Misplaced Pages

Walther P22: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 18:22, 19 April 2007 editAlyeska (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers2,733 edits Revert deletion← Previous edit Latest revision as of 22:06, 2 December 2024 edit undoStormm001 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users718 edits See alsoTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit 
(551 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Refimprove|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|name= Walther P22
| name = Walther P22
|image= ]
| image = Walther P22 Corrected.jpg
|caption= Walther P22 Target with the 127mm barrel.
| image_size =
|origin= ]
| caption =
|type= ]
| origin = {{flag|Germany}}
<!-- Type selection -->
| type = ]
|is_ranged=yes
| is_ranged = yes
|is_bladed=
| design_date =
|is_explosive=
| manufacturer = ]
|is_artillery=
| production_date = 2002–present
|is_vehicle=
| used_by =
<!-- Service history -->
| variants =
|service=
| weight = <!----{{convert|430|g|abbr=on}} (P22)<br/> {{convert|525|g|abbr=on}} (P22 Target)
|used_by=
|length={{convert|159|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|wars=
|part_length={{convert|87|mm|in|abbr=on}} (P22)<br/> {{convert|127|mm|in|abbr=on}} (P22 Target)--->
<!-- Production history -->
| length = 159 mm
|designer= ]
| part_length = 87 mm
|design_date=
| width = 29 mm
|manufacturer= ]
| height = 114 mm
|production_date=
| cartridge = ]
|number=
| caliber = 5.59 mm
|variants= ''Target'' (longer barrel)
| action = ]
<!-- General specifications -->
| rate =
|weight= <ul><li>430 ]</li><li>525 g (Target)</li></ul>
| velocity = 290 m/s
|length= 159 ]
| range = 30-50 meters
|part_length= <ul><li>87 mm (3.4 ])</li><li>127 mm (5.25 in) (Target)</li></ul>
| feed = 10-round detachable ]
|crew=
| sights = Adjustable ]
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge= ]
|caliber=
|action= blowback, recoil operated
|rate=
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range=
|feed= 10 round detachable box ]
|sights=Adjustable Rear White-Dot ]; Front sight available in varying heights.
}} }}


The '''Walther P22''' is a ] chambered for ] (5.59 mm ]) ]. Manufactured by ], it was introduced in 2002 and has become very popular among ]. It is distributed by the American gun company Walther America, associated with ].
The '''P22''' is a ] manufactured by ].


==Usage== ==Operation==
] suppressor|200x200px]]
Being a .22 caliber handgun with a relatively large size, it features mild recoil when fired, making it well suited for introducing and training newcomers to handguns without introducing any fear from recoil. The P22 is regarded by many firearms enthusiasts as being a modestly priced "]" suitable for handgun training, recreational, and other general ] use. There are a wide range of accessories, including ] sights, a ] that attaches to a rail under the dust guard area in front of the trigger guard, and a frame-mounted ] attachment. A P22 was one of two weapons carried by ] in the ] of April 16, 2007.<ref></ref>.
The P22 may be fired ] at about {{convert|11|lbf|N}}, and operates as a ] with slightly more than {{convert|4|lbf|N}}.<ref name="handsgunmag">{{cite web|title=Walther P22|work=]|url=http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/walther_p22/|archivedate=2003-04-15|url-status=dead|date=2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030415112120/http://www.handgunsmag.com/featured_handguns/walther_p22/}}</ref> The P22 operates by ] energy from the motion of the ] as it is pushed to the rear by expanding gas created by the ignition of the ].<ref name="Chinn">{{harvnb|Chinn|1955|p=3}}</ref> The action will not open until the projectile has left the barrel and the pressures have dropped to safe levels. The gun will not cycle efficiently unless ] .22 (5.59 mm) rounds are used.


