The .22 magnum round has been around for a long time and has been used for varmint control on many a ranch and hunting lease. Manufacturers have struggled to get it to function reliably in semiautomatic rifles and pistols; many of them have given up even trying! That's why I was so surprised to see Walther come out with their new pistol, the WMR. I have a KelTec PMR 30 that I've been dragging around with me when I run my traps and protect my chickens from predation. I have been very pleased with its performance. I just "HAD" to have one of the Walthers and wanted to share my experience with you now that I've been able to put several hundred rounds through it.

The Walther feels like a "real" pistol in your hand. The grip is large and the texturing is aggressive, to say the least. It's a bit heavier than the PMR 30 but it points well for me and, while I'm not quite as accurate with it, I attribute that to the fact that I've been shooting the PMR for a couple of years and the Walther only a few months. The capacity of the Walther is 15 + 1, while the PMR is twice that. I must say that after I had shot the PMR a few times, I never have had occasion to run a complete magazine dry. Now, my grandkids (who don't pay for the ammunition) think that running the 30's is a whole lot of fun. I have not had any failures to feed or eject, which is one of the areas that semiautomatic pistols and rifles have wrestled with to this day

Field stripping the two pistols is fast and easy, with the Walther being faster and easier than the PMR 30. Lock the slide back, turn the takedown lever 90 degrees, slide the slide right off. Piece of cake; Walther done good!

Overall, there's not enough difference between the two pistols to make me want to make a strong recommendation to buy or to pass on either of them. The single thing that might be a deal breaker for anyone considering a buy is the grip size of the Walther and I would urge you to "grip one" before you buy it.

Send me a PM if you have any questions.

I got the Walther late last year and have enjoyed it. Mounted a red dot on and haven't had any issues using 40 grain ammo. I just wish it had a threaded barrel but you can't everything I guess. It comes with 2 mags but spares are $40 which is a little pricey.

I'll admit that new Smith M&P .22 Magnum really appeals to me. I tip my hat to the Keltecs. If they just didn't look like they were made out of TinkerToys and pop rivets ...

Very intrigued by the new S&W, but for the life of me I can't imagine offering a new weapon like that in 2023 WITHOUT a threaded barrel option. At least SIG got it right with the P322.

I like the S&W too, wonder if they'll come out with a 17 HMR version? I really want to get a Super Wrangler and sight it in for 22 WMR, that might be my Christmas bonus gun.

Thanks for the info.

I went with the Rock Island 1911 version. 14 round mags, and shoot quite well.

They do have an optics-rail version out too, I believe.

I was looking at the Rock Island until I spotted the S&W that came up for sale here a couple of weeks back. Bought it and am VERY happy with it. Ran two mags [60 rounds] through it not long after I got it and LOVE the way it shoots!

I like my PMR 30 alot. I have not had any real issues with it either. My problems come from me not pay attention when I am loading the magazines up. Also, I dont use it as much as my other pistols, so mag changes takes me a minute because I forget the mag release is at the bottom of the grip. Its always fun to shoot. Took it to an indoor range the other day, let my son shoot it, really cool seeing the fire balls coming out the barrel.

I had a pmr30 and loved it, but sold it because it was SO LOUD! Had physical pain in my ears after shooting at a group of hogs.