Wather P22

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whm1974

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Hi, when I was looking for my first gun at the gun shop, I've seen a Wather P22. I like the feel and handling of it, but is this pistol any good? From online reviews I read that this gun has FTF/FTE issues and is real picky about which brand of ammo it will work with.

I have shot a Browning Buckmark and like them, but I'm looking for a .22 handgun with the best deal.

-Bill
 
I picked one up at a gun show a couple of weeks ago, but, sadly, haven't had an opportunity to shoot it yet. Most of the negative reports on these pistols are a couple of years old. I'm hoping that Walther will have gotten their act together on more recently produced weapons.
 
The two the gun shop had were used. So I'll have fewer problems if I buy a new one?
I went to a gun show and a dealer I looked at had one that was two-toned, came with both barrels, two mags, and a case for $349 if I remember right.

-Bill
 
Have had mine 1yr, did not like any type of target load, works fine with any other load like cci stingers, rem hornet or whatevr, hated federal tgt, other than that its a fun gun and pretty accurate.
 
...I'm looking for a .22 handgun with the best deal.
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The best deal isn't always the least expensive. I'd be hard-pressed to tell you how many times I bought inexpensive, then sold or threw it away and bought better quality. That's not to say expensive is better: merely that enduring worth is often a better gauge of value than price.
 
Use the 'search' function, this gun has been discussed at length here. In general, they do seem to prefer hotter ammo, at least for break-in. I like mine alot, fun little gun, and it does like minimags, vipers, velocitors, etc, but I've only got about 500 rnds thru.
 
The best deal isn't always the least expensive. I'd be hard-pressed to tell you how many times I bought inexpensive, then sold or threw it away and bought better quality. That's not to say expensive is better: merely that enduring worth is often a better gauge of value than price.
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I understand this, however I can only get what I can afford. I'm also considering picking up a cheap .22 revolver(i.e. comanche) instead of a cheap .22 auto. I figure I'll have fewer problems, but correcte me if I'm wrong.

-Bill
 
Buy a newer P22 with a date code of AD or AE.

Make sure it comes with mags that have the letter A stamped on them after the part number.

Feed it high velocity ammo for the first 1000 rounds or so. Bulk packs will likely cycle fine after that. If not, leave the hammer cocked while in storage between shooting sessions.

Watch for the slide getting hitched up on the hammer when returning to battery. You may need to knock the egde of the hammer down a bit with a dremel. Or send it in to S&W if you don't want to do it yourself.


All in all I like mine. It's perfectly serviceable and reliable enough on cheap bulk ammo that it's become a very fun gun to shoot. Don't pay more than $240 for a new 3.4" barrelled one, though.
 
Thanks. I may get a Buckmark or a revolver instead depending on where I go and How much money I have. I'll let you guys know when the time comes.

-Bill
 
Shot a P22 last year and it was a jam-o-matic. Tried a variety of ammo, but nothing seemed to work right. I heard it was due to a magazine problem that has since been fixed, but I haven't really gotten around to trying it out again. Rugers, Buckmarks and Neos are all typical suggestions that people give, all of which I think are great options. I'm considering a Neos myself.
 
I have an AE stamped P22 and it has been exceptional . I've so far never fired anything other than Winchester Wildcats and Remington Yellow Jackets from it but they work and are cheap so I don't feel the need to experiment much more with ammo choice .
 
For the amount of money in the budget I would look for a brand name revolver. Remember with a brand name if something goes wrong you can usually find parts with miminal effort. You also generally end up with a quality product, which will show up in your shooting.
An old brand name model showing her age, but still with a good bore will generally out shoot any newer knock off no-name model.
 
An old brand name model showing her age, but still with a good bore will generally out shoot any newer knock off no-name model.
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Problem is some of these old brand name guns revolvers cost way more then I'm willing to pay. I'm only looking for somthing to shoot and go plinking with not winning matches.

-Bill
 
Walther P22

I don't know about the newer Walther P22s, I have heard that they are OK. I only know that the older ones are a POS. At least the two that I had were. I could not get a full magazine to feed without jams. Finally sent it back to S&W and they sent me a brand new one. The second P22 was almost as bad. I would never own another one.
 
I bought mine in April/May of this year. The thing jams (FTF/FTRB) on every kind of ammo I put in it and I've tried quite an array. I have to send it back but haven't been able to find the time after Walther (read S&W) never sent me the shipping label they said they would on my first phone call.

EDIT: Night Guy, thanks for the insight into the problem. I'm going to check the hammer on mine ASAP.
 
Night Guy: Could you explain how leaving the P22 hammer cocked between shooting sessions helps resolve the problem of FTE. Thanks, WTM
 
What does a Sig trailside cost?

If you go with a Smith, Ruger, Browning, or SIG you probably won't be sorry. I'm talking semi autos.

My first .22 revolver was a 9 shot NEF with a 6" bull barrel. Somthing like that could get you started for $150 ish. These guns are ok but don't last like the others.

I would never buy a ruger single six again. I hope I can find someone foolish enough to buy my wifes but then I would feel bad.

A good Ruger Mk2 can me had at most gun shows for around 200+or-. Shoot cheap bulk ammo and you should be very happy as they prefer it to the good stuff.

-bevr
 
Thanks guys. when I get around to getting a .22 auto it'll probley be a buckmark or a 22/45

-Bill
 
FYI

I was at a gunshop trying to decide between the P22 and a Buckmark Camper.

I finally decided on the camper only to have my friend tell me afterwards that he had one and it started coughing all the time within the first 200 rounds. So I got worried.

Well first range trip I took a new box of fed bulk 550 rounds and one box of stingers.

600 rounds on the first trip and not a single failure of any kind. It was really dirty but I had taken it apart and cleaned it before using and it did awesome.
 
Could you explain how leaving the P22 hammer cocked between shooting sessions helps resolve the problem of FTE. Thanks, WTM
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The general theory behind this is that the hammer spring tension is too high and the slide too light to reliably push back the hammer and cycle the slide. I don't honestly know that it works, as I've not had that problem with my P22. I was simply restating tips I'd read here and elsewhere.
 
I bought my wife her Walther P22 in Billings MT. new for 250
The guy selling it for 350 wants a hundred bucks


After the initial fiasco which you could read about in a search, the gun seem OK. It is light, points nicely, and at least accurate enough for the casual plinking and self defense my wife had in mind. I haven't wrung it out yet.



munk
 
a gun store here in the richmond area says that they won't carry the P22 anymore because of all the problems they've been having with them. i think that they're cool looking little guns, and i would like to have one with a suppressor, but not if they're not reliable.
 
my p22

this is my second, I sold the first in a fit of stupidity.

I love my p22, it is the 3" barreled version only. It is only ok accurate, but so am I with all other guns.

It will group in about 2" at 10 yds.

I have put about 1500 rnds through mine without any issues. As a matter of fact, i have had no issues with either of the p22s I have owned.

I used Aguillia HV stuff the first 200rds or so in both guns. Then Remington bulk from WW the rest of the times.

I had a P99 also, and I like this gun so much more. My wife loves it and it will become her carry gun next month. She is pretty accurate with it and trust herself with it more then a revolver. She will carry it with some of the Aguillia HV rounds loaded up in it.

I am looking forward to getting normal cap mags or at least smaller followers for the mags, might be able to fit 15 to 18 rds in there after the AWB.

I LOVE mine ... Get one, it is a great little piece.

Axe
 
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