Walther P22 any good?

[Blue]

Originally Posted by crufflers

Pulling that slide back and using that safety lever with the screw head... feels worse than a Nerf gun.

Mine shoots the safety on all by itself, if I ever decide to shoot it again I might hot glue the safety in the FIRE position just so I can get 2-3 rounds off.

[bohoki]

arent they cast zinc like a hi-point?

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by bohoki

arent they cast zinc like a hi-point?

Yeah and there was a slide cracking issue some reported, but mine is a early model I got right when they hit the market... I have the original slide. Personally I'd rather have AL but the ZAMAK is OK on a $200 gun IMHO. Like I said, I do prefer the GSG, which I feel is a similar gun, but superior... probably sub $300 IIRC and more fun, accurate, better trigger, heavier metal frame (if that's a plus). I was used to guns just working, so the P22 was a wake-up call for me. IIRC, I did have one bad mag that I retired but there were some issues with RSA.

Sometimes you can fix the sloppy safety by carefully tightening that screw. Pretty sure I had that issue out the box as well. Mine shoots now, but it is bottom of the list of my favorites to shoot.

If you love them, more power to you. I suspect if we didn't have a roster, no one would buy them.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by bohoki

arent they cast zinc like a hi-point?

Another gun I don't shoot much anymore actually has redeeming qualities IMHO... PT111 Millenium... 10 rounds of 9mm in a steel mag, smaller than a G26, OK / manageable, if not creepy long DAO trigger. Taurus said they might go off if dropped, but offered like $150 for them. I just kept mine and will try not to drop it just like Sig P320 fans do

I don't mind having a few crappy guns either, and the P22 is one of them IMHO.

If the best offer I get is $25 from what's his face, I will just keep the "Walther" too, heheh. I bet my kid is going to like shooting it before he knows any better. SA trigger pull is OK...

Bottom line... is it a fun and reliable, neat little .22 that's worth $300-$350 now??

NO.

[23 Blast]

I've owned two of these. Sold both and I don't regret it.

[1911.45_4Me]

We like ours. Needs HV ammo though. Anything less, it has an occasional issue. Mini mags are hoot though. Very fun gun and accurate.

[FeuerFrei]

My little P22 (gen1) broke a firing pin and while looking for the part number I found a pdf doc "P22 bible". That's a valuable tool for getting a finicky p22 running right.

I really like doing repairs/upgrades myself and I never sell a broken firearm if/when I ever sell one. I never pass a problem on.

Granted, this pistol ain't for those without mechanical skills.

No diy repair skills? Warranty. https://waltherarms.com/legendary-lifetime-warranty/

[Blue]

Originally Posted by FeuerFrei

No diy repair skills? Warranty. https://waltherarms.com/legendary-lifetime-warranty/

Interesting. I didn't realize it had a lifetime warranty, for some reason the last time I sent it in I had it in my head from the dealer maybe that I couldn't send it in for anymore work because it was more than 2 years old or something like that. It's probably been ten years since I've sent it in for repair work but now I'm tempted to do it again....

[FeuerFrei]

Originally Posted by Blue

Interesting. I didn't realize it had a lifetime warranty, for some reason the last time I sent it in I had it in my head from the dealer maybe that I couldn't send it in for anymore work because it was more than 2 years old or something like that. It's probably been ten years since I've sent it in for repair work but now I'm tempted to do it again....

My lgs employee said something about a limited warranty to me when I bought mine.

Here's some good linkage supporting a recent P22 warranty experience.
https://www.waltherforums.com/thread...on-p22.128425/

[WinchesterSoCal]

I cant complain about it. Its a cheap little shooter and its exactly that, cheap. Mine is the newer one so it isn't quite as picky with what ammo you use. Field breakdown is simple for cleaning. I agree that if we didnt have a roster im sure wed all have different plinkers. Still worth a squeeze tho and always fun.

[AR22]

I would say look elsewhere for a different .22.

Spend a little more money and have quality..It is worth it in the end..

[Teachu2]

I was in a local gun shop recently, just browsing. Salesman saw me looking at the P22s, and advised against them. Poor QC, poor durability, great appearance. NEVER had a salesman warned me off a gun before......

[repoman1984]

I enjoy mine but its hardly a tack driver. Seems to run the cheap ammo ok. I have a theory the Gen 1s were finicky.

