Walther P22 & Federal Punch 'Personal Defense' Ammo Shooting Review - Penetration vs. Expansion

[@mhosea]

Federal punch is not supposed to expand, rather penetrate: "The loads' nickel-plated lead-core bullet is propelled at extreme velocities and engineered to minimize expansion to hit critical penetration depths through short-barrel handguns."

[@hoffpbass]

Exactly. Just stagger your mags with CCI HPs to get the best both.

[@mhosea]

Sounds good to me. However, if you need expansion with 22LR in order to survive a self-defense scenario, then dare I say it, one has brought the wrong gun. With 22LR, shot placement is paramount. If punching 22 caliber holes in your attacker does not convince him to leave you alone, you will need to put one of those little bullets through something vital, not rely on x% more damage in the wound channel.

[@terrancewilliams138]

I wouldn't carry a .22 for self defense anyway

[@OldGlaseye-gf7si]

@@terrancewilliams138 No kidding. Marketing. The Walther is the same size and only 2 ounces lighter than a Glock 43x...

[@mhosea]

@@terrancewilliams138 It's the kind of thing that gets resorted to in some cases. There a folks for which it's 22 in a revolver or no gun at all. When those are your only two choices, you ask otherwise silly questions like "What's the best 22 SD ammo?" Unfortunately, I don't think there's a lot manufacturers can do. We've seen marketing hype, but I haven't seen anything that's significantly better out of a 22 snub. If the Federal Punch 22LR has top notch reliability, it's probably as good a choice as any in that context.

[@SIGP365]

The Punch ammo worked as designed. They are meant to penetrate not expand.

[@anthonyguidas2012]

I’ve seen other channels use this ammo. One thing to note is it not supposed to expand. It gets good penetration.

[@Zantar45]

When the P22 cycles back the safety bar passes over the hammer and pushes it down. There is sometimes a "lip" on the bottom of the slide and safety bar and a "bump" on the hammer, these two spots can catch on each other when cycling. If you take flitz or very fine sandpaper, you can lightly polish the two spots to reduce friction and increase reliability. That little bit of work and the addition of a TandemKross guide rod has turned my P22 CA into an almost flawless little .22

[@AllAboutSurvival]

I appreciate the emphasis on staying sharp and maintaining physical readiness, especially for veterans.

[@chrisjensen9941]

Merry Christmas, Gentlemen!

[@jbazan11]

Don’t stress over the results! A bad day at the range beats a good day at the office every time!! 👍

[@mixup98]

I completely agree, my friend!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

As others have said, Punch is a solid, flat nose projectile designed for penetration, not expansion. Similar to a semi-wadcutter basically. As such, it out-penetrates absolutely ever other .22LR in existence, per testing.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Glad to see you cranking out the videos lately. I hear year end is one of the highest profit times of year for making youtube videos. I hope you make ALLLL the money, Mix!

[@GreyShooter]

The Punch performed the way I've seen it perform in other tests. Thanks, Mixup. 👍🇺🇲

[@jamesmarkov9570]

0:07 I love the old school Star Trek entrance

[@22rimfireultra67]

One of the fastest 11 1/2 minutes! Great video, Thanks!

[@gil9898]

His productions are always the highest quality

[@Robert-d8m]

Thank you for your videos, Merry Christmas to you, your son, and the rest of your family. May all of you have a great 2025.

[@mixup98]

Thank you Robert. You also have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for watching our videos.

[@Robert-d8m]

@mixup98 I use to live in Mesquite, Southern Nevada has a special place in my heart. I'm heading back in a couple of years but I'm going to end up just east of Caliente. Again thank you for your time and videos.

[@frankhinkle5772]

Thanks for taking us along to the beautiful Southern Nevada desert. Nice little pistol, and it ate up that Punch ammo. Great deal. Merry Christmas to you all!

[@mixup98]

Thank you my friend and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@KevinSmith-yh6tl]

Thanks mixup, and have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!👍

[@ralphreinhardt6020]

Hey , glad to see ya got Scotty to repair the transporter unit ! 😎👍

[@sammyhooligan803]

Great video 👍. I had the Walther P22 ,years ago actually it was my first firearm purchase, used and was great to learn semi auto operation. The gel block comparison of federal punch and CCI hollow point was very interesting that the Punch didn't expand, and zero deformed at nose of lead / Zinc combination bullet. So, the federal ammunition will definitely penetrate a target and keep going, as seen in that gel block. Thanks again.

[@carlosugarte1450]

Awesome deal. That ammo would certainly go through some thick winter clothing. Good shooting.

