Walther P-22 vs. Ruger SR22, head-to-head

[DanGunner]

Took both of my new .22 pistols to the range today for a head-to-head comparison. After a few warmup shots and a couple of sight adjustments, I shot two mags from one, then two mags from the other, alternating through about 300 rounds of CCI Blazer in about a half-hour. With two-hand grip, standing, at seven yards, I could keep both guns within about a four-inch circle. Neither is a target pistol, obviously, and I could have halved the group with my Buck Mark or my S&W 22a, but results are OK for this 78-year-old. Ergonomically, both are quite comfortable. Had one failure to fire, but strike was good so it was just a bad round. The only major difference I found is that the Walther trigger is a bit better, mostly because it has a shorter reset than Ruger. Anyway, that's my report for what it's worth.

[Paperchasin]

Too bad the SR22 is no longer on-roster. So for most folks, its the P-22.

[12pewpew]

I love how my P22 feels in my hands. That thing is a total *****hole to shoot though. I've done tons of work to it just to make it semi reliable.

[SharedShots]

If you shoot a Walther P22 unlike may pistols you should remember that it's not your typical poly gun and unlike other alloy guns made with one of the high strength aluminums, it can be sensitive to the type of lube you use.

The Walther is made using Zamak which can benefit from using a lube made specifically for it. That isn't noted in the owners manual and while in general, the super duper lubes make almost no difference in most firearms, for Zamak guns, lubes made specifically for it can make a difference.

Above all else, don't use any lube that has a detergent in it. While using motor oils is common for use by many people, the detergent lubes will make a mess in Zamak allow guns and degrade their performance. Combo cleaner/lubes are a no-no for positive functioning.

It's a shame that Walther doesn't even speak to this because the Walther runs a lot better using lube made for Zamak or avoiding those lubes that are also cleaners.

I've been using chain lube, the kind with a solvent in it that evaporates and leave a thin dry film. Both the target and standard P22s have run for lot so years and thousands of rounds of all kinds of ammo and been reliable and accurate for the price.

If you start to get FTF look closely at the follower. If it's worn then that first loaded round can sit just slightly lower and then everyone after than does as well. The result can be FTF even though it fed with the very same ammo just fine. The other thing to remember, like many 22s is that not removing the pressure on mag spring has you pressing one cartridge on top of another and it doesn't take much to dent the case below the one you're loading. The result can be FTFs.

Some will say the P22 is this or that or sensitive to all kinds of things. Just follow a few best practices and the P22 can be reliable, durable, accurate and a lot of fun to shoot. Yeah, there are all kinds of YouGotTubed videos and the post/copy/repost issues with some "experts" talking about the problems with the P22. They can also be found badmouthing Glocks, 45 anything, complaining about the 357Sig and just about any gun ever made. Pick any gun and you'll find those who will degrade it because it didn't meet some standard they made up and no one will likely ever encounter.

Now, lets go melt down an AR with mag dumps because you know, firefights and SHTF.
















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[realfwguy]

This is a matter of choice. I haven't had an opportunity with the Ruger SR22. I will have to try it out and get the feel.

[Lucky1]

You have to take into account availability, but the Walther is a complete piece of crap compared to the ruger. Go do your research and you will find out the Walther P22 is probably the most jam-o-matic 22 pistol that has ever been made. I own one so I know, so does everybody else. That being said if it ran flawlessly I would love it. Ergonomics on it are fantastic, but it is disgustingly unreliable. If you have an opportunity to get the Ruger SR22 even if it cost you a couple hundred dollars more, do it and don't look back

[Skip_Dog]

I would love another sr22. I have 2 p22's and both are fantastic shooters. I have fired 1000's of rounds through them. Very few issues. The issues are when I don't clean them. Every one who shoots them love them. I am lucky with my two I guess. I do love the Ruger to.

[SharedShots]

Lucky1, you may truly be the lucky one! Lol. I'm glad to hear that yours has been trouble-free, but I would say the majority of people who have shot the P22 have all run into the same problems with failure to fire, failure to extract, etc. I myself have literally tried seven or eight different types of ammunition with a wide range of velocities, and lubed that gun up like a massage parlor whore, and I still run into problems. Ammo and lube definitely helps mitigate some of the problems, but I have other 22 long rifle pistols that function flawlessly without even having to try and make accommodations for them. Like I said, I absolutely love the ergonomics of the pistol, just gets frustrating and disappointing that I have to stop shooting and manually extract a round out of the chamber far too often

Just throwing a lot of lube on a pistol isn't going to make it work better and often has the opposite effect.

