S&W Victory 22lr screw issue

I have been considering a Victory 22lr as I begin entering precision shooting competitions. Some of my research has uncovered dissatisfaction with the loosening of the take down screws and also some with the barrel screw as a result of vibration while shooting. This seems to happen quite quickly, At least in earlier production. But I saw on another forum someone claiming that S&W fixed the issue with a small redesign. Does anyone know this to be true?  Just FYI The victory seems to be a gun you can grow with due to it's accuracy and the aftermarket accessories, triggers, barrels, grips etc  that are already available. (still waiting on some sight choices).

Andy

Andy,
Yes those screws work loose. Pistol is too light to be a serious BE pistol. I would consider a different pistol. You can never go wrong with a Ruger MKII
Jon

Jon Eulette wrote:Andy,
Yes those screws work loose. Pistol is too light to be a serious BE pistol. I would consider a different pistol. You can never go wrong with a Ruger MKII
Jon

 
I have considered the Mark IV (for easy cleaning). In that case I would probably go with the stainless target version at 42.8 oz instead of the 36oz victory. but the weight of that Ruger pistol is in the stainless frame not the barrel. the blued version of the target only weighs 36.6 or so. not sure I want to go with the longer barrel Rugers that weigh in 44oz to 48oz.. I still need to decide about how much weight I think I can handle. (I am weighing the whole weight thing, lol) 

Andy

I'm still kind of old school so I'm not up to speed with the newest Ruger because I live in California and all the different Barrel options. But the five and a half inch bull barrel is probably your best choice.
Jon

First of all, listen to Jon. He is right about the Victory being too light. You will not realize it when you start, but will after you start to improve. The Victory screw is not really a problem just torque it a bit and it will not come loose.

If you get a new MKIV, also figure you are in for a Volquartsen trigger upgrade. The base trigger is just to long a pull and too rough for shooting bullseye. Again, Jon's advise to get a used MKII is the best path.

The best thing to do is to buy a gun that goes by in the Commercial board here.  I spent a bunch of money upgrading a Victory when I started, and it would have been better to just buy a used pistol form this forum.  In the end I found a S&W Model 41 for much less than I the upgraded Victory, and it is a 100x better pistol. For reference the Model 41 is on the heavy side at 41oz without scope, and about 47 oz with one.

I had a Victory for less then a week and got rid of it. Just could not handle the 18# (maybe a little less) trigger pull and the balance. I watched the MkIV's and finally settled on the competition model. A lot of weight in the barrel where it feels right. The trigger though is junk. The worst trigger I have felt on a so called competition model in my entire life. Roddy Toyota (who agreed with my trigger assessment) is installing a MkII trigger in it for me. He mentioned that it would have been less expensive just to get a II to start with. But if I got a II it would not have been as easy to break down as the IV. If you feel the need for a S&W and want something that costs a tad less then a 41 there are still a lot of 22A's out there for sale. Decent weight and balance and the trigger (on mine) has a nice smooth roll straight from the factory. Shot my best indoor 900 last year with the 22A. 


22A (just a practice target)

Jon Eulette wrote:I'm still kind of old school so I'm not up to speed with the newest Ruger because I live in California and all the different Barrel options. But the five and a half inch bull barrel is probably your best choice.
Jon

I appreciate your input as I am just learning. As I said the 5.5 inch stainless is still on the short list, as you suggest and may be what I end up with but I would have to change out the grips and trigger but I feel like a trigger job of some kind is probably needed on all the entry level guns. I am also open to used if something good comes available.

fpk wrote:First of all, listen to Jon. He is right about the Victory being too light. You will not realize it when you start, but will after you start to improve. The Victory screw is not really a problem just torque it a bit and it will not come loose.

If you get a new MKIV, also figure you are in for a Volquartsen trigger upgrade. The base trigger is just to long a pull and too rough for shooting bullseye. Again, Jon's advise to get a used MKII is the best path.

The best thing to do is to buy a gun that goes by in the Commercial board here.  I spent a bunch of money upgrading a Victory when I started, and it would have been better to just buy a used pistol form this forum.  In the end I found a S&W Model 41 for much less than I the upgraded Victory, and it is a 100x better pistol. For reference the Model 41 is on the heavy side at 41oz without scope, and about 47 oz with one.