[@terryingold-lp1wm]

I had this gun Ca. Edition. It was a malfunction special. I used CCI and many other brands couldn't get it to stumble through a mag. Good to see one working.

[@jasoncamacho4855]

Bought the ca version on Black Friday and it has been reliable so far. Def prefers cci ammo tho

[@terryingold-lp1wm]

@jasoncamacho4855 I went back to the shop where I got it told them the situation and they offered to swap for a new Ruger Wrangler. I took the swap and the Ruger has been doing great. Only 6 rds but always goes bang.

[@andymauthe5508]

Nice review. I like the videos like this one where you do a closeup look at the firearms in your shop, then head to your range and do the shooting. Keep the good content coming and keep an eye out for those snakes! Greetings from cold and snowy Northwestern Pennsylvania.

[@mixup98]

Hello Andy. I appreciate the feedback on my videos. Stay warm and have a very Merry Christmas!

[@DesertMav]

I also picked up my Walther P22Q on that same sale, but I got it price closely price matched at my local shop. I have so far placed 50 rounds of CCI Mini Mags through the P22 and it ran flawlessly. I will run some more through it until I break it in. I plan on running a few different types of ammo through it to ensure that it runs well overall.

[@kenjohnson6603]

I do not know why you should be disappointed in that ammo. It is FLAT POINT. Not supposed to expand

[@terrybarnes0712]

Merry Christmas Mixup and Son

[@donnyarmstrong9559]

Hey Amigo! Kinda liking that Walther. Early last year I was torn between that Walther, the Taurus TX-22 and the Sig P-322... the TX-22 won that battle, but maybe the Walther... ah never mind, hindsight is always 20/20 right! I have not tried any of the PUNCH ammo through it, but just about every other ammo I can find and it eats them all up... However, I finally found some ammo that my TX-22 does not like... Same story, Black Friday Deal... I picked up some Winchester 333 round Target & Small Game, 36 gr CPHP. They were $9.99/box, so naturally I picked up 3 boxes! Got them into the field, loaded 1 mag, sling shot the slide home, pulled the trigger and BANG, pulled the trigger again... nothing! Pulled the slide to verify ejection, you clear chamber, load another round... BANG... did not load the next round! Slide action 1 more time, BANG! checked the chamber, fail to eject! Had to do the cleaning rod to pop it out and tried one more time... NOPE, they just wont feed from the mag and my extractor has difficulty extracting the empties! Kinda put a Debbie Downer on my range day this past Monday. Thankfully I had my Taurus 942 (2") with me! That thing will shoot anything .22 related! So it looks like I have almost 1000 rounds that will be taken care of with my revolver, we will test them with the 10-22 and the Remington Model 510 single shot. Living my best La Vida Loca here in southeastern Arizona

[@billdye3530]

The Punch is accurate ammo but may not run well in some pistols because it's case is longer like the Stingers. Out of a Barkeep & into a gallon of frozen water it will flatten nicely. Nice Walther! Have a happy safe holiday season. Thanks for all you guys do to entertain us. 👍🙏🎯

[@mixup98]

Thank you for the feedback! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@billdye3530]

​@@mixup98The 22wmr Punch is pretty nasty out of a Barkeep also. Go big or go home with a Barkeep when you have night prowlers. 🦝

[@TarmanDan]

Hell of a deal! Merry Christmas to you and the family Mixup!

[@mixup98]

Thanks for watching! You have a Merry Christmas as well.

[@alanbolla8443]

Awesome little gun !!! going to check it out right now.

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

same! lol

[@Courier-Six]

I love Federal Punch Ammo. Keep it loaded up in my S&W 651 for garden pests and rabbits. Expansion is kind of odd in my mind. Everything I have ever seen from Federal, .22plinker and other reviewers all put the focus on getting deeper into a block of gel without expanding.

[@pinchegallo4776]

I love your videos mixup have a blessed and great Christmas !!!💜

[@mixup98]

You also have a blessed and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@Pipesandstooges]

Mixup a very merry Christmas to you and your family....I want to take a minute to say thank you to and your son for this great channel and all of the help it has given me...a huge thank you sir 🇺🇸🤠🇺🇸🤠👏🏻🇺🇸👏🏻🇺🇸👏🏻👏🏻🇺🇸

[@94twentytwo76]

Merry Christmas mixup and family 🍻

[@mixup98]

Same to you my friend!

