Walther P22 Ammunition Problems and Solutions
The Walther P22 is a fun gun to shoot when it's functioning properly. One of the biggest complaints about the P22 is that it's prone to frequent feeding and chambering problems. Both of these issues can be very frustrating for a shooter and often result in a negative opinion of the P22. The good news is that the causes for these issues are well documented and have easy solutions that will ensure your P22 will operate error-free.
The P22 is notoriously picky about the type of ammunition and this is the source of many problems. Quite a few brands of ammo, especially lower quality bulk ammunition, will fail to feed from the Walther P22 magazine or get caught halfway in the chamber. Feed problems occur when a round isn't picked up out of the magazine and fed into the chamber after an earlier round is discharged. To overcome the problem the shooter has to manually pull the slide back to chamber the next round.
Chambering problems are common with the same low grade or bulk ammunition but can occur in quality ammunition if hollow point rounds are used. In the case of bulk ammunition, rounds don't have enough charge or powder to give the slide enough kinetic energy to pick up and chamber the next round. In the case of hollow point ammunition, the edge of the hole in the bullet will sometimes catch on the lower rear of the chamber ramp causing the slide to stop and the action to lock open. To remedy the situation the shooter has to manually pull back on the slide to eject the round and then manually chamber the next round.
Feed problems can be eliminated by observing one simple rule. Only use high quality, heavy ammunition in your P22. Ammunition that is manufactured by CCI such as their Mini Mag and Stinger rounds are among the best. There's a complete table of the best type of ammunition to use with the Walther P22 over at SpentBrass that you should check out if you're having trouble finding CCI ammunition near you.
The failure of hollow point to chamber can be eliminated with one pretty easy modification. If you're pretty handy you can perform this modification yourself. If after reading how to do it, you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself please employ the services of a local gunsmith. The reason that hollow point rounds sometimes fail to fully chamber is that the lead of the bullet catches on the lower rear of the chamber slide. To correct the issue lightly file the lip of the chamber slide using a high speed Dremel tool. Be very careful to file too much or you may end up having to purchase a new barrel for your pistol. There's a complete tutorial on how to perform this modification in the Walther P22 bible that is available at SpentBrass.
On April 21, 2011 Slick Rick said:
Walther P22 IssuesI am the gun doctor.
The most common problem with the P22 is when it locks up and the hammer is stuck.
This is because someone left the trigger lock on the on position and someone simply slides the slide back. Then whammy!!! It’s all locked up. The hammer is stuck on the cocked position, and you can’t pull the trigger, and most of all. You can’t use the key to unlock it.
Here is how you fix it in 10 seconds.
Step (1) Remove the slide
Step (2) On the right side of the hammer is a little silver bar. Push down and the hammer releases and goes back forward.
Step (3) Use the key the easily unlock the trigger lock.
Presto!!!! Put the slide back on and you’re ready for action.
This beats the crap out of sending it back to the factory to get it fixed.
That’s about three weeks without your gun.
Glad to have helped out.
