[Bish02]

Hello everyone! I have a P22 that I bought new in September of 2002 according to my receipt. The test fire envelope looks like it was made in December of 2001. I had always liked shooting the gun but it's spent most of its life in the back of a safe due to frustrating reliability. I've always relied on it jamming, usually FTF. I've always used mini mags in it, I'd guess I put 3000 rounds through it before I put it away. A few months ago I decided to take it to the range with me and give it another try(10+ years since I've shot it)and immediately realized why I hadn't shot it, nothing but jams. I threw it back in the safe until a few days ago. I decided to to try n do some research n make the damn thing work. I bought the Galloway slide spring mostly for convenience. The Volquartson extractor to keep the shells out of my face, and a few new mags because I've read there was a problem with the originals feeding bullets. LO AND BEHOLD I have a brand new gun!! The thing fired 200 rounds and ran smooth as a sewing machine.
Google searches mostly led to this site and gave me all sorts of great info. I really appreciate it! I've been reading through the p22 thread since I've joined and seen some issues about cracked slides on the older models. It does seem pretty thin on mine on the left side by the ejection port. Mine isn't a competition model but I've been thinking about possibly putting a suppressor on it since it actually works now. Anybody think there would be issues with it slamming the adapter/suppressor and damaging the slide? Is the Galloway slide spring safe on the old slides?? My slide has the serial on it too so I'd prefer not to bust it up.

Thanks for all the good info on here and appreciate all your thoughts n prayers🤣

 

[1917-1911M]

Welcome Bish02, Your pistol has a lifetime warranty if you are in the States. And yes a number of the original P99 style P22s have cracked the slide....most at the muzzle end, a few on the left side at the slide catch notch. I personally place a #83 O ring over the guide rod to act as a buffer even on Q and QD models with the thicker slide. They are all cast zinc.

The original magazines did not have rim stagger slots and did not function properly. Walther revised them pretty early on to a model with 1" slots. All of those have worked fine over the years. In about 2006 they tried some short slot models and those did not function well and were quickly replaced. At one time Walther would furnish new mags to those with the problematic ones. If you purchased the new mags you might give Ft Smith a call and see if they will send you two new models to replace the old ones.

I've never seen a slide with the serial number on it. How about some pictures of the pistol. You will likely find the pistol runs best on high velocity ammo like CCI Mini Mags or Remington Golden Bullets. I'm not sure what the model of the recoil spring does or how it compares to the stock spring weight wise. Glad you have it running....they are fun plinkers and don't worry about wearing it out since it has that warranty. 1917

 

[Bish02]

Thanks for the reply 1917. I'll definitely keep in mind the warranty if I have a slide failure. I'll also give them a call and see about getting a couple free mags since the originals won't work reliably... Can't hurt to try.
Anyways here are a few pics with the serial on the slide. I'm thinking it had something to do with the Clinton ban. I remember a few handguns I purchased in the early 2000's had serials on the frame, slide and barrel. I haven't noticed it post ban.

 

[1917-1911M]

Well that certainly is a P22 and apparently a very early one. I've never seen one with the SN on the slide and there is no year of manufacture date on it either. I'd very much like for you to remove the slide and post some pictures of the trigger bar ears. Crete has a very early European P22 with mim'd/cast trigger bar ears that were nicely rounded from the factory. I've never seen another example like them. 1917

Photo Crete made of his pistol. I lifted it and added some words but what I was interested in were the unique trigger bar ears......properly engineered from the get go and yet someone deleted this design from the pistol leaving years and years of sharp, stamped ears to chew on the underside of the frame.

 

[Bish02]

 

[1917-1911M]

Well there you go....same trigger bar as the one Crete has. That is only the second one I've ever seen. The Chief Engineer, Daniel Rieger had it right to begin with but the bean counters must have made em put a cheaper stamped and folded trigger bar in there. Don't lose that one. Thanks. 1917

 

[1917-1911M]

The original hammer shape was problematic though in that the sharp top edge catches in the gap between the safety drum and rear of the breech block. Wonder if Walther would put one of the revised hammers in it for you if you are having issues with the slide hanging up when going forward. 1917

 

[Bish02]

Thanks for all the good information on the gun 1917. Since its something of a rarity I'll probably just keep it original and buy a new one to take to the range. I'd hate to crack a slide or the frame... Is the QD their best version they have out?
Thanks again for your time getting me all the info. It's been really interesting!

 

[JERRYS.]

I must be lucky. I bought my daughter her first handgun [a Walther p22] in 2008 and have at least 1,000 rounds through it so far with no problems whatsoever.

 

[Wildtoad]

I must be lucky. I bought my daughter her first handgun [a Walther p22] in 2008 and have at least 1,000 rounds through it so far with no problems whatsoever.

Seems you need to get out more!

 

[JERRYS.]

Seems you need to get out more!

well with the ammo hording that was going on a few years ago, the addition of a Ruger LCR .22lr, and my Ruger MKII, the Walther just didn't get the spot light like it did in the beginning.

 

[1917-1911M]

An awful lot is riding on the ammo used with the P22. Weak stuff just doesn't make the pistol function like snappy ammo. What part of Bama? 1917

 

[JERRYS.]

An awful lot is riding on the ammo used with the P22. Weak stuff just doesn't make the pistol function like snappy ammo. What part of Bama? 1917

my [P22] has eaten everything from bulk Remington thunderbolts, to Winchester and Federal bulk cartons and of course the good stuff.

Chambers County.

 

[1917-1911M]

There should be some good fishing in your neck of the woods. I've only barely been through your County when heading down Hwy 280. Yeah, that ammo hoarding got really old. Hope some people choked on it. Glad to hear the 2008 P22 is running fine. Remember, it has a lifetime warranty should you have any issues. 1917

 

[1917-1911M]

Bish02, another question for you since you apparently have a very, very early pistol. Does your slide have a hardened pin inserted into the sidewall at the hold open notch? Later pistols do, this pin is very effective in stopping the slide hold open arm from rounding off the zinc at the notch. You do have to keep an eye on the top, rear area of the arm though as the pin can peen a sharp upper lip on the catch which can scrape zinc off the left, bottom side of the slide. 1917

 

[Bish02]

Sorry i havent been on for a few months. I believe it does have the pin you're referring to.

 

[1917-1911M]

Yes you have the hardened pin and you need a new extractor pronto from what I see. Ft Smith will send you one...looks like it might have cracked off. 1917

 

[1917-1911M]

I think I have a sack of em too if they are out. I'll throw you one in the mail if you need it. 1917

 

[JERRYS.]

I'm not seeing the crack in the extractor. can you point it out please? thanks.

 

[1917-1911M]

It looks like the tip is gone. I'll put up a picture of what one looks like. Perhaps it is just the way the photo looks.

Picture of a VQ extractor.

New style P22 extractor.

The original extractor was cut straight in leaving a huge gap between the rim and extractor tip which caused ejected cases to fly everywhere. Above is a drawing I did back in '04 or so to show how the original extractor could be carefully peened with a small hammer to reduce the gap. Do not try this with the later extractor...the tip will break off. 1917