Thanks for doing this.

My Victory shoots so well with the factory barrel that I didn't think that an aftermarket barrel could really better it by much.
I have often wondered if the Volquartsen barrel is really worth the extra money.
However, like you, I do really like the looks of the Volquartsen barrel.


Looking forward to the comparison with a S&W Model 41.
I think we will all be pleasantly surprised at just how good the Victory really is.

 

Eley Contact is not match ammo

 

C'mon man,
The guy takes the time to do this test, make a video and posts it for us to view and all you can come up with is a negative comment?

Layer3guru,
Please continue to do this with other brands of .22 LR ammunition, if possible.
Your efforts are appreciated by me, at least.

 

Some of the early reviews were tested with both the stock barrel and the VQ fluted barrel. In 9 out of 14 brands the stock barrel had better groups than the VQ.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/we-shoot-the-new-smith-wesson-victory-22-lr-pistol/!

 

Not scientific by any means but I have two recent production Victory's.The first was the base model with fiber optic sights and threaded barrel. It has run flawlessly since I purchased it some 4 months ago. I have added some TK parts like Hive grips, Trigger and mag release. ( Which I may back out. I knind of liked the pistol bone stock.) Anyway, it impressed me enough that I just purchased a PC model with CF barrel and Voretx optic. That PC gun rattled itself silly on first use. The Optic Rail went lose, the barrel went loose, even the mag release loosened. I've yet to get it back to the range but am so far, not impressed.

Personally, I'm thinking that if you want any upgrade in the Victory, your better off to do it aftermarket like you did.

 

Opinions on the non-carbon performance center version?
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firear...on.com/firearms/performance-center-sw22-victory-target-model-fiber-optic-sights

Thank you.

 

What constitutes "match"?

 

Exactly!

Just because it says Match in the name doesn't mean your particular pistol or rifle will shoot it well. Or that it is the best ammo for Target shooting.
For example, Federal AutoMatch is hardly what most people would consider "match" ammo.

 

Definitely a particular firearm can like a particular ammo that another does not like and vice versa. That is one reason that using only one brand and load of ammo is not a good idea in this type of comparison.

"Match" ammo is generally more consistent than other ammo. Some manufacturers will test batches or lots and if it is consistent in velocity and show a smaller deviation than their specification they will cull that batch or lot and mark it "match".

Some manufacturers will setup specifically to do a run of "match" ammo and use quality control measures to ensure greater consistency than normal.

In taking a non-match marked box of ammo and just calling it "match" does not make it match.

In doing testing of anything and especially a comparison between two items you want as much consistency as possible. You want to remove outside variables that would skew results one way or the other. Using ammo that is proven consistent from a manufacturer is one way to remove variables. Setting up the test to use maybe 3 different "match" and 1 or 2 standard ammos would also show you that a result is one firearm shooting better than the other another and not just one firearm showing a preference for a certain ammo. The other firearm might fare better shooting a different loading.

You cannot rule out ammo being a factor when you only offer up one brand and loading.

 

How should I store my Victory, do I dry fire it or leave it cocked ? Either way I'm not very happy,

 

Personally, I just leave mine stored in cocked position, but, I bought a box of 100 of the yellow dry-wall anchors from Amazon and might just store it with one of them in mine in fired condition this winter when I wont' be shooting it for awhile.

 

If you don't like a single dry fire before storage, drop one of those yellow wall anchors in the chamber and drop the firing pin on that. Speaking for myself, my Victory doesn't sit idle long enough for the firing pin spring to take any set, imaginary or not. :bthumb:

 

Going to have to try the wall anchors... bound to be cheaper than the dummy rounds I've been buying.

 

I have two Victorys, both gifts from my wife and both stock. After 20,000 rounds or so, I just recently replaced the recoil spring in the oldest one. The only problem I have had with it was early on, the ejector had to be tweaked (bent) a bit and it has been flawless ever since. I also added an O-ring to the takedown screw to keep it tight.

My newest gun has been flawless from the get go. Both Victorys are more accurate than I am.

 

I called it match ammo and should not have geeesh sorry for that. I do have some different ammo and will be performing another test.

I always store mine forward or in the fired position with a snap gap. Having said that I inherited my grandfathers Ruger standard found in the case almost 13 years after he passed and it was in the cocked position. I took it right out and fired it. I put 200 rounds through it with no issue at all. Because of the personal value to me I did replace all the springs.

 

I would love to see the test done with a variety of ammo. Maybe even use that Ruger as well.

 

sw barrel vs volquartzen

I used volquartzen barrel since pistol came out(3000-5000)rounds. then I put on victory barrel for fun and it beat the first Easily...…...I will post 6 inch ss ,threaded barrel for sale ??

 

Leaving a spring alone, regardless whether under tension or slack, is easier on the metal than flexing it.

There have been Colt 1911 magazines which were left loaded since WWII that functioned perfectly 60+ years later. It's the flexing that wears 'em out.

 

To the OP, thank you for taking the time to do your testing and posting the video. It was interesting to watch. My Victory pistol is stock except for the TK trigger that I have added. For the money, it is a very nice pistol, IMO.