New Toy - Walther P22 Target

[Catbird]

The choice is yours to make, however the popular opinion is that CCI Stingers are overly abusive in the Walther P22. As you are probably aware, the P22 has a zinc slide which is not a particularly tough material.

I have two Walther P22s that run 100%; they are super fun to shoot. I've decided to shoot only copper-washed, standard velocity ammunition in mine because I want them to last a long time.

Winchester Super X is my favorite Walther P22 ammo.

 

[scurtis_34471]

That's new information. A couple other people on this forum suggested Stingers or Mini-Mags as the best ammo for this gun, claiming that standard velocity ammo does not always cycle the slide. Now I'm REALLY confused.

 

[real_name]

I recommended CCI MiniMags, not sure about Stingers, never used them.
MiniMags have provided me with a few thousand flawless shots in my P22. Everyone I know uses them.

 

[Catbird]

Let me again say that the choice in P22 ammo is yours. According to some owners who shoot thousands of rounds thru theirs, CCI Minimags seem to be okay as well as almost any non-hypervelocity ammo.

I have a good supply of CCI Stingers and like to shoot them in my other .22lr guns, but not my P22s.

Also, I might add that many P22 shooters report frequent problems with lead buildup when using Remington Thunderbolts.

Another word of caution with the P22:
It is best to use the "slingshot" method for chambering a round when applicable -- frequently using the slide lock lever will hasten wear on the slide's notch due to the softer zinc material.

YMMV.

 

[The Good]

a few p22 questions as i am considering the purchase.

I don't understand a few things
can the p22 target's extended barrel be removed to convert it to the shorter barrel one, or does a new barrel need to be purchased?
are the barrels threaded?
WHat type of safety does it use?
how similar is the trigger to the p99 trigger and how similar is the distance from back of grip to trigger to p99.(sorry that one is kinda complex).
is cci blazer ammo nice and clean ?
is there a decock function on there?

sorry, but i honestly have looked around and cant get answers. thanks!

 

[Catbird]

can the p22 target's extended barrel be removed to convert it to the shorter barrel one, or does a new barrel need to be purchased?

You must have 2 barrels.

WHat type of safety does it use?
is there a decock function on there?

The P22 uses a hammer block safety. When you snick the safety ON, it prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin. The recommended decocking procedure is to put the safety ON and pull the trigger. Furthermore, the P22 has a magazine safety which is 'supposed' (I have not tried to defeat it) to prevent the gun from firing unless a magazine is firmly seated in place.

 

[scurtis_34471]

Stingers may be too hot (I'll try Mini-Mags next time), but they sure shoot clean. I put 200 of them through my P22 yesterday. When I field stripped the gun to clean it, I could hardly tell it had been fired. In contrast, I put 100 Magtech FMJs through my Bersa .380 and it was filthy.