Walther G22 -- heresy or simple fun?

jg0001 · May 31, 2009, 09:51 PM

See title. One out of dozens of posts on more common rifles mentioned the little space gun (aka Walther G22) and I remain a bit smitten by it.

Now, don't jump all over me. I still REALLY like the bolt action rifle setup and will likely get just that in a 308 Win or 30-06 setup when I can afford something spiffy. In the meantime, I've had so much difficulty settling on a (single) 22LR rifle that this (the Walther G22) may be just the ticket.

So, now to the important matters. Yes, I know it has it's failings -- I've read the blogs/posts/etc that complain about (1) weak bolt handles, (2) difficult disassembly (mini springs), and (3) poor feeding of slightly out of spec ammo (but not the Federal I use). I have yet to see a gun that doesn't have some complaints, and I hope that at least item #1 is a rarity and not the norm.

Any thoughts from owners or users of this gun before I plunk down my $500-$600 and take home a fully loaded model to keep me busy for some time?

Stevie-Ray · May 31, 2009, 11:12 PM

Personally, I'd love to have one. It strikes me as another high grin-factor rifle like the GSG-5. Lets face it, fun rules with .22s.

OcelotZ3 · June 1, 2009, 12:27 AM

This was actually the very first firearm I ever bought myself. I bought a lightly used one off of Gunbroker for $280 and it has been lots of fun.

We have a Guns & Pizza day for our work group and it was the overall favorite firearm to shoot by far. And we had a LOT of firearms that day...

Ricklin · June 1, 2009, 12:31 AM

I've had my G-22 for a couple of years now, it's a great little piece. Accurate, well made, great balance. Took some tweaking to get the 3X9 scope mounted up the way I wanted, I used some high rings with a "step" to make it comfortable for me. Yes takedown and reassembly is a little tricky, but I through clean my .22s once a year whether they need it or not.
I say go for it, I had a 10-22, wanted something a little different this time around. Great plinker.

PRONE2 · June 1, 2009, 09:13 AM

My wife shoots the G22, she is a small women and it fits her great and is fun to shoot.

johnwilliamson062 · June 1, 2009, 09:24 AM

THey sure look like fun. Came really close to buying one when I owned a P22, but decided I wanted to get a more accurate gun. That accurate rifle was not very much fun.

jg0001 · June 1, 2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

clean my .22s once a year

Ricklin -- you only clean them once a year or you only break them down completely once a year? I usually clean at least the bore and easy access action of my 22 pistol after every session.

For anyone wondering what this little wonder is, here's the link:
Walther G22 -- fully tricked out from factory

jg0001 · June 1, 2009, 08:49 PM

Did anyone buy extra accessories from S&W direct? Like a few extra mags? Or are they cheaper somewhere else?

Also, before I shell out the $50-$60 for the matching soft case, what exactly does it come in, if anything?

Mowog · June 2, 2009, 06:05 AM

I like my G22, Its easy to bring to the range and fun to shoot.
If you know what to expect with respect to the complaints its not too bad.
I have not tried many ammunition types, but with Federal bulk and federal match it was not terribly accurate - but fun enough to live with it.
My G22 came in a nice Walther logo'd hardcase with an allen wrench to take out the stock bolt, instructions, and a chamber empty flag.
The factory scope is not that great. If you can live without having a Walther logo on the scope, then you might be happier picking a nicer one to put on it.
Not sure about the soft case, the hard case mine came with is nice enough and shorter than a full size case so its handy to take to the range.
I was sort of the same, really liked the looks despite the drawbacks (Assembly, price) so to me it was worth it and I still enjoy owning it.

Dingoboyx · June 2, 2009, 06:36 AM

I bet that gets the instant seal of aproval from the persident of the S.O.M.E. (Society Of Mallninja's Excellence) Signed by Gecko himself!

I want one...... If it's as reliable as my P22, it should be awesome. I'd get it (if it weren't illegal here)

God you could have some fun with that.... and yeah, it would be a bit of a chick magnet to boot

(the girls fight over my P22)

Unreal, get it for sure, and let us know how it shoots

nagl0c · June 2, 2009, 04:00 PM

I picked one up a few years ago. It's a blast to shoot.

I'll find a picture and post it up later. Just wanted to throw my "thumbs up" behind it.

