[J3000]

This isn't really a "hunting" related thread, so I hope it isn't too far off base in Cast & Blast. If it is, my apologies and one of the mods should delete and just drop me a line.

I'm not a huge gun guy. Don't have anything against guns, but hunting or target shooting hasn't ever been part of my family's regular activities growing up. However, like all smart parents, my mom and dad made sure I knew how to be safe around guns. I took the NRA hunter safety course and we went out and shot my dad's (now mine) pump 22 and 20 gauge enough that I knew enough to be safe. Now that I'm on my way to being "dad" myself, it's something that I fully intend to do with my kids as well. As we all know, there is nothing more dangerous than ignorance (or stupidity).

However, one thing my parents didn't do was to teach me much about handguns. The family didn't own any handguns and I was an adult before I learned to shoot one. Even today, I don't do much with handguns. So I take advantage of opportunities to go out with friends who know guns and learn from them. Today a buddy was in town "on leave" from his job in private security in Isreal. So he and I and a couple of friends went out to run a few rounds through the pistols. My buddy brought a little .22 pistol as well as his .45 H&K. And while shooting with the larger gun is what I wanted to work on, I have to say that everyone there today had a hoot with the .22. It was surprisingly accurate and just real fun to shoot.

It was a Walther P22. As I read up on it a bit, I see that many people love it and many call it a cheap junk that is just sold because of the name and is part of the downfall of quality firearms. I don't know about any of that, I just know it was fun to shoot. The most common complaint seemed to be that it was picky about ammo for some people. And I admit that we saw that as well using some older rounds. But all the fresh CCI rounds we shot were no problem. Anyway, I'm thinking it would be fun to have one of these. Would be a great way to get my wife used to feeling safe around handguns (and thus get her dad out shooting a bit again). Then a few years down the road, would be a nice way to teach my kids the same. Won't be for concealed carry, won't be for home/personal protection, just for target and teaching.

Has anyone else used a P22? Opinions? Where would I find one used? Is buying one used a bad idea (I've never actually bought a gun myself). If everyone here tells me that it's junk, what's something that is similar but better quality?

 

[jeff bandy]

My wife has one and can out shoot me any day of the week. Her dad reloaded all his own and never had any trouble with it.
Jeff

 

[yellowlab]

Its been around for a while, and good as far as I know. I too was not a gun guy until a few months ago, I picked up my first, a Glock 17, and then found it to be too much fun. Even though 9mm is cheaper to shoot than .40, I thought being a beginner, it would be nice to shoot cheaper ammo, and picked up a Sig Mosquito, which like the P22, shoots .22LR. If you're thinking of the P22, you should also consider the SIG. I love mine and have put over 2000 rounds through it. It, like the P22 is fussy when it comes to ammo. But if you use the manufacturer recommended CCI mini mag, it will be fine. Do not try to save a few bucks and buy the Walmart Winchester or other cheap .22, its dirty and will jam. Its like putting regular gas in a sports car that requires high octane. It will run, but it won't run as good as its supposed to.

As with any gun, keep it clean, and oiled. I field strip mine comepletely after each range time. I've heard that the P22 is a little tougher to field strip, the SIG is super easy. Now I know why the so many folks love their SIGs. You'll read online about the Mosquito haters, but those were the early generation arms, and the newer ones have little problems with fail to feed, fail to eject. My recommendation would be is to go to your local range and try both out side by side. If you think you're going to be into more accurate target shooting, look into the Ruger mark 3, that is supposed to be a nice .22 with alot of accuracy. Don't get me wrong, the little SIG does a fine job at 10 and even 20 yards, as Im sure the Walther is very similar. Be warned, that once you enter into the realm, you'll soon find yourself browsing around gun shops just as you do with fly shops.

 

[hikepat]

Another good 22 to look for is any of the Ruger Mark II or Mark III's. Fun to shoot, not so picky on ammo. Course I am a Ruger fan finding them 1/2 the price of other simalar guns and not picky like many others on ammo. The Ruger Mark guns are one of the most produced 22's ever made so pretty easy to find used. You might check out used guns on SeattleGun.net

 

[Jim F.]

I prefer the Rugers or Brownings. Know two guys who have/had Walthers . . . one loves his, the other couldn't sell the his fast enough. Appears as if some of them can be picky about ammo according to reports I've read on shooting forums, but I haven't used one myself.

 

[J3000]

I've read good things about the Rugers as well. But to be honest, I find them too Luger looking. And while everyone says they are accurate and sturdy, they don't seem to have the "fun factor" that the P22 had (and that others talk about as well). But to be fair I haven't shot one.

But if I were going to get a funny looking .22, I think I would get one of those space age Beretta Neos.

 

[yellowlab]

Josh, try out the SIG as well, if you like the look of the P22, you'll like the SIG.

