Why is this interesting? Well, I like the idea of an easy-switch barrel combo rather than having to hump two .22 rifles around (as I do) in order to get the maximum fun out of the cheap .22 LR and the added power of the .22 WMR. (Plus there’s that space issue in Ye Olde Gunne Sayfe…)
That straight-pull bolt is an excellent idea. (The B1 was originally marketed as a Hammerli-designed action, hubba hubba.)
But there’s a snag. You see, Walther has made this rifle accept Ruger 10/22 magazines — excellent — and they supply three magazines with the rifle — even better. BUT: the ratio of magazines is: two .22 LR mags, and only one .22 WMR mag.
And that’s the problem. Ruger .22 LR (BX-1) mags are so plentiful that people hand them out to kiddies as Halloween favors or Xmas stocking stuffers. Ruger .22 WMR mags… errr not so much; you have to get them online rather than in brick-n-mortar stores.
Far better, in my opinion, to supply two magnum mags and one LR mag. Or just up the price of the rig by $10 and offer two of each.
OR — gasp! — include two BX-10 .22 LR mags, and one of the BX-15 .22 WMR mags (15 rounds, oh my). There’s almost no difference in price between the 10- and 15-round mags.
There ya go, Walther: free marketing advice from a would-be customer (blocked only by poverty from being an actual customer). Have at it.
Tell me that’s not a toothsome prospect, I dare ya. (Maybe if I looked under the sofa cushions…)
Better yet, mounted on a nice laminate stock. Nah, that’s asking too much.
Okay, here’s an offer to any of my Loyal Readers: buy me one of these Walthers, and I’ll send you both my .22 rifles (the SQ LR and the SSV WMR) in exchange, including scopes and bipods.
That do look like a sweet hawglegg.
But I’m not going to trade my custom made Ruger 10/22 for it.
Thanks for the heads up on this dandy piece of kit. FYI, PSA is already out of stock on line… Oh, and adding $10 to the price for an extra mag may not make a lot of economic sense… more like $20 for the extra mag. Which, unless money is really tight, isn’t bad… might even be enough change in those couch cushions you mentioned. 🙂
This is cool. It is like the rifle version of the Ruger Single Six.
I have a 10 22. My favorite rifle of all. I know people will say it’s only a 22 but 10 rounds of 22 is going to take the fight out if most evil creatures.
I also have the single six ruger.
This convertible rifle would compliment those both nicely.
The price is not bad either.
Only thing is. No iron sights. I like irons.
So maybe the Ruger American compact 22 WMR for me. That is nice too.
But how does it shoot? I’d be concerned that it might sacrifice some accuracy to accommodate the switch barrel system
It’s a Hammerli.
I need another .22 like I need another wife.
Still, I hopped on the website, credit card in had, because I’m stupid that way. My enthusiasm was tempered by the fact that they’re OOS on the website. Still, I signed up for a notice if they come back in stock at that price. As if.
“I need another .22 like I need another wife.”
Quote of the week.
I got an email a few minutes ago that they were back in stock.
But they weren’t, at least you can’t order one.
And no one answers the phone at PSA, EVER.
Might be a good deal, but I’m not going to chase after it. Besides, my wife is due home any minute.
UPDATE: Order went through before wife got home. I’ll just take an empty gun case to my FFL and tell my wife, “gosh darnnit, I’m selling another gun.”
That’s a really nice looking rifle. I have never used a rifle in 22WMR. The only 22WMR in the stable is the wife’s Single Six with two cylinders. It’s a fun little revolver to shoot.