“The Smith Model 61 Escort was a dog, very ammo sensitive. Cant imagine this helped the reliability.”
The .22 RF is a problematic round for semi-automatic handguns. I have a Sig Mosquito. It only “likes” CCI MiniMags. A long, skinny case makes a lousy platform for extraction, and the low energy makes FTE’s happen all the time.
The only one I’ve had that cycled everything was a Ruger MK II.
I bought one of these in 1985 and had no trouble with it. Same for my Ruger .22's. Just clean them and they'll be fine. Used it as my coat pocket pistol.
$125 new in 1985, $250+ USED now! OW!