Walther P-22 vs Ruger MkIII 22/45

[LightningMcQueen784]

hey guys,
I have heard good things about both the P-22 and the MkIII 22/45.
I will primarily using this for plinking, but being able to go bullseye/target shooting with it will be nice too.
What are your views?
thanks in advance.

[RocketFoot]

In a nut shell, the P22 is a really fun shooter, but the Ruger is more accurate for bullseye shooting.

[Kaos]

Cannot comment on the Ruger, but my p22 is a blast (i plan on getting a suppressor for it some day)

[PisnNapalm]

If you want to do target/bullseye shooting then the Ruger is much much better. The simple reason why is that it's barrel remains stationary with respect to the frame. The p22 barrel moves like most auto-loaders.

I have a Ruger MKIII 22/45 and my friend has a P22. My groups at 25 feet with the Ruger are half the size of the P22's groups.

Last night I was at the range and shot a 1 inch 6 round group offhand with my Ruger.

There are other good target shooting choices too. Buckmark, Neos, etc...

[RocketFoot]

Originally Posted by PisnNapalm

If you want to do target/bullseye shooting then the Ruger is much much better. The simple reason why is that it's barrel remains stationary with respect to the frame. The p22 barrel moves like most auto-loaders.

I have a Ruger MKIII 22/45 and my friend has a P22. My groups at 25 feet with the Ruger are half the size of the P22's groups.

Last night I was at the range and shot a 1 inch 6 round group offhand with my Ruger.

There are other good target shooting choices too. Buckmark, Neos, etc...

Actually, the P22 has a fixed barrel, not a floating barrel like a 1911...although, it is removable from the frame. I attribute the lessened accuracy to the short barrel length.

[PisnNapalm]

Ok.. my bad about the P22's barrel. It's not fastened solid to the frame though. Correct?

Here's a 6 group I did last night with my Ruger from a distance of about 21 feet.





EDIT:: My friend went and bought the 5 inch barrel for his P22 coz he was pissed that the Ruger was so much more accurate. What sucked and made me laugh was that even with the 5 inch barrel the P22 still wasn't accurate. It tightened up the group some but the Ruger was still clearly more accurate.

[Mity2]

I think for both accuracy and fun,
Ruger is the way to go.
P22 can be fun, but it can also be frustrating. and accurate gun, its certainly not.
My old 22/45, I was able to fairly accurate at 50yds from rest.
With P22, I'd be lucky if I can get it on the paper itself at 50yds!

[RocketFoot]

Originally Posted by PisnNapalm

Ok.. my bad about the P22's barrel. It's not fastened solid to the frame though. Correct?

Here's a 6 group I did last night with my Ruger from a distance of about 21 feet.





EDIT:: My friend went and bought the 5 inch barrel for his P22 coz he was pissed that the Ruger was so much more accurate. What sucked and made me laugh was that even with the 5 inch barrel the P22 still wasn't accurate. It tightened up the group some but the Ruger was still clearly more accurate.

It is fastened to the frame with screws, but not permanently like the Ruger...

You do have to watch that the barrel nut doesn't come loose while shooting the P22...that could affect accuracy. I haven't had any problems with mine after 2000 rounds, but I could see where it could cause a problem if left un-noticed.

BTW...nice group with the Ruger!

[JayBell]

in an even smaller nutshell, when its finally said and done, the P22 is a crappy limited life disposable handgun, and the Ruger is not.

the Ruger is:
All steel receiver/bolt
steel or plastic gripframe
fixed barrel
easily accurized
incredible warranty

the P22 is:
plastic gripframe
pinned aluminum insert in plastic frame to support the slide
aluminum or zinc slide (I forget which)
thin steel barrel liner in cast metal shell
1 yr warranty


the P22 is not a gun you want if you want a gun to LAST, the Ruger is.

spend your money wisely, I had a P22, and it was, i think, BAR none, the worst firearm I ever owned aside from a FIE 22 auto.

[PisnNapalm]

I forgot about the slide. They have had problems with the slide cracking. It's made of a zinc alloy I think.

Rocket, What's the slide made of? And Thanks for the compliment on the group.