Walther P22 Magazine

Walther P22 magazines are currently out of stock.

Walther P22 Magazine

Walther P22 Magazine with Finger Rest
$30.95 - ($10 shipping will be added. Additional shipping may apply for HI & AK)

These are the Walther P22 factory magazine with the finger rest butt plate (picture above on the right).

I use Authorize.net to ensure a secure checkout. You'll get an email confirmation as soon as you place an order, and I'll also send you an email with my direct phone number so you can contact me with any questions.

- Ben
bdwyer [at] spentbrass [dot] com

Overview & History General

The Walther P22 magazine has a 10-round capacity and either a flat or finger rest-type butt plate. Modified, aftermarket followers are available that increase the magazine capacity to thirteen rounds. There's more on these followers in the high capacity section of this page.

The history of the Walther P22 magazine has been updated thanks to 1917-1911M
Original Walther P22 magazines were blued and had no stagger slot. They did not perform well. They were replaced with blued and stainless long stagger slot "A" suffix part number magazines. These performed well. In addition to the longer slot the stainless models had the catch tab expanded in response to shooter claims that magazines were dropping out of the pistol as it was fired. Most of us attributed that to shooter error where the shooter's finger was hitting the magazine release lever.

About this time there was much discussion regarding poor spent case ejection direction. In response, Walther shortened the stagger slot in 2006 on the "A models in an attempt to address this issue. This didn't work and the short slot "A" mags were shortly replaced with the new "B" suffix model. This magazine returned to the longer stagger slot, was of thicker steel and had a taller spring retaining nub. I tested five prototypes for Walther and they worked fine. They do not work any better than the long slot "A" models though. Due to the thicker steel they are stamped out of they are probably more durable if dropped. And as of 2010 that is where the P22 magazines development stands. M1911

Construction

Walther P22 magazines have a simple construction that makes them easy to disassemble and clean. Each magazine has the following components:

Maintenance Disassemble & Assembly

To disassemble a Walther P22 magazine, depress the button on the bottom of the magazine's grip and carefully slide it forward. Once the grip clears the steel casing, the spring and catch will pop out.

To completely disassemble the magazine, use your finger nails or needle-nose pliers to gently remove the slide catch (small button sticking out the side) from the plastic follower. Do this by pulling the slide catch straight out, it's not threaded. Once the slide catch has been removed the follower is free to slide out of the bottom of the magazine.

Follow these steps in reverse to reassemble the magazine.

Cleaning

To clean a Walther P22 magazine, disassembled it and use a solvent to clean the residue and grime off of each part taking care not to stretch or compact the spring. Doing so can change the spring's tension resulting in feed problems.

After you've got the parts clean, go back over them with a lightly oiled cloth and reassemble the magazine.

High Capacity Magazines

Walther P22 High Capacity Drum Magazine is not available!

One of the biggest complaints about the Walther P22 is that it doesn't hold enough rounds. A 45-round drum magazine has been recently released for the P22 and G22, and high capacity followers are also available. It's also pretty easy to make a high cap follower out of the stock part.

Magazine

Thanks to Logan for submitting a comment letting me know about a 45-round drum magazine for the Walther P22 and G22. Going from stock to 45 rounds is quite a jump, but the high capacity magazine seems to deliver, although there are certain requirements for trouble-free operation. The magazine is key-wound and requires increased back pressure. Descriptions about this magazine say it will function well with a 5-inch barrel, but the 3.4-inch barrel requires either a suppressor or a muzzle pressure booster for proper operation.

This thing isn't cheap at an average of about $170 from the various online sources offering it. Do a search for "drum magazine walther p22" using your favorite search engine and you'll get a bunch of results. Please let me know your experience if you own or have used this magazine. I'd like to post some reliable, first-hand informaiton about it. I may even spring for one myself if I don't hear some information from readers.

Follower

High-capacity followers can be purchased online or through some gun shops. Optionally, you can modify one of your existing followers by carefully removing a portion from the lower half of the component.

It's important to note that the P22's slide will not lock back when a magazine is empty when using a high-capacity follower. Reason being is that the little button that sticks out of the side of the follower is the catch for the slide. When using a high cap follower this catch button is not present.

Problems & Issues

Staggered Rounds
New P22 owners are sometimes alarmed by the way rounds sit staggered on top of each other in the magazine. This staggering is normal and rounds will center themselves on top of the plastic follower as they near the top of the magazine.

Feed Problems
Later models of magazines stamped with an 'A' or those stamped with a 'B' aren't prone to feed problems. However, original magazines and earlier models stamped with an 'A' that were made before the addition of a 3/8" slot that allows rounds to sit staggered in the magazine are prone to feed issues.

When buying Walther P22 magazines, be sure to look for magazines with a slot that allows rounds to stagger.

 

Questions & Comments

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- Please note that comments are pre-moderated. I'll post your comment ASAP, usually within an hour or so.

On November 28, 2009 Aaron said:

On the P22 13 round keeper conversion is modification to the spring required? Have anyone noticed any problems with feeding after extended use?

