Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22P 

The dizzying world of executive protection services in our post-9/11 world has changed the way weapons are used. Constant mounting and dismounting of vehicles have increased the demand for compact PDWs. The cramped confines of the embassy limousine has pushed the micro-carbine well into mainstream acceptance.

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Behold S&W’s M&P 15 pistol, the lap dog of bodyguard-friendly ARs. But wait, security firms have to train their operators, and everyone wants to keep costs down. So now you have the M&P 15-22P. It’s a bobtailed version of the highly successful M&P 15-22 trainer.

The 15-22P is a simple blowback in .22 Long Rifle. The bolt and spring are rigged with an AR-style charging handle, and the whole pistol functions with AR controls, i.e., the mag release is on the right in front of the trigger (the guard of which is swollen for use with the gloves that are all the tactical rage), bolt catch and release are on the left and the safety is on the left above the pistol grip.

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The 25-round magazine is a triumph of S&W’s design team, headed up by Jason DuBois. Unlike 90 percent of rimfire hi-caps, DuBois’ mag functions flawlessly. It’s easy to load, impossible to rim-snag and has an intriguing look. It also maintains the dimensions of a 5.56 AR mag and so maintains the pistol’s validity as a training device.