School me on the Walther P99

Melnibonean

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
177   0   0
Location
The Orion Arm
Yay or nay?

The Montreal PD used to have these, but recently switched them out for G19s. I've heard that they were prone to slide cracks or slides flying off the rails, but that was at my LGS, so...........
 
Never heard of slide issues unless it was a P22, there are a few different version of the P99, a DAO(double action only) version, a AS(anti stress) version and a QA(quick action)
The newest and easiest to get is a Anti stress model(3rd gen) I suggest looking up some YouTube videos, it has a very unique trigger action,
Most people these days lean towards the PPQ as it has the same trigger pull from first to last, your choice of button or paddle style release(ppq m1 navy), and a more aggressive grip.
All that being said I love my Walther P99 AS, it is still an amazing gun, with an awesome trigger once you get used to how you want to shoot it, a striker fired decocker is nifty too, it's my main go to for all things now, I added a talon grip for some more texture and new sights, the gun is a real shooter with some of the best ergonomics in the game. Iam sure I will own a PPQ eventually as well but it won't replace my P99 as my go to.
I'd also like to point out that Canik pistols are based on a Walther design and gaining popularity at a very fast rate.
 
P99 A/S trigger is VERY good.

We were told by Walther Germany rep back in our show in November that they're planning to discontinue the P99 to make room & streamline production. Hard to believe but Walther does not have a huge manufacturing capacity.
 
P99 A/S trigger is VERY good.

We were told by Walther Germany rep back in our show in November that they're planning to discontinue the P99 to make room & streamline production. Hard to believe but Walther does not have a huge manufacturing capacity.

Aren't they replacing it with an updated version called the Creed?
I met the Walther R&D guy in Ulm when I was there. His personal gun is the P99 in .40 and .357 SIG. Of all the Walther guns he can have, he chose the P99. That speaks volumes in my mind.
 
Aren't they replacing it with an updated version called the Creed?
I met the Walther R&D guy in Ulm when I was there. His personal gun is the P99 in .40 and .357 SIG. Of all the Walther guns he can have, he chose the P99. That speaks volumes in my mind.

I believe the Creed is an updated PPX
 
I already have a PPQ M2 Navy, and think it's by far my favorite pistol. Was considering a PPQ M1 when my LEO friend mentioned the P99 as an option for something different.......
 
Very accurate gun.
AS trigger allows 3 different types of trigger pulls.

1. Rack Slide...Trigger is in AS mode, very light long take up, and crisp break (the take up eventually locks into single action mode) then single action pull for every other shot.
2. Rack Slide, apply decocker...Double action for first shot. The DA pull is not too heavy and very smooth.
3. Rack Slide, carefully pull trigger til it locks in SA mode. You can now shoot Single action first shot...I don't recommend this.

Many USA websites advise against carry in AS mode, but when the gun first came out almost 20 years ago, the manual did mention it as a valid trigger mode.

Gen 1 P99's were prone to some parts breakages, the Gen 3 ones now are beefier and sturdy.
Size wise, it's a bit taller than glock 19 and about the same length.
 
These are great guns. I have not heard of issues with the 9mm models, other than an isolated example that you hear with just about every pistol.

I believe there were issues with some of the early 40s that saw a lot of use. From the factory, the 40s were under sprung. They used the same spring as the 9mm and relied on greater slide mass to reduce recoil. The 40 has a slightly beefier slide than the 9 as you can see in this photo.

p99-gen1-9mm-40.jpg


I have a Gen 1 P99 in 40 and love it. Non-protruding 4.1" barrel, very accurate and the SA trigger is lighter and crisper compared to many others. I'm old school and like the DA/SA w decocker of the P99 but I think many / most seem to prefer the constant trigger of the PPQ/Glock etc. I did install a stronger recoil system (Springco) though just in case and it works very well.
 
mine ate everything without a hiccup and was very accurate.. little snappy but great gun... I miss mine.
 
I bought my P99AS 9mm in 2006 and have put 3000ish rounds through it. I had one stoppage in that time that was a partial ejection with a spent case preventing the slide from going all the way forward. It's basically a polymer frame striker fire duty pistol like may out there. It has the sharpish kick as plastic 9mm autos have versus an all metal pistol. The three dot sights are nice and windage adjustable. Super easy to take apart and clean. Ambidextrous mag release. Feels and looks well made, if that means anything. I like it, otherwise it would have long been sold. I just wish the mags were cheaper.

 
Last edited:
Had one since 2008, sold it 2014, bought another one within 6 months. Will never sell it. The trigger pull is great, it fits my hand perfectly and I love the small size. The only gripe I have about it is the grip texture is too slippery.
 
Wife bought hers about a month ago so still in first impressions stage. But likes it so far.

Loaded chamber indicator, ambi mag / slide release and adjustable back straps are positive features. Finds loading the mag to max a bit of a challenge.
 
Although I find the ergonomics and trigger pull to be a wee bit better on the PPQ, the P99 is more aesthetically pleasing to my eyes. The rail on the PPQ is atrocious looking while the single notched rail on the P99AS is sleeker.

Gen 1 P99 is even more sleek looking than the modern ones. At one time I owned 4 Gen 1 P99's and sold them as my interests wandered. Silly things we do in our youth.
 
I used to have an OD green .40 S&W P99 QA about 9 years back. The thing was great though I did once get quite a startle once from an unintentional double-tap due to a combination of the QA trigger and how I must have rode the trigger reset. I did not repeat the feat.

I was highly impressed by the flawless, polished polygonal rifled barrel; the internal finish on that tube was impressive.
 
Back
Top Bottom