walther P22 range report

[coosbaycreep]

Well, I didn't actually take it to a range, but it killed plenty of pop cans, a dragonfly, and a few salamanders.

I'd read quite a few negative reports on them here, and other places, but I ended up buying one anyway, simply because of the looks. I could've got a ruger or S&W for less money that would've been more accurate, reliable, and probably quieter, but everyone I know has one of those already, so I got something different.

Before I shot it, I didn't really care for the ergonomics too much. I tried both backstraps, and neither one felt right when I was just fondling it in my room. After shooting it though, it's one of the most comfortable and fun to shoot guns I've ever shot.

It's pretty accurate too, and I like the sights on it a lot more than a traditional sight.

I put about 200 rounds though it, and had 4 malfunctions IIRC, but nothing major.

I don't like the manual safety on it though. This is the first gun I've had where you can pull the trigger all the way when it's on safe. A few times I forgot the safety was on when I went to shoot it, and then felt like a moron when the gun didn't fire. I guess it just blocks the firing pin or something, but I still like a safety that keeps the trigger from moving in the first place.

Trigger pull is pretty rough too. I don't know if there's a way to lighten it all, but that's something I'll check into in the future.

I don't care for the magazine release either. I like traditional mag releases on the grip instead of the trigger guard. I'm getting quicker at using it, but it's still awkward for me.

Compared to my dad's 6" mark II, my walther is really loud. I think the barrel is 3.4" on mine, but I still wouldn't expect that much of a noise difference between them.

Overall, I'm really pleased with it. It's light, comfortable, fun to shoot, and is probably the best looking polymer pistol on the market IMHO. I'd reccomend it.

 

[JaxNovice]

I must have put 10,000 rounds through my P22 and it never jammed. Not even once.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Thanks for the review. I'm toying with the idea of getting one. The concensus seems to be they are cheaply made and not terribly accurate, but I think they are neat looking little autos and it's a range toy, not a lifesaver. They seem to adapt well to suppressors which is a big +. Just not sure if I should go with a P22 or spring for a Ruger MkII or buckmark and get it threaded.

 

[kingpin008]

I've had a few hiccups with mine, but I love the little guy. Haven't shot him in awhile though - which reminds me, I'm taking a few newbies to the range later this month, I'll have to bring it along.

Edit - Double Tap - Let me be the first to recommend that you pick one up. As far as the accuracy claims go, nobody ever said the P22 was more than a casual plinker. Those who whine about the accuracy are either terribly ignorant about what a decent target .22 is, or they're just complaining to complain.

Yes, there have been some issues with build quality, but there is a HUGE knowledge base out there for this gun, and many tweaks and mods that will improve the hell out of the function should there be an issue. Like Jax has said, they're not bad guns, and those that do have issues (an increasingly small number, especially as the design gets older) are easily brought back up to snuff.

And yeah, they're great for suppressors. As soon as we get out of Maryland, I'll be picking up a suppressor for mine.

 

[bigfatdave]

Fun little plinker.

Walther is willing to take care of them also.
We HATED our P22 "target" with the longer barrel and "compensator" at the front.
The compensator has a setscrew on the top and two clamping screws on the side, and would loosen up as we shot. I would have put it on more permanently, but to disassemble & clean the gun, it must come off. So we had a moving front sight, stripped allen-drive screws, and were getting fed up. After talking to our local shop about converting to short barrel, the owner strongly advised us to call Walther customer service before throwing money at the problem.

5 minutes on the phone with the customer service rep, and I wasn't sure if we would be getting all the parts we needed [he said that screws were out of stock, and we would just be getting a replacement compensator and barrel sleeve], and he had quoted me a lousy price on the 3.4" conversion.

2 days later, a package shows up in our mailbox containing a new compensator, extra fasteners, an extra tool set, AND the short barrel conversion. No cost to us, and I didn't even get the CS rep's name so I could thank him.
After that we realized that our local shop owner had just avoided a $100+ sale ... we will have to get in there and buy some high-markup goodies from him this weekend.

After starting out on CCI minimag, our P22 now eats the cheap federal bulk boxes [from dreaded wal-mart] happily, with no major problems. 100% reliable on a diet of CCI, if I ignore the box that gave us malfunctions in the P22 and Ruger mkIII.

-edit-
We do still have one complaint on the P22 - brass goes everywhere, in no pattern we can figure out.
Straight back for a few rounds, off to the right for a few more, occasionally upwards, and often, the last shot fired from a magazine will leave the brass sitting on top of the empty magazine.

 

[wally]

My P22 has been very reliable, but recent lots of Federal Champion don't cycle the side enough to pick up the next round from the mag, although the empty extracts and ejects just fine. Very weird. So I shoot Federal bulk pak from Wal*Mart in it instead.

Its a good analog for cheap "instinctive" point shooting practice with a sub-compact CCW. Also very easy to carry for plinking where shooting isn't the prime reason for the outing. Other than these, any of the other major .22 pistols are probably a better choice overall.

