Is the Walther P22 safe to buy again?

[Min]

Have they worked out the bugs/reliability issues with this gun?


I never really liked it much, but the threaded barrel is tempting me to get a supressor (legally).

 

[Ukraine Train]

I don't know if they've changed their process/materials but I read that the P22 is based on a German gun that shoots blanks with very little pressure so they used a very weak steel in the slide that's not suitable for real ammuniton. Apparently they didn't change this when they converted it to shoot .22's.

 

[Min]

What is wrong with Walther these days? Their G22 rifle is ugly as sin, too.

Blech

 

[Extremist]

I don't know if they've changed their process/materials but I read that the P22 is based on a German gun that shoots blanks with very little pressure so they used a very weak steel in the slide that's not suitable for real ammuniton. Apparently they didn't change this when they converted it to shoot .22's.

Sorry, this is just old fashioned bogus rumor trash and totally un-substantiated Walther bashing.

Cite your source please.

The P22 was designed as a .22LR pistol way back in 2001 and the CO2 and PAK 9mm blank pistols came AFTER the fact.

There were problems initially with the magazines not working reliably with WIMPY .22LR American ammo, and they were quickly redesigned to work better with unpowered ammo. The new mags have the "-A" designator.

As one who had one of the ORIGINAL P22s from early on, yes, I had the problems with the magazines, for the first 200 or so rounds but the problems went away soon after that. I've never had a problem since. It had problems cycling subsonic ammo when I first got my suppressor, but after the 200 round break-in period, it now functions flawlessly. All with original mags, not the "-A" ones.

The P22 is selling like hotcakes and from all indications is a HUGE hit with the firearms community. Everyone knows on the internet, for every compaint, there are many more silent satisified customers.

Regards,
James

 

[Variable]

I would have to completely agree with "Ukraine Train". The metal they use on the P22 is really soft and becomes worn and bent easily. Thus my P22 is a POS. I'll add if your just shooting a 50rd box here and there as a light shooter then you'll do fine. I'd go with the short barrel too.

-Variable

 

[boo17]

I just bought a p22 a few days ago and it hasnt messed up once yet. So yes, all of the new ones are fine....... and awesome!!!!!


And btw, to the origional poster, the guy at the shop even put a suppressor on my gun, he did it in about 20 seconds and now I want one because of the neighbors.

 

[whm1974]

I would have to completely agree with "Ukraine Train". The metal they use on the P22 is really soft and becomes worn and bent easily. Thus my P22 is a POS. I'll add if your just shooting a 50rd box here and there as a light shooter then you'll do fine. I'd go with the short barrel too.

Who ONLY shoots a 50rd box here and there? I have shot 500rds of .22 in one session. When I shoot my 38 I'll do 200 to 300 rounds at a time. Any firearm should be able to handle 1000 rnds a month for years. I like the way the P22 handles, but I rather have a Buckmark or Ruger instead if the metal is that soft.

-Bill

 

[mini14jac]

I had one about a year ago.
It originally would fire any .22 ammo I put in it.
It had the new magazines.

Loved it until I hit the 1000rd mark.
(I think I got there in less than 3 months. It was a blast to shoot.)

Started having multiple problems.
Safety fell into "On" position while shooting.
Slide would cycle, and not chamber a round.
Started getting multiple light strikes.
I can vouch for the soft metal theory. It was getting really bad wear on the underside of the slide.

Returned it for warranty work. It only had a 1 year warranty, and I don't know if that has changed.
After the factory returned it, it would only shoot higher velocity ammo reliably. Worn slide wasn't replaced. I can't remember exactly, but there were other minor problems.

I sold it with full disclosure.

My impression:
It was a cool gun, not designed to be shot that much.
Since I feel that a .22 pistol should last for many, many thousands of rounds, I wouldn't buy another.
(Maybe Ruger MKIIs have spoiled me?)

Those of you that have good guns, get back to us when you've put 5-10,000 rounds through them.

Once they start making it that far, I may give them another look.
If the problems have really been solved, I'd like to know.

 

[gvass]

"so they used a very weak steel in the slide "

The slide is NOT steel at all. Zinc-alloy instead, such as the frame rails.

