TECHNICAL DOPE BAG

SMITH & WESSON MODEL 22

s odd as it might sound, scour the gun shows for these old very positive fashion—if anything Smith & Wesson is doing guns to use in the same personal comes out, everything comes out. A quite well by introducing defense role for which S&W built A .45 ACP revolver makes quite a that it once discontinued. them in the 20th century. The “look” lot of sense. A further advantage of While some of the new products in of the old classics—tapered barrel, the double-/single-action .45 the Classic Series are very close short underlug, fi xed rear sight, high ACP revolver is the gun’s ability to replicas of yesteryear’s models, front sight—is enjoying a renais- use the old .45 Auto Rim . others are simply guns styled in the sance of interest and use. For that This round is a throwback to the manner of the company’s classic era. reason, S&W decided to produce the immediate post-World War I period, The gun at hand is an example gun in one of the currently popular when Peters Cartridge Co. intro- of the latter category. It is the Smith big-bore revolver rounds, .45 ACP. duced it for use in the thousands & Wesson Model 22, a blue steel, Certainly the .45 ACP is best of Colt and S&W M1917 revolvers fi xed-sight, .45 ACP revolver made known for use in innumerable semi that came home from the war. By on the “N”-frame. While S&W did in -automatic pistols, but most shoot- using an extra-thick rim, Peters fact make a Model 22 in the 1957 to ers are aware that it also works was able to make a .45 round that 1966 period, it was an updated ver- quite well in revolvers through the worked in these guns and didn’t sion of the M1917 revolver that the use of third-, half - or full-moon require the moon clips. Once a company produced to arm World clips. These little sheet steel clips very popular cartridge, the Auto War I doughboys. It is also repro- take two, three or six rounds of the Rim has recently been made ducing that 5½" M1917 gun in the rimless ACPs and hold them in the only in limited runs. Fans of the Classic series, but the revolver with cylinder with a constant relation- cartridge should be pleased to which we are concerned is actually ship to the fi ring mechanism. Six- hear that Black Hills has added a new model. S&W never regularly round full-moon clips are the most it to its line in a new loading. By produced a fi xed sight .45 ACP popular and also make very good any standard, this makes the new N-frame with this gun’s tapered, speedloaders. There are even Model 22 about as versatile a underlugged 4" barrel. side benefi ts in that the full-moon revolver as one could fi nd. It will A lot of shooters have begun to clip ejects from the cylinder in a shoot every imaginable loading

84 NOVEMBER 2007 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN SHOOTING RESULTS (25 YDS.) SMITH & WESSON MODEL 22

.45 AUTO RIM VEL . @ 12' ENERGY GROUP SIZE IN INCHES MANUFACTURER : SMITH & WESSON , INC ., CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT .-LBS .) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE 2100 ROOSEVELT AVE ., SPRINGFIELD , MA 01104; (800) 331-0852; WWW .SMITH -WESSON .COM BLACK HILLS VG 813 A . 374 1.63 2.70 2.10 CALIBER : .45 ACP 255-GR . LSWC D 14 S ACTION TYPE : DOUBLE -ACTION /SINGLE - .45 ACP VEL . @ 12' ENERGY GROUP SIZE IN INCHES ACTION REVOLVER CARTRIDGE (F.P.S.) (FT .-LBS .) SMALLEST LARGEST AVERAGE FRAME : BLUE STEEL , SQUARE BUTT BARREL : 4" REMINGTON 824 AVG . 347 1.69 4.61 3.30 RIFLING : FIVE -GROOVE , LH 1:16" 230-GR . GOLDEN 10 SD CAPACITY : SIX ROUNDS SABER SIGHTS : FIXED , SQUARE NOTCH REAR , ROUND BLADE FRONT FEDERAL 824 AVG . 347 2.11 3.67 2.98 TRIGGER PULL : 2 LBS . 12 OZS ., SINGLE -AC - 230-GR . MATCH FMJ 9 SD TION ; 10 LBS ., 12 OZS . DOUBLE -ACTION BLACK HILLS 832 AVG . 354 1.99 2.66 2.39 OVERALL LENGTH : 9¼" 230-GR . JHP 12 SD WIDTH : 1¾" HEIGHT : 5" AVERAGE EXTREME SPREAD : 2.89 WEIGHT : 38.6 OZS . ACCESSORIES : LOCKABLE HARD CASE , NOTES : ACCURACY FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE , FIVE -SHOT GROUPS FIRED FROM A RANSOM REST . MANUAL , LOCK VELOCITIES MEASURED WITH AN OEHLER MODEL 35P CHRONOGRAPH WITH SCREENS PLACED SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE : $940 APPROXIMATELY 12 FT . FROM THE MUZZLE . AVERAGE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY AVAILABLE OPTIONS : NICKEL FINISH, OR 95° F. ABBREVIATIONS : LSWC (LEAD SEMI -WADCUTTER ), FMJ (FULL METAL JACKET ), JHP COLOR CASE -HARDENED FRAME WITH (JACKETED HOLLOW POINT ), SD (STANDARD DEVIATION ) BLUE BARREL AND CYLINDER