My Walthers run just fine. There is no proof that a majority of people shooting them have problems but there is proof that if you count up the number that had or have problems that some of them post the same thing on a bunch of forums or the forum scrapers report stuff over and over. Misery loves company.

Right on this forum there have been reports about how bad SW pistols are and how anything they made after a certain date are all POS so...



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[Lucky1]

Lucky1, you may truly be the lucky one! Lol. I'm glad to hear that yours has been trouble-free, but I would say the majority of people who have shot the P22 have all run into the same problems with failure to fire, failure to extract, etc. I myself have literally tried seven or eight different types of ammunition with a wide range of velocities, and lubed that gun up like a massage parlor whore, and I still run into problems. Ammo and lube definitely helps mitigate some of the problems, but I have other 22 long rifle pistols that function flawlessly without even having to try and make accommodations for them. Like I said, I absolutely love the ergonomics of the pistol, just gets frustrating and disappointing that I have to stop shooting and manually extract a round out of the chamber far too often

I do feel for you.

[Paperchasin]

People also complain about the Sig Mosquito yet my buddy has one that shoots perfectly fine.

[nedgun]

Lucky1, you may truly be the lucky one! Lol. I'm glad to hear that yours has been trouble-free, but I would say the majority of people who have shot the P22 have all run into the same problems with failure to fire, failure to extract, etc. I myself have literally tried seven or eight different types of ammunition with a wide range of velocities, and lubed that gun up like a massage parlor whore, and I still run into problems. Ammo and lube definitely helps mitigate some of the problems, but I have other 22 long rifle pistols that function flawlessly without even having to try and make accommodations for them. Like I said, I absolutely love the ergonomics of the pistol, just gets frustrating and disappointing that I have to stop shooting and manually extract a round out of the chamber far too often

You might want to take this route to see if it helps with your P22 issues? Mine suddenly exhibited a FTF with a full magazine, until then was a fun, reliable gun.

"Update on my P22 issue above. Called factory, talked with a tech, he sent email with Fedex code for return of firearm to factory. Got it back today, they replaced the barrel. Not sure why that was solution, maybe a feed ramp issue? Anyway, a week door to door to door, I'll see how it works and report. They also replaced my captured spring with factory spring, but included the captured one in the box. Hope it is back to being a happy plinker."

[jyo]

Walther has the history to make a really fine 22 pistol, they just don't care! Their P22 is made by the airgun factory that now owns the Walther name... Sad really. Mystery-metal cast parts known to crack with use---just not the quality you expect from Walther and their attempt to make a PPK/S 22 was another failure... Meanwhile, my 60s era Walther Model PP 22 (all polished steel) continues to run 100% and it thinks it's a mini target pistol!
The Sig Mosquito 22 was possibly the WORST 22 pistol produced by a major name factory---the pistol simply NEVER could run a whole magazine full of the two dozen different brands and types of ammo we tried to get it to work with! The gun was bought new---didn't work---returned to factory---came back---still didn't work (they claimed it ran perfectly)---tried everything, nothing worked, as far as I know, it was put back in it's box and left in the back of the closet for years now...

[nedgun]

Nedgun, ty for the info

I posted this update on another thread, I suggest you contact customer service to see if they can help you out.

"Got to the indoor range this week with the P22, put about 200 rounds through it with both the factory spring and then the captured spring, had one FTF which I attribute to a bad primer. Good firing-pin strike mark, rechambered round and it fired.

Still not sure why the barrel replacement was necessary but it seems to work as good as one could ask. What I have found is that while I don't shoot this as accurately as my Springfield XD40 (s), because it is so light it shows up any trigger pull issues or flinching so it is good for getting the basics back under control. And a fun shooter."

[L4D]

My SR22 had some issues when it was new. Slide wouldnt close completely and seemed to drag when racking the slide. After a few hundred rounds its been flawless, why? Because the metal part of the safety finally chewed off enough of the slide to clear it. I just finally sent it out to Ruger today. Excuse the filth, this was after 400 rounds in one trip.