P22...Help!

[paulo737]

I have read so many reviews on this gun and I can't make up my mind if I should get one or not. Is the Walther P22 a reliable .22? Does the 5 inch barrel make that much of a difference over the 3.4 inch barrel? Is it really that "picky" on the ammo used? Any help would be great. Thanks all!

[iareConfusE]

From the dozens of youtube videos I've seen, and a lot of articles on this pistol I've read (along with the sig mosquito for that matter), the guns are EXTREMELY picky about ammo type, and they take quite a while to break in before they start to show signs of acceptance for other ammo besides CCI mini mags and better. The fact that there is a whole "P22 Bible" which is filled with ways to repair the gun to make it function properly is a testament to what an unfinished product it is. Walther should have released this pistol finished, not 50%; because by the time you're done modifying your P22 or Mosquito to work 100%, you'll probably be a certified gun smith by just that experience alone

[cookmonsta]

I have the 5" OD version with shell casing dated 2009, and had to send it back to S&W due to FTF and slide problems. I suggest you get acquainted with the P22 bible if you want it to be "reliable". These pistols have quality control issues imo.

[paulo737]

Nice! I will keep that in mind for sure. Thanks iareConfusE.

[paulo737]

I didn't know there was a frickin "Bible" for this gun! Now i'm worried!

[pigman]

keep it clean and oiled lightly and never have a problem, mine cycles Subsonic ammo with no issues, maybe 1000 rounds fired, does not like shooting in the rain though, had the slide get stuck to the rear when it got wet, but some break free and back in buss.

[X-NewYawker]

Mine is great, accurate as all get out and reliable.

[IrishPirate]

the people i know who have them haven't had any issues.....i plan on getting two soon. one for me in OD green/black, one for the wife in pink/stainless

[Rem1492]

I had a black 2002 model that had issues, was sent to S&W, came back working. Since then the only problem was lead buildup in the barrel from using non coated rounds.

That was stolen a few months ago, so I got a Nickel/Blue model that the mil sales dep found for me. I have yet to shoot it, but I would think that between 2002 and 2010 they would have made some changes, improvements and realized the flaws.

........then again, maybe not, who knows these days.

The P-22 cycles ok with cheap red box federal, but you may get a few FTF. It cycles perfectly with white box federal automatch (higher power than red box) and with CCI its also great.

The barrel length really doesnt do much, its already a small style gun that any accuracy device isnt worth it. If accuracy is your thing, go for a larger 22 with a contoured grip and longer barrel/sights.

The P-22 is a fun gun to plink with, and fun to train with, its not a competition winner or sharpshooter pistol.

A "reliable" .22 is a tough one because of the nature of the semi function and the round itself. A Ruger and Buckmark would fall into the sturdy and reliable area more than the P-22 but they arent as small or useful for beginners.

(photos, and photo of stolen Black P22)

[NavDoc]

I had one of the "switch-barrel" kits prior to moving out here. It ran well with Fed bulk pack. It would choke on the last round in the mag with Stingers and Velocitor ammo, though. Overall, good gun. Wish I still had it.

Edit: With the longer barrel it was only a little more accurate, and it was hard to tell with some ammo. I don't recall ever shooting "target" loads through it, though. Since you can't have the interchangeable barrels in CA, I would buy the 3.5" if I had to have one.

[twinjetguy]

I have one of the short models and I love it. Probably have around 5-6000 rounds through it and haven't had one problem with it. Mine likes the Aguila Super Maximum Hyper Velocity stuff, but will shoot a lot of others with no problem. It doesn't like Federal Bulk so much.

My friends, g/f and I all think it's one of the entertaining guns that I own. It's just fun to shoot and even more fun to zip through 10 rounds as fast as you can. I say get one.

I didn't even know you can get them in blue! A blue gun? Hmmmmm, to each their own.

[jvquattro]

No issues with mine!

[XDRoX]

I also absolutely love my P22. One of the funnest guns I own. It always gets grabbed out of the safe for shooting sessions. I had a few FTF's within the first 500 rounds but now it runs like a champ.

[WeekendWarrior]

my P22 works pretty well, pnly issue I have had is light strikes on certain cheap ammunition, but generally it runs just fine. I have the target model, If I could go back in time I would buy the standard model as I dont shoot it past 25 yards much.

[Roccobro]

Remington golden bullets work great in mine. Did most of the mods from "the bible" for fun. Made it a nicer shooter too.

I'd recommend the shorter barrel model. There has been issues with slide breakage that some are linked to impacting the "compensator" muzzle weight. Also, the sight radius is the same on the two models. The "longer" barrel loses that extra slide area to the non-moving weight on the end.

My P22 is one of very few guns that goes with me EVERY range trip.

Justin

EDIT: I just saw a later version with front sight on the "compensator". Sight radius comment isn't universal for this model.