The rear sight is a fi xed U-shaped notch cut into the topstrap. Smith & Wesson has carefully reproduced the profi le of its classic revolver. of the .45 ACP (including +Ps and other kinds of posts, ramps or shot) as well as .45 Auto Rim. blades. In theory, it could also The Model 22 revolver is a be used to correct for both eleva- handsome gun. It has all of the tion and windage by installing a 813 f.p.s., delivering 374 ft.-lbs. of curves and planes of so many of customized front sight blade. The energy. This is essentially the same the big N frames of the early 20th advantage of a fi xed-sight system performance as many .45 Colt century. There is ample evidence has always been rugged simplic- loads. Note also that the three .45 that the sample Model 22 was care- ity, but regulating them has been a ACP rounds fi red delivered velocity fully polished before bluing. The problem. On the Model 22 S&W, it and energy fi gures lower than those revolver’s grips are modern repro- would be a little easier. found with .45 ACP pistols with full ductions of the type used before The Model 22 uses the com- 5" barrels. Quite possibly, this is 1935. They have good-looking pletely modernized fi re-con- due to the shorter barrel and veloc- S&W medallions at the top circle trol system, with the fi ring pin ity loss at the barrel-cylinder gap. of each grip panel. The barrel is mounted in the frame. Double- Smith & Wesson’s new Model 22 the tapered type, with short ejector action pull measured just under .45 ACP revolver is a throwback rod housing, as fi rst used on .44- 11 lbs. At just under 3 lbs., the to the old days in its styling, but and .45-cal. Triple Locks. On those single-action pull is very crisp. for revolver afi cionados, that’s a older guns, the front sight was It is an easy gun to shoot. Shoot- good thing. The fact that it uses the forged integral with the barrel. ing the Model 22 produced the entire array of .45 ACP ammo and This version is different in results shown with this story. In the the new heavy-bullet .45 Auto Rim that it has an integral front sight Ransom Rest, the pistol showed a load, makes it a versatile rugged base, into which the actual sight- marked preference for the new service revolver for personal or ing blade is pinned. This feature Black Hills 255-gr. lead semi wad- home defense. It is a welcome permits the shooter to use several cutter load. Velocity with this load is addition to the S&W lineup.

NOVEMBER 2007 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 85 DOPE BAG

LaserMax LMS-1202 Laser/White Light

aserMax has established a tion switch are on the left, while the simultaneously. Both are powered strong position in the tacti- laser module is on the right side. by two lithium batteries, which are L cal laser market with pistol A green power status light is on included and which have a shelf- lasers incorporated into replace- top. The unit mounts on Remington life of 10 years. The green indica- ment recoil-spring guide rods. The police shotguns having a two- tor light fl ashes to alert you when it natural alignment of the barrel and round extension. The is time to replace the power cells. guide rod, plus the unobtrusive, consumer simply removes the After mounting the LMS-1202, internal installation have been a barrel/magazine brace from the we zeroed it to align with the iron winning combination. The Roches- gun and slides the LMS-1202 in sights’ point-of-aim at 25 yds. ter, N.Y.-based company has also place between the barrel and mag- Adjustment was with an included turned its attention to the tactical azine extension tube. The mount Allen wrench, accessing separate shotgun market with the introduc- solidly locks in place with three windage and elevation screws in tion of the LMS-1202 laser sight/ screws. Installation is very simple the housing. Adjustment was very white light for Remington 870 or and takes only a minute or two. quick and easy, but there are no 1100 12-ga. police shotguns. The unit is activated by depress- detents to indicate the amount of The new device departs from ing the small red button at the back movement per turn. Instead, the previous LaserMax efforts in a of the housing, which results in con- beam is regulated to coincide number of ways. Most obviously, it stant on. An optional pressure switch with the iron sights. is designed for a long arm, in this is also available that will activate the We fi red the Remington 870 case the most popular defensive unit whenever a pad mounted on the Police Magnum with both Win- shotguns. But, additionally, this unit fore-end is pressed. chester 2¾" shells loaded with 00 adds a white light that works in The white light generates 60 buckshot at 15 yds., and Federal conjunction with the laser. Moreover, lumens, enough to identify a target, 3" Magnum shells loaded with unlike other LaserMax sights, this but not enough to constitute a Hydra-Shok 1-oz. saboted slugs at one is fully adjustable for windage force option. It won’t temporarily 25 yds., using both the iron sights and elevation. However, the LMS- blind an attacker and, for reasons and the laser/white light combina- 1202 does retain the virtues of the we shall see, should not be used tion. We used the iron sights on a company’s other products, namely in that manner. The laser, a 5mW well-lighted range, then switched user-friendliness and toughness. unit, pulsates, as do all Laser- off the lights and fi red in darkness, The LMS-1202 is contained in Max beams, with the intention of the target illuminated solely by a strong, aircraft-grade aluminum drawing the shooter’s eyes to it. the LMS-1202, and without taking a housing. The white light and activa- The white light and laser activate cheek weld on the gun.

