Walther

[samson722]

I've researching a little bit, and I wanted to see if anyone around the forum had any observations or opinions about Walther firearms. In particular, I might be interested in the P99 or P99 Compact. Anyone had experience with them? Any info would be a big help. Thanks.

Cheers!

Samson

[tarrigoni]

I had a P99 in .40. For ME, it was a bit snappy. Also, the trigger was tough to get used to and I was unable to do so after 1k rounds so I sold the pistol and bought a Glock 19.

If you like the trigger and aren't a recoil wimp like me then they're awesome lightweight carry guns. I'd go for one in 9mm now since HiCaps are available.

jmho

[Jim101]

Go with a Bersa .380, looks like a Walther, but, costs ~$200.....Good reliable gun....Lifetime warrenty.......

Jim

[tarrigoni]

Go with a Bersa .380, looks like a Walther, but, costs ~$200.....Good reliable gun....Lifetime warrenty.......

Jim


You're thinking of the PPK, not the P99

P99 --> http://www.waltheramerica.com/images/firearms/WAP65022_sm.jpg

PPK --> http://www.waltheramerica.com/images/firearms/PPK_sm.jpg

Bersa Thunder --> http://www.bersafirearmsusa.com/images/pistols/thun380lt_sat_lg.jpg

[Sharpdogs]

You can always get one of the pellets guns that look and feel like the P99. It will make for cheap practice.

[greencobra]

Samson, I had a PPK 380 a few years ago and was dissapointed in it. NIB and it wouldn't feed reliable enough for me to depend on it. Went through a 3,000+ rd break in and still wouldn't feed properly. And yes, I used factory jacketed stuff. I would get at least 3 feed failures and a stovepipe on each mag shot. A trip to the factory repair station did nothing, feed ramp polished, mags reworked and eventually replaced...nothing, so for a $400 firearm, I chalked it up to experience as they say and traded it as fast as I could on a Para Ord P12 .45. Just like buying a car, ya get a lemon once and you never go back.

[gearloose]

For the same money I'd pass on the Walther and go for a Glock or the Springfield XD. The Walther is cool looking and has the Walther name but there are lots more accessories for the Glock and the XD's are now sold with a load of free stuff
(holster and mag pouches).
Just a point from old gun guys, never buy a gun until it has been out for a year or two. I can't tell you how many good company's have put out some dogs in the past few years.The new SIG 22 is a good example, I can't believe they shipped this POS.

[ADBF]

I have a little PPK/S that I bought back in about 1990 that is awesome. Very reliable and accurate. I also have a flat little TPH that I got about 1992, or thereabouts, that is very reliable. It's only problem is that it tends to print a bit high and right with my chosen ammo, but that's an ammo problem snd shouldn't be too much of an issue for an "up close and personal" type of gun. I bought a PPK/S for my Dad about 2000 that jams up about every mag. Quality must have gone out the window towards the end for Interarms.*

[IKA]

I realize this is an old thread but I would like to hear of any updated information / concerns / ideas about the P99. I have had one since 2002 and it has been flawless which is great since it just recently got pressed into full time EDC.

[PX]

I've researching a little bit, and I wanted to see if anyone around the forum had any observations or opinions about Walther firearms. In particular, I might be interested in the P99 or P99 Compact. Anyone had experience with them? Any info would be a big help. Thanks.

Cheers!

Samson



Sam:

FWIW I can give you MY personal take on Walther firearms.. In the past, (or now) I've had a surplus PP/surplus P1/surplus P5/P99c/AS & P99AS and a PPS.

The only Walther pistols I've ever read considerable questionable traits about are the P22 (P99 lookalike), and the S&W PPK..

The P22, just from what I read (in many places) is simply not up to Walther standards and is iffy at best. The S&W PPK is actually not a Walther anyway, but is a S&W version of the Walther PPK.. Walther sold them the rights to the PPK model pistol, and replaced the PPK with the new PPS. I have read many opinions on all German PPK's and the new S&W PPK's, but after all is said and done IMO the PPS is a better choice in that it's about the same size, weight, and offers the much better 9mm round.

