quote:

Is there any reason not to purchase a new recoil spring and attempt shortening the spring so the pistol runs on standard velocity ammo?
Perhaps start with a new recoil spring and start removing half a coil at a time until it runs on standard velocity ammo?

I had that same thought with my problematic P250 .22, and actually purchased a couple of spare springs with the intent of doing exactly that, however I never followed through (yet). Most of the resistance that must be overcome to cycle the slide is actually caused by the mainspring, not the recoil spring. Unfortunately, especially with .22LR, you need that extra mainspring force to reliably ignite primers, so you can't go reducing things there.

The recoil spring is responsible for returning the gun to battery. It has to overcome the friction between the rounds caused by the magazine spring and close the slide with enough force to fully chamber the round and bring the gun into battery. This is another weak point of .22s...often a carbon ring will build up in the chamber and cause the round to hang up just shy of fully chambered, resulting in a tiny gap between the rim and the face of the chamber...essentially improper headspace. Which will also result in light strikes as the round will have space to move forward just a bit when struck by the firing pin.

It's a balance that has to be just right, and little .22s leave less margin for error than bigger centerfire calibers.

Instead of cutting springs, I decided to polish the crap out of the engagement surfaces of the slide...where it rides over the hammer, and the rail that rides along the top of the magazine. I also polished the feed ramp and the inside of the chamber to removed any bit of carbon that might be stuck in there. So far I've had good results. I may resort to cutting springs later if the problems resurface since I have some spares, but I'm inclined to think that the engineers chose the spring weights for a reason, and would rather leave them alone if I can.

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
In doing my due diligence before the purchase, I checked if some common spare parts are still available. Short answer is yes. Earl's Repair Shop sells spare parts. Numrich has some also.
Gun Springs Corp sells some PP springs in .22LR also.

So let's see if anyone can answer my question.
The .pdf Walther/Interarms owners manual states that high velocity and standard velocity ammo can be used in the Walther PP in .22LR and they specify the velocity of each in the manual.
This Walther PP in .22LR short strokes the slide with standard velocity ammo. 100% functioning with CCI Mini Mags but runs poorly with Federal Auto Match.
Is there any reason not to purchase a new recoil spring and attempt shortening the spring so the pistol runs on standard velocity ammo?
Perhaps start with a new recoil spring and start removing half a coil at a time until it runs on standard velocity ammo?

Yes, I understand that with a "reduced power" (shortened) recoil spring it would be prudent not to use that spring with high velocity ammo. (battering)

Has anyone run into this or attempted?

No reason not to try a lower power spring for the lower velocity ammo. You could also try a lower power hammer spring, if it doesn't compromise ignition. Wolff Springs might have some options for this gun.

Could the rails or slide use any clean up or polishing? It is adequately lubricated?

I have several, all steel .22 pistols.

One of my favorites is this FEG, AP22. After I found several very rare and very expensive magazines for it, I had it refinished and treated it to a set of Marschal grips. After all, the gun was made in Hungary so it was only right that Dennis Marschal of Budapest supplied the grips.







I just acquired this stainless Walther TPH. I also have a like new blue one but I don’t want to put any marks on it. I spend a lot of time just holding these two TPH models and admiring the workmanship.

(PHOTOS BORROWED FROM THE DEALER I PURCHASED THIS FROM)




Blue TPH (both guns made by Interarms and are all steel. The German ones have an alloy frame)




My Walther PP, .22 cal., was made in 1971. I have two original Walther magazinesfor it and TripleK that works very well.





I agree with the OP. These compact, all steel .22 pistols are really fun to shoot.

Trooper Joe

Now that the weather is getting better for outdoor shooting here at my location, I've had the new-to-me Walther PP out for several range sessions.
I'm happy to report that the pistol will now fire CCI Mini-Mags and the slightly less expensive Federal Auto-Match without any spring changes.
When I test fired the pistol before the purchase, I knew it was somewhat dirty and dry.
Well lubricated and cleaned now, it runs supersonic and standard velocity ammo without a single hiccup.
FYI: The magazines will hold ten rounds, but the Interarms instruction manual says load to a maximum magazine capacity of eight.
I would rather have eight that I know will work, rather than ten that might not.
That Walther PP is a sweet handgun!
I dug around in my old holsters box and found a Uncle Mike's OWB in camo cordura nylon and lined with black leather suede.
The Walther PP fits perfectly.

quote:

Originally posted by kho:
Closest I have is the Beretta 87 (not target version). I paid way too much on GB for a second barrel which I had internally threaded to hold an adapter so I could use it with a suppressor. Never had any failures of any kind. It is the coolest gun I own.

I have a Beretta 87 also. Love it. Who did the threading? Any pics?

quote:

Originally posted by monoblok:
Not as robust or as elegantly built as your Walther, my PPK-inspired Bersa Thunder .22 has been a fairly reliable shooter in the decade or so that I've had it from new...well as long as the requisite rimfire carbon fouling from the ammo doesn't get too think.

I'll second the Thunder22 but only if you enjoy looking for rare and pricey magazines.

These are great if you can find one!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about right there!

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
Be patient. Then buy two. That’s what I did. Someday my son will open up a box stock 87 still with hang tags. He better say nice things about me at that point. Lol

Nice!

quote:

Originally posted by valmetshooter:
I have a Beretta 87 also. Love it. Who did the threading? Any pics?

It was several years ago so I am not sure but I think Tornado Technologies did the work. I can post some pictures but we are traveling so probably not until sometime next week.

I love mine, but it's a PPKS not a PP...



And I can second the recommendation for the Beretta 948. Mine has been 100% reliable, even with junky ammo.



Bill R

A couple of my favorites...

I looked around for one of these. Seems like they start around $1000 and mags are about $200. Oh well.