Walther G22

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The Walther G22 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in the popular .22 Long Rifle cartridge. It is of bullpup design and constructed of polymer and steel rather than the traditional wood-and-blued-steel designs like the Ruger 10/22.

It features a reversible bolt to enable cartridge ejection from either side of the receiver, similar to the Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine. Due to the bullpup design, it cannot be fired from the off hand due to the proximity of the ejection port and bolt handle to the shooter's face. A spare magazine, held by friction, is stored inside the stock behind the magazine well.

[edit] Specifications

Cartridge: .22 Long Rifle
Length O/A: 28.4"
Barrel Length: 20"
Mass, Empty: 5 pounds, 9 ounces
Magazine Capacity: 10+1 rounds (13+1 rounds with after-market magazine follower)
Fire modes: Semi-automatic

[edit] Usage

With the right ammunition, the G-22 can achieve shot groups as small as 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) at 55 yards (50 meters), and the rifle allows for a sound suppressor to be attached and still not emit a disruptive noise level. From 500 feet away it is still possible to fire accurate head shots (especially when using a telescopic sight), and when suppressed, it usually cannot be heard by listeners more than 200 ft away from the shooter, even when the shooter's surroundings are completely silent.

Experience has shown that the G22 typically experiences feeding problems with high velocity ammunition, due to the fact that the bolt assembly is not quite heavy enough, and is thrown back too vigorously, often rebounding into the casing still being ejected from the narrow ejection port.

While the G-22 is generally used as a "fun gun" for civilian informal practice, the rifle's compact size, accuracy and potential for suppressed shooting may allow it to be used for specialized police work, or possibly in covert military operations. The gun comes in five colors - olive drab (OD) green, grey, black, carbon fiber, and Mossy Oak (TM).

Walther also makes a variable power 3-9 x 40 mil-dot scope which can be used to make longer-range shots. Three Weaver rail mounts are present on the G22: the top handle scope mount, a small mount just below the muzzle intended for a Walther-produced laser sight, and a longer mount under the forend for bipods, flashlights, etc.

Many gold medals have been won in the Olympics and in international competition by shooters using Walther target rifles, and the G-22 reflects the quality of its predecessors.