The Smith & Wesson M&P line of polymer pistols has been a huge hit for the Springfield, Massachusetts gunmaker. That’s not exactly a news flash. After some comparatively uninspired initial efforts at countering the GLOCK polymer pistol onslaught almost a generation ago, the M&P line has developed a dedicated following that appreciates the pistols’ ergonomics, options and reliability. But looking across the M&P product line, there had been one model missing. Yes, Smith offered the M&P22, but that’s a full-size gun that’s still made in Germany by Walther, a holdover from their former corporate partnership. With other smaller options out there like the the Walther P22 and Ruger’s relatively new SR22, Smith needed their own “tactical .22” to compete. Hence the M&P22 Compact . . .