 

[martyg]

Ditch all of this advise and buy what you shoot best. To determine that:

1. Go to a range where you can rent guns.

2. If you are going to try five guns, buy 10 targets.

3. Label one SIG SF, one SIG RF, one Walther SF, one Walter RF, etc...

4. Put the SF target up, and fire five slow, controlled rounds with the corresponding gun.

5. Put the RF target up, and fire five fast consecutive rounds with the corresponding gun.

6. Do that with all guns. The gun that groups the best for you - not the necessarily the one closest to the target's center - is the one that you buy.

I really like the features of the Springfield XD line, but I cannot accurately index shoot them without a lot of modifications. I can hit really well with a SIG 226 & 229, so that is what I carry.

 

[J3000]

Ditch all of this advise and buy what you shoot best. To determine that:

1. Go to a range where you can rent guns.

2. If you are going to try five guns, buy 10 targets.

3. Label one SIG SF, one SIG RF, one Walther SF, one Walter RF, etc...

4. Put the SF target up, and fire five slow, controlled rounds with the corresponding gun.

5. Put the RF target up, and fire five fast consecutive rounds with the corresponding gun.

6. Do that with all guns. The gun that groups the best for you - not the necessarily the one closest to the target's center - is the one that you buy.

I really like the features of the Springfield XD line, but I cannot accurately index shoot them without a lot of modifications. I can hit really well with a SIG 226 & 229, so that is what I carry.

While there isn't anything wrong with going to a range and testing out some guns, and it's something I should probably do (given that I haven't shot a ton of different handguns), I think it's important to remember that the "process" is as important as the "results" for me in this situation. A .22 handgun, to me, is a fun plinker and a teaching gun for wife/kid (good for me as well since it would get me out to the range more). I don't need it to be the most accurate, or the toughest, or the best to conceal carry. I just want it to be reasonably accurate and fun to shoot. The P22 seemed to be those two things upon my first interaction with it yesterday. What concerned me about it were some of the reliability reports that I had read.

But still, going to a range and trying out other .22s is not a bad idea. Plantation up here in bellingham is a pretty nice place. Though I've never checked out if they have rental guns. Should be easy enough to find out however.

 

[J3000]

I should mention that when I refer to a gun like this as a "teaching" or "learning" gun, I'm not talking about learning to shoot well. I'm more talking about learning to handle a gun safely, be comfortable with a gun in the hand, get used to being in a range environment, and so on.

I can see how there would be some confusion if "shooting well" or "being very accurate" was what I thought was important and I was asking about a gun like the P22.

 

[ribka]

I have one and it is a cheap pistol and fun to shoot. Probably not a bad pistol for the money. I guess you get what you pay for. Personally think the Browning Buckmark, Colt Woodman, High Standard or Ruger much better firearm.

As you mentioned my P22 likes CCI ammo too.

Have been a Firearmms Instructor 15 tears and here is my advice: If you are looking to buy a safe and reliable handgun and it is your first handgun I strongly suggest starting out with a revolver. ( I personally have seen a few cops that started out with a semi-auto and have had AD'S ( accidental discharges) on the range, at work, because they lacked basic firearms handling skills)

Revolver is much safer. Easier to use, load and clean. Especially in a range environment with other shooters. Once you are familiar with safe handling practices move up to a semi-auto if you have safe and responsible firearms handling skills. Taurus, S&W, Ruger make inexpensive 22 revolvers.

Same advice for a long gun. Start off with a single shot shotgun/rifle for the first few years before picking up a firearm with a magazine. First 2 years hunting with my father I carried an empty rifle/shotgun so he could observe me and see I was safe and responsible

Kudos to you for thinking of safety before purchasing your first handgun. Most guys just go out and buy a Glock, Sig, Springfield with no experience with the safe handling of firearms..

 

[Blake Harmon]

I have a sig sauer mosquito .22lr Its a great little gun and just like the walther, I only shoot cci minimag thru it and have never had a jam. Its a great accurate little gun thats easy. I took my mom out shooting it a year or so ago and she had a blast. Its a great starter gun for anyone getting into pistols.

 

[Ricardo O.]

I suppose if you're after a pistol that looks like a combat pistol the P22 is OK.

If you're after a pistol that can shoot well, has adjustable sights, and is less "bad" looking there are lots of alternatives.

One that is a great value is the Browning Buckmark Camper. It has a bright optical front sight, adjustable rear sight. It comes with 3 magazines. It has enough heft to hold point of aim well and the non-slip finger groove grip fits most hands well.

I've shot hundreds of rounds through mine with no problems what so ever. It eats any ammo I put in it with no FTF's or FTE. Easy to break down for cleaning. And, it costs hundreds less than my range buddy's Kimber 22, something that just chaps his ass. If you just have to bling your guns, Tactical Solutions can spend hundreds of your dollars making it look "cooler".

