Ruger SR22 vs Walther P22: Tactical Rimfire Showdown
One of the major trends within the world of shooting and firearms is having tactical options for almost everything.
Despite the .22 LR being best known for plinking and target practice, numerous companies have produced tactical pistols in this caliber, making them a suitable choice for everyday carry as well.
The Ruger SR22 and Walther P22 are some of the stand-out options when it comes to tactical pistols chambered in .22 LR. Both guns feature lightweight compact frames, a 10-round ammo capacity, and similar features, making it hard to choose one over the other.
The following comparison will highlight the differences between the Ruger SR22 vs Walther P22 to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Ruger SR22
Deviating from the design and commonalities featured in the rest of the firearms in Ruger’s SR series, the Ruger SR22 is a rim-fired handgun chambered in .22 LR designed for target shooting as well as everyday carry.
Featuring a black polymer frame, a black anodized aluminum slide, and a Picatinny rail, the SR22 pistol is an accurate and reliable option for anyone looking to be on target each and every time.
Though different models have different specs, each is within the acceptable range of being considered compact and features the standard 10 + 1 capacity.
If you’re in need of a Ruger SR22 holster, check out our selection of Vedder Holsters Kydex IWB, OWB, and pocket carry holsters custom-made for your model.
Walther P22
First released in 2002, the Walther P22 was the first polymer-framed semi-auto rimfire pistol on the market and still remains a mainstay. Built with an ergonomic design for ease of use, this weapon is an excellent choice for recreational shooting.
Just like the Ruger, the Walther P22 is designed with a tactical nature and features many of the same characteristics. A polymer frame, anodized aluminum slide, and accessory rail seem to be the standard for handguns these days, and the Walther P22 does not disappoint.
Although it’s available with a 5-inch barrel option for more serious target shooters, the Walther P22 is most commonly sold with a 3.42-inch barrel, keeping it within a compact size and making it more comfortable to carry.
If you’re in need of a Walther P22 holster, check out our selection of Vedder Holsters Kydex IWB, OWB, and pocket carry holsters custom-made for your model.
Ruger SR22 vs Walther P22: Specs
SR22 vs P22: Size & Capacity
Looking at these two firearms, the specs are all over the chart, making it hard to differentiate which is the heftier gun. The Ruger SR22’s base model weighs 17.5 ounces and measures 4.90 inches tall, 0.97 inches wide, and 6.40 inches long with a barrel length of 3.50 inches, while the Walther P22 weighs 16 ounces and measures 4.5 inches tall, 1.1 inches wide, and 6.5 inches long with a barrel length of 3.42 inches.
What both of the pistols have exactly in common is their 10-round magazines. Despite these differences and similarities, it may come down to price when making your choice. The Ruger SR22 has an MSRP of $559, while the Walther P22 has a much lower MSRP of $299.
Ruger SR22 vs Walther P22: Frame, Slide, & Barrel
The Ruger SR22 and the Walther P22 both feature a compact black polymer frame and come with two modular pieces to accommodate larger or smaller palm sizes. While the Walther P22 only allows you to change out the backstrap, the Ruger SR22 has a whole rubber grip that can be swapped out to the shooter’s liking.
While this interchangeable grip is a major plus for the Ruger, it does limit the texturing on the grip to a few angled serrations. On the other hand, the Walther P22 has aggressive patterning all over its ergonomic grip that conforms to the flats and curves of the shooter’s hand.
The slides of both pistols feature angled serrations on the front and rear for fantastic control when manipulating the firearm. The difference between the two is that the SR22’s slide is made out of aerospace-grade aluminum, while the P22 has a slide made from zinc alloy.
The Ruger SR22 has a stainless steel barrel, making it resistant to corrosion and high strength. The Walther P22 barrel on the other hand is made from carbon steel but is also threaded, making it readily adaptable for suppressors if legal in your state.
SR22 vs P22: Sights & Optics
Both these models come with dovetailed sights with fixed front and rear sights adjustable for windage and elevation. In addition, the Ruger SR22 has a high visibility 3-dot sight system with a reversible rear blade that can go from two white dots to solid black.
Neither the SR22 nor the P22 comes optic-ready, and there aren’t too many 22 LR pistol options on the market that do not use some sort of adaptor or riser plate for adding aftermarket optics.
Ruger SR22 vs Walther P22: Controls
Trigger
Both pistols are designed with a double-action/single action-trigger where the first pull cocks and releases the hammer in one motion, and the slide reciprocates by ejecting the casing and re-cocking the hammer for a second shot in single action.
Shooting from a DA position requires a longer and heavier pull, which may require a bit of shooter adjustment if you are not used to double-action triggers. The SR22 trigger pull weight is approximately 9 lbs in DA and 4 lbs in SA. Conversely, the P22 has a whopping DA trigger pull weight of about 12 lbs and an SA pull weight of just over 4 lbs.
Safety
While both pistols come with ambidextrous thumb safeties, the Ruger SR22 hosts a manual safety decocking lever as well as a magazine safety that renders the gun unusable without a magazine inserted. In comparison, the Walther P22 has two drop safeties as well as a firing pin block safety that stops the hammer from striking even if cocked.
FAQ: SR22 vs P22
Is It True That the Walther P22 Is Partial to Some Ammunition Brands?
In actuality, all rimfire ammunition tends to be less reliable than centerfire, and related issues often shouldn’t be attributed to the weapon but rather to the ammunition. Most, if not all, rimfire reliability issues can be mitigated by finding the right ammunition for your chamber, which may vary depending on your gun. It’s recommended to try out multiple brands and styles of .22 LR when first getting your firearm to figure out what works best.
Are You Able to Mill these Slides for Optics?
Unfortunately, pistols chambered in .22 LR don’t have slides thick enough to mill without diminishing their structural integrity. Luckily, there are a few adaptors and riser plates on the market that you can attach to then add the optic of your choosing.
Which is Right For Me?
When comparing the Ruger SR22 vs Walther P22, it’s easy to see these pistols are incredibly similar in regard to their size, capacity, and material design. The biggest difference between the two is their MSRP, with the SR22 being over $200 more than the P22. Depending on whether your intended use is everyday carry as opposed to just target shooting, you may be able to justify spending the extra money for the seemingly upgraded features that the SR22 has such as a lighter trigger pull, the three-dot sight system, and full grip replacements.
If you’re looking for a new IWB, OWB, or pocket carry holster, head to our Holsters by Gun Model page for Kydex holsters that are custom-made for your weapon of choice.
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