[@94twentytwo76]

@ 🍻

[@recoilrob324]

I had an early P22 which had feeding problems with the first series mags that lacked the slots at the top to allow the rims to splay sideways which keeps the feed angle correct. Took out the mag safety as it is a wear point and put 10,000 or so rounds through it with only a small burr being knocked up on the frame that would start to impede function if left unattended but a few swipes with the files and no more wear at that point. Fun little pistols that look cool and feel good in the hand.

[@midnight4540]

great info! Merry Christmas and Take Care!

[@tonyperih8459]

Merry Christmas mixup 98 to you and your family! Thanks for all the videos you put out!

[@mixup98]

Thank you Tony and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@michaelpage4199]

Great review. May just pick up one of those. Wishing you and the whole family a Merry Christmas

[@mixup98]

You won't be disappointed. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@royseleech3524]

Thank you 🎉🎉🎉

[@IEraiderfan]

Great video I have a Walter P22 Q pistoln I purchased last year I paid $210.00 and no free Ammo Thanks stay safe.

[@frankfurt564]

with the tandemkross mag extensions and a suppressor this is so much fun to shoot. no recoil at all and very reliable.

[@3wheelmannc860]

I really like the Punch ammo. Being designed to penetrate works for me. I'll take the reliability and penetration any day. In my plinking, they have been amazing. Thanks for sharing. P22Q is very nice and I am a big fan of the da/sa.

[@mixup98]

Penetration vs. expansion is a debate that will last forever. I personally prefer a bullet that expands, stops and expends all of its energy inside the target. Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas!

[@irafowlerjr.7492]

Merry Christmas to you and your family, always enjoy your show, 19 degrees this Monday morning in Ohio.😊

[@mixup98]

Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and your family from southern Nevada! My oldest son works in Ohio and he did say it gets mighty cold there. Today we are expecting a high of 67 degrees. No white Christmas for us.

[@opencarry3860]

That Federal Punch ammo gives seniors and the handicapped who have hand/wrist limits the ability to use a 22LR for self defense effectively for what it is.

[@B_R_]

Merry Christmas Mix. I always enjoy your content.

[@mixup98]

Merry Christmas to you too! I'm glad you enjoy our videos. 👍😎

[@stevedriscoll2539]

Great looking little pistol; looks like a PDP. What an amazing deal to get that pistol for 180 and 50 dollars worth of ammo for free. Even though those little slugs didn't expand, with that much penetration they could bounce around and do a lot of damage.

[@GeorgeMagruder-i7u]

I bought a p22, haven't fired it yet, replaced the guide rod, with a captured guide rod, little gun feels better in my hand than any gun I own

[@1971irvin]

Nice video, I would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, greetings from snow covered Norway! ❄️🌨️🎄⛄

[@billdozer3674]

Thanks for another great video mixup and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family 🎄🎉

[@mixup98]

Thank you! You also have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@Zantar45]

What stinks is that ammo rebate isn't valid in California (and several other states) and Walther doesn't offer any kind of substitution.

[@ReversePolarity5]

Don't you hate seeing offers, sales, deals, and giveaways that you just bypass because you're never eligible? I'm right there with you.

[@brianmcgee4730]

If you live in California ypu don't need over 5 rounds

[@ReversePolarity5]

@@brianmcgee4730 yeah, because the un-Constitutional laws here make it so safe.

[@brianmcgee4730]

If you live comifornoai it's kinda your fault

[@priceman141]

I've read that you're not supposed to use the clear ballistic gel to test the effectiveness of ammo, you have to use the FBI gel which is brown-ish in color

[@Silviapepe]

Unfortunately I never could get the punch to cycle reliably on my Tx 22, but it’s good for my wrangler single action

[@mixup98]

I own a TX22, which I really like, and maybe I will do a review where I test it with the Punch ammo and see what happens. Thanks for the feedback.

[@CADMike]

Hey mixup, that 49 fps is the extreme spread, not standard deviation. Another great video and review, thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@mixup98]

You are correct, thanks for catching that! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@jamesgilhooly8922]

Happy Christmas from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@MrWeliz]

Happy Holidays from California USA

[@mixup98]

Merry Christmas from southern Nevada

[@ddhh6552]

Super cool little pistol

[@AmbGun]

Most semi-autos struggle with Punch's slightly longer case. Neither of my P22's cycle at all with it. I pretty much only use Punch in revolvers. Just got my second box from Walther.

[@PhilDean-w9l]

It looks like you got a pretty sweet deal !! Thank you for the video !

[@mixup98]

Thanks for watching!

[@omargomez6883]

I have mine under the Christmas tree. Let's see how it works. Great review as always. 👍

[@mixup98]

You're going to love it and Merry Christmas!