On November 29, 2009 Ben said:

Hi Aaron,

You don't need to modify the spring to use the 13-round follower. Just remove the stock follower and replace it with the smaller 13-round version.

I was not able to squeeze 13 rounds into a magazine using the aftermarket followers. I was only able to fit 12. I modified the aftermarket follower by shaving a little more material from the bottom in order to that last 13th round in.

I haven't put too many rounds through the pistol using the smaller followers. But as of yet there haven't been any problems. I've been meaning to update the section about the follower, and I'll have a thorough review of these extended followers online before too long.

On December 1, 2009 MIKE said:

Didn't find "link below" to purchase $7 follower. Let me know how to.
Good Stuff
M

On December 1, 2009 Ben said:

Sorry about that, Mike. Looks like I missed the boat in a recent update. I've posted it again.

On December 4, 2009 CoachRick said:

I have a magazine post over on the 'best ammo' discussion. Basically, I'm disengaging the mag a couple of times per 10rd cycle. I've tried to cut down on hitting the release at the end of the trigger pull by using my 'fingertip' to pull the trigger...really doesn't help. I even tried holding the mag in place with my pinky...helps only a little. I plan to get another mag at some point but I doubt that will make a difference...dang! I have pretty large hands but my trigger finger would be considered 'normal' sizewise. Anybody got the same problem or better yet, a solution? Thx. Love the P22.

On December 13, 2009 CoachRick said:

I'll follow up my own post...bought another mag and still have the disengage problem averaging once per mag. Sometimes three times, sometimes none. Dealer wants to take a look at the release to see if he can spot anything unusual. I don't want to be without this pistol for multiple weeks in order to send it back. 9x19 and 40cal ammo cost too much to go through that like I do with the P22. I also am using the P22 to get in a bit of off-hand practice(rather than the Glock or S&W). Oh, well, we'll see what the salesperson says upon inspection. Otherwise, I really enjoy the P22.

On December 14, 2009 Ben said:

Hi Rick,

If you feel comfortable, you could always take a look at the pistol yourself before being without it for a couple weeks. The mechanism that's probably causing the issue is the magazine release that sits on the bottom of the trigger guard. You don't need to do too much to get at it. Just remove the action of the pistol and remove the pin that holds the release in place. A quick inspection of the release may turn up some wear that's causing the magazine to fall. Check out the "disassembling a Walther P22" page for images and such.

On December 20, 2009 CoachRick said:

Well, this is crazy. Went to the range a couple of days ago, shot 100 rnds or so using both mags...not a single dis-engagement. Pretty sure I was not doing anything differently. It was REALLY cold(indoor range with outdoor air exchange), probably in the 40s with the fans running briskly. Don't know if that could be a factor. I hope to get by there today and experiment some more.

On January 7, 2010 John said:

Dudes, forget buying the 13 follower, I just cut my original one, and jammed in 14!

The other mod that you should do to the mags is to make them dark.

On January 18, 2010 CoachRick said:

As a follow-up to my earlier posts regarding my 'mag disconnect' experience, my last three trips to the range(with over 100 rnds fired each time) have resulted in ZERO mag problems. The release lever looks/operates no differently from when I WAS having trouble, my fingers are no smaller and my trigger technique has not changed. Whatever happened, I'm glad the magazine gremlins have moved on! Sure makes the range outings more enjoyable!

On January 30, 2010 CoachRick said:

Well, I spoke too soon! Last trip out I ran another 50 rnds or so meaning a half-dozen mags worth. Had at least 6 mag disconnects...only used one mag this time. Just can't find anything to suggest a weak connection, mag release is tight, using a 'finger-tip' trigger pull to make sure I'm not touching the mag release. I'm enjoying the P22 otherwise and am perplexed at the problem. I could certainly send the gun in for service but I'm afraid it will be like taking the car to the mechanic and 'we couldn't make it do what you said...we don't think anything is wrong' would be the response.

On February 4, 2010 Bryan said:

CoachRick, please do not be scared about sending your gun to Smith & Wesson for repair, or inspection, they are usually fast and reliable.

On February 7, 2010 CoachRick said:

Thanks, I think I might take it in this week. I've got other handguns to plink with and need to break in my TCP .380, so I guess I won't miss it.

On February 17, 2010 John said:

Mine wouldn't cycle 22LR even when brand new (3" bbl). I took it to a certified S&W warranty gunsmith and he sent it back to the factory. When I got it back, it worked better but not perfect. The short bbl just doesn't really like anything but CCI stingers which by-the-way is what they test them with at the factory. So if you want to buy the premium ammo, then it will work fine with Stingers...otherwise slip a 5" bbl on it and it works well with pretty much anything in .22LR

On March 16, 2010 CoachRick said:

Just so nobody thinks I've disappeared :) , my P22 went back to Academy last week. They handle the shipping costs to get the pistol back to S&W for inspection. I'm told turnaround time is approx. 4 weeks. I hope they can find the problem AND a solution to my mag disconnect 'de-lemon'.

