Ever since owning a early and very buggy P22, I am usually the first to jump into a Walther bashing session. However, I handled a P99 yesterday at Wholesale sports, and I was really impressed with the way it fit my hand and I also thought it had a relatively low bore axis (which I like). I already know that these pistols are not as reliable as the other combat nines from Sig and HK. But, how is the P99 for accuracy? I may just pick one up (with realistic expectations about its reliability of course).
Walther P99 question
- Thread starter UncleWalther
- Start date
Wrong Way
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
You sound like you think it's doomed to fail before even buying it?
I have one (Two tone green and black), and I'm going on 5000 rounds without a single problem. Accuracy is good, reliability is 100%. There is one commercial range that I'm sure will chime in (seems to be a bias against the walthers...why? I'm not sure)...at least they chime in about how prone to failure they are in EVERY other P99 thread.....
You will get plenty of reviews in this thread, and they'll will go something like this:
I LOVE the P-99! (P99 owners)
It's a piece of crap! (People that "know a guy who had one")
Anyway, with the exception of these posts, you will not find any negative reviews if you google the entire internet. Like I said, 5K and never a failure....that seems pretty "reliable" to me. The guns fit better than anything on the market, the flush de-cocker is outstanding, I love the mag release and the fact that I can do it with my trigger finger, it comes with multiple sites.......in a nutshell, don't hesitate...run out and buy one! I'm sure you'll love it. I'm pretty sure Stormbringer owns/shoots one as well...maybe he can offer an opinion.
HTH,
Ryan
I have one (Two tone green and black), and I'm going on 5000 rounds without a single problem. Accuracy is good, reliability is 100%. There is one commercial range that I'm sure will chime in (seems to be a bias against the walthers...why? I'm not sure)...at least they chime in about how prone to failure they are in EVERY other P99 thread.....
You will get plenty of reviews in this thread, and they'll will go something like this:
I LOVE the P-99! (P99 owners)
It's a piece of crap! (People that "know a guy who had one")
Anyway, with the exception of these posts, you will not find any negative reviews if you google the entire internet. Like I said, 5K and never a failure....that seems pretty "reliable" to me. The guns fit better than anything on the market, the flush de-cocker is outstanding, I love the mag release and the fact that I can do it with my trigger finger, it comes with multiple sites.......in a nutshell, don't hesitate...run out and buy one! I'm sure you'll love it. I'm pretty sure Stormbringer owns/shoots one as well...maybe he can offer an opinion.
HTH,
Ryan
I don't know too much about the "QA" models, but I have an "AS" ("Anti-Stress", the name they use for the SA/DA model) in 9mm and I find it to be similar in accuracy to the HK USP and the SIG 226. I find it to be more accurate than a Glock-type gun or a DAO gun though. I would probably say it is a little less accurate than the HK or the SIG for two reasons though:
(1) Because it is striker fired, rather than hammer fired, the trigger doesn't move backwards when the gun is cocked (like it does on every hammer fired SA/DA gun). In SA mode, the trigger starts from the DA position and just has minimal to no resistance until your finger moves it back into the SA postion. You get used to this as you shoot the gun more but it is a bit weird at first, and frankly it is an inferior system to the HK or the SIG. The benefit is that with a striker fired gun you can have a lot lower bore axis and the benefits that come with that, but you give up something on the trigger by doing so. I find that the take-up on the trigger either slows down your shooting, or decreases your accuracy. Others may have different experiences though. I find that if I slow-fire this gun, I can get some very good accuracy out of it though, and "acceptable" on rapid fire. too much thinking about "take-up" though when shooting fast.
(2) The frame of the gun is very very light. I don't know the exact measurements, but it's lighter than a Glock and way lighter than anything with an alloy frame or metal inserts in it. The slide assembly on the other hand is quite heavy. I believe that this combination is what causes the greater than normal "snap" this gun has, even in 9mm. Felt recoil is actually pretty heavy for a 9mm, I find. Definitely heavier felt recoil than a Glock 17. I think this "snap" decreases accuracy somewhat, especially on follow-up shots.
If you shoot this gun alot, you can overcome these "issues", if you find them to be issues at all. The P99 has a lot of nice features to it. The grip is the absolute best feeling grip of any pistol I have held. The interchangeable front sites is also a great idea that I wish every pistol had. You can pretty much dial your gun in for your shooting style in 2 minutes. The loaded chamber indicator, cocking indicator, decocker button, and interchangable backstraps are all good features too.
On the reliability thing... forget about that. These guns are easily the equal of all the competitors in that category. I don't know where that got started, but I agree with the above poster that it couldn't have started with people that actually shoot this gun a lot. I never had the slightest problem with mine, and I've shot it a ton.