Good tip about the commercial page.. I will look, did not know they had that section. Maybe an inexpensive older precision gun, like a High Standard will come up with a price I can rationalize as a novice.

No complaints or issues with my Victory.
Just the weight, balance, grip, and trigger of my FAS completely blow the Victory out of the water. So now I bring the SW along to the range, but don't shoot it much.
I suppose that yes, I find it light now. But the only issues I had were checking the takedown screw at least once per shooting session and the grip turned out to be a bit small for me. So I have to continuously re-position the gun in my shooting hand. The pistol is certainly decent, I managed pretty decent averages with it, so it wasn't holding me back much.
As far as I'm concerned the barrels and other bling for the Victory are neither plusses nor minuses. IMO most are completely unneeded. My choice of accessories more than fit my needs.
What is desperately needed is better grips. I bought the FAS before finally committing to the one and only "one size fits some" offering from Volquartsen.
Had the Ruger MkIV been available when I bought the SW, I'm almost certain that I would have bought that instead.

I have not had a problem with the screws after torque them properly.  I agree with everyone the trigger sucks and even with the VQ SS fluted barrel the gun is to light.  It sure is accurate off a rest and indoors @ 20yds off a rest can shoot a one hole group with all 5 shots passing through the first hole, but not one handed.  I have VQ triggers in my MK III and 22/45 Lite but VQ just never came out with a trigger for this gun unless they have just lately.

Magload wrote:I have VQ triggers in my MK III and 22/45 Lite but VQ just never came out with a trigger for this gun unless they have just lately.

 The Tandemkross trigger I put on mine made a big difference to the feel of the gun. Love the textured flat front.

Is that the factory plastic rail on your SW22? Or is it the Volquartsen CNC one (https://volquartsen.com/inventory_configurations/1085)?

I emailed them asking if that rail could be machined in the rear to accept target sights (I suggested the same as Ruger). Would be nice to be able to switch between red dot and irons without losing zero. And would gain access to all the target sights already available for another firearm. Would just need a taller front sight or a shim.

Slartybartfast wrote:

Magload wrote:I have VQ triggers in my MK III and 22/45 Lite but VQ just never came out with a trigger for this gun unless they have just lately.

 The Tandemkross trigger I put on mine made a big difference to the feel of the gun. Love the textured flat front.

Is that the factory plastic rail on your SW22? Or is it the Volquartsen CNC one (https://volquartsen.com/inventory_configurations/1085)?

I emailed them asking if that rail could be machined in the rear to accept target sights (I suggested the same as Ruger). Would be nice to be able to switch between red dot and irons without losing zero. And would gain access to all the target sights already available for another firearm. Would just need a taller front sight or a shim.

That is the rail that came with the gun I have not had any problems with it so have not looked for a replacement.  I only shoot the gun when the old farts at the indoor range want to have a bench rest smallest group contest.  The gun will beat them every time.  I got them to shoot the rifle targets one time what have the 10 targets with the pinhead size 10 ring.  I shot a 98 they were in the high 70 low 80s so they don't want to shoot against me and the Victory anymore.  Don

Mike is selling a High Standard and he just reduced the price.  Probably should go for it.

fpk wrote:Mike is selling a High Standard and he just reduced the price.  Probably should go for it.

+1

I love HS pistols. Reiter won 5 Nat'ls with HS!

A bad trigger job on a HS is still better than 95% of the other guns out there.
Jon

fpk wrote:Mike is selling a High Standard and he just reduced the price.  Probably should go for it.

wait, who is Mike.. is it on the commercial feed.. did I miss it?

It is right on top of the commercial part of the forum from Mike38.

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t7660-fs-high-standard-citation

fpk wrote:It is right on top of the commercial part of the forum from Mike38.

https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t7660-fs-high-standard-citation

Just PMed Mike.

