P22 legality

[guppyinalightbulb]

I'm new to all this, and was in need of some help. I am interested in purchasing a Walther P22 and want to know A. if its legal, and B. what kind of requirements do I need to meet to purchase one?

[The SoCal Gunner]

Yes the unthreaded version are legal to own in CA. To make a purchase, you need to be 21 years of age, not restricted from owning a firearm (i.e., from criminal conviction or a restraining order), and possess a valid handgun safety certificate.

If you are of age and can own one, goto a local gun shop after reading the link below to take the HSC test. That will cost you $25 but will last 5 years.

Click on this link for the Handgun Safety Certificate study guide.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/hscsg.pdf

[guppyinalightbulb]

Unthreaded? Whats the point if its unthreaded?

[Exposed]

Unthreaded? Whats the point if its unthreaded?

You are aware that a threaded gun means you can attach a silencer which makes it illigal in California since a silencer is really only needed to assassinate someone

[guppyinalightbulb]

Right, yeah. I was thinking rifled...Oops.

[fireblast713]

You are aware that a threaded gun means you can attach a silencer which makes it illigal in California since a silencer is really only needed to assassinate someone

idk if assassinate is the right word... but suppressors have other usages... they can reduce noise pollution in populated areas (i.e. if you want to shoot outside of city limits on your own property), they also reduce the need for hearing protection... lastly they are just cool.

btw if you're looking for a 22lr pistol to practice with, I'd recommend the Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark I-III over the P22. The P22 looks nice, but it has some known reliability issues and it is less accurate then the aforementioned guns. But in the end it's really up to what you want.

[leelaw]

Yes the Walther P22 is legal in California.

There was a problem with the original batch of P22s in CA, which had threaded barrel muzzles, but with a screwed on thread protector. CA DOJ got egg on their face for approving it, and then forced everyone to either destroy, sell, disassemble, or send to Walther for modification, their P22s. The current versions, Walther P22-CA, are fine for California sales.

What you need to purchase a handgun:
Be 21 years or older
Driver's License or other CA picture identification
Address verification (most commonly a utility bill, or vehicle registration)
Handgun Safety Certificate (these can be had at about any firearm shop, and costs $25. You need to take a little 30 question test)
Not be prohibited from owning a firearm (includes felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, restraining orders, being adjudicated mentally incompetent, and some other things)

Welcome to Calguns. Shoot responsibly, safely.

[leelaw]

Actually Lee, it wasn't a thread protector. As originally designed the P22 had a removable barrel retaining nut that held the barrel to the frame. To remove the barrel you unthreaded the barrel retaining nut with a supplied wrench.

Original P22's were recalled to S&W for modification. The barrel retaining nut with wrench flats was replaced by a barrel retaining nut that was a smooth cylinder which is installed with high strength Loctite.

http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php...70/ppuser/9184

Ah, I recall it was part of the disassembly of the firearm but couldn't put a better name to it.

Thanks for the clarification.

[5968]

[QUOTE=fireblast713;1035493]idk if assassinate is the right word... but suppressors have other usages... they can reduce noise pollution in populated areas (i.e. if you want to shoot outside of city limits on your own property), they also reduce the need for hearing protection... lastly they are just cool.

btw if you're looking for a 22lr pistol to practice with, I'd recommend the Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark I-III over the P22. The P22 looks nice, but it has some known reliability issues and it is less accurate then the aforementioned guns. But in the end it's really up to what you want.[/QUOTE

+1 on the Ruger Mark I,II and III. I have a Ruger Mark III and my father has a Mark I. These are good pistols at an affordable price. I would have to say that my Mark III is one of my favorite pistols to shoot. Good luck with what ever pistol you decide to get.

[cwa14509]

It should also be noted that if you live in the city of Los Angeles, you cannot purchase the shorter bbl version.

[guppyinalightbulb]

Any thoughts on the Colt Diamondback?

[The SoCal Gunner]

Any thoughts on the Colt Diamondback?

Sure, if you find one in Socal let me know!

[kermit315]

It should also be noted that if you live in the city of Los Angeles, you cannot purchase the shorter bbl version.

why cant you buy the 3.4 inch barreled version?

[jimmythebrain]

There is a California version of the P22. It comes in either the shorter 3.5 (approximate) and 5 inch barrel lengths. These models have a lock-tite type material applied to the threaded end of the barrel so that the barrel nut cannot be removed. These models have a "CA" stamped on the side.

If you want this for a trainer, it is quite a bit different in size than a full size pistol. Is is 75% size of the Walther P99. That makes it much smaller in the hand than a Sig P22X series gun, the Walther P99, etc.

Also the accuracy of these guns sucks. The slides are made of zinc allow and are very soft. With time the slide stop notch rounds over as the slide stop is steel and the slide is soft zinc. Additionally, the side to side play in the slide to frame fit causes the sights to move relative the barrel quite a bit. Despite the fixed barrel, the sights move with each shot. The Buck Mark and Ruger Mark pistols have fixed barrels and sights that do not move between shots. P22's are also ammunition picky. I have one and know this for a fact.

I recently bought a Buckmark camper stainless URX and love it. Wish that I had bought this 4 years ago instead of the P22. The Buckmark is the same weight (ballpark) as my 5" 1911 pistol. It has a full size grip and sight radius and is VERY accurate. Bought mine for $325 shipped new. It is a lot better made than the P22 and shoots a lot better.

I would recommend the P22 to someone who already had both a Buckmark and Ruger Mark and just wanted another toy.

[Sig357]

I purchased a P22 back during the first batches that came with the threaded barrel. I just recently returned it to S&W to make it CA legal. It came back within 2 weeks and is now stamped CA on the slide under the ejection port. It also came with a letter from the DOJ that it is now CA legal.

What I really dislike about this that now I can't switch between the 3.5" barrel and the 5", I have both.

As far as accuracy goes It is not that bad in my opinion. However it is ammo picky. Overall it is still a fun pistol to shoot. For some time I was tempted to sell it. I have decided to keep it, and use it as a trainer pistol for my son.

I would also recommend the Buckmark or Ruger over the P22. I also have a Colt Woodsman which is a great shooter and extremely accurate.