I like the gun. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
(1) Because it is striker fired, rather than hammer fired, the trigger doesn't move backwards when the gun is cocked (like it does on every hammer fired SA/DA gun). In SA mode, the trigger starts from the DA position and just has minimal to no resistance until your finger moves it back into the SA postion. You get used to this as you shoot the gun more but it is a bit weird at first, and frankly it is an inferior system to the HK or the SIG. The benefit is that with a striker fired gun you can have a lot lower bore axis and the benefits that come with that, but you give up something on the trigger by doing so. I find that the take-up on the trigger either slows down your shooting, or decreases your accuracy. Others may have different experiences though. I find that if I slow-fire this gun, I can get some very good accuracy out of it though, and "acceptable" on rapid fire. too much thinking about "take-up" though when shooting fast.
(2) The frame of the gun is very very light. I don't know the exact measurements, but it's lighter than a Glock and way lighter than anything with an alloy frame or metal inserts in it. The slide assembly on the other hand is quite heavy. I believe that this combination is what causes the greater than normal "snap" this gun has, even in 9mm. Felt recoil is actually pretty heavy for a 9mm, I find. Definitely heavier felt recoil than a Glock 17. I think this "snap" decreases accuracy somewhat, especially on follow-up shots.
If you shoot this gun alot, you can overcome these "issues", if you find them to be issues at all. The P99 has a lot of nice features to it. The grip is the absolute best feeling grip of any pistol I have held. The interchangeable front sites is also a great idea that I wish every pistol had. You can pretty much dial your gun in for your shooting style in 2 minutes. The loaded chamber indicator, cocking indicator, decocker button, and interchangable backstraps are all good features too.
On the reliability thing... forget about that. These guns are easily the equal of all the competitors in that category. I don't know where that got started, but I agree with the above poster that it couldn't have started with people that actually shoot this gun a lot. I never had the slightest problem with mine, and I've shot it a ton.
I like the gun. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
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Had one, sold it to buy a deal i couldn't pass up, it's on my short list to get another........
Very snappy, very comfy, i only put about 500rds through it but it was 100% reliable, and im sure more accurate than i could shoot it. I shot my tightest grouping at 10yrds with that little fella than any other pistol i've shot.
Very snappy, very comfy, i only put about 500rds through it but it was 100% reliable, and im sure more accurate than i could shoot it. I shot my tightest grouping at 10yrds with that little fella than any other pistol i've shot.
stormbringer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S.W. Ontario
Wrong Way said:
Actually it was my son's and we sold it in December to buy a G17 for him.
I have the newest generation with the extended mag release in 9mm. I have about 5000 rounds through it without any malfunctions. This is the only da/sa that I can reach everything without changing my grip (except the decocker but I don't need to use this with my stronghand). I find the extended mag release makes a big difference. Double action pull is quite long but very smooth. Coming from 1911s and Glocks I thought this would be a problem but it I don't really notice it after 5000 rounds and lots of dryfire practice. Another reason I purchased this gun is the reset and sa trigger are great. The reset is the shortest I have come across not including 1911s. Also after resetting the trigger it does not have any take up before the break point like most other guns. In my hands this gun is just as accurate as any other with the right ammo. Seems it does not like the current batch that I have right now. Was hitting a 12" gong at 100 with regularity.
They are very accurate. In my hands I could outshoot a Custom BHP I used to own.
Reliable yes. There are threads from at least 2 ranges which comment about small parts breakages being more common in P99.
The A/S trigger is superb.
After chambering a round it is in the Long SA mode. Light takeup before trigger 'clicks' into the short SA mode. Of course if you don't stage it you miss the click and it feels a a long SA.
Short SA mode is available when the the gun slide runs itself after a fired round and when you release the trigger it's in short SA mode. OR: after chambering a round, you CAREFULLY pull back trigger till it 'clicks' into short SA mode.
DA mode is available if you use decocking button.
When I holster one I do so in Long SA mode. theoretically one could carry in short SA mode but may be a little more risky. Lots of US guys say to decock to DA mode to carry.
The hand fit is superb due to contours and palm filling qualities plus you get 3 different size backstraps.
It's reasonably compact for a doublestack gun.
I used to own four but now only have one. In hindsight, I should have kept them and ordered a crapload of parts like I did with my P7's.
Reliable yes. There are threads from at least 2 ranges which comment about small parts breakages being more common in P99.
The A/S trigger is superb.
After chambering a round it is in the Long SA mode. Light takeup before trigger 'clicks' into the short SA mode. Of course if you don't stage it you miss the click and it feels a a long SA.
Short SA mode is available when the the gun slide runs itself after a fired round and when you release the trigger it's in short SA mode. OR: after chambering a round, you CAREFULLY pull back trigger till it 'clicks' into short SA mode.
DA mode is available if you use decocking button.
When I holster one I do so in Long SA mode. theoretically one could carry in short SA mode but may be a little more risky. Lots of US guys say to decock to DA mode to carry.
The hand fit is superb due to contours and palm filling qualities plus you get 3 different size backstraps.
It's reasonably compact for a doublestack gun.
I used to own four but now only have one. In hindsight, I should have kept them and ordered a crapload of parts like I did with my P7's.
I've been shooting a first gen P99 in 9mm for 5 years. About a thousand rounds a year through it at practice and IPSC matches.
The only malfunction I've had is because the gun was dirty. Nothing on it has broken.
