Walther P22 Magazine
Overview & History General
The Walther P22 comes with one or two magazines depending on where you purchase the pistol. Each magazine has a 10-round capacity. 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 original P22 magazine was prone to frequent feed problems which caused Walther to release two subsequent models designated with an 'A' or 'B' part number that featured a 3/8" slot that allows rounds to stagger. The most recent and reliable magazine is stamped with a 'B' part number and has a vastly improved reliability over the earlier original and 'A' models. All new Walther P22s ship with the 'B' magazines.
Construction
Walther P22 magazines have a simple construction that makes them easy to disassemble and clean. Each magazine has the following components:
- Steel case
- Plastic follower
- 3/8" spring
- Spring catch
- Slide catch (on side of follower)
- Finger rest
- Flat
- Rounded/Extended
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.
Cost & Where to Purchase
Walther P22 magazines cost about $30 with some retailers charging slightly less for the flat finger rest.
** Be sure to look for the 'B' part number when buying magazines.
Carlwalther.com
$28 flat finger rest
$30 rounded finger rest
tacticalinc.com - Check the part number
$39.99
Impactguns.com - I emailed impactguns to ask if they carried to latest model magazines and was told that they don't. I'd recommend ordering magazines elsewhere until this site starts stocking the newer models.
$30.99 rounded finger rest
High Capacity Magazines
One of the biggest complaints about the Walther P22 is that it doesn't hold enough rounds. High capacity magazines aren't available to purchase, but high capacity followers are. In fact, it's pretty easy to make a high cap follower and mechanically inclined individuals should even be able to create a high cap magazine.
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.
Magazine
Making a complete high capacity magazine or an attachment for a traditional magazine is a little more complicated than simply cutting the follower to allow for three more rounds like mentioned above. Many have tried, few have succeeded. The problem is that the P22 is picky and finicky with just about everything, magazines included. Even Walther had to modify the magazines a few times to get over continual feeding problems.
Let me know if you've stumbled upon a reliable high capacity magazine for the Walther P22 so that I can post your findings for the benefit of everyone.
Problems & Issues
Staggered Rounds
New P22 owners are sometimes alarmed by the way rounds sit staggered on top of each other in the newer 'A' and 'B' model magazines. 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 purchase those stamped with a 'B' part number.
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
