Posted on 04/11/2011 8:58:31 AM PDT by ChocChipCookie
A few years ago, my husband bought a Walther P22 for me. I like the idea of having a .22 handgun, but this gun hasn't been a good fit. I've shot a couple thousand rounds, at least. With all that practice, you would think I'd be getting tight clusters, right on target, every time, but no. I know how to shoot, which makes this even more frustrating. I do much better with heavier guns and calibers (.40 and .357) but want a .22 in the family arsenal, such as it is.
The Walther sometimes stovepipes and even my husband, who is very much an expert when it comes to firearms, has told me he doesn't like the Walther. I've tried the Sig Mosquito, which I love, but don't want anything that requires special ammo.
So, I guess I have two dilemmas. First, should I sell the gun? On one hand, I want to say, once you own a gun, you should never get rid of it. One of my kids may fall in love with it someday. On the other, I don't like it and never will.
My other question, is if not the Walther P22, then what? I want something small enough to carry but heavier, like the Mosquito.
We have a Walther P22 and it will only reliably handle CCI mini mag 22lr and a comparable Winchester, both in 40gr. Much less than that and it doesn’t work...jams, won’t eject the spent round...etc.
I’m not an expert so I don’t know why but I do know its a very finicky eater.
I find it to be accurate enough with a practice clip or 2...but yes i can be all over the paper... :]
If I were the person asking, I would trade it for another that felt better.
I am currently looking at a baretta .32 for cc or maybe even a sw airlight 38 [tho I prefer the pistol over the revolver.]. I’m trying to decide if small is best or more power is better.
My current thinking is that any encounter needing a gun will be close in so small would be better: something to reach and grab maybe in desparation....
I agree. The little Walther P22 is hard as hell to shoot. Although I have an SP-22 (4?) and it shoots like a charm. Put 100 bullets through the bullseye at 50ft one afternoon. I keep that target nearby and lay it out casually whenever a new suitor shows up for one my daughters.
Just sayin'.
Here here!
I had a Dan Wesson and loved it. I didnt have all of the barrels but it was a nice .357! I even miss my single action Ruger Blackhawk .357.
I have a Monson made Wesson and it is the most accurate revolver I own. Only have one barrel though and I believe it’s 8 3/8s. Beautiful set you have.
I’m wrestling with the selling issue as need some cash and health is poor. Just can’t decide but the thought of my kids dumping them scares me. I’ve already put my S&W 625 Model of 1988 back in the safe and others may follow.
Picked up a nice Taurus 94 .22LR revolver a couple of weeks ago. 9-shot; simple design; smooth double-action.
NFP
“Beautiful set” I HAD — sadly.
Yikes have = had. Sorry.
“Beautiful set” I HAD — sadly.
Ergo, don’t sell your gun son — just stow it.
The PK380 is the same size and shape as the P22 (I have both) Really like the PK. You could add the Walther custom fit laser to either. It’s a nice upgrade.
IMHO, the Ruger MKII (or III) is pretty much the definitive .22 general purpose iron for plinking, small game, informal target shooting, etc. Disassembly/assembly can be a little bit of a bear until you develop the magic touch needed, but they tend to be plenty accurate out of the box, and in my experience aren’t the least bit tempermental about ammo.
Hard to beat for the $$
Chiapa. Italian import. Well made. Good reviews.
Ruger Mk III also good, but it's a bear to disassemble for cleaning and reassemble.
For another 2 cents worth:
I bought a P22 for the S.O. a while back, thinking it would fit her grip well due to her having small fine hands.
I was wrong. She preferred the Bersa Thunder .380 when we went to a store together.
IMHO one of the first things to consider in a carry weapon is how it fits YOU personally.
Marksmanship depends on several fundamental elements, among them: Proper sight picture, proper breathing, proper trigger control, and, particularly in close quarters or high speed/high stress situations, proper grip.
This last will determine your natural point of aim when you are trying to present your weapon on a target, and when you are re-acquiring it after a previous shot.
If a weapon does not feel comfortable to you, it is probably not the right one for you to invest your time and money in (not that I am saying you shouldn’t be able to use it if need be).
You also have to consider other ergonomic factors besides just firing it. I do not like the Mosquito .22 because the decocking lever is too far forward for me to use without shifting my hand off my grip, and therefore off my target.
Back to the p22:
I don’t think it was Walther’s best effort, looks nice, perhaps too many safety features (a key, a safety, magazine must be inserted... means extra parts to fail imo), feels a little clunky in spite of its small size, and it is very unforgiving with ammo, as others have pointed out. I think I recall some of the Mexican ammo worked pretty well.
Rimfire ammo as self defense ammo may have issues as well, it may be more prone to problems if left loose in your bag.
I would have no problem with selling or trading it outside the registry system to someone who may appreciate it more, and getting something you like better. The Bersa’s are in the same price range if that is part of your consideration - but try one out first. There are lots of decent ones out there. Perhaps the range would let you rent by the caliber rather than the weapon, and try a few out.
Have I got a gun for you!!! The brand new Keltec PMR 30 .22 mag with a 30 round magazine. Yes you heard me 30 rounds. I have had mine on backorder for 6 mos at impact.com. Check out some of the Youtube videos on the PMR 30. Very lightweight but a .22 magmum and high capacity magazine. This thing rocks. I can’t wait to get mine and get over to the range. You will have to wait awhile for it but Keltec has ramped up the production so you will likely not have to wait as long as I am.
I have a Monson-made DW 357 also, only in 2.5”. Guess we’re kind of like bookends.
Sure would like to find a barrel set, tho’. And its cousin in 44...
I sold a perfectly good Israli Galil and bought a nice milling machine with the cash. The point being, if you don’t like the pistol, don’t keep it. Make it buy you something you want or need. As you get older, you’ll find that storage space is more precious than the junk that is stored.
The only thing I regret about selling the firearms I've sold are the ones where I would have made more money by waiting and selling them later. Sob story - in 1960 or 61 I bought a dozen P09s in excellent shape at $20 each, and sold them two months later for $40 each. If I'd kept them until today and sold them, my profits would have been a lot higher. Other than that I wouldn't want them.
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