Walther just announced a full-size, polymer-framed, fully ambidextrous, optics-ready tactical rimfire pistol? Exactly that. Called the WMP for Walther Magnum Pistol, the company’s latest handgun is a high-power plinker.
Chambered for .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, the WMP has an impressive 15+1-round capacity, an internal hammer, and no fewer than four magazine release controls, two on each side.
While it’s very unusual, the decision to include ambidextrous magazine release buttons and dual mag release paddles lets shooters use the WMP as a capable trainer no matter what style of magazine release system they prefer with their centerfire pistols.
The frame and grip texture are similar to Walther’s popular striker-fired duty handguns, and despite being hammer-fired, the WMP still uses a passive trigger safety and no manual thumb controls.
The optics-ready slide and full-length accessory rail make the WMP more than just a trainer and teaching tool. With a red dot sight or a laser sight, it will serve just as well as a small game and varminting handgun, too.
“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 Walther’s Jens Krogh. “We have worked tirelessly to create the most reliable and ergonomically correct .22 Magnum pistol ever made and it turned out perfect.”
In addition to the ambidextrous magazine controls, the WMP has ambidextrous extended slide release levers. It has a 4.5-inch barrel, an aluminum alloy slide with forward and rear slide serrations as well as lightening cuts up front.
The WMP weighs just under 28 ounces unloaded, which is in line with similar-sized centerfire pistols. It comes with a relatively lightweight trigger pull from the factory, set at just 4.5 pounds.
The slide is outfitted with a fiber optic front sight and a ledge-style black serrated rear sight. Each pistol ships with two 15- or two 10-round magazines, a slide cover plate, and two optics adapter plates.
The suggested retail price for the WMP is $549, which will hopefully work out to real-world pricing in the $500 range or less. For more information visit Walther today.
is a writer with over a dozen years of experience and is a lifelong shooter. He has unwavering support for the Second Amendment and the human right to self-defense. Like Thomas Paine, he’s a journalist by profession and a propagandist by inclination.