Walther G22 (range report)

[jsalcedo]

I took my new Walther G22 out this weekend to put it through its paces.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=114349

I loaded up a 10 round mag and inserted it into the magazine well on the underside of the stock.

I tried to pull back the charging handle but it was stiff and gritty.

After a few drops of rem oil the I was able to pull back the bolt easily.

The first round out of the magazine stood straight up and jammed into the chamber bending the bullet in the case at a 45 degree angle jamming the magazine and the bolt.

Taking a cleaning rod I was able to pry the bullet out and drop the magazine.

I took my pliers and bent the magazine lips together to better hold the ammo in the proper position.

Inserting the repaired magazine I lined up the sights at a 25 yard bullseye target. The sights are AR 15 type in the carry handle.

The rear sight pops up and has 6 rotating rear notch choices.

However the slide up rear sight has no friction and does not stay up like its supposed to.

First thing I noticed was the gun was very unbalanced and stock heavy.
It was like putting a 10 LB lead buttplate on a youth sized rifle.

I squeezed off a few rounds and my spotter asks me what target I'm shooting at. turns out the G22 is shooting 13 inches left at 25 yards.

I try to adjust the rear sight but the captive screw won't budge, then I notice the plastic front sight can be drifted left with a gentle finger touch.

So I scoot the front sight all the way left until it is about to fall out of its groove and finally start hitting the paper.

At 25 yards groups are a respectable 4 to 5 inches.

Changing magazines I pull back on the bolt handle to chamber a fresh round from a new mag and find that the bolt hold open is stuck.

Taking a small scewdriver I find the bolt hold open and push it down enabling me to chamber a round.

After a few more jams and bent shaved bullets I repair the 2nd magazine
and monkey with the flopping jammed bolt hold open.

Conclusion:

The G22 is a neat looking piece of donkey crap.

Don't buy one.

 

[Joe Demko]

Thanks for the info. Sorry your rifle was such a disappointment.

 

[countertop]

Not surprising at all. That has pretty much been my experience with the Walther P22. I should say though, it has gotten alot better as I've shot it more, but still, it takes more adjustment and modifications out of the box than an old Government Model 1911. Thats simply not acceptable for combat tupperware - even the .22lr kind.

 

[Third_Rail]

The G22 is a neat looking piece of donkey crap.

You have me crying in laughter!!

 

[Art Eatman]

I have an old 1930s manufacture Walther Model 2, for which I've been seeking a spare magazine.

I've emailed the Walther factory and Walther USA. Both have been as courteous as one would wish, and would have liked to have been helpful. (Plus, some jealousy that I have a Model 2 )

IOW, email Walther USA, telling of dissatisfaction. See what they do, if anything.

Art

 

[RooK]

I tried to pull back the charging handle but it was stiff and gritty.

After a few drops of rem oil the I was able to pull back the bolt easily.

Did you even clean it prior to testing? That might have fixed everything except for the sight adjustments.

 

[jsalcedo]

Thanks Art.

I sent the message to Walther minus the donkey crap part.


Rook:
I did inspect the bore and action of the rifle before I shot it.
there seemed to be sufficient lubrication on the bolt before I got started but apparently not enough.

 

[Trempel]

You either have the worst G22 that missed the entire QA process at Walther or somebody abused the heck out it before it was sold to you.

I recently had a chance to test a NIB G22 and my experience is the complete opposite of yours.
Took the rifle out of the box and plastic wrap, cleaned it, and lubed friction points. Next morning at the range the rifle chewed up about 300 rounds of Remington bulk pack high-velocity copper plated rounds with only a couple of malnfunctions (FTEs) that I attribute to the fact that the rifle is not broken in yet. The sights stayed put and didn't slide down during firing, the mags worked just fine. Accuracy seemed okay, but we didn't shoot for groups. Most shooting was done at 25 yards offhand and all of the shots seemed to go where the rifle was aimed. Overall, I was happy with it's performance.

 

[Sactown]

Wow. I haven't had any problems with mine at all. Got it, cleaned it, lubed it, and blasted away. I'm on my 4th brick of Win Dynapoints without a cleaning..still no jams. The "iron sights" looked pathetic, but I already had the red dot before I got the rifle. My accuracy has been outstanding. Send it back, you shouldn't be having those kinds of problems. Mine has been surprisingly accurate and reliable.

 

[RooK]

Rook:
I did inspect the bore and action of the rifle before I shot it.
there seemed to be sufficient lubrication on the bolt before I got started but apparently not enough.

I'd blame quite a bit of your malfunctions on that then. Most firearms come from the factory with sticky anti-rust lube on them and it gums up if you leave it on, this is especially true with an autoloader.

 

[jsalcedo]

I'd blame quite a bit of your malfunctions on that then. Most firearms come from the factory with sticky anti-rust lube on them and it gums up if you leave it on, this is especially true with an autoloader.

I would agree that it may be indeed a problem except that the bolt hold open
moved freely and in a very loose way when in its defective state.

I don't think Cleaning affected the magazines that expel the cartridges
with the bullet pointing straight up and the falling rear sight and the
sights being off 13 inches when centered.

Indeed it may be worthwile to clean and closely inspect new firearms
before firing.