[slh02]

Hello all, upon handling my P99 today I noticed something... there are a couple of spots on the left side of the slide. The spots are orange-ish in color and are located in front of the Walther banner and along the bottom of the slide near the frame. If I didnt know any better, I would almost say that they are rust spots or the beginning of oxidation. It should be noted that one can only see the spots if the slide is held at an angle in good lighting and that they are very light.

If it is oxidation, I would really like opinions on how this could have happened. Not only do I keep the gun coated with a generous amount of CLP but I was under the impression that the P99 had a tennifer-like finish which is very rust resistant. Basically, I'm at a loss on how this could happen because it is my only handgun and I baby it like there is no tomorrow.

Also, is there anything else that it could be besides oxidation? Any one else had this problem? Any suggestions on how to remove it? I already tried scrubbing with CLP but that didnt help.

As always, thanks for any and all replies.

[fastbolt]

Well, CLP often won't remove brass residue from a carbon steel sight base after I've installed one ... I've generally got to use some solvent, and even a brush (being careful not to remove the finish of ordinary blued carbon steel).

The QPQ version of the Tenifer hardening treatment is hard ... really hard ... I can tell you from experience that removing a burr from a slide that's been treated with the Melonite QP version of the process takes a lot longer than removing a similar burr from "plain" carbon or stainless steel.

That being the case, do you holster your P99 ... and if so, are there any brass snaps or rivets in the holster? I have a thigh holster for one of my SW99's which has some painted brass connectors, and at least one of them is located where it rubs against the slide during holstering and drawing ... which leaves a slight brown "smear" visible in the surface of the slide if you look at it in the "right" light. This is removed by solvent and some elbow grease during cleaning ...

[lunde]

What are the first two digits of your P99's six-digit serial number?

[SouthpawShootr]

What are the first two digits of your P99's six-digit serial number?

PLEASE NOT WALTHER TOO?:what:

[forcefed]

Not Walther but, SWalther...Think he is asking the serial to determine if it is a true German piece or if it was made here by S&W. I had a SWalther P99 and the finish was indestructible. Just a little saliva and a thumb would get spots and holster wear right off.

-Michael

[slh02]

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you all but I just got back from work. First, while I do own a fobus holster for it, the gun is only in it maybe 5 mins a week as we do not have ccw here in Md and my range does not allow holsters. So I seriously doubt that this would be the case.

Second, the first two digits are "05" and it is a 9mm. I am pretty sure mine is 100% german made as the little test target is written in german and I have all of the "eagle over n" proofmarks. I would however like to know if this is not the case.

Third, I should probably say that the spots I said were near the frame are actually more like streaks of the orangish color. I will try tonight to see if I can use a toothbrush to scrub it off, but I dont think that it is going to happen based on the scrubbing I did with some patches.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for the replies so far. Please keep the suggestions coming as I'm totally lost on how this could happen only 5 months after I purchased the gun (has an "AC" date code).:(

[forcefed]

Yup, It is a German made P99. The Swalthers were only in .40 and started with a serial of "46.... I can't imagine what the streaks are, but I would think they should come off before the tennifer does.

[slh02]

Just a little update for those who care. After scrubbing for nearly a half hour with a toothbrush and some Hoppes solvent, the spot and streaks are still present. Again, they are very faint and although I dont really think so, they may have been there since I purchased the gun (since I have only had it since Christmas). I will continue to monitor the spots and streaks to see if they become larger or more noticeable. If they do, I will take advantage of Walther's 1 year warranty. :)

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. I will chime in if anything changes or I find out what the problem is. This gun has been perfect for well over 1000 rounds now and besides this, I have been more than pleased with it.

[Nathan Alexander]

Man, you should really try some eezox on your slide. My P99 had two orange straks on it when I bought it, but they came right off with eezox...there are absolutely no marks or signs that the orange streaks were ever there. Maybe you should try it!

-Nathan