I still have a P99/AS as my home defense pistol, (well, on my side of the bed.. Mama prefers an old Ruger Security-Six 357mag on hers) and I consider the P99/AS as an excellent pistol.. So far my P99/AS has been 100% reliable, and very, very accurate. Great capacity at 15+1 (or 16+1) w/SW99 mags, and it's a keeper for me.

I HAD a fantastic P99c/AS, which in a brain fart moment I sold after I got my new PPS because their virtues overlapped to the extent having both was redundant. My P99c/AS had been 100% reliable, and also very, very accurate.

Two hundred rounds into my new PPS the ejector went bad, and I sent it back to S&W (who does the warranty work on the P99's and PPS pistols.. Probably P22's also), and after they couldn't fix it the first trip they just sent me back a new PPS.. My first PPS was 14XX, my new PPS is 4XXX, so hopefully is "bug free".. So far the new PPS is fine, but I caution anyone about buying a new model anything, and I broke my own rule with the PPS so have no room to complain. I'm NOT buying a Ruger LCP for at least a year for that very reason.

In hindsight, I prefer the P99c/AS over the very thin, lighter PPS...

IMO the PPS is excellent...

Best Wishes,

Jesse

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_7991-1.jpg

[charlie fox]

I owned a .380 PPK/S for about a year back in the late 80's - good solid gun, loooong DA trigger. The slide always bit the web of my hand during firing though...not pleasent, but the newer models have the extended tang to alleviate this problem. I would own another one for collectors sake but with Keltec and Ruger making a tiny .380 it doesnt make much sense.

My only experience with the P99 was a fellow officer had one in 9mm at the range and he allowed me to put a couple of magazines downrange. It was comfortable in my hand (it does have changable backsides to the grips to adjust this) and shot well (at 5 yds I kept all shots within a pattern about the size of my hand - all center mass and firing quickly). The hammer drop and magazine release would take some getting used to I think. I was impressed...not enough to buy one however.

[Stutoffee]

You can always get one of the pellets guns that look and feel like the P99. It will make for cheap practice.



Also an Airsoft Walther P99 is great fun for when you want to put on a dinner jacket & stalk around the house in the style of James Bond! ;D

Or So Ive heard! Ive personally NEVER done that! Really! :-X

[swatz]

Samson,
I am a very big fan of Walthers! I own a full size P99 in .40 for home, and I carry a P99c AS every day as my CCW..I believe that Walther makes some of the highest quality pistols out there...I have had great luck with mine..no failures in either one! The only other pistol I can say that about is my Glock 26.Do yourself a favor and rent one at your range, extremely accurate and both fit my hand perfectly, I can't imagine you not liking one after you try one ;)
Best, Steve

[mohctep]

My wife, and several of my friends own P 22s.They all love them,and have had no problems with them.

[c22m22c]

my best friend owns 6 walthers. He's totally bitten by brand loyalty. He's got the p22, p99 9mm, p99 9mm DAO, p99 .40, p99c 9mm, and the newest little one in 9mm. He's had reliability issues with the p22, so he sticks with stronger rounds, with no problems.

his p99 DAO doesn't get used since he hates DAO.

[c22m22c]

his p99 9mm broke its ejector on some nasty promags. Funny thing was that he went about 200 rounds before noticing.

and his little one...pps, i think had the DECORATIVE carbon fiber on the grip start peeling off in his hand.

overall he's pleased, and so was i. His have been good to him...especially his carry models.

[dovk0802]

A lot of the units in the Iraqi Army have the P99's (in 9mm). My battalion probably had about 25 or so. The only problems I notices were loose sights, which could be fixed with some locktite or staking, and a couple of damaged magazines, which is common in military environments with relatively poorly trained people-shouldn't be a real problem. The main thing I didn't like was the manual of arms with the decock mechanism on the top of the slide. I found it awkward & not intuitive. I think it was a contributing factor for some ND's. Could be overcome with training, just something to think about. All in all, I thought they were fine & I'm curently looking for a good deal on a P22 for myself.

[Timbokhan]

I don't have any particular problems with the Walther line, but I also can't find a compelling reason to choose them over Glock or even the new M&P. Glocks are ugly, but they are about as simple as can be to operate and I think they have been on the market long enough to prove that they are reliable, solid guns.