[PartyBarge]

I have one, CCI mini mag or nothing.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by PartyBarge

I have one, CCI mini mag or nothing.

Try Golden Bullets?

[painkiller]

I want to get a buckmark,ive heard nothing but bad things about the p22 and a local shop to me has them for about the same 360.I have a mark 3 hunter with the longer fluted bull barrel,bought new and that thing has been an utter hunk of dogcrap.FTE FTF is all it does.I might’ve gotten 2 mags out of it without any issues.I need to figure out how to install the volquatsen parts i bought for it.Hopefully that makes it run better

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by painkiller

I want to get a buckmark,ive heard nothing but bad things about the p22 and a local shop to me has them for about the same 360.I have a mark 3 hunter with the longer fluted bull barrel,bought new and that thing has been an utter hunk of dogcrap.FTE FTF is all it does.I might’ve gotten 2 mags out of it without any issues.I need to figure out how to install the volquatsen parts i bought for it.Hopefully that makes it run better

If you can just get your MKIII running you don't need a Buckmark.

[nedgun]

I've said before that my P22 shoots any ammo I feed it, and I have no complaints as a fun plinker. I did have a feed issue that started for no apparent reason, sent it back to the factory, they turned it around in a week with a new barrel/feed ramp.

This also - they offer a 30 day return policy for new purchasers. Buy it, shoot the heck out of it, and if you don't like it they will take it back and refund your money. Up to MSRP, plus tax. I don't remember seeing that from anyone else (if I'm wrong on that please be gentle).

If you are thinking about one that is a great way to give it a thorough field test to see if you like it.

[crufflers]

Some new ones shoot any ammo you feed it until the barrel and feed ramp need replaced ?

[crufflers]

I shot my MKII thousands of rounds per month forever until the barrel upper to frame fit was super sloppy because the frame actually deformed… hammered/bent it back and it was good to go again. Always reliable and accurate with insane aftermarket for parts upgrades similar to a Buckmark.

[m98]

Mines eats cci’s flawless. Anything else is a jam o matic.

[lastinline]

I have one, the California model. It is a total piece of pot metal crap. It jams like a politician screwing a baboon in the ***. Don’t buy one.

[GreggieBoy]

Gave some serious thought to buying the target model. Checked it out and liked it. Held off for a bit then decided I wanted a Browning Buck Mark.

Think the deciding factor was my eyes. Figured irons was too much for these old eyes. Mounting a red dot was easy on the Buck Mark.

[Meatlegs]

My 70 plus year old mom has one we shoot often. She has a problem with larger guns and working the slide. Hers works 100% of the time with 1250fps ammo. Standard velocity it's not so great.

[Someday]

Not the most accurate thing in the world, but I've never had a problem with mine. A couple hundred rounds of CCI to break it in, then Golden Bullets from there on out.

[gunnlover]

Lots of buying and trading here for me. But there's a reason I never got the Walther.

[The Hamsterball]

I specifically joined this forum to post about this gun (the P22).

I am a new gun owner. Just picked my Walther P22 CA up last Thursday.
I have already put 1,000 rounds through it.

After much research and troubleshooting I have finally got it to work.
Here is what worked for me:

When you get it new out of box, take it to the range. Fire some rounds.
I use Aguila Super Extra 40 grain (bare minimum velocity allowed).

It will most likely jam and have failure to ejects out of box since it's new and not broken in. This is normal.

If you are going to continue to use Aguila ammo, do not switch to CCI Mini Mag and back. The pistol does not like switching ammo back and forth. The next time you switch back to Aguila, it will repeatedly have failure to eject.

Make sure you bring a computer repair kit with you to the range, you will need it for pushing spent rounds out of the chamber with the flathead.

After about 500 rounds, you need to do a field strip.
Go to this page and watch the Vimeo video at the bottom:
https://waltherarms.com/p22-q

Follow the exact instructions in that 10 minute video precisely.
Take off the top, and firing pin and spring.

With Aguila ammo, your pistol will be extremely dirty after about 500 rounds.
Clean the barrel, chamber, and everywhere on the botttom part of the gun and top part of the gun that comes off. Clean the hammer area.
Clean everything with bore cleaner until you can touch it with your finger and not pull off gun powder.
Clean the top of your magazines.
Push a cotton piece through the barrel with bore cleaner 3 times. Do not use a wirebrush inside the barrel.

