M&P 22, Ruger sr 22 or Walther p22?

[slash415]

I am looking for a semi .22 handgun under 500$. After some research, I found these are my three favorites. I would like some help with deciding on which one to get. Thanks for any help.

 

[thefish]

I can't speak to the others, but I have a SR22, and it's great. Shoots pretty much anything, but I prefer federal.
Interchangeable backstraps
Takedown is simple.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have the M&P22. Great for inexpensive practice for the centerfire M&Ps.

I cannot speak for the others though.

 

[weblance]

I have the SR22P, and its a good gun. The M&P 22 is a lot bigger. I also have a Bersa Thunder 22 and its excellent as well. Consider adding the Bersa to your list. I would pass on the Walther.

 

[helitack32f1]

I have the SR-22p and used to have a Walther P22. There is no comparison in the quality between the two, the Ruger is just in another league. The P22 I owned was an early one and was just a heap of garbage. They have made changes since then but the material quality and design are still major steps behind the Ruger IMO. The Ruger fires everything I have put through it where the Walther actually came with a list of ammo not to use in the gun and to this day I hear it is very picky about the ammo used.
I have no experience with the M&P 22 but have read good things about it and would choose it over the Walther. But I might actually choose a good hammer over the Walther too.

 

[mnrivrat]

In that batch I would go for the Ruger and pass completely on the Walther.

 

[David E]

My P-22 works great, but I may have one of the few that do.

M&P holds 12+1, so that's a plus. I have centerfire M&P's, so I'll buy one eventually.

 

[bannockburn]

Between the three, I would go with the Ruger SR22 first, the S&W M&P second, and the Walther in an extremely distant third and last place.

 

[Recon Ron]

Ruger eats anything, Walther is picky and the M&P is not the same as normal M&Ps.


For those reasons go Ruger SR22.

Shot all three, personally own SR22. Buddy has P22. And Sold M&P.

 

[mgmorden]

Never shot any of those, but given my experiences with other Ruger .22 pistols I'd probably go for the Ruger SR22. I've heard mostly bad things about the Walther (though I will say that I have a cousin that has one and hasn't really complained too much).

 

[rcmodel]

I have a Walther P22.

The Ruger SR22 is what the Walther P22 should & could have been.
But it isn't.

rc

 

[bearman49709]

I own the S&W and a buddy owns the Ruger. I have shot his Ruger and don't like it at all. If you can rent them you can try them out before you buy.

 

[vossman]

M&P all the way. It's a great pistol.

 

[Steve H]

I have two Ruger SR22's they are good little fun guns.

 

[carbonyl]

I haven't shot the S&W or the Walther but I've had the SR22 for three months now and have put A LOT of ammo through it. I like everything about this gun, the look, feel, weight, and accuracy. This gun is a pleasure to see hold and shoot.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I have a Walther P22.

The Ruger SR22 is what the Walther P22 should & could have been.
But it isn't.

rc

+1. They're in different leagues. I liked the P22.

I love the Ruger.

 

[TennJed]

I have the SR22P, and its a good gun. The M&P 22 is a lot bigger. I also have a Bersa Thunder 22 and its excellent as well. Consider adding the Bersa to your list. I would pass on the Walther.

weblance, is yout Bersa ammo picky?

 

[USAF_Vet]

Another gun to consider in your price range is the Sig Sauer Mosquito.

I got to shoot one a few months back. They are a bit finicky on ammo (they like CCI mini mags) but the only other complaint I had was that they are not very left handed shooter friendly. Ergo's were good, accuracy was what you'd expect from a Sig. As a lefty, I wouldn't buy one for me, but if you are a right handed shooter, they are a real nice gun.

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

SR22

I might be biased.

 

[Grunt]

I have both the SR22 and M&P22. Both have been quite accurate for what they are and have been very reliable even with cheap Wal-Mart bulk ammo. The only stoppage I've had was a failure to eject with the SR22 when I intentionally limp wristed it just to see if I could cause a stoppage. The P22, Bersa and Mosquito have been considered but I passed on them based on reports of being finicky when it comes to ammo selections. One other thing I like about the M&P over the SR22 is that it is an excellent trainer for my full sized M&P45 as well as the ability to use the same holster for both. Holster selection for the SR22 is a bit more lacking though.

 

[weblance]

weblance, is yout Bersa ammo picky?

I cant really give you a good answer because I have only shot MiniMags, Stingers, and Blazer bulk thru it. Before I bought the Bersa, I read what I could find about it, and most recommendations were for MiniMags. I only have 1,000 or so rounds downrange with it, mostly Blazers, and it does just fine with those. I can get the 525 Bulk packs for $16, so thats what I stick with. I really haven't done alot of ammo testing with it. It is very reliable with the Blazers, and I dont remember any malfunctions with the Bersa.

One thing I truly like about the Bersa(Walther PPK) is the style, and the feeling in the hand. This pistol style is a true work of art, and whoever did the the actual, original design, was a genius. The pistol points naturally and seems to easily hit whatever its pointed at(my Bersa Thunder 380 is the same). I also have a Ruger SR22P, and although I am a Ruger fanboy, the SR22P just lacks any real "style" that the Bersa has. They shoot the same, operate the same, and are equals as far as accuracy, and mode of operation. The Bersa always draws positive comments from the shooters at the range, but the Ruger is just another black 22 pistol.

 

[Kiln]

My Walther P22 was trash. I couldn't get through a full magazine with multiple ammo types.

 

[TennJed]

I cant really give you a good answer because I have only shot MiniMags, Stingers, and Blazer bulk thru it. Before I bought the Bersa, I read what I could find about it, and most recommendations were for MiniMags. I only have 1,000 or so rounds downrange with it, mostly Blazers, and it does just fine with those. I can get the 525 Bulk packs for $16, so thats what I stick with. I really haven't done alot of ammo testing with it. It is very reliable with the Blazers, and I dont remember any malfunctions with the Bersa.

One thing I truly like about the Bersa(Walther PPK) is the style, and the feeling in the hand. This pistol style is a true work of art, and whoever did the the actual, original design, was a genius. The pistol points naturally and seems to easily hit whatever its pointed at(my Bersa Thunder 380 is the same). I also have a Ruger SR22P, and although I am a Ruger fanboy, the SR22P just lacks any real "style" that the Bersa has. They shoot the same, operate the same, and are equals as far as accuracy, and mode of operation. The Bersa always draws positive comments from the shooters at the range, but the Ruger is just another black 22 pistol.

I 100% agree on the style. I have a Makarov, CZ83, and a PPK. That style is my favorite handgun style. The Bersa 22 has always been high on my want list

 

[F-111 John]

I voted with my wallet for the Ruger SR22P

 

[Trad Archer]

I was of thinking of getting the Walther myself. I know two guys who each have one. They both talked me out of it. They are both very unhappy with theirs. Too bad, because I sure like they the grip fits my hand.