--wally.

 

[kingpin008]

Bigfatdave - I hear ya on the brass issue - I once loaned my P22 to a (rather attractive and...let's say "pectorally blessed") young lady at the range, with the warning that she'd really be better off buttoning up her polo shirt before she shot it.

Well, she must not have heard me through her ear protection, because she didn't button up. Three shots later, I was treated to a most entertaining and energetic "brass dance" as she tried to shake the hot brass from inside her shirt....

Anyway, my point is - there's a little book compiled by a user over on Rimfirecentral.com called the P22 bible. It's got a ton of little tricks and tweaks, including one that will reduce or outright solve the brass ejection problem. You might want to pop over there and see if you can wrangle up a copy, it really is a great reference to have if you own a P22.

 

[dispatch]

I had one and it was a fun little plinker- you will enjoy it. It is accurate, but very finicky about ammo. It is also a tricky field strip for cleaning. Put probaly 600 rounds through mine before I traded it.
Every one should have .22 fun gun. My S&W and H&Rs .22s are just as much fun, and my Buckmark serves well.

 

[Grayrock]

Mine's not so loud.

 

[bigfatdave]

Well, she must not have heard me through her ear protection, because she didn't button up. Three shots later, I was treated to a most entertaining and energetic "brass dance" as she tried to shake the hot brass from inside her shirt....

Even I have done the hot brass dance, and MrsBFD got to do it the first trip we took to the range [yes, we didn't think of the brass issue, even though we've both witnessed the hot brass dance in the past]

As far as the P22 bible, I have a copy, but I'm a bit ... puckery ... about modifying firearms myself, as we lack the tools and expertise. If Walther hadn't hooked us up so well, I might consider calling CS claiming an extractor failure to get a spare one, but I just couldn't scam one now.
Anyone have a price on a new extractor set?

It is also a tricky field strip for cleaning.

Say what? Besides needing a guide rod to get the slide back on, the thing just pops apart and goes together nicely.
Maybe everything just looks easy after the Ruger mkIII.

 

[glocksrfugly]

Kingpin, I had to chuckle when I read your post. I bought a P22 with the expectation that my 15 year old daughter would really like shooting it due to the small ergonomic grip and the compactness of the gun. She likes my .22 Buckmark pistol and shoots it well. I have been trying to separate her affection from the Buckmark as that's the only pistol she ever wants to shoot anymore. I thought: "Ah, she will really like this little Walther, I'm sure it will become her favorite over the Buckmark"
She has similar physical characteristics as the young lady you described. The first time we went to the range with the P22 one of the hot casings went right down the front of her blouse. She instantly placed the pistol down on the platform in front of her and exclaimed "Dad, I DON'T like this gun, where's the other one!":banghead:

 

[FieroCDSP]

The P22 Bible is a must read for anyone looking to get longevity out of the P22.

http://chris.backyardmarksman.com/images/P22%20Bible.pdf

The feed and trigger-bar fixes are a must.

 

[kingpin008]

GlocksRFugly - Haha, yeah - the Brass Dance can truly brighten one's day, depending on who happens to be doing it. I've taken a few of my fiancee's friends shooting for the first time in the past year, and the few that are...endowed, I've specifically told them to avoid low-cut shirts or blouses, and to wear hats. As much as I get a kick out of watching the results of stray brass in, uh, sensitive areas, it's not worth it if it might turn a new shooter off of the sport.

I used to wear a pair of Doc Marten's boots, unlaced, with low-rise socks, and let me tell you - I did the Brass Dance quite a few times with my old 1911. I finally learned to just take the pain and fish 'em out later - ya know, since shooting through the pain build character and all.

 

[burningsquirrels]

with regards to ejection, i polished the ejector a little and peened the tip of it as outlined in the p22 bible, and stretched the extractor spring. worked perfect before, works even better now.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

By Kingpin
Double Tap - Let me be the first to recommend that you pick one up. As far as the accuracy claims go, nobody ever said the P22 was more than a casual plinker. Those who whine about the accuracy are either terribly ignorant about what a decent target .22 is, or they're just complaining to complain.

Thanks, I probably will. Its one of those guns that seems like a "must have" at some point in any collection. All those pictures of suppressed ones on gunbroker finally got to me Just hope I don't get one of those "slide broke in half" ones like was posted on THR some time back!
I already downloaded the P22 Bible some time ago in anticipation.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Just hope I don't get one of those "slide broke in half" ones like was posted on THR some time back!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the P22's warranty work is provided by Smith&Wesson under their import/manufacture deal with Walther.

I've fired a suppressed P22... It's pretty neat, and quiet. The only sound was the bullet slapping the cardboard target, then the back of the range.

 

[burningsquirrels]

polish the tops of the two ear tabs of the trigger bars. they will eat the underside of your slide. then, stretch the ejector spring. i feel these are the two must-do items for a p22. that, and to use dry lube (action) and grease (rails) and clean often, as the cheap stuff (federal $12) is dirtier than poop on a stick.