== Users ==
== Composition and assembly ==
* {{flag|Germany}}
On the exterior, it resembles the ], but it is somewhat smaller (75% of the P99's size) and its action chambers the rimfire ] cartridge. The most noticeable exterior difference is the P22's slide mounted, thumb operated, ambi-dexterous safety and its external hammer. The P22 features a cast polymer grip-frame. Its slide and serial numbered frame receiver inserts are made from MIM (]) cast zinc alloy, its barrel consists of a rifled steel insert within a steel barrel sleeve, and its internal lockwork and fire-control parts are a combination of MIM cast steel and steel stampings.
* {{USA}}
* {{flag|Colombia}}
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}


==See also==
The P22 can be purchased with a 3.4-inch short barrel, or with a 5-inch barrel which includes a barrel mounted weight compensator matching the profile of the slide ''(pictured to the right)''. The P22 was originally designed such that the two different length barrel assemblies could be easily interchanged, and "combo" packages including both barrels were offered for sale. Due to California laws, P22 models for sale in that state have been modified so that the original barrel purchased with the gun is permanently installed and cannot be removed without ruining the barrel assembly, or the handgun, or both. In some countries, like Finland, the original 3.4 inch short barrel causes the P22 to be classified as a concealable firearm, making the 5 inch target barrel the only available option for normal recreational shooters.
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==References==
The P22 is offered in many different color variations of its polymer lower receiver. Black, Olive Drab, White, and Carbon Fiber are options. The slide assembly will either have a blue-black applied finish, or it will be finished with a nickel/stainless look.
{{reflist|2}}


== Operation == == Sources ==
The P22 may be fired ] for the first shot from a hammer-down condition, and operates as a ] on all successive shots. The hammer can only be de-cocked by pulling the trigger, as this particular handgun does not have a "decocking" lever.


* {{cite book |last=Chinn |first=George M. |title=The Machine Gun, Volume IV: Design Analysis of Automatic Firing Mechanisms and Related Components |publisher=Bureau of Ordnance, Department of the Navy |year=1955 |location=Washington, D.C.}}
The P22 operates on the ] method of semi-automatic operation. Under this approach, the pressure generated by a firing cartridge is contained by a combination of the inertial weight of the slide assembly and the force of the recoil spring. There is no "locking" mechanism. The strength of the recoil spring and the weight of the slide are such that the rearward force of the firing cartridge will not open the action until the projectile has left the barrel and the pressures have dropped to safe levels.

As with many semi-automatic pistols, the P22 is equipped with a ] that prevents the trigger from operating on the sear mechanism unless a magazine is actually inserted and locked into the weapon. The magazine disconnect on a P22 works by utilizing a strong spring to apply downward force against the trigger bar, such force being sufficient to overcome the action of the relatively weaker trigger spring which interacts with upward force on the same bar. When a magazine is not locked into the weapon, the downward force of the stronger magazine disconnect spring causes the trigger bar to pass beneath the internal lockwork of the weapon when the trigger is pressed. Once a magazine is fully inserted, however, an actuator surface on the front of the magazine pushes against the magazine safety. This overcomes the magazine safety's strong spring, and thereby serves to allow the trigger bar to spring upward under the force of the less powerful trigger spring. When this occurs, the trigger bar is in a position where it engages the lockwork when the trigger is actuated. An added side effect of the interplay between the strong magazine disconnect spring and the magazine itself is that the magazine will "spring" out of the grip of the weapon very vigorously when released.

=== Safety ===
The P22's slide mounted safety, when engaged, performs two functions. First, it serves as a "hammer block" by rotating a portion of the metal surface of the safety into a position that interfere's with the hammer's contact with the firing pin. Second, it acts as a "firing pin lock" by rotating a portion of the safety into a notch on the underside of the firing pin, thereby inhibiting forward movement. The P22 safety does not prevent sear or trigger movement, and (as noted), it does not provide a hammer drop function. If the hammer is cocked when a P22 is been placed on "safe," the hammer will continue to remain cocked and will only fall if the trigger is pressed. If the safety is on, the hammer will strike the safety instead of the firing pin and, therefore, fail to fire. Good safety practices generally counsel against relying on mechanical safeties and such a method of decocking should only be used when the firearm is unloaded and pointed in a safe direction.