[@omargomez6883]

@mixup98 Merry Christmas !!!

[@dlarta7265]

always enjoy the vids

[@VegasGator]

Glad you got your free ammo from the Sportsman's Warehouse BF sale. Sweet Deal!

[@pedraw]

I have the original version of this P22. Mine doesn't like Federal ammo but it'll shoot anything else i've tried in it. These are great little guns.

[@sixgunfun78]

Great deal on that Walther!

[@kyrozudesoya1829]

The safety IS a hammer block so you can lower the hammer manually with the safety on if you want, can't remember if the gun had a firing pin block or not.

[@ChooseFreedom-o1e]

You seemed surprised that a non-hollow point .22lr didn't expand. Try some CCI Stingers if you want some performance.

[@Steve-ht5yi]

I bought a new p22 walther about 5 years ago and sold it immediately because it had the worst, heaviest trigger I'd ever used. Maybe they've fixed them since, but I'll never buy another walther. I got a Ruger. Never had a problem with any Ruger.

[@brucecook502]

With a 22LR coming out of a handgun, I'd be more interested in penetration than expansion and from all the ballistic tests I've seen with so many different hunting and alleged personal defense ammunitions, I'd say Federal punch makes the most sense.

[@timsmith9645]

Great video nice Walther 22 pistol merry Christmas to you and your family thanks for sharing mixup98

[@ericjdevops]

Yay, the enterprise is back!

[@williamray3101]

I don't see anybody shooting a mark 4 hunter.i love mine. Great pistol.😊

[@Salieri47]

I'd be smiling as well, you got a great deal. There's something special about having good time shooting affordable ammo. It helps that my Mark IV Target makes it seem I can actually shoot straight, LOL!

[@bobdavis3357]

Really cool entrance!😂😂. That was great!

[@mixup98]

Thank you Bob.....I appreciate the nice feedback.

[@brucecook502]

Remember, this ammunition was made for self-defense for people using it in handguns. A 22LR that penetrates less than 8 in in ballistics gel that expands a little bit is going to mean nothing to a determined attacker if you aren't hitting them in the head, so penetration is going to be your best friend using 22LR hitting them anywhere else and federal punch is pretty much as good as it gets.

[@carlossalomon-o3k]

🇨🇱🤝🇺🇸saludos mr mixup desde chile muy buen análisis de la pistola walther ejemplo de la magnifica tecnología alemana de armas el 22lr disparado en el gel demostró que si puede penetrar en un cuerpo y dejar fuera de combate a un atacante eso si hay que saber donde lo eres el disparo un abrazo desde el sur (merry christmas and happy New year for you and all family a hug to all)sorry for my poor english😁

[@JuanGarcia-ig4zl]

Hello, is firearms ownership legal in chile? Just curious. Thank you

[@carlossalomon-o3k]

@JuanGarcia-ig4zl saludos desde chile feliz y prospero año nuevo a usted y toda su familia 👪 😊 🎉🎉🎉🍸🍸🍸si es legal tener armas pero solo para defensa y caceria también como deportista se pueden tener armas de competencia el porte de armas esta prohibido salvo para las fuerzas armadas y policias

[@norristhermadore266]

After all my experimenting; velocitor in the rifle, punch in the pistol. Apparently, my can has shipped. I'll have to start over with the experiments. Oh, darn. Life is good when there's guns to clean. Oh, I found punch on ammoseek for 4.95 a box last month. FYI.

[@norristhermadore266]

Experiment complete: I love the punch. However, through the can, it still sounds like gun fire. No real difference between cci suppressor round, cci quiet semi auto, and norma tac 22. Those 3 sounded like an airsoft rifle. Ruger SR 22 paired with a bannish 22. I didn't bother with the velocitor.

[@billy56081]

I wouldn't call it a disappointment, a 22 it good for making holes.

[@joelfernandez2333]

Great review and Merry Christmas 🎄 to you sir and family. 🇺🇸

[@mixup98]

Thank you so much, and Merry Christmas to you too!

[@Lukey-Dukey-AUS]

Merry Xmas thanks.

[@mixup98]

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[@lorddiablo8575]

I have a P22, I have an issue with the hammer spring right under the hammer ( you can see in your video 2:17 - 2:18), it stuck out a little bit with sharp edges that cut my thumb ( I sent it to Walther but what they said it is NORMAL, did nothing and return it to me ! I can only file it down myself to prevent any future cut to my finger ! ). I wonder if you encounter the same issue ?

