunition caliber that 
should be used in this firearm. (See figure #1).
FIGURE 1