Walther P22
- Thread starter Seanpcola
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I saw look for something else. Have fired 3 or 4 different p22s and none of them would feed reliably. It didn't matter whether it was bulk .22 or mini mags none went through a full magazine. Id recommend the browning, Ruger or S&W or even a .22 revolver. The reliability and consistency is just not there with the P22
Smaug
Member
If you want a quality 22 at a fair price, look into used Ruger Mk. IIs.
I bought mine used in 1997 and it has been very reliable. The only problems have been the occasional stovepipe with bulk ammo (bulk 22 ammo will jam any gun occasionally) and when it gets super-dirty from bulk ammo the slide stop doesn't spring up.
Shooting good ammo and cleaning occasionally makes it 100% reliable. It is very accurate too. I think I paid $275 for it back then. You can probably get a clean used one for not too much more than this now.
I almost bought a P22 for my wife; she really liked how it felt in her hand. I found it to be a bit small for even my small hand.
I seem to recall reading that the cracked slide issue was caused by the slide slamming into the barrel weight on the extended barrel model. The standard model should have no such problems.
Another good option (if you really want a 22 that looks like a "real gun") would be a Bersa Thunder 22 or whatever the equivalent Firestorm model is. Check it out on Bud's. Gunblast did a youtube review on it. Like most other 22s, it is fine with good ammo and less so with junk ammo. It's the same size as a Thunder 380, which is quite a popular gun in its own right.
We bought a Buck Mark for my wife. Also a good gun. Better trigger and grip than Ruger, out of the box, but not as accurate and it is more ammo sensitive than the Ruger. (it feeds good ammo 100%, but stovepipes jams more often on bulk ammo than the Ruger)
In this pic, you can see my Ruger Mk. II Target and my wife's Buck Mark in the top row:
I bought mine used in 1997 and it has been very reliable. The only problems have been the occasional stovepipe with bulk ammo (bulk 22 ammo will jam any gun occasionally) and when it gets super-dirty from bulk ammo the slide stop doesn't spring up.
Shooting good ammo and cleaning occasionally makes it 100% reliable. It is very accurate too. I think I paid $275 for it back then. You can probably get a clean used one for not too much more than this now.
I almost bought a P22 for my wife; she really liked how it felt in her hand. I found it to be a bit small for even my small hand.
I seem to recall reading that the cracked slide issue was caused by the slide slamming into the barrel weight on the extended barrel model. The standard model should have no such problems.
Another good option (if you really want a 22 that looks like a "real gun") would be a Bersa Thunder 22 or whatever the equivalent Firestorm model is. Check it out on Bud's. Gunblast did a youtube review on it. Like most other 22s, it is fine with good ammo and less so with junk ammo. It's the same size as a Thunder 380, which is quite a popular gun in its own right.
We bought a Buck Mark for my wife. Also a good gun. Better trigger and grip than Ruger, out of the box, but not as accurate and it is more ammo sensitive than the Ruger. (it feeds good ammo 100%, but stovepipes jams more often on bulk ammo than the Ruger)
In this pic, you can see my Ruger Mk. II Target and my wife's Buck Mark in the top row:
searcher451
Member
Get something that will last a lifetime and that you can hand down to your kids or grandkids. The P22 is an unlikely candidate for that role.
LongTimeGone
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I picked up mine today. The smith ran a bore snake through it for me and I fired 150 cci mini mags with no problem before I had to go.
Except;
I thought I'd broken it because of that.
I had fired a few mags and had set it down empty with the safety on, so I thought. When I picked it up, I loaded a mag and I turn the safety 'really' on.
I didn't remember that the de-cocker allows the trigger to work and hammer to fall with the safety on.
I needed my reading glasses to see the markings after being shown what an idiot I was.
I spent some time drilling with the safety after that.
Except;
I thought I'd broken it because of that.
I had fired a few mags and had set it down empty with the safety on, so I thought. When I picked it up, I loaded a mag and I turn the safety 'really' on.
I didn't remember that the de-cocker allows the trigger to work and hammer to fall with the safety on.
I needed my reading glasses to see the markings after being shown what an idiot I was.
I spent some time drilling with the safety after that.
bigfatdave
Member
all that safety does is shield the firing pin from the hammer drop ... not quite the normal design.
And I too hate the slide-mount safety, I doubt that lever has moved on my P22 in 6 months, I just ignore it, seeing as I use the thing aas a trainer and range toy only.
And I too hate the slide-mount safety, I doubt that lever has moved on my P22 in 6 months, I just ignore it, seeing as I use the thing aas a trainer and range toy only.
HisSoldier
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- Sep 26, 2007
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- 1,330
Zamak
Is it true that the slides are made of Zamak? Is that a high quality gun making material?
Is it true that the slides are made of Zamak? Is that a high quality gun making material?
I purchased a P22 about a month ago for my wife to practice with. I probably have put 300-500 rounds through it. It is very poor in quality compared to the ruger mkIII series. The factory front sight pops off, it is only issued with 1 mag, and replacement parts seem to be a bit steep.
Is it fun and a good trainer, yes... would I suggest others to get one, no...
just personal observations... please take with a grain of salt...
Is it fun and a good trainer, yes... would I suggest others to get one, no...
just personal observations... please take with a grain of salt...
LongTimeGone
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- Joined
- May 27, 2011
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- 152
Yea, I got it for the wife to train , but I think it'll be fun to shoot and it was kinda inexpensive.
I have a S&W M41 with an Aimpoint H-1 for myself.
I have a S&W M41 with an Aimpoint H-1 for myself.
If you're in search of a future family heirloom, you might want to look at other options.
If you just want a lightweight, compact and reasonably accurate .22 that you won't shed a tear for when it gets scratched, I can't really see what's wrong with the P22.
Different guns for different purposes. P22 has no place in the display case where I keep my vintage Colt Woodsman collection, but on the other hand the Woodsmans have no place in my pocket or IWB holster. It all depends on what you want or need. I'm not really a P22 fan and usually I prefer steel framed guns over plastic ones, but as my only true pocket-sized subcompact it's quite allright for its intended purpose.
There's little sense in comparing it to full size target pistols.
If you just want a lightweight, compact and reasonably accurate .22 that you won't shed a tear for when it gets scratched, I can't really see what's wrong with the P22.
Different guns for different purposes. P22 has no place in the display case where I keep my vintage Colt Woodsman collection, but on the other hand the Woodsmans have no place in my pocket or IWB holster. It all depends on what you want or need. I'm not really a P22 fan and usually I prefer steel framed guns over plastic ones, but as my only true pocket-sized subcompact it's quite allright for its intended purpose.
There's little sense in comparing it to full size target pistols.
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