[@mixup98]

I have noticed the end of the spring sticking out and I thought it was a very odd design. I haven't cut myself on it, at least not yet. I would think that cutting the spring flush with the hammer won't cause any problems.

[@CeltKnight]

I'm not concerned with expansion with .22LR. Reliability is #1, Accuracy is #2, and #3 is will it go deeply enough, dependably enough, to punch through a skull or transverse the chest cavity and poke holes in things that seem important. Great video, though and always enjoyable! I love my little Walther P22. It's currently loaded with Mini-Mag solids.

[@henrysara7716]

Mixup98 & Son , Merry Christmas.

[@mixup98]

Thank you Henry and Merry Christmas!

[@artwebb6939]

With 22 you can either have adequate penetration or expansion, not both At least not out of a 2 inch barrel Federal punch is designed to penetrate, because actually hitting important things is more important than expansion Merry Christmas

[@RicArmstrong]

Why only 10 round mags? Hopefully they start making the mags with more capacity. Ridiculous!

[@terrell48]

Yes performed as designed I like this ammo

[@Brett235]

I've thought about getting one of these for my wife for a bedside gun. She hates recoil and I think this .22 would be a good compromise.

[@FelixAugusto-p3i]

Love your videos, punch is designed for penetration not expansion

[@mixup98]

I realized that after I got home and did some research on the Punch ammo, which I should have done before shooting my video. Thanks for the feedback and we also thank you for always watching our videos.

[@bigbossman3806]

We haven't seen anything of the truck snake for awhile, did he find a new home away from people traffic.

[@epps1217]

I've always thought that P22 would be a good acquisition. If I saw that deal I would have bought it too. Does it have a threaded barrel?

[@mixup98]

Yes, my P22 has a threaded barrel with a thread protector installed. It comes with a wrench but not a thread adapter.

[@joshuagibson2520]

I'd like to see if the added velocity out of a rifle would make any difference in expansion.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

No. It might deform a couple thousandths, but no expansion. Yes you'll have more velocity and similarly to a semi-wadcutter, more fluid disruption due to velocity.

[@johnpower8356]

Nice gun, nice ammo, I have that p22q in a 5" barrel, I don't have a speed checker but I'll bet it's moving. Punch is not supposed to expand, it's for penetration. To hit vital organs. Awesome self defensive small caliber, small edc gun. Just my opinion.

[@danielvillalobos9487]

I have one. Love it.

[@robertk407]

Always enjoy your videos. On a different subject heritage is making a cool detective style revolver now, have you seen it?

[@mixup98]

I have looked at the Heritage Roscoe .38 revolver and I will probably pick one up and do a review on it.

[@georgepeacock2837]

What are the differences between the P22 and the P22Q???

[@myfavoritemartian1]

I have a 1 year old box of Federal Punch 22LR and the bullet looks differently. Mine looks like a lead round nose with a small flat filed at the tip. Yes it penetrates like crazy. What you want on Hogs and small deer.

[@p40warhawk91]

Nice video. Please note however Punch is not supposed to expand. It's supposed to be a deep penetrater.

[@7thsignthenorthcoast146]

As 22 plinkster would say need some “ stangers”

[@jammer1mo]

The Walther P22 is like the world's slowest cycling 22 I've ever shot. You take and put 10 rounds in that and 10 rounds and a Taurus TX22 in the TX-22 will always come out on top. That gun cycles like it's in slow motion lol .

[@ProCoach2373]

I like that little gun! Especially for $189!

[@JuanGarcia-ig4zl]

Wouldn’t 40 mini mags penetrate just as well or better? If penetration is what you want? Or it wouldn’t hit 1080 fps? In a short barrel? My Taurus and Walther both run well on mini mags.

[@rawtune100]

Hey, I have this exact same gun and I bought the federal punch ammo to see if it would work for mine. When I took it to the range, the federal punch ammo will fire but will not eject the empty shell casing. I had to get a ram rod and push the empty casing out every time. Any suggestions as to why this is happening??

[@garymatney9344]

Nice looking pistol!

[@JuanGarcia-ig4zl]

Carlos salomon, igual para ustedes🙏. Entonces, los leyes aya son casi igual que aqui. Gracias a responderme

[@jeffbrund]

I’m used to “sweeping ” my thumb down on a thumb safety….this gun would screw me up because it’s backwards 🤪. I’ve noticed that with a lot of guns made out that way.

[@uni_shadow164]

I Have 40 Cal flat nosed bullet! They don't expand like hollow point rounds. However, I'm sure the bad guys feel the punch!