SW99 .40 S&W any good?

[shooten]

SW99 .40 S&W compact any good?

I'm looking for a compact that I will have if I'm approved for CCW. A gentleman working the counter suggested the SW99 with the 3.5 inch barrel. It was approved last month for sale in California and I really like alot of the features (DA, De-cocker, etc). I went to another shop to get a second opinion and this guy tried to sell me the P99 with the 4.12" barrel. He said that the SW SW99 had problems with the barrel and corrosion. Anyone know if that is a fact? Or does anyone have an opinion on P99 vs SW99?

I suspect he wanted me to buy the P99 because they were in stock. I would like the 3.5" barrel but won't buy if there are quality problems. I guess the P99 does not come in a compact.

thanks in advance,

Scott

Update: did a search on the SW99 (duh?). If there's anything new, please reply.

 

[pale horse]

I have held both and shot the P99. IMO I like the P99 better. From what I have read the the S&W99 has spotty QC issues. If the price is an issue get the s&w if its not then dont worry about it. The other thing I would suggest is shooting them at the range to see which one you like better.

 

[DougB]

I own a full-sized SW99 in 9mm. I'd be very surprised if there are corrosion issues with it. Unlike the Walther P99, the SW99 is made of stainless steel that has a durable finish applied over the stainless. My pistol has always been reliable, but always shot low with 115gr ammo, so S&W swapped out the barrel and slide at no cost (they even paid shipping, even though I bought it used, and it was several years old). I'm very comfortable with the S&W service.

A lot of people prefer the Walthers (mostly for the name, I believe), and I wouldn't argue against getting one, BUT, for CCW I would look very hard at the new compact S&Ws (I've held a couple, but not fired them). They are signnificantly smaller than the full-sized SW99/P99s. I'll bet someone comes out with a grip filler that slips over the full-sized magazines to give you the same grip size as the full-sized pistol. This will make the compact version very versatile. I didn't like the photos I saw of the compacts, but when I actually saw and held one, I was favorably impressed. For a CCW gun, I think the compact SW99 would be the top choice - much easier to conceal - and most of the benefits of the full-sized gun (including 11-round capacity in .40).

Doug

 

[shooten]

Thanks Pale Horse. I'm going to see if my local range has a P99. I doubt they have the SW99 compact though.


DougB
I'm strongly leaning toward the compact. After reading the 50 or so threads on the SW99 vs P99, I have a much better understanding. I'm hoping someone that's shot the compact will pipe in here. They're tough to find here in San Diego so far.

thanks,

Scott

 

[Bowlcut]

I have never shot the compact but held it in my hands. It didnt feel all that compact to me other than I had no place for my pinky to rest. I have recently started to love my sw99 .40 fullsize. I was regetting buying over the p99 till I shot one. sheslinger's p99 felt exactly like my sw99 in every single factor. It shot the same, trigger felt the same, and finish looked the same. So I got my sw99 with night sights and bigger calaber than the p99 I was looking at....for a good price. Cant beat it with a stick. And for a carry gun or work horse type gun Id almost say go with the smith every time....the lifetime warrenty could come into play here. Yea smith poltics sucks....but no doubting they make some good guns.

Everyone says Walther is better, and I would say it too. But you know what the few examples Ive compared my gun to, I just cant see the difference glaring in my face. So if you want a range gun to show off with, P99. If you want a work horse every day gun id say SW99.

On the finish....smith uses melonite over stanless coatings, and the steel is all heat treated. Walther uses a tenfier based coating over cold steel that is only spot heat treated....ok i may be backwards on the heat treating I really forget. But so far, about 3 months Ive not had any noticable change in finish on the slide. The barrel has some wear from use, and its shiney as any stainless would be. No spot rust or any discoloration. Only reason the difference is the EPA banning tenifer processin in the US i believe.

I would like to shoot the compact, but honestly it didnt feel any smaller or lighter weight than my full size. One cool thing is it will take the full sized mags...yea sticks out the bottom but if you are at the range it really doesnt matter. If you are wanting something smaller Id likely point ya to like a P7, p11, taraus or something else. As both compact and full sized barrels are pretty long, wide, and butt sticks way out. But thats just my opinion....read sig

 

[Tacblack]

If possible I recommend trying someone's but thats not always possible. I liked the gun till I shot my Faustulus.
The trigger relation to the grip was to close and low for me, I could not make a good group off a rest even. As for you give it a couple dry fire trys on a small target and see how it works for you.