The P22 utilizes an additional, passive, safety mechanism to protect against accidental discharges in the event the weapon is dropped. When the action is closed, a small metal button on the underside of the breach block is actuated by an arm surface extending from the sear. In this state (whether or not the hammer is cocked), the firing pin is mechanically blocked and cannot move forward to strike a cartridge rim. When the trigger is pressed, the sear moves downard in such a way as to move from its interaction with the firing pin safety, which in turn springs downward under the force of a captive spring within the breach block. This disengages the firing pin safety, allowing the firing pin to move and the weapon to fire.

=== Firing pin ===
The firing pin on a P22 is "inertial." That means when fully depressed by the weapon's hammer in its "down" or at-rest position, the firing pin does not actually reach the cartridge rim. It can only fire the cartridge by way of inertial energy after it has been hit vigorously by the full force of a cocked hammer. For this reason, it is not abnormally dangerous to have the hammer down on a P22 with the safety off (as was the case historically with most single action revolvers and some semi-automatic pistols). A strike to the hammer in such a situation will not fire the P22. Even so, the operating manual for the P22 cautions users to diligently apply the manual safety except when ready to fire the gun. This aspect of the firing pin also adds safety to the manual method of decocking that is required to be used with this firearm, though, as mentioned, it is wise to keep the firearm unloaded and pointed in a safe direction when decocking.

Due to the inertial firing pin, the P22 should not be "dry fired" extensively during aiming practice. Doing so not only risks deformation of the chamber face, but the repeated forward action of the firing pin into and beyond the space normally occupied by the rimfire casing will eventually distort the firing pin spring. If this happens, the firing pin will no longer return vigorously to its default at-rest position at the extreme of its possible rearward travel within the breach block. This could result in less or none of the firing pin's rear surface protruding beyond the rear of the breach block for impact by the hammer.

== Distribution ==
The P22 is distributed and supported in the United States by Walther America, a subsidiary of the ].

==See also==
*], full-sized 9 mm caliber version.


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons|Walther P22}}
* at waltheramerica.com
*{{official website|http://www.waltherarms.com/products/handguns/p22/}}
* at carl-walther.de


{{Walther}}
]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


]
]
] ]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 22:06, 2 December 2024

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Walther P22" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Semi-automatic pistol
Walther P22
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of origin Germany
Production history
ManufacturerCarl Walther GmbH
Produced2002–present
Specifications
Length159 mm
Barrel length87 mm
Width29 mm
Height114 mm

Cartridge.22 Long Rifle
Caliber5.59 mm
ActionBlowback
Muzzle velocity290 m/s
Effective firing range30-50 meters
Feed system10-round detachable box magazine
SightsAdjustable open sights

The Walther P22 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered for .22 Long Rifle (5.59 mm Caliber) rimfire ammunition. Manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen, it was introduced in 2002 and has become very popular among shooting sports. It is distributed by the American gun company Walther America, associated with Smith & Wesson.

Operation

The P22 with a Gemtech suppressor

The P22 may be fired double action at about 11 pounds-force (49 N), and operates as a single action with slightly more than 4 pounds-force (18 N). The P22 operates by blowback energy from the motion of the cartridge case as it is pushed to the rear by expanding gas created by the ignition of the propellant charge. The action will not open until the projectile has left the barrel and the pressures have dropped to safe levels. The gun will not cycle efficiently unless high velocity .22 (5.59 mm) rounds are used.

Users

See also

References

  1. "Walther P22". Guns & Ammo. 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003.
  2. Chinn 1955, p. 3

Sources

  • Chinn, George M. (1955). The Machine Gun, Volume IV: Design Analysis of Automatic Firing Mechanisms and Related Components. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Ordnance, Department of the Navy.

External links

Carl Walther GmbH
Handguns
Target pistol
Semi-Auto
Rifles
Air pistols
  • Walther LPM1
  • Walther LP53
  • Walther LP400 (five models)
Air rifles
Submachine guns
Shotguns

Categories: