Walther P-22 California threaded barrel recall?

[Average Guy]

A buddy just called to tell me that he'd received a letter from Walther stating that he'd be sold "the wrong pistol"—that is, he'd somehow been sold a model that was not intended for sale in California. His P-22 has the threaded barrel (see this page for a comment about "limited numbers"), and evidently that was the beef. Walther wants him to send the barrel (whole pistol?) back for a replacement. He wanted to know whether he had to comply with the request. I opined that while Walther may be legally required to issue the notice, they probably can't be held liable if he doesn't respond—but then, I had to wonder whether, say, ATF would get involved.

Anyone else heard of this? What would be the best course of action, and if he returned the pistol, couldn't he just stick another adapter on it later?

 

[whm1974]

Are threaded barrels illegal in CA?

-Bill

 

[Average Guy]

Well, I did find this comment:

Walther p-22
Added by shep on Sunday, June 27, 2004 at 12:32 AM

I have a P-22 and don't think too much of it. It constantly jams, stovepipes, is VERY brand specific with ammo, and is not really all that accurate. I do have the latest mags too. I decided to sell it for $250 and was almost done with the paperwork when the gun dealer discovered that it was now considered an ASSAULT WEAPON in California!! No doubt because of the threaded barrel. But the CA dept. of "justice" ALREADY KNEW that when they certified it after months of vigorous testing! Typical Calif. Govt.!!! So now I am stuck with this piece as I cannot sell it in California or even pass it on to my son. Screw it. I just bought a Ruger MK II bull barrel target pistol. It performs flawlessly and is dead on target! I, too, have experienced the fake compensator working loose. What i want to do is either scope it, put a red dot sight on it or front and back high visability sights. Does any one know if this is possible? E-mail me at [email protected] if you can offer advice Regards to all, John Sheppard

http://www.packing.org/news/article.jsp/7479/

But I didn't see the P-22 listed on the CA DOJ decertified list.

 

[The Dutchman]

Threaded barrels are illegal in California....and are actually considered an Assault Weapon. I have never seen the logic in that but its true. He should comply because having a threaded barrel is in the California Judges eyes just as bad as having a suppressor or any other type of assault weapon like an AR or AK. Its a ridiculously stupid law but its a law that can land you in jail...don't risk it. If Walther sold it to your friend before 2000 then its fine..don't respond. But if it was sold after 2000 then there can be big trouble no only for your friend but also for the FFL that sold it to him!

 

[Kruzr]

Here is the letter from CA DOJ that comes with the recall notices.

courtesy of Technical Ted on Calguns forum