I had said before that I intended today to purchase a Ruger 22/45.  I spent some time walking the floor and checking prices, but quickly realized that the best selection and best prices were all at one table.  This dealer was actually surrounded by several tables and had a variety of Rugers, Walthers, and Brownings in .22LR.  It was like a candy store, but better, because it was guns--not candy.  He had grouped everything by caliber, so I was able to stand in one place and handle several different models before I made my choice.  I opted not to buy the Ruger, because I found a gun that just felt better in my hand.


This is my first Walther, as well as my first semi-auto .22 pistol.  We took it out into the back pasture for the ceremonial "blazing away at an empty coke can without being too concerned about accuracy just to start with."

(Ye gads, I hope no one calls me an idiot because it's not on "Safe."  Just trust me, I fired it until it was empty outside and had only just closed the slide before taking the picture.  Besides, I think a so-called "Safety" on a gun with such a long, double-action first shot is a little silly.)

I still need to do some real target shooting, just so I'll know how it really aims, although I bought this gun primarily to practice point shooting and I don't plan on it being a target pistol.  It did seem to shoot a little high so I might swap out the front sight with one of the alternate sights supplied.

I also am going to try out the other palm swell, although the grip feels pretty good already.  Points in favor of this gun over the Ruger?  The Ruger felt very thin, the Walther seems to fill the hand better.  It felt more like when I hold my XD40 than the Ruger did.  The Ruger also did not have ambidextrous controls.  I especially like the ambi mag release on the Walther.

There's also this, which I have actually been halfway thinking about lately.

Oh yeah, these are a little tricky to reassemble.  The manual is pretty much no help at all.  I had to jump on the internet and do a little reading before I realized that the plastic baggie with the wrench in it also contained a small plastic cheater bar to aid in reassembly.  I don't think it would be possible without that piece of plastic.  By the way, the included wrench is for if you want to swap out the barrel with another of a different length.  Three-inch, 4" and 5" barrels can all be used interchangeably on the same gun.

I got this one brand new for $243 plus tax.  The Rugers were all in the same general price range, so price comparison wasn't really an issue this time.  And no, even though it's that time of year, this wasn't an income tax return purchase.  I've actually been saving up a little at a time for this.  I spent less than I thought I might have to, so I actually have some money left to put back in gun savings account.

A real range report will come later, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week.  So far I can say that empty coke cans within 7 yards are in serious trouble if I feel they are threatening my safety.

UPDATE:  The dealer I bought it from has a website:  AJC Sport Shop.