Oh my!  SW22 with V's lightweight barrel and trigger job is close to the most weight that less beefy competitors can shoot well with 22LR.  BIG error is to have less beefy new shooter shooting a pistol that is too heavy for them.  Last indoor match, SW22 shooter used a V compensator (on the end of V lightweight barrel) and found it actually helped.  Almost lost the shooter when first CF was a Range Officer.  Now shoots a Lightweight 9mm Comander.   

The new Mark IV 22/45 Lite has also been a godsend for the less beefy competitor.  
Replace the stuff inside that is not needed and it is a great 22LR for the less beefy person.  

Avoid the one-size-fits-all notion.  Shooter has to be able to use pistol with enough comfort and with good fit.  Most on this site could shoot just about anything well.  Those we need to bring into bullseye often need non-traditional solutions.

Mac2 wrote:Oh my!  SW22 with V's lightweight barrel and trigger job is close to the most weight that less beefy competitors can shoot well with 22LR.  BIG error is to have less beefy new shooter shooting a pistol that is too heavy for them.  Last indoor match, SW22 shooter used a V compensator (on the end of V lightweight barrel) and found it actually helped.  Almost lost the shooter when first CF was a Range Officer.  Now shoots a Lightweight 9mm Comander.   

The new Mark IV 22/45 Lite has also been a godsend for the less beefy competitor.  
Replace the stuff inside that is not needed and it is a great 22LR for the less beefy person.  

Avoid the one-size-fits-all notion.  Shooter has to be able to use pistol with enough comfort and with good fit.  Most on this site could shoot just about anything well.  Those we need to bring into bullseye often need non-traditional solutions.

Thanks for that perspective. I am stirring clear of the pistols over 42 or 43 ounces like the Ruger hunter and competition but the target model in stainless is 42.8 oz but is pretty well balanced and doesn’t seem any heavier then some of the Buck Marks at 36 or 38 oz. of course the blues target is about 37 oz some that is a possibility. I am over 50 but pretty athletic so I could probably handle something on the heavier side.


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I have quite a few rounds through mine, Volquartsen carbon barrel, Tandemkross trigger, compensator, rail, mag bases. Vortex Sparc on top. It runs great and neither screw has ever loosened. I drag it out for leagues and for matches indoors when I don't want to shoot the RO Nelson conversion.
It is a fun gun and feels good in the hand.

I started bull's-eye shooting about a year ago. Like you, I was concerned about the weight (I am 69, and not the strongest guy in the world). I purchased a victory, and Jon did a complete trigger job, made it as good as it could be. It sits in my safe. After two or three months of shooting, I realized the victory was way too light. For a mid priced target pistol I really like the S&W 41. Reasonably priced, excellent triggers, no issues with magazines, are still made and parts are available.  Lots of aftermarket availability, as well.

To the possible screw issue:  the SW22 competitor keeps T handle wrenches close by and tests the tightness of the critical screws on a regular basis.  Rare, anymore, to need to tighten screws.  Expect everyone gives things a bit of a wiggle to see if anything is loose.  I have discovered a sight loose just before timed fire and was given a few seconds to tighten.

What has been demonstrated many times is the need for fit.  Fit has several components.  Weight and its distribution is one component.  What is vital is that new competitors try the lower price 22s with red-dot sights.  The SW22, several Mark IV (especially the Lite for someone not yet ready for more weight), and even a selected Buckmark should be tried.  Provide opportunity to try.  When some success has been achieved with a fitting low-price-spread it might be time to try something more expensive.  By then, the new shooter will have an idea of what he or she needs, likes and does not like, and may be on the way to an activity for life.

warm seasons greetings to all     Mac

If you think the victory is light, I'm seeing a good number of ruger sr22's arround, at least one on bullseye night...

10sandxs wrote:If you think the victory is light, I'm seeing a good number of ruger sr22's arround, at least one on bullseye night...

sr22 is a nice little pistol. But the M&P 22 compact has it beat in accuracy. Yep, I tested them both. I was bored.


And in another FYI. A bare SA RO weighs 42.8 oz loaded with 115gr ammo.

One of my first S&W pistols was a full sized M&p 22.  Not a bad gun but I know that most people like the Compact better I am not sure why.  I bought a lot of M&P models and did a lot of stuff to them trying to make target guns out of them.  Great pistols for action shooting not so much for BE.  Don