Walther P22 experiences

[Whatisthis?]

Alright, I am getting a .22 in the next month and have been looking around. The Walther P22 seems to be the one for me, but I want to hear some experiences with it if you would like to share. I have read quite a few reviews and watched quite a few videos and it seems to be mixed feelings towards the positive side, however, I don't know how many of those written reviews are from people that just shot 50 rounds of dirty bulk ammo through it. I would prefer it not be picky with ammo, but I can't really choose how it reacts to bulk ammo. It's just a range and plinking gun, so 5 FTE or FTF over 100 rounds would not be an issue... not to mention that it would be good practice for those drills. Do most have one type of bulk ammo that can run through it pretty decently?

[NorCalDustin]

I've found that with the P22, CCI Minimags run really well in it. Federal Bulk also works well...

Basically, Your going to find that generally ammo with copper plated bullets will work best.


As far as how I like the gun... It's nice, good for running super cheap drills, good for youth/women, I like it.

[darqhelmet]

I do not own one, I have Rugers. But that being said, my best friend does own two one works sometimes. But he has to shoot wolf match ammo or CCI minimags. The wolfs work pretty good he can get an entire mag going with out a FTE. It wont eat the Fed's or Win's from walmart at all 2~3 shots and it FTE. The other one he bought with a broken hammer spring off a different friend and I don't know its track record.

I personally like how they look but would never purchase one. Hell my Beretta 21 Bobcat works better and that thing sucks!

[uxo2]

From shooting Rugers and P22's..

The Rugers are the most reliable and eat what others will not.

The P22 likes to be well lubed and when you find what it likes...Stay with it.

If it is a new one.
You should have no issues other than being ammo finicky.

[Steve G]

I did a little fluff and buff to the internals of my P22. The gun now runs flawless with ALL ammo (bulk included). I'll try and post a pic later of where you should buff to make the gun function with your choice of ammo.

[89 Vision]

I love my little P22. Personally I think they're a bit overpriced at the moment, but I don't think you'll regret buying one. I was lucky enough to get one when they first came out. Think I paid $229 before tax and dros, which is why I feel they're a little overpriced. Mine is a little picky with ammo, but likes the cheapy Remington green box so it's not a big deal. The finish could stand to be a little better, my P22 is quite "gun metal gray" nowadays. My only other complaint is that reassembly of the piece is very aggravating, and causes me to curse quite a bit.

[XDRoX]

I love mine. I took it to the range today with 6 friends. It probably got fired around 200 times. Not one problem. And I shoot all the cheap ammo I can find through it. Remington, Federal, Blazer, CCI, even Rem Thunder Bolts.

For the first few hundred rounds it was a little picky. Jammed maybe 5% of the time. But after 1K rounds, it started eating everything.

Super fun gun.

[Ganner]

Got mine since 2003 and it"s a blast to shoot, i shot federal american eagle, winchester 333 bulk pack,remington golden bullet, armscor & cci with no problem.

[Canute]

Mine is reliable and was accurate until the plastic front sight fell out and I had to use another one from the kit.

[CJSdrftFlat]

I have a 2010 model and i needed to break it in for the first 1500 rounds before it got reliable with no fte or stovepipes. It eats anything too.

[caoboy]

I don't like the p22's size. It is really small and felt like a toy gun. I'd go for a 22/45 for a .22 for plinking and even more serious rimfire shooting ( competition) I just think it is a better deal, you can mod it if you get bored with it, and it is a 'full size' pistol compared to the p22. Honestly you'd be better off with a mouse gun. There is also a problem with the safety falling on some of the guns, so be aware of that and don't hesitate to get fixed asap under warranty.

[k1dude]

I like my P22. I've only shot Federal bulk through it and it has never failed yet. I like how small and light it is. It's easily packed in a daypack or fanny pack for backcountry hiking and plinking fun. It won't punish you with size and weight like other handguns. I also haven't kept mine particularly clean or lubed and it hasn't faltered yet.

My only complaint is it isn't really that accurate or precise. It's basically minute of beercan at 7 yards. But it's fun!

[Chris J]

I bought one a few months ago and have run about 3000 rounds through it so far with no serious problems. I did disassemble it and do some recommended internal polishing after 2000 rounds. I've had one fail to fire that was probably a bad cartridge.

The only consistent problem is that it doesn't feed the first couple rounds reliably when the mag has the full 10 rounds in it. The slide does not cycle fully. Eight rounds or less, never a problem. I'm not sure of the cause yet; it just hasn't bothered me enough to take the time to investigate.

I give it a barrel-cleaning after each session and a more thorough cleaning every once in awhile. So far I haven't found ammo it really doesn't like. Mostly I shoot CCI Blazers and Mini-mags. Mini-mags work a little better, re: the first couple rounds feed more consistently.

Can't speak for accuracy, as I am a lousy shot anyway. I will say the short sight radius makes it a bit harder to aim than might be the case with a larger gun. Beyond that I don't think there is anything fundamentally wrong with its accuracy.

It isn't the best-constructed piece in the world. The pot-metal slide will probably limit its lifetime, although I've heard of P22s with many thousands of rounds through them and still working fine (I understand that replacement slides are not available from S&W). But anyway, I'd consider it just a fun shooter and a pretty good training gun, not necessarily a family heirloom. For what it is, I guess it is priced pretty fairly and I have found it to be a whole lot of fun to shoot.

For more info, visit the rimfire central forums.

Oh, one more thing: it is a pain to field-strip if you follow the manufacturer's instructions. There is a trick to it. Once you have it, a field-strip, barrel clean, and reassembly shouldn't take more than a couple minutes. Doing it the Walther Way will take way longer and your kids will learn lots of new words.

[Homebuddy]

I have had a good experience with my p22. It's been reliable, fairly accurate and very light. I have read somewhere that the best lubricant for the gun is Rem Oil and that's what I use.
My Ruger111 on fhe other hand have had some issues with double feeding and is a pain to strip.

[shadow65]

I had a P22. It ran fine. I broke it in with mini mags, then it would run Fed bulk fine.
What I didn't like was the trigger pull. And not really able to do much as far as lightening it or improving it.
I got use to my Ruger 22/45 with a PacLite upper so I was spoiled as far as accuracy and trigger pull.
It's definetly a plinker.