 

[J3000]

Roper,

While normally I respect your opinion, this time I think you took a path to get to it that is unfair.

While I'm not going to lie and say I don't like the looks of the P22 (a tiny combat pistol is pretty cute), I think I made it fairly clear that what impressed me most about the gun was that I found it very fun to shoot and see it as a gun my wife would be comfortable shooting. Your post comes off like I'm some thugged out 'G who just wants a gun because it looks cool and doesn't care about anything else. Aside from this post and the one where I say the Ruger MkII looks too much like a Luger, I don't mention "looks" once. I mention fun, feeling comfortable, reliability, and I even mention accuracy. But never "looks" regarding the P22.

You comments about the buckmark are useful, it's a gun I have heard good things about. But as for the rest of it, I think you are putting some sort of "stupid kids today just want to look like rappers" crap on me that isn't deserved. Kind of a downgrade from your normal advice.

 

[hikepat]

If you really want the P22 there are 2 used for sale right now on SeattleGun.net for $325 each one includes around a 1000 rounds of ammo. Not sure what the P22 sells for new or any thing and no connection to either seller.

 

[jcnewbie]

I have one and it is a cheap pistol and fun to shoot. Probably not a bad pistol for the money. I guess you get what you pay for. Personally think the Browning Buckmark, Colt Woodman, High Standard or Ruger much better firearm.

As you mentioned my P22 likes CCI ammo too.

Have been a Firearmms Instructor 15 tears and here is my advice: If you are looking to buy a safe and reliable handgun and it is your first handgun I strongly suggest starting out with a revolver. ( I personally have seen a few cops that started out with a semi-auto and have had AD'S ( accidental discharges) on the range, at work, because they lacked basic firearms handling skills)

Revolver is much safer. Easier to use, load and clean. Especially in a range environment with other shooters. Once you are familiar with safe handling practices move up to a semi-auto if you have safe and responsible firearms handling skills. Taurus, S&W, Ruger make inexpensive 22 revolvers.

Same advice for a long gun. Start off with a single shot shotgun/rifle for the first few years before picking up a firearm with a magazine. First 2 years hunting with my father I carried an empty rifle/shotgun so he could observe me and see I was safe and responsible

Kudos to you for thinking of safety before purchasing your first handgun. Most guys just go out and buy a Glock, Sig, Springfield with no experience with the safe handling of firearms..

iagree
Exactly what he said....ribka that is!!!!

Jc

 

[steelydan]

iagree
Exactly what he said....ribka that is!!!!

Jc

Agree with above.
I think revolvers are better starting point for most novices and are pretty cool even after the novice stage.
In re autoloaders...the different designs have much different feel regarding grip angle and function.
Try a few and get to know them.
I try to emulate the grip angle of the centerfire I use most.
Browning Buckmark feels about right to me, as I like to shoot 1911's.
Ruger 22/45 would be another choice.
I'd love to have a quality 22lr revolver.
buy what you like.
If you want to demo a few different 22's..PM me.

 

[Ricardo O.]

Josh, I think you read too much into what I stated.

Combat pistols as such have fixed sights, not what I would want in a target pistol.

You don't strike me as a gangsta type, more of a '70's pimp based on your avatar...(humor)

 

[J3000]

Josh, I think you read too much into what I stated.

Combat pistols as such have fixed sights, not what I would want in a target pistol.

You don't strike me as a gangsta type, more of a '70's pimp based on your avatar...(humor)

Well I am a dead ringer for the bad guys in 1970's cop dramas, so that is true.

As for the fixed sights, as I mentioned previously, I'm not looking for this gun to be a great target gun. I'm just looking to have fun and to teach my wife (and perhaps sons someday) how to handle a pistol and be comfortable around it.

However, the pimp in me does have to agree with the previous "revolver" suggestions. Perhaps some sort of snub-nose wood-grip thing that would look at home mugging a sterotypical 1970's disco couple on "Starsky and Hutch".

 

[Be Jofus G]

As for the fixed sights, as I mentioned previously, I'm not looking for this gun to be a great target gun. I'm just looking to have fun and to teach my wife (and perhaps sons someday) how to handle a pistol and be comfortable around it.

Hey Josh, For what it's worth, learning how to sight in a weapon is a pretty important part of learning to "handle" one. Teaching someone how to get a tight 3 shot group and how to move it by adjusting the sites is probably the most effective way to teach someone who knows nothing about shooting. Just something to think about when making a fixed vs adjustable site decision. I'd look into revolvers as previously mentioned too. The design sorta forces you to shoot a pistol properly. Bad habits can happen if you learn on an automatic, especially if it has a light trigger.