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- Feb 1, 2013
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So I've had my Walther PPQ .22 for several years now and have really enjoyed this handgun immensely. It has very reliable with multiple types of ammo after the initial 100 round break-in. I probably have 2,000+ rounds through it now (it's getting a lot more time now that we are through the "Great .22 LR Depression". So if one is looking for a great .22 polymer autoloader, one should definitely get passed the unfortunate association that the PPQ .22 has with the P22 and give it a look, I think you'll be impressed. I've tried to show the quality that was built into this gun, as I think it gets often overlooked by people thinking it's just more "Umarex Junk".
When I mention that I have one and love it, the first responses I usually get are "Umarex Junk" and other ignorant comments (not using ignorant as a slight to those using it but as they are ignorant to the fact the PPQ .22LR is not built at the Umarex factory in Arnsberg, Germany). When I purchased my first Walther centerfire PPQ I immediately loved the ergos and the trigger is one of the best out of the box still to this day IMHO. So after that I searched for a .22 to go with it and looked briefly at the P22, and soon came to realize there are far too many negative reviews for it to be a fluke. So I researched it and found that the P22 is produced at the Umarex factory alongside several other common firearms such as certain S&W M&P .22 LR's, the Colt M4 .22, and the GSG .22 (mp5 knockoff). The build quality coming out of the Umarex has been very subject based on what one hears on the internet but one can assume there is some validity being they were just an airsoft company before purchasing Walther. So after moving past the "Walther" P22, I searched for another route to satisfy my desire for a poly .22 autoloader, and thought about the Ruger SR22 which gets great reviews, but soon I found the PPQ .22 and did some research (which included emailing Walther themselves) and confirmed that it is built alongside the centerfire PPQ line in the historic Ulm, Germany plant, that has a reputation for great firearms. And seeing one glowing review of it on the internet by "The Truth About Guns" I decided to go for it.
Much as the "TTAG" article shows the quality is easily seen when one takes down a Walther PPQ .22. As one can see from my notes on the exploded PPQ .22 below, there is no Zinc on this firearm with it's hard anodized aluminum slide, a steel recoil spring (most are polymer these days), and a nicely fashioned barrel and shroud which locks up nice in the barrel block on the frame and an adjustable rear sight.
The attention to detail on the PPQ .22 can be seen in another area that I really appreciate, the steel insert on the aluminum slide to prevent the steel slide latch from peening the aluminum over time.
Below is the barrel block on the frame showing the proof marks on the side.
Slide CIP / N Proof Mark
Chamber and feed ramp end of barrel, sorry she's dirty this is after about 300-400 rounds suppressed, no failures.
Picture of hammer.
Left Side.
Top of Slide.
When I mention that I have one and love it, the first responses I usually get are "Umarex Junk" and other ignorant comments (not using ignorant as a slight to those using it but as they are ignorant to the fact the PPQ .22LR is not built at the Umarex factory in Arnsberg, Germany). When I purchased my first Walther centerfire PPQ I immediately loved the ergos and the trigger is one of the best out of the box still to this day IMHO. So after that I searched for a .22 to go with it and looked briefly at the P22, and soon came to realize there are far too many negative reviews for it to be a fluke. So I researched it and found that the P22 is produced at the Umarex factory alongside several other common firearms such as certain S&W M&P .22 LR's, the Colt M4 .22, and the GSG .22 (mp5 knockoff). The build quality coming out of the Umarex has been very subject based on what one hears on the internet but one can assume there is some validity being they were just an airsoft company before purchasing Walther. So after moving past the "Walther" P22, I searched for another route to satisfy my desire for a poly .22 autoloader, and thought about the Ruger SR22 which gets great reviews, but soon I found the PPQ .22 and did some research (which included emailing Walther themselves) and confirmed that it is built alongside the centerfire PPQ line in the historic Ulm, Germany plant, that has a reputation for great firearms. And seeing one glowing review of it on the internet by "The Truth About Guns" I decided to go for it.
Much as the "TTAG" article shows the quality is easily seen when one takes down a Walther PPQ .22. As one can see from my notes on the exploded PPQ .22 below, there is no Zinc on this firearm with it's hard anodized aluminum slide, a steel recoil spring (most are polymer these days), and a nicely fashioned barrel and shroud which locks up nice in the barrel block on the frame and an adjustable rear sight.
The attention to detail on the PPQ .22 can be seen in another area that I really appreciate, the steel insert on the aluminum slide to prevent the steel slide latch from peening the aluminum over time.
Below is the barrel block on the frame showing the proof marks on the side.
Slide CIP / N Proof Mark
Chamber and feed ramp end of barrel, sorry she's dirty this is after about 300-400 rounds suppressed, no failures.
Picture of hammer.
Left Side.
Top of Slide.
