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Posted By: passport Thompson Center .22 Classic - 12/25/12
What is the story on these? Accurate? Good guns?
Accurate? My Silver Lynx is the most accurate semi I've had. I think they are an excellent rifle that was plagued with a minor problem that facilitated a design change. I have both models and really prefer the early one. The chamber chip issue is an easy fix if you catch it in time......
I had the target version. Way more accurate than my factory 10/22 target, better trigger, liked the stock better too. Ruger had a better clip tho. TC had last shot bolt hold open, that lack is one thing that has always irritated me about the ruger.
I have an early Classic that I ordered when they first came out. I love it. I bought several spare magazines for it at the same time. I found that two of them wouldn't feed reliably (very early production, also). I sent them to the factory and they sent me new magazines that work fine. I have since bought two more magazines that also work fine.

I had my stock checkered. I plan to keep the rifle forever. The most accurate field ammo in my gun is American Eagle HP, an inch or under at 50 yards. Federal Target ammo does 5/8" groups at 50 yards. This is with the Weaver 2x7 RF scope installed.

I would rate the overall quality as very good. It is nice to show up at the range with something other than a 10/22. The Classic's stock is narrower through the wrist and middle and feels better to me than the 10/22s.

For you Classic owners: Smoky Mountain Knife Works sells a Zippo lighter belt holster-pouch (really) that is a perfect fit for the Classic 5-round magazine.

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Zippo/Zippo%C2%AE+Logo+Brown+Leather+Lighter+Pouch+with+Clip/ZPLPCB.html
I put the classic walnut stock on my Lynx and canned the plastic. It is now rather handsome....

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Originally Posted by nifty-two-fifty
For you Classic owners: Smoky Mountain Knife Works sells a Zippo lighter belt holster-pouch (really) that is a perfect fit for the Classic 5-round magazine.

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Zippo/Zippo%C2%AE+Logo+Brown+Leather+Lighter+Pouch+with+Clip/ZPLPCB.html


cool, I live just down the road from there. I might try em out for my 452 mags. Thanks for the heads up..... cool
One of the finer 22 autos out there IMO.
Originally Posted by huntsman22
Accurate? My Silver Lynx is the most accurate semi I've had. I think they are an excellent rifle that was plagued with a minor problem that facilitated a design change. I have both models and really prefer the early one. The chamber chip issue is an easy fix if you catch it in time......



Huntsman22,

My T/C Silver Lynx is developing chamber chipping at the extractor cut area. What did you do to fix or stop the continued chipping. Mine is not the later R-55 model. My sons Classic 22 is an early rifle with very minor chipping.

Doc
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=428365
Huntsman2,

Thanks.

Doc
Huntsman22,

Thanks for that link. I was unaware of this problem. I checked my rifle and found no chipping. There was a tiny bright spot where the extractor was making contact, so I fixed that, using the info from the link.

Happy New Year.
So, I should stay away from buying one of these???
No. they are great rifles. If yours has the chipped chamber,and you are the original buyer, S&W will warranty it. If you slightly modify the extractor, before damage, you're good to go.
Originally Posted by orion03
One of the finer 22 autos out there IMO.


My opinion, also.
Thanks, I may start looking for one
There were 2 on the classifieds in the last year. I don't know if either ever sold.....
Buzzsaw,
Here is a link to an old Guns & Ammo article where Brian Pearce evaluated the 22 Classic when it was introduced:

http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/tcs-instant-classic
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