Hi, I'd like to obtain a used Walther P22 pistol in good shape but I heard the early versions were prone to problems. What problems? Is there any way to tell the old versions from the new version via serial number?(supposedly the 'problems' have been fixed on the new version). Any information, good or bad about these guns would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim
WTK - Differences in Walther P22 pistols
- Thread starter jimbo
- Start date
- Location
- Edmonton AB
the problems have been fixed in the newer ones, i bought one and it works great with federal american eagle, the older ones had things like missing rifling in the barrel and fit problems, youre better off paying the cash for a new one
I had an early version and before it was fixed by Walther, it did the following:
- failure to feed (uncommon but more prevalent than my Sig P220 that I owned at the same time).
- failure to eject, especially live cartridges (quite often)
- failure to fire (uncommon as a whole but more common than the failure to feed)
- failure to lock back on empty mag (every single mag, no exceptions)
- screws in the barrel weight turned out (they were not loctited though, but still, give it 50rds and they needed to be tightened).
- lost a front sight somewhere along the line
- accuracy was of the shotgun variety
I have also heard of the following problems with early versions:
- problems with the safety coming loose or something
- barrel lug coming loose
When the gun came back from Walther, it was a changed gun to say the least. IT ACTUALLY WORKED !! But I had moved on to a Ruger 22/45 so I didn't play with it much as the Ruger did almost everyhting better and with less hassle.
- failure to feed (uncommon but more prevalent than my Sig P220 that I owned at the same time).
- failure to eject, especially live cartridges (quite often)
- failure to fire (uncommon as a whole but more common than the failure to feed)
- failure to lock back on empty mag (every single mag, no exceptions)
- screws in the barrel weight turned out (they were not loctited though, but still, give it 50rds and they needed to be tightened).
- lost a front sight somewhere along the line
- accuracy was of the shotgun variety
I have also heard of the following problems with early versions:
- problems with the safety coming loose or something
- barrel lug coming loose
When the gun came back from Walther, it was a changed gun to say the least. IT ACTUALLY WORKED !! But I had moved on to a Ruger 22/45 so I didn't play with it much as the Ruger did almost everyhting better and with less hassle.
Oh, check out www.rimfirecentral.com - lots of guys there can details problems with the US P22s (if they differ any from Canadian versions, I do not know). They also provide some easy ways to fix some of the problems. However, I am still of the school that says if the gun is broke, let a professional try to tinker with it. The only problem was that the Walther warranty center is in Germany and turnaround time for my P22 was over a year :roll: :?
I had an earlier model (AB date code). I had no end of problems, some of them pretty dangerous:
- numerous fail to feeds
- numerous failed extractions
- one hangfire
!: :!: :!: :!: )
- slide stopped locking back after last round fired
- barrel nut would work itself loose after prolonged firing
I know some of the newer models have been better, but that does not mean it is a good purchase.
Hey, my parents had a Ford Pinto in 1978, and they didn't have any problems with it......
Buyer beware I guess.
- numerous fail to feeds
- numerous failed extractions
- one hangfire
!: :!: :!: :!: )- slide stopped locking back after last round fired
- barrel nut would work itself loose after prolonged firing
I know some of the newer models have been better, but that does not mean it is a good purchase.
Hey, my parents had a Ford Pinto in 1978, and they didn't have any problems with it......
Buyer beware I guess.
UncleWalther said:I had an earlier model (AB date code). I had no end of problems, some of them pretty dangerous:
- numerous fail to feeds
- numerous failed extractions
- one hangfire
- slide stopped locking back after last round fired
- barrel nut would work itself loose after prolonged firing
I know some of the newer models have been better, but that does not mean it is a good purchase.
Hey, my parents had a Ford Pinto in 1978, and they didn't have any problems with it......
Buyer beware I guess.
IIRC, my P22 and UncleWalther's P22 came from the same production run ? There are more than a few similarities in the problems that we faced....
I do know that of the three P22s that were sold at the same time (mine included), all went back to Germany for repair work quite soon thereafter. All three guns had similar problems.
UncleWalther said:I had an earlier model (AB date code). I had no end of problems, some of them pretty dangerous:
- numerous fail to feeds
- numerous failed extractions
- one hangfire
- slide stopped locking back after last round fired
- barrel nut would work itself loose after prolonged firing
I know some of the newer models have been better, but that does not mean it is a good purchase.
Hey, my parents had a Ford Pinto in 1978, and they didn't have any problems with it......
Buyer beware I guess.
I fail to see how a hangfire could be a problem with the gun itself...
Max Owner
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I bought one for my wife. I suspect it is one of the first ones out.
Haven't had the chance to shoot yet, because of lack of a club membership.......
Hope its better than what people say.
Haven't had the chance to shoot yet, because of lack of a club membership.......
Hope its better than what people say.
