I bought a new P22, nickel slide, 5" barrel, two stainless steel mags. I decided to take a chance and sell my matte black 3.4" model, which I had bought used, and try a new one. Let's just say I'm happy I did.
My old P22 had some issues. There were a lot of light primer strikes, and it would often take two or three tries for a round to fire. The new one does not have that problem. In fact, the only problem it has is a reluctance to chamber the first round using spring tension alone. I put about 200 rounds through her today, and had one failure to eject, when shooting rapid fire for the first time. I fired a few more 10-round rapid fire strings with no malfunctions. This is the gun I'd hoped my first P22 would be. It's pretty asccurate, too.
9/29/04 manufacture, "N" serial number. Did I just get lucky?
ETA: I was using Remington Viper 22LR ammo. Awesome stuff. Also, I see that the "N"'s are supposed to be good.