"The P22 was designed as a .22LR pistol way back in 2001 and the CO2 and PAK 9mm blank pistols came AFTER the fact."

No, you speak about the P99. There was the real one BEFORE the gas-alarm (9mm PAK), and well before the CO2 (CP99).

There is not even CO2 P22 exists, as the 12 g powerlet is too large for the grip.

The real P99 and gas-alarm P99 have not only different materials, but totally different internals (the gas P99 have fixed "barrel" and inner hammer), and the Walther P99 is made in Ulm, the gas Umarex P99 is made in Arnsberg.

The P22 .22 LR and 9 mm PAK are technically almost the same, and made in Arnsberg.

The gun was designed for gas-alarm originally, where the gas-alarm Umarex guns are designed and made.

 

[Ktulu]

I bought a P22 earlier this year. It is a 2004 model and has the newer "-A" magazines. It is a jam-o-matic and will not fire in double-action. Saturday I stripped it down and I fixed the double-action problem. I think I fixed the feeding problem but I haven't fired it yet.

All said, I would not buy another one and if I had it to do all over again I would buy a Buckmark.

 

[caz223]

Glad I went with the buckmark.

 

[Min]

Better yet if you want a "tactical" looking .22 get the AA kit for the Glock. Mine has been reliable.

It's also much lighter than my Buckmark.

 

[VBHokie]

Loved it until I hit the 1000rd mark.
(I think I got there in less than 3 months. It was a blast to shoot.)

Started having multiple problems.
Safety fell into "On" position while shooting.
Slide would cycle, and not chamber a round.
Started getting multiple light strikes.
I can vouch for the soft metal theory. It was getting really bad wear on the underside of the slide.

I have one that I purchased in May, just came across the 1000 round mark this past week and started having the "slide cycle, hammer cock, round not chambered" problem. Very frustrating, especially when I havent changed the brand of ammo I have been shooting through it. I have not had any other problems other than a bit of wear on the bottom side of the slide. I guess I will have to contact Walther about this one and get it remedied.

 

[mini14jac]

I have one that I purchased in May, just came across the 1000 round mark this past week and started having the "slide cycle, hammer cock, round not chambered" problem.

So your gun croaked at 1000 rounds too. How strange is that?
It's almost like they didn't figure anybody would shoot more than 1000 rounds through the guns.

Oh well.
I paid $119 for a Phoenix HP22.
I've got about 500 rounds through it, and it's still humming along.
It's not as cool looking as the Walther, but if it keeps shooting, I'll be happy.

 

[outofbattery]

I have around 3200 +/- rounds through mine with no more issues than I'd expect from any rimfire : maybe 3 light strikes/bad primers and a couple FTF's after it'd got good and dirty . I like mine and it's a great joy to shoot . No it isn't a target gun , I have a SW41 for that , though it is more accurate than most of my large caliber pistols that cost twice as much . I don't know if I just happened to get an above average one or perhaps a few of you got ones that aren't so hot . I know all 3 of the gun shops I frequent have sold loads of the things and there aren't droves of cheapies in the used cases .

 

[BeLikeTrey]

We are beating this p22 thing to Death.

The gun's nifty points...

Great looking pistol
Single double action for great practice with lower recoil and cost (for larger single/ double carry)
Adjustable butt
small and concealable and light
neat-o factor for accessories? yippee!Nifty accessories like the red dot and mount. The neat-o surpressor (no major modifications) and space age looking "compensator". It's not just a gun it's a LEGO!

Crummy pints...
The metal SUCKS! Mine is peening on the slide rail and the slide lock is smoothed off to almost non functional
Extractor seems to be failing alot here lately (a new round and a spent round really don't like trying to go in the same chamber)
Roll pins keep backing out
The barrel nut keeps loosening while shooting (gotta replace with the threaded adapter so you can finger tighten when needed or use the damn wrench.
Oh yeah, the hammer has to be smoothed off since it catches the slide and makes it stick sometimes.

Analysis...

If you want a nifty cool paper weight/ conversation piece? get a P22
If you want a nice firearm for YEARS of service, get a ruger or buckmark.