Here is what is important. Watch how they are oiling the gun.
You DO have to oil the following:
- Barrel on the outside all the way until the start of the chamber (do not oil the chamber inside).
- Sides of the barrel/frame where the rail connects
- Top part of the gun/plate that comes off inside and under everywhere that it makes contact to the pistol
- Hammer and hammer mechanisms
- Everywhere there is sliding and contact besides the chamber, oil lightly.

Use a cotton piece to apply the oil and rub it against all these parts. Do not pour oil on the gun.

Reassemble the pistol carefully with the firing pin and spring.
Cock it back and forth like 3 times and use a damp cloth the wipe off the excess oil on the exterior.

Clean the exterior with light bore cleaner applied.

Take it back to the range with Aguila Super Extra 40 grain ammo.
Guess what happens?
It fires.
After performing maintenance as above on mine as prescribed by Walther, mine fired cheap Aguila Super Extra 40 grain ammo on 12 mags with 120 rounds without failure and jams.

You want to do this practice every 250-500 rounds.
This pistol is not like a Glock.
It can be reliable like one, but it requires constant maintenance and care.
It's a great starter pistol for taking to the range.

I don't know much about firearms, but I have learned a lot by purchasing this piece the past week.
Enjoy.

[Garv]

One of the best first posts I have seen in a while.

Welcome and thanks Hamster.

I'll still recommend a Ruger Mark though.

[Xplosiv3]

I know it's an old post but just had to throw it out there that I just got mine back from Walther for the 3rd time for repairs in under 300 rounds.

P22's are a hit or miss. You either get one that runs reliably for thousands of rounds or one that jams every 4 shots.

If they were consistently reliable, they would be the best .22 pistol for under $350 in my opinion. They are made in Germany but have the quality of a Chinese made BB gun. (I know they are just .22 they don't have to be rock solid but still.) The slides are die cast, not solid blocks of metal, the sights are plastic and the front one easily pops off and the rear one wiggles out of the box. The barrel assemblies sometimes aren't perfectly fitted straight in the gun and causes the slide to wear against the chamber, the hammers need to be polished out of the box because they have a casting mark that can sometimes cause the slide to get hung up and not return to battery.

Other than that, they're awesome and super fun to shoot or a good (warm up) gun when you first get to the range in the morning and haven't adjusted to the loud shots yet. Another big complaint is field stripping them and putting them back together. They don't have a 1 piece guide rod/recoil spring. It's a pointy shaped guide rod that fits halfway inside of the recoil spring and you have to use an included plastic rod to re-assemble the gun. (Or shove the guide rod through the spring and hold onto it as tight as you can while re-assembling it.)

But my Hi Point C9 is definitely more reliable.

[The Hamsterball]

Originally Posted by Garv

One of the best first posts I have seen in a while.

Welcome and thanks Hamster.

I'll still recommend a Ruger Mark though.

I have fired a Glock 26. Also an M&P 15-22 before purchasing one and this P22.

Sure you can get a more reliable pistol that doesn't require maintenance until every 1,000 rounds.

But this thing is great for learning how to effectively troubleshoot and how to respond to failures in a safe manner. That is until you get it to work properly.

Also, I wouldn't recommend buying this piece used. Don't know how the previous owner treated it.

My M&P 15-22 is a display model that I'm picking up tomorrow. But those are far more reliable.

Also, this thing is way more accurate than a Glock 26 or other pistol.
It's my pistol of choice. Don't feel like having any other guns now.

I plan on taking it to accuracy competitions as the company is known for making competition pistols and rifles.

Yes, they do have lifetime warranty. Although I'm glad I don't have to use mine.

[Garv]

Originally Posted by The Hamsterball

My M&P 15-22 is a display model that I'm picking up tomorrow.

M&P 22 handgun?
(15-22 is the AR)

Great piece either way, congrats.

[stormvet]

The M&P15-22 is a really good rifle, mine eats whatever cheap bulk 22 ammo I run through it. If your talking about the M&P 22 pistol, I’ve heard nothing but great things about them really solid 22 handgun.

