Smith & Wesson Corp.'s M&P15-22P is a semi-automatic pistol in the Military & Police (M&P) Series based on the M&P15-22 rifle.

Engineered on a dedicated .22 LR tactical platform, the M&P15-22P offers shooters reduced size and weight while retaining similar operating features and versatility of the full-length tactical rifle, according to the company.

Built on a polymer upper and lower receiver, the M&P15-22P features a 6-inch carbon steel barrel and an overall length of 15 inches. The new pistol operates on a conventional blow-back, semi-automatic action and arrives with a 25-round magazine.

The M&P15-22P has a barrel twist of 1 in 15 inches and has been fitted with an A1-style flash hider. With an unloaded weight of 51 ounces, the tactical sport pistol offers limited recoil and economical ammunition. To aid in sight alignment, the M&P15-22P is standard with a removable A2-style front-post sight and an adjustable A2-style rear sight. The standard sights on the M&P15-22P can be easily removed to mount other optics and sighting devices.

The M&P15-22P shares other common design features with the full-length tactical rifle including an A3-style flat-top upper receiver with quad-rail handguard along with a single-stage trigger. The pistol also features a traditional AR-style magazine release, bolt catch and two-position safety. Employing a Picatinny rail, the pistol accepts after-market rail accessories, as well as most standard pistol grips and trigger systems.

"With the availability of the new M&P15-22P, consumers have the opportunity to own a unique, multipurpose tactical sport pistol," said Tom Kelly, Smith & Wesson's vice president of marketing.

The Smith & Wesson M&P15-22P retails for $585.