Walther P22

Walther P22
Walther P22
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Germany
Production history
Manufacturer	Carl Walther GmbH
Produced	2002–present
Specifications
Length	159 mm
Barrel length	87 mm
Width	29 mm
Height	114 mm
Cartridge	.22 Long Rifle
Caliber	5.59 mm
Action	Blowback
Muzzle velocity	290 m/s
Effective firing range	30-50 meters
Feed system	10-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Adjustable 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 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).^[1] 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.^[2] 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

Criminal use

The Walther P22 was one of two semi-automatic weapons used in the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting,^[3] with the other being a Glock 19. The P22 was also the selected weapon used in the 2008 Kauhajoki school shooting.^[4]

References

^ "Walther P22". Guns & Ammo. 2008. Archived from the original on 15 April 2003.
^ Chinn 1955, p. 3
^ Williams, Reed; Morrison, Shawna (26 April 2007). "Police: No motive found". The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012.
^ "Keskustelupalstoilla arvaillaan jo Kauhajoen ampujaa" (in Finnish). Iltalehti.fi. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2009.

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.