I recently picked up a Taurus TX-22, all I can say is wow.. Taurus hit a home run with that one. So far I’ve ran about 1500 rounds through it and it just runs, 16 round mags(yeah I know but they do make 10 round too)that are easy to load and never jam. First 1000 rounds I never cleaned it, it did not care. Really a great bargain at well under $300.

[The Hamsterball]

Originally Posted by Garv

M&P 22 handgun?
(15-22 is the AR)

Great piece either way, congrats.

No not the handgun.

The S&W M&P 15-22 Rifle.
It is based off an AR, but is 22LR.
It uses the same ammo as the Walther P22 too.

That's specifically why I bought it. Because it saves me money practicing with both.

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by FeuerFrei

My little P22 (gen1) broke a firing pin and while looking for the part number I found a pdf doc "P22 bible". That's a valuable tool for getting a finicky p22 running right.

After I did the above to my P22 it shoots anything. Bulk pack any mfg.

[SharedShots]

People will spend a lot of money to send a far more expensive centerfire handgun out to some (insert famous name here) gunsmith to make their it reliable and it's all just part of ownership. The great little P22 hiccups and the demons come out.

OP, you found the magic, learned something, passed it on and created value for yourself and benefit for others. Good on you. Enjoy the Walther.

Had a S&W Model 48 that you couldn't extract fired cases from no matter what. I had to return it to S&W several times until they got it right. Lots of them do that I was told but no one ever called them junk. A Jaguar that burns through inboard brakes is called maintenance and routine. A Honda that burns through brakes is called trash.

[pinger]

The problem I had was that the rear plastic sight was wobbly. The windage adjustment did not hold the rear blade steady and was loose to shift back and forth. I read on forums that this is a common problem of the cheap zinc casting. To fix it the slide would need to be replaced not just the plastic rear sight. I got rid of the gun and vowed to stay away from pot metal guns.

[kkd]

Originally Posted by Meatlegs

... Hers works 100% of the time with 1250fps ammo. Standard velocity it's not so great.

Sounds like mine

[crufflers]

I am pleased with the reliability of mine nowadays seeing how it eats up Golden Bullets and CCI Mini-Mags. The gun itself when reliable is just not enjoyable for me to shoot as it feels cheaper than anything else I own and the grip is not the right size, trigger stacks as much as anything this side of a $20 bb gun, mags are cheap and feed lips can deform. Some people love it or love the Walther name, or love to argue, but this thing is worse than a GSG. Rather a GSG is pretty good with a good trigger, good mags, and a few other things improved but they are both pot metal slide rimfires. I enjoy shooting my GSG 922CA. Something something Honda Civics.

[echo1]

Does it have to be semi and new? If not find a Jaguar. PAX

[The Hamsterball]

Just a quick update OP.
I've found places that have abundant supplies of CCI Mini-Mags 40 grain.

Try this out:

Clean, service, and lubricate it, and try out CCI Mini-Mags.
Where I live that is the best ammo you can use.

I particularly only use CCI Mini-Mags with my M&P 15-22 rifle and Walther P22 now.

Both fire without failure, especially the 15-22.

Actually what I do now, I mostly use the rifle for targets at the range.
I use one mag on the P22 every 3 mags on the 15-22.

If you use CCI Mini-Mags, it will require field stripping much less often.

However, if you are planning on leaving the P22 stored.
Make sure it's serviced and lubed.
Take it to the range along with whatever other firearm you have.
Put at least 20 rounds through it. It will probably have a failure or two on the first two magazines.

It doesn't like to be put to use after a service/field strip.

This gun likes to be lightly used prior to being stored and ready for the situation that will never come in California.

Anyways, put 10-20 rounds through it. Leave it stored like that.

Try out CCI Mini-Mags. You will probably be able to not field strip it until every few range sessions. As long as you don't leave it dirty for a month.

If that fails, send it back to Walther. Lifetime warranty.
If your sights are flimsy and wobbling, send it back to Walther.

My sights are rock solid on it. Never had an issue.

As for the P22 Bible, I haven't really had to switch out any parts.
Mine's a P22 "CA" version. Probably manufactured some time in 2022.

Haven't had any issues except the first 500 rounds with Aguila ammo.

Don't use Aguila ammo. Once you sit in the mercedes of ammo, you will never wanna drive a Daihatsu again!