On March 31, 2010 CoachRick said:

Bit of an update. Got the call yesterday that my P22 is back from S&W. I'll pick it up today and shoot Thurs or Fri. Hopefully, the mag disconnect problem has been resolved. Stay tuned! (Pretty quick turnaround, provided something was actually done.)

On April 9, 2010 Ubils said:

CoachRick

Love the P 22 myself. Used to be an artist, I'm a tall person but have slender fingers myself. I have never had a problem with the mag discharge personally, however my Father, meat-hands-magee is a 40 + year veteran mechanic. His fingers are very large.
When firing my P 22 he has had some problems with the same symptom. I had him dip his trigger finger in flower, cover the eject switch with gun oil the shoot the weapon ( To prove to my stubborn goat of a dad it was not mechanical failure )
Without attempting to attack your shooting stance you may want to try this tacit yourself just once. My father is a quite compliant marksman, however the test showed true that upon recoil the magazine eject was indeed caused by the release striking his finger.
Turns out that because of the compact size of the gun and the generally relaxed recoil associated with all 22 caliber weapons my father had been prone to taking a less firm grip on the slender pistol.
This caused the the modest gun to react as if fired 'limp wrist-ed'.
This may also be the factor in your experience. Its a small pistol, subconsciously most people are going to assume it doesn't need to be restrained like a larger caliber weapon.
It is also my theory that this effect is a contributing factor to the several complaints I have read about the weapon's alleged tendency to jam on cartridge ejection.
After remembering to fire the weapon in the same manor he fires the Ruger345 this problem has discontinued for my father (Whom alleges the issue was instead resolved by the gun finally being 'broken in' )

On May 23, 2010 CoachRick said:

Well, it looks like the S&W folks took care of the problem. I went through 100 rounds and the mags stayed in place. I'm going to fire at least another 100 rounds before I pronounce the mag release problem 'cured'.

On August 29, 2010 robert said:

my p22 will not fire dbl action only single to which it does that fine. Mags are original staggered walther mags, what could be the problem. doesnt seem like the trigeer falls all the way or hard enough on dbl action.

On August 29, 2010 Ben said:

Hi Robert,

There are a few reasons why the P22 may fail to fire double action. Did you perform any modifications to the pistol. Specifically, if you've polished the trigger bar ears and you took too much material off of the top of the ears, the pistol will no longer fire in double action.

On September 19, 2010 Mike M. said:

If you are having problems with your magazines, check to see if they have the letter "B" after the model number (either 265 93 36 or 265 93 44).
If not, they are the older Walther magazines made before they finally fixed the feeding problems. And yes, they are supposed to stagger the rounds near the top. That is normal.
I have six of the "B" mags and have not had a problem with any of them.
Just look for the "B" suffix when purchasing additional magazines. You'll be much happier.

On September 20, 2010 josh said:

wow that is odd I have had no problem with mag release.
looking at mine seems impossible if held properly as ones middle finger is actually supporting the release.
however possible engagement error from factory or wear pushing up may cause release.
my hands are large to xlarge I can one hand a DE.44 work all levers with grip filled by hand.
could also be pinkey knocking it off some how again due to lack of engagement.
Good Luck

On October 2, 2010 Josh said:

I did the mod seems to work fine fired 100+ round of thunderbolt junk in it and worked fine.
I only got 12rds but my follower is already pretty small not gonna mess with it anymore.
I actually rather like the no hold open good for drills count your shots and no problem.
I like this because the slide drop lever tends to fail for me so I rack it every time anyway. "this is a common problem round sits in mag and spring is not strong enough to load so yanking the slide back 1/8 inch or whatever makes it always load"
every auto I own does this it is the only failure my hi point has ever had with over. 1000rds some reloads and 3 owners still out shoots most other autos and this is the only problem.
oh to further clarify the failure on the hp is from a half rack not yanked all the way back till it stops.

On August 21, 2011 Shawn said:

I purchased the P22 10 days ago and have shot it twice now. I like it, except for the occasional hot fragment (fleck of lead?) on my right arm or face. Shooting Remington 22LR Golden Bullet (hollow point). Gun shop suggested I try better ammo (CCI) before paying a gunsmith to look at it or sending it back to manufacturer. How concerned should I be about the hot flecks of metal?

On October 7, 2011 Steve said:

I have a P22 and an extra magazine. Does anyone make a magazine pouch which will hold it securely. What I have seen so far is either too small or too big.

On November 1, 2011 Jonathan said:

Will not Double action
Robert, You probably just bent the trigger spring, When I read Ben's response I thought I ruined my new gun. Then I found this link!
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296603

On December 15, 2011 Terry said:

Sound like you know your mags was wondering if the Walther P22 mags are the same as the Smith & Wesson mags they look alot alike and the Walther company partnered up with S&W to build the Mp22 would appreciate any feed back
Thanks Terry
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