86 NOVEMBER 2007 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN Using the 00 buck, the rounds The LMS-1202 laser occasion- identifi ed. The light and laser can fi red in darkness with the laser at ally required realignment due then be swung quickly onto the least equaled if not exceeded those to the heavy magnum loads we target if that target is determined fi red in good light with the iron fi red. How? Alignment is easy to to be hostile. sights. The results with the slugs in check against the iron sights, and Overall, the LMS-1202 is a the dark were actually better than the adjustment does not require fi ring good, useful addition to the results with them when the range was the gun. Also, we learned that the assortment of personal-protection illuminated. Moreover, as is a typical pressure switch would not func- tools available to law enforcement advantage with lasers, we were able tion at high temperature. When and armed citizens alike. It scores to shoot with both eyes open and the gun was removed from a hot major points for ease of installa- focused downrange, giving us much car parked in the summer sun, the tion, ease of use, and stout con- better vision of the area and thus pressure switch would not activate struction. However, the tempera- enhanced situational awareness. the LMS-1202. Unplugging the ture sensitivity of the pressure We tried some fast, informal pressure switch and pressing the switch needs to be addressed. shooting with the LMS-1202, too. red activation button on the hous- Also, the LMS-1202’s use demands How does the 870 swing with ing worked fi ne, but the pressure added safety considerations, but the unit mounted on it? Well, we switch was useless until it had such is the case with all gun- wouldn’t want to engage fast cooled down. This is distressing mounted illumination systems. crossers on a skeet fi eld with it, for a device that may be mounted Under most conditions, though, but handling was adequate to on a gun that is often stored in a the LMS-1202 should help the user bring it into play against a charg- patrol car. perform two critical tactical func- ing attacker. Also, we were able There is one other consider- tions: positively identify the target to accurately fi re the gun both ation with the LMS-1202. Gun- in low light and reliably deliver from the hip and from under the mounted lights present a safety fast, accurate fi re to the target arm. This illustrates one of the concern, and this particular unit should the need arise. main benefi ts of gun-mounted magnifi es the issue. If you are lasers—the ability to help you pointing the light at a target to Contact: LaserMax, Inc. (Dept. AR), deliver accurate fi re despite a identify it, you are also pointing 3495 Winton Place, Building B, less-than-ideal hold, something a loaded gun at it, something you Rochester, NY, 14623; (800) 527-3703; that might be necessary in an should not do until you are sure of www.lasermax.com. actual self-defense confrontation. your target. The LMS-1202 makes Suggested Retail Price: $399 With the pressure switch in matters worse in that, with it, you place, activation was fast and natu- are not only pointing a gun at an ral. We were initially concerned unidentifi ed target, you are very that the coiled cord of the switch likely directing a laser into a would interfere with the movement person’s eyes, a violation of basic of the fore-end when cycling the laser safety. The solution with any action, but this proved not to be gun-mounted light and with this the case. The LMS-1202 induced no unit in particular, is to direct the failures in the gun. light near the target rather than LaserMax asserts that a directly at it, until the target is mounted LMS-1202 has withstood being repeatedly dropped muzzle- The mount clamps to the barrel and fi rst onto concrete from a height the magazine tube. The laser sight of 6 ft. While the laser/white light lies on the shooter’s right and the unit was unscathed, the gun was fl ashlight is on the left. severely damaged, so we didn’t attempt that test. However, we The American Rifl eman has used the phrase “Dope Bag” since at least 1921, when Col. Townsend didn’t baby it either. Our guess Whelen fi rst titled his column with it. Even then, it had been in use for years, referring to a sack used is that the very stable mount and by target shooters to hold ammunition and accessories on the fi ring line. “Sight dope” also was a traditional marksman’s term for sight-adjustment information, while judging wind speed and direction thick, sturdy housing will do a was called “doping the wind.” good job of protecting the unit WARNING: Technical data and information contained herein are intended to provide information from the battering and dings asso- based on the limited experience of individuals under specifi c conditions and circumstances. They do ciated with hard, daily law enforce- not detail the comprehensive training procedures, techniques and safety precautions absolutely neces- ment use. Suffi ce to say it should sary to properly carry on similar activity. Read the notice and disclaimer on the contents page. Always consult comprehensive reference manuals and bulletins for details of proper training requirements, be more than strong enough for procedures, techniques and safety precautions before attempting any similar activity. the needs of an armed homeowner.

NOVEMBER 2007 AMERICAN RIFLEMAN 87