May 31, 2009, 11:12 PM	#2
Stevie-Ray Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: The shores of Lake Huron Posts: 4,783	Personally, I'd love to have one. It strikes me as another high grin-factor rifle like the GSG-5. Lets face it, fun rules with .22s. __________________ Stevie-Ray Join the NRA/ILA I am the weapon; my gun is a tool. It's regrettable that with some people those descriptors are reversed.

June 1, 2009, 12:31 AM	#4
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	Love it I've had my G-22 for a couple of years now, it's a great little piece. Accurate, well made, great balance. Took some tweaking to get the 3X9 scope mounted up the way I wanted, I used some high rings with a "step" to make it comfortable for me. Yes takedown and reassembly is a little tricky, but I through clean my .22s once a year whether they need it or not. I say go for it, I had a 10-22, wanted something a little different this time around. Great plinker. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

June 1, 2009, 09:13 AM	#5
PRONE2 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: St.Louis Mo. Posts: 113	Great gun! My wife shoots the G22, she is a small women and it fits her great and is fun to shoot.

June 2, 2009, 06:05 AM	#9
Mowog Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Location: North Coast of United States Posts: 26	G22s are Fun. I like my G22, Its easy to bring to the range and fun to shoot. If you know what to expect with respect to the complaints its not too bad. I have not tried many ammunition types, but with Federal bulk and federal match it was not terribly accurate - but fun enough to live with it. My G22 came in a nice Walther logo'd hardcase with an allen wrench to take out the stock bolt, instructions, and a chamber empty flag. The factory scope is not that great. If you can live without having a Walther logo on the scope, then you might be happier picking a nicer one to put on it. Not sure about the soft case, the hard case mine came with is nice enough and shorter than a full size case so its handy to take to the range. I was sort of the same, really liked the looks despite the drawbacks (Assembly, price) so to me it was worth it and I still enjoy owning it. Last edited by Mowog; June 2, 2009 at 06:07 AM. Reason: Irrelevant side note.

June 2, 2009, 06:36 AM	#10
Dingoboyx Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: South East Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,513	Tacticool or what? I bet that gets the instant seal of aproval from the persident of the S.O.M.E. (Society Of Mallninja's Excellence) Signed by Gecko himself! I want one...... If it's as reliable as my P22, it should be awesome. I'd get it (if it weren't illegal here) God you could have some fun with that.... and yeah, it would be a bit of a chick magnet to boot (the girls fight over my P22) Unreal, get it for sure, and let us know how it shoots __________________ Muzza If you cant blind them with brilliance, Baffle them with BS Be alert...... there is a shortage of LERTs

May 31, 2009, 09:51 PM	#1
jg0001 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Posts: 551	Walther G22 -- heresy or simple fun? See title. One out of dozens of posts on more common rifles mentioned the little space gun (aka Walther G22) and I remain a bit smitten by it. Now, don't jump all over me. I still REALLY like the bolt action rifle setup and will likely get just that in a 308 Win or 30-06 setup when I can afford something spiffy. In the meantime, I've had so much difficulty settling on a (single) 22LR rifle that this (the Walther G22) may be just the ticket. So, now to the important matters. Yes, I know it has it's failings -- I've read the blogs/posts/etc that complain about (1) weak bolt handles, (2) difficult disassembly (mini springs), and (3) poor feeding of slightly out of spec ammo (but not the Federal I use). I have yet to see a gun that doesn't have some complaints, and I hope that at least item #1 is a rarity and not the norm. Any thoughts from owners or users of this gun before I plunk down my $500-$600 and take home a fully loaded model to keep me busy for some time?

June 1, 2009, 12:27 AM	#3
OcelotZ3 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 229	This was actually the very first firearm I ever bought myself. I bought a lightly used one off of Gunbroker for $280 and it has been lots of fun. We have a Guns & Pizza day for our work group and it was the overall favorite firearm to shoot by far. And we had a LOT of firearms that day...

June 1, 2009, 09:24 AM	#6
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	THey sure look like fun. Came really close to buying one when I owned a P22, but decided I wanted to get a more accurate gun. That accurate rifle was not very much fun.

June 1, 2009, 08:49 PM	#8
jg0001 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Posts: 551	Did anyone buy extra accessories from S&W direct? Like a few extra mags? Or are they cheaper somewhere else? Also, before I shell out the $50-$60 for the matching soft case, what exactly does it come in, if anything?

June 2, 2009, 04:00 PM	#11
nagl0c Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Posts: 41	I picked one up a few years ago. It's a blast to shoot. I'll find a picture and post it up later. Just wanted to throw my "thumbs up" behind it.