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Work order — Walther P22

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: medium.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

About 71 key numbers (144 pieces in Walther's list counting old-design and variant rows) for a small zinc-slide rimfire with decocker, hammer and many small springs; Walther needs a mounting pin tool to run the slide on over the recoil spring and does not support going past the field strip. 71 parts (Walther's P22Q spare part list (drawing p.1, list pp.2-5) incl. 'old design P22' rows, per this page's transcription; 139 rows, 71 distinct keys.). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~30 min, rebuild ~45 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Walther mounting pin no. 512.40.21.1 — Running the slide onto the receiver over the recoil spring
• barrel nut wrench — P22Q interchangeable barrel nut

Watch for:

• Walther uses a dedicated mounting pin to run the slide back onto the receiver over the recoil spring. (reassembly; Carl Walther GmbH)
• Walther says there is no need to strip further and that improper assembly voids the warranty. (both; Carl Walther GmbH)

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
3. Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open.
4. Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.
   Warning: Look and feel. Both, every time.
5. Use a light. Rimfire cases are small and dull-coloured.
6. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Manufacturer's video: Walther P22 Field Stripping (WaltherFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LefBeZQmcsQ

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and let the slide forward.
2. Press the takedown catch at the front of the frame ahead of the trigger guard.
3. Pull the slide back, lift the rear of the slide up to clear the frame rails, and ease it forward off the barrel.
   Warning: The recoil spring around the barrel is compressed — control the slide.
4. Slide the recoil spring off the barrel, noting its orientation.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

The manufacturer's full parts list (139 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Reassembly

1. Set the barrel into the inverted slide and seat it fully forward.
2. Seat the recoil spring assembly into the cut in the barrel lug and press it down into the slide channel.
   Tip: It seats in the lug cut, not on the barrel itself.
3. Set the slide onto the frame rails and push it rearward until it seats.
4. Return the takedown lever to its locked position.
   Warning: Confirm the takedown lever is fully returned before the pistol goes back into service.
5. Rack the slide several times and perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Notes: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "After that thread on the barrel nut. Hand tighten nut and use wrench for 1/4 turn more." (Safety & Instruction Manual P22Q (8.512.95.02, 2014-12), p. 13 (Interchangeable barrel / reassembly)) "It is to be made sure that the barrel nut (fig. 15/ part no. 1) has been properly tightened before the stabilizer is mounted." (Safety & Instruction Manual P22Q (8.512.95.02, 2014-12), p. 14)

Fit or check on rebuild

• Barrel nut tight — Walther checks the barrel nut before fitting the stabilizer; a loose nut loosens the barrel
• Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties — Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench

6. Function check

• Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.
• Rack the slide and press the trigger. The striker should release cleanly.
• Hold the trigger to the rear, rack the slide, then release slowly and confirm the reset.
• Press the trigger again to confirm the striker releases.
• Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine and the magazine drops free.
• Confirm the takedown catch has returned to its locked position.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Walther P22 Owner’s Manual — Carl Walther GmbH primary
2. Safety & Instruction Manual P22Q (8.512.95.02, 2014-12) — Carl Walther GmbH primary
   https://carl-walther.com/uploads/media/manuals/2014.12.01-8.512.95.02.pdf
3. Spare Part List — Walther Mod. P22Q cal. .22 l.r. (279 31 05, Revision D 212/16) — Carl Walther GmbH primary
   https://carl-walther.com/uploads/media/partsdrawings/P22Q_279_31_05_D.pdf
4. Walther P22 3.42" 10RD 22LR California — Specifications — Walther Arms, Inc. (US importer for Carl Walther GmbH) primary
   https://waltherarms.com/defense/p22/p22-3-42-10rd-22lr-california

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.