Walther P22 Slide Failure W/Pics.....

[Slvr Surfr]

The weakest portion of the slide is the hole where the front sight mounts. It seems as though the slide banging back and forth causes a lot of stress on that area. The front of the slide is the only portion that is physically held onto the gun. I know this to be true since the back of the slide is what flew off. The break that you see occured while shooting, not something that grew over time. As I've posted others have experienced the exact same issue. The break is occurring in the exact same place.

As for whether the slide was impacting the suppressor, I don't believe so. I haven't noticed any damage on the front of the slide that would say otherwise.

 

[scurtis_34471]

Junk gun.

They ought to just recall them all and be done with it.

I've got over 4000 rounds through mine and there is hardly a sign of wear. Its never been the most accurate thing in the world and it can be finicky about ammo, but its a fun little plinker.

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Folks,

I did look at the portion of the slide that meets against the suppressor. The slide does have marks on it where it appears to have bumped against the suppressor. I think this just lends to the poor design. I may ask SW to provide me with a new 3.5 inch barrel so I can avoid using the suppressor.

 

[FieroCDSP]

I agree that the P22 could have been designed, constructed, and machined better. However, if someone is wanting a 22 pistol that looks and feels like the center-fire pistols, you only have three choices: The Mosquito, the P22, or a conversion kit.

 

[Slvr Surfr]

Folks,

I took a picture of the scratching on the front of the slide and the back of the suppressor. It really doesn't look all that bad but give me your opinions.

 

[AK103K]

It looks like the slide was impacting the brake. From the other examples I've seen and the discussions that went along with them, it would be my guess that that was the cause.

I'm curious, since I dont have the longer barreled gun, how does the brake attach? Does it lock in place at a predetermined fixed position, or do you just slip it on the barrel and set screw it?

 

[BAT1]

I was going to get one, but not now. They look cool, but that's it. I heard that the ears wear the slide out too, causing it to launch. I sure wish SA or Kimber would make a .22 1911. They would capture the market.

 

[Slvr Surfr]

There is a small set screw that sits on top of the muzzle brake that screws down onto a predetermined spot on the barrel. That predetermined spot has a small divit drilled so that it marks where the set screw comes down onto it. The rest is held on by two bolts on the underside.

 

[mikec]

I'll pass on the zinc model. Thank you very much.

Recently I saw a picture of a SIG with a cracked slide and I also read about a BHP with a crack.

 

[AK103K]

A lot of things fail. If you shoot enough, sooner or later your going to encounter one.

 

[Geno]

Wow! Just wow! You had to drop your jaw when you saw that chunk fall off of the slide.

Doc2005

 

[AK103K]

That 1911 wasnt mine, the MAC was. I also had an M1 go grenade. If pistols coming apart makes you nervous, try a rifle or things running real fast.

 

[Bill B.]

Personally even if they sent me a new replacement Walther P22 I would get rid of it ASAP. I sure would not take a chance on it happening again. I know alloy's and plastic have come a long way but I still prefer steel in most handguns.

 

[MDW GUNS]

I am sure, Walther will replace this firearm as well as Springfield will replace this 1911!
Both are good companies with good products!

 

[Slvr Surfr]

I called Smith and Wesson Monday. They are sending me a shipping label to send the gun back. I am guessing it should get here tomorrow or Thursday. I'll keep you guys updated with the progress.

 

[Atarian]

just my 2c but i love my p22 - had problems initially with the cheap lead nose winchester ammo, but switched to cci stingers and have probably 2500 rounds thru the gun with no problems. in fact, sportsmans warehouse had them on sale for $220 over thanksgiving so i bought two more. they claim that they can't keep the p22, certain springfields, ppk's, and some glocks in stock.

I was going to get one, but not now. They look cool, but that's it. I heard that the ears wear the slide out too, causing it to launch. I sure wish SA or Kimber would make a .22 1911. They would capture the market.

the only .22 cal 1911 i can remember was in boot camp. what a pos. then again i'm sure they were shot to hell. as far as kimber, i'm not paying a grand for a .22 1911. or any .22. but that's just me.

 

[Chem Geek]

I wonder how many have actually had the slide fail in this fashion (or any others)? Maybe 6? I've only see 3 or 4 reported on the interwebs.

Personally, I enjoy mine. Eats pretty much everything (550 for $9.96 is wonderful on a college budget), and doesn't give me trouble. I have around 6k rounds through it now. Maybe more. Then again I have the 3.4" model, maybe that's the secret?

 

[MDW GUNS]

I had a S&W 4006 20 years ago or when ever they first came out, which had a crack right along the fireing pin.
S&W replaced the whole gun!

 

[deltacharlie]

I called Smith and Wesson Monday. They are sending me a shipping label to send the gun back. I am guessing it should get here tomorrow or Thursday. I'll keep you guys updated with the progress.

Please do report back what they do for you (replace or whatever) and about how long it takes to complete, am interested to read how S&W handles this.

 

[MDW GUNS]

Unless they send it back to Germany, a replacement slide would not have the proof marks and not the serial number.
I would not accept anything less then a new gun!

 

[atblis]

Zinc

Wow, the cast zinc junk gun broke.

My friends did the exact same thing to him. I thought it was a total piece of crap before that, but now I know for sure.

A lot of things fail. If you shoot enough, sooner or later your going to encounter one.

Yes, it is just much much more likely to happen if you're shooting a P22.

 

[TexasRifleman]

For the newbies:
This is why you ALWAYS wear eye protection.

And a reminder for the oldies. THAT is surely the lesson of this, and I'm glad no one was hurt.

 

[atblis]

Yep

Looks like the hole for mounting the front sight was the culprit. I often wonder about holes in the slide as a possible weak spot. I've seen a few aluminum alloy slides break near the muzzle like that. Hopefully S&W will beef that area up some in the future. Glad you're okay!

I've seen two others that failed further back from that sight hole. Trying to dig the pictures up. I used to have them posted, but needed the webspace for something else. It is a Zinc alloy. Aluminum would be an upgrade.

I agree that the P22 could have been designed, constructed, and machined better. However, if someone is wanting a 22 pistol that looks and feels like the center-fire pistols, you only have three choices: The Mosquito, the P22, or a conversion kit.

You missed the best of the bunch. The CZ Kadet. All steel, very accurate. It has exactly the same dimensions and heft as a regular 75B. None of this mickey mouse zinc and plastic stuff.

 

[jonboynumba1]

I've had less than stellar performance from the walther P22's I've played with roll pins walking out where you couldn't engage thye safety (great design) barrels loosening up (really great design) Sights issues. I generally don't mess with them at the shop anymore...they aren't exactly flying off the shelf. S&W has dissapointed me in the service dept to many times to want anything they have anything to do with. They have some good products (revolvers mostly) but they are just such grabasstical pieces of whale doo-doo to deal with (along with sig...who should just generally be ashamed of themselves) that I generally choose not to sell any of their stuff (outside revolvers...2 of which I had to send back recently for cosmetic issues that should have been caught at the factory...an airweight that was obviously dropped and dinged up....and a 686 that looked like a used gun...not polished out worth a flip with chatter-marks on the frame (that should have been at the least polished out) 686's aint cheap either...you ought to get what you've always gotten in the past when you bought one. There I've vented....ahhhh I feel better

 

[bobaloo]

Just wanted to add that I had exactly the same failure on mine last weekend. It had maybe 2K rounds of Federal bulk through it.

Guess I need to contact the manufacturer also, but I bought a Buckmark that's SO much nicer that I'd just sell the P22 anyway.