The Walther WMP is quickly growing amongst not only longtime fans of the Walther brand but new shooters and avid outdoorsmen alike. As seen at this year’s Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, it was no secret as to why the WMP is the hot new rimfire favorite, making itself right at home amongst other longstanding classics such as the PPQ and PDP. The new Walther Magnum Pistol, otherwise referred to as the WMP for short, confidently holds its own with unique features and applications favored by those who choose to carry it while enjoying the great outdoors.
Shooting the Walther WMP
Chambered in .22 Magnum, the WMP packs a punch not only for plinking at the range but also for dispatching varmints and small game. One of the unique features of the WMP is the newly patented Quad Release. Walther decided to forgo the mundane ambidextrous magazine release with this punchy little .22 and instead spice things up a bit. Instead of having only one magazine release option, the WMP offers the shooter ambidextrous options of not only the familiar button-style release on the side of the frame but also a paddle release seated at the bottom rear portion of the trigger guard, bringing a whole new meaning to the saying “one size fits all.” Small hands? No problem. Wearing gloves? No problem. Arthritic joints? No problem.
Keeping up with the times, the WMP ships optics-ready with two different adapter plates included for your preferred red dot to be placed atop the slide should you wish to forgo the iron sights. Options for restrictive and non-restrictive states are available, as the WMP ships with your choice of either two 15-round or 10-round magazines.
In the months to come we will dive deeper for an even further in-depth look at the Walther WMP, including a thorough range test utilizing Walther’s ingenious ammunition recommendation chart. If you are an avid shooter of any gun chambered in .22 you have come to know that it can be quite the finicky round. Every gun, regardless of platform, has .22 ammo that it either loves, tolerates, or downright hates. Walther has taken the guesswork out of its user’s ammunition selection and has tested a plethora of brands and bullet weight combinations to see what runs best out of the WMP. Stay tuned for this and more in the near future.
On May 25, 2002, Ballistic reported:
The Walther Magnum Pistol (WMP) breaks some cool, new ground for Walther, an ergonomic pistol chambered in .22 WMR. Whether for plinking or out on the trail, the WMP brings increased firepower in a rimfire-sized package.
Walther WMP Details
The WMP features a Quad Release, ambidextrous reloading mechanism, according to Walther. It incorporates both a paddle and button release. The pistol also comes optic-ready, keeping with current trends. A cover plate enables shooters to utilize iron sights. A fiber-optic front and serrated rear forms the sight picture. Machined from 7075 aluminum, the slide makes for a lightweight package. A high-grip texture helps ensure a sure grip.
But really its all about that .22 Magnum chambering. The WMP comprises Walther’s first jump into this specific category, offering a wonderfully light, small-game getting trail gun and plinker.
“The WMP puts Walther in a whole new category, this pistol is a completely new platform and is a game changer for us and our customers,” said Jens Krogh, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, Walther Arms. “We have worked tirelessly to create the most reliable and ergonomically correct .22 Magnum pistol ever made and it turned out perfect.”
The WMP retails for $549. For more info, visit waltherarms.com.
Walther WMP Specs
- Caliber: .22 WMR
- Overall Barrel Length: 4.5 inches
- Overall Slide Length: 8.2 inches
- Mag Release: Quad Release
- Magazine Capacity: 15 or 10 rounds
- Total Magazines Included: 2
- Sights: Fiber-Optic Front, Serrated Rear
- Optic-Ready: Yes
- Trigger: Double-Action, with Integrated Safety
- MSRP: $549
Editor’s Take
The overwhelming proliferation of optics-ready pistols continues with the WMP. In this case, we get an interesting chambering added to the mix. The .22 WMR remains a wonderful little cartridge, especially for anyone spending significant time outdoors. From deer camp to fishing trips to plinking on the back 40, .22 Mag offers tremendous utility. Stuffed into Walther’s ergonomic, lightweight package, the WMP looks like a real winner at first glance.
