Walther P22 durable?

[colorado_handgunner]

I just wanted to ask about the walther p22, what do you guys think that have used them? I had heard some early concerns about slides cracking. Has this been resolved?
Thank you.

Sent from my Customized Thunderbolt

 

[DMZ]

I had one for a couple of years. The slide is zinc/alloy casting. It was very ammo sensitive. It would eject spent casing all over the place (best to wear safety glasses, ball cap and button your shirt at the neck). But, my biggest gripe about it was it's inaccuracy.

It was one of the best fitting autos I ever shot.

I heard about slides developing cracks. I never shot the "hyper vel" stuff in mine so it never showed much wear after ~2,000 rounds.

I gave it to my niece as I found I just quit taking it out.

 

[k-frame]

I've had one for about a year and ~1500 rounds. So far no FTEs or FTFs but yes, it helps to wear long sleeves and a baseball cap; the brass seems to spray around.

Agreed on the non-accuracy; at 7 yards I get OK but inconsistent groups inside the 9 ring. So far, no problems with the slide.

Cleaning is easy enough but reassembly is a bit annoying. You'll need to use either the rod that comes with the gun or something similar to help reseat the recoil spring and slide. See this video at the 7:00 minute mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yuby46jqb9c

All that said, I bought it for fun plinking and for that it's fine. I recently shot a new Beretta Neo u22 and you may want to consider that gun as well. More accurate than the P22 but it has a Star Wars look.

 

[marb4]

There have been some documented cases of the zinc alloy (zamak) slide cracking. The majority of these seem to be with the 5 inch "target" model though some of the 3.5 inch have cracked as well. I have around 3000 rounds through mine and I've found it to be plenty accurate for plinking and mine has not been ammo sensitive at all. In fact, its been ironically one of the most reliable 22 auto loaders I've owned. You'll read a lot of complaints about the P22 but mine so far has been a real gem.

Now having said that, there is a new competitor to the P22 on the block. The newly introduced Ruger SR22 pistol has an aluminium slide and seems to be more solidly built. (I've had one for a couple weeks now). Its priced lower than the P22, is backed by Ruger customer service, is made here in America, and mine so far has been very reliable. Accuracy wise its about the same as the P22, at least in my hands. Definately worth considering if your in the market for a small "combat" style 22 pistol.

 

[Fishbed77]

FYI - The P22 is not made by Walther.

It is made by Umarex (better known for potmetal guns and airsoft toys). Umarex owns a stake in Walther and slaps the well-respected Walther name on these pistols for marketing purposes.

Real Walthers are made in the Walther factory in Ulm, Germany, and include the superb P99, PPQ, PPS. and GSP pistols.

 

[colorado_handgunner]

There have been some documented cases of the zinc alloy (zamak) slide cracking. The majority of these seem to be with the 5 inch "target" model though some of the 3.5 inch have cracked as well. I have around 3000 rounds through mine and I've found it to be plenty accurate for plinking and mine has not been ammo sensitive at all. In fact, its been ironically one of the most reliable 22 auto loaders I've owned. You'll read a lot of complaints about the P22 but mine so far has been a real gem.

Now having said that, there is a new competitor to the P22 on the block. The newly introduced Ruger SR22 pistol has an aluminium slide and seems to be more solidly built. (I've had one for a couple weeks now). Its priced lower than the P22, is backed by Ruger customer service, is made here in America, and mine so far has been very reliable. Accuracy wise its about the same as the P22, at least in my hands. Definately worth considering if your in the market for a small "combat" style 22 pistol.

The Ruger sr22 looks perfect for my needs. I actually have a neos now, but have about worm it out and want something with dot sights. The sr22 looks great. Thank you.

Sent from my Customized Thunderbolt

 

[partricp]

I like my P22, never had any trouble with it and she doesn't care about ammo. It makes a decent CCW during the hotter summer months. I figure a .22 on my hip is better than my .45 in my drawer.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

partricp, not to threadjack, but you would do better with something like a Ruger LC9. Small, easily concealable in the summer, lightweight, and not crippled by being a .22lr.

As for the P22, I've got about 5,000+ rounds through mine with no problems. It's a great little training gun.

 

[partricp]

Maybe, but for now it'll do. I don't like striker fired pistols.

 

[wild cat mccane]

You will find 1 million cases of people reporting cracked slides that wasn't experienced first hand.

3k through ours. Very fun. I am sure something was up with my father in laws MkIII hunter when we were shooting but I was doing better with the P22.

The MKIII was picky.

 

[Driftertank]

Wondered about this myself. I have a P22 and it is without a doubt the most reliable .22 auto that I, personally, have ever used. Probably around 1,500 rds through mine with never a single FTF or FTE. Most .22s i've used couldn't get through 100 rounds without a jam of some kind, or at the very least required a certain brand of ammo to be reliable. My P22 has eaten Federal bulk, American Eagle, Remington Thunderbolt, Peters, Winchester, and loves CCI. The only time it ever had an issue was with a couple of Rem's that were duds, we pulled one apart to find inconsistent primer application, hand fed one of the others with ther previous firing pin indent facing down and it fired the second time. Ammo problem, not gun.
I also use my P22 for carry when my .45 isn't practical. It may lack stopping power, but it's still a step up from a knife, and can still be a good deterrent and plenty effective at close range.

 

[Driftertank]

Anyone else had an issue with the screw under the barrel on the right side coming loose when shooting? It never caused any function problems, but i did fieldstrip the gun for cleaning a couple times and had to tighten it. The last time i loctited it and it hasn't been an issue since. Just wondered if it's a common issue or just my gun.

 

[Gunnut Ed]

My P-22 is a darling too! although not particularly reliable, I think its not meant to be, as it is mainly a Subcaliber trainer/plinker. The pistol is accurate enough, my only gripe are the sights. They are too big for plinking! too ... lets say coarse, for fine work! Still I love the little sucker, and what nobody has metioned is that kids love them too! When I take my daughter, my nephews or friends' kids shooting, I seldom get to use it. Its a great tool to introduce the young ones to our sport/hobby/passion! that should be valued!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Ours is my favorite flashlight and has proven very durable and a joy to plink with. I haven't been too particular about ammo and it gets lots of estate sale ammo pushed through it.

I don't think we ever shot it with the original short barrel though. It's still in the box.

The observation above of the randomly and almost malevolent spraying of cases cracks me up. I though it was just ours. The baseball cap one is the best- who knew so many cases would try to get between my glasses and my eye brow.

Gotta perfect that Gansta-grip for shooting without protection...

 

[marb4]

Anyone else had an issue with the screw under the barrel on the right side coming loose when shooting? It never caused any function problems, but i did fieldstrip the gun for cleaning a couple times and had to tighten it. The last time i loctited it and it hasn't been an issue since. Just wondered if it's a common issue or just my gun.

That screw on mine started to come loose once. A little blue lock tite and its been fine ever since.

 

[mbbellk2]

I am new to shooting and just bought a Walther P.22. I have read several posts and it seems to be fairly reliable. Besides the ejection spray, is there anything else I should know about it? I plan to use it for my conceal and carry class at the end of the month.

 

[K-Rod]

http://m1229.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/K-Rod76/photo.jpg.html?o=10

I have first hand knowledge. This happened at around 7000+ rounds so I can't complain. S&W sent me a complete replacement slide & extra mag for free. Course, I had to wait 3.5 months to get it.

Also, re-assembly is very simple even without that rod dilly-o thing. I made a video of it that's helped a lot of people. Pm me your email & I'll send it.