The ergnomics of this pistol make a glock feel like a brick. I can reach and operate all of the important controls (trigger, mag release, slide release) with my strong hand without changing my grip. I owned a G17 for about a month before I had to get rid of it.
The trigger reset is the best I've felt on any DA/SA gun. It is short and crisp. Easily felt, and if you ride it just right, you can get scary fast rates of fire.
It is a flippy little gun and that takes a bit of getting used to, but if you hang on to it, you won't have any problems.
The only malfunction I've had is because the gun was dirty. Nothing on it has broken.
The ergnomics of this pistol make a glock feel like a brick. I can reach and operate all of the important controls (trigger, mag release, slide release) with my strong hand without changing my grip. I owned a G17 for about a month before I had to get rid of it.
The trigger reset is the best I've felt on any DA/SA gun. It is short and crisp. Easily felt, and if you ride it just right, you can get scary fast rates of fire.
It is a flippy little gun and that takes a bit of getting used to, but if you hang on to it, you won't have any problems.
my wifes P99 is far more accurate than my Glock. The only thing with a P99 that I find is that the gun feels very snappy...
the muzzle flip is very quick and definite. Its like the slide is too light. But accuracy?.. very accurate.
It has never had any hint of problems feeding ro ejecting. Absolutley flawless gun.
But I'll give you a heads up right now:
Finding spare mags and a holster for it may not be easy. It took me a while before I found any place that had any Walther stuff in stock. Mags are resonable though.. $40 CDN.
the muzzle flip is very quick and definite. Its like the slide is too light. But accuracy?.. very accurate.
It has never had any hint of problems feeding ro ejecting. Absolutley flawless gun.
But I'll give you a heads up right now:
Finding spare mags and a holster for it may not be easy. It took me a while before I found any place that had any Walther stuff in stock. Mags are resonable though.. $40 CDN.
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stormbringer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S.W. Ontario
I should note that I had two parts breakages on mine.
One was a very common occurance on Gen 1 units and was corrected by the factory.
The second one was a main spring failure.
Not to mention 23 broken mag base pads out of 9 mags. (these were all replaced by the factory).
Thus I would say that the gun is great for IDPA but not so good for IPSC..
One was a very common occurance on Gen 1 units and was corrected by the factory.
The second one was a main spring failure.
Not to mention 23 broken mag base pads out of 9 mags. (these were all replaced by the factory).
Thus I would say that the gun is great for IDPA but not so good for IPSC..
That's a good idea. I'd be interested in trying something that might tame the sharp "crack" this gun gives off.SLANTO said:
On their site they don't list Walther under the "Frame-Saver Dual Action Recoil Springs", but they have just about everything else. The Walther spring is basically just a slightly fatter version of the Glock spring. I'm sure it would not be a problem to make one if people started asking for them.
https://www.efkfiredragon.com/categories.php?cat=2
The S/A trigger configuration is probably the best due to the various trigger modes available.
I prefer the original frame design myself. The new ones have a rounded trigger guard, redesigned slide, 'standard' light rail and extended mag release levers. The older ones are harder to get nowadays.
I prefer the original frame design myself. The new ones have a rounded trigger guard, redesigned slide, 'standard' light rail and extended mag release levers. The older ones are harder to get nowadays.
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Can someone please tell me the significance of a P99 WITH NO RAIL?
How old would a Walther P99 WITHOUT a rail have to be? Which model is best to buy? Who carries Walther in Canada?
I am looking at purchasing a Walther P99 (or PPK?) right now but it has no lower rail and it seems to me that no lower rail means that it is at least a few years old. Am I correct? Should I be concerned?
How old would a Walther P99 WITHOUT a rail have to be? Which model is best to buy? Who carries Walther in Canada?
I am looking at purchasing a Walther P99 (or PPK?) right now but it has no lower rail and it seems to me that no lower rail means that it is at least a few years old. Am I correct? Should I be concerned?
I have never heard of this, but it could either be new for 2007, or an old idea that never really saw widespread production. If you have a link to somewhere on the internet, I'd be interested to look at it.Winz said:
I have a 2006 Walther catalog, and there are just 3 models or P99: QA, AS and DAO.
The QA ("Quick Action") is an 8 pound double action trigger that uses a partially pre-cocked striker (I know that some people don't consider this to be "double action", but pulling the trigger does do more than one thing). The trigger travel is half what it is on the DAO model (about 7mm). I believe this is the model many police departments in Quebec use.
The AS ("Anti-Stress") is an 5 lbs./11 lbs. SA/DA trigger. Trigger travel is about 9mm in SA and 15mm in DA. This seems to be the most common model among civillians. This is the model I own. Nice gun.
The DAO ("Double Action Only") is a 9 pound double action trigger that uses a more traditional DAO operation than the QA. Trigger travel is 14mm. Unlike the QA the striker is always at the rest position (no-preload) unless you are pulling the trigger.
P99 Compacts come in the same three models: QA, AS, and DAO - although these guns are incredibly rare in Canada as they are 3.5 inch barrels (89mm), they came out after the prohib laws were changed, and (probably most importantly) Questar hasn't been getting somebody to make 106mm barrels for them!
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