P-99 Owners-Need some Opinions/Advice

[Peacemaker]

I have a Walther P-99 AS in .40 s+w. This is my first polymer-framed pistol. I purchased it for it's outstanding ergonomics and
features. The only concern that I have is that the slide has some side-to-side play between it and the frame. With a loaded magazine, it's barely noticable. With an empty mag or no mag, the slide rattles in the frame.
Is this normal for this pistol or is this what can be expected with a "plastic" gun? I have not noticed this causing any shooting inaccuracies in the <500 rounds I have put through it(other than my sub-par techniques) but would like to know what you P-99 owners think.

Thanks

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I think it's OK! Just keep putting rounds through it and if it gives you trouble, ship it to S&W customer service on their dime.

If it'll make you feel better you can always ship it to them just to have them make sure it's in spec.

 

[Shipwreck]

DO not worry about it. My P99s are not that loose, but I have seen others that are. Also, I prev owned a gun that was exactly as you described. Once the mag was in it, it had far less play. As long as the barrel doesn't move around when the slide is closed, then U are fine. Don't worry about it as long as the gun shoots accurately at the range.

 

[Spartacus451]

The barrel locks up mostly with the slide and not the frame. Because the sights are on the slide you will still have good accuracy because the sights on the slide and the barrel will align the same way each time. The frame mostly serves to hold everything together and provide some upward pressure on the barrel when going into battery (locking block).

I am not a gunsmith nor do I play one on TV.

 

[alawsin]

How timely! I sent my P99 in to S&W on Aug. 9th, they received it Aug. 10th. I thought they would fix the looseness in mine (stupid, I know). I just got a call this afternoon (Oct. 13th) saying that everything is in spec. Two months, they didn't do anything. It rattled like crazy with the slightest movement in my wrist. And even with a loaded mag inserted and the slide forward, the barrel would still move side to side. BTW, I have another P99 (the old model) that is still tight as a drum, years after I bought it and used. I compare that old P99, my Berettta PX4, Glocks, and all the other guns that I own and they are fitted so much better than my new P99. I regret purchasing the new P99; I wish I knew that Walther and S&W lowered their standards so much now (sorry Walther fans) and that their service time is so lousy now before I bought the P99 online. I wouldn't have bought it, and I told the man on the phone this afternoon, very politely, that I will never buy anything else from either company again (not that it really mattered to him judging from his tone of voice).

So to answer the thread, the looseness is normal in the current models. They will not fix anything if you send it to them, and if you do send it to them, be prepared for a long wait to get it back in the same condition.

 

[yy]

alawsin:

not to defend Walther or anything, but you might consider this line of thought ... Walther people took this long to inspect your pistol. Probably went from the floor of the service department to their experts and escalated from there. Then finally, with much care, they find that the pistol will not malfunction. In other words, it'll shoot. And be fairly accurate.

Be not stressed. No worries. A loose gun that shoots will also perform well in mud and snow. Maybe you could torture test it and publish the result to rub Walther's noses in it. Or not.

The guy you spoke to certainly had his dinner just fine. So why hurt your own blood pressure?

BTW: how's the accuracy of that P99? You might have a strong case if that rattling and moving barrel gives you lousy grouping at 25 yards. Especially from a gun rest. Then tell Walther they have to do something to correct the poor workmanship.

But again, be not stressed. Let them stress when you present a strong case. Then you can enjoy a very nice dinner.

 

[incursion]

I have one of the older P99s with the fine serrations, and there is slight play in my slide with a loaded mag in. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Thorn001]

My issue gun is a SW99 and I previously owned another SW99.Neither of mine had the play in the slide you mention. After reading your post I checked with other officers on my shift and none of them report the problems you have with yours. Is yours a Walther P99 or a S&W SW99? My understanding is that all the frames are made by Walther but the slides for the SW99 at made by Smith and the ones for the Walther are made by Walther. I'm not sure if this makes a difference.

As for accuracy, the gun in 40S&W is more accurate than our previous S&W 4046s.

 

[DFW1911]

I wouldn't worry about it. Mine doesn't have too much play and works as it's supposed to.

If your's has play and performs as advertised, rest easy. If you're uncomfortable, send it in. It'll be checked out and returned pronto.

You've made a great purchase, BTW.

Take care,
DFW1911

 

[OH25shooter]

My P99 has the same rattle. It's normal for a factory line auto. The tolerances are not that tight. Now, if you get a chance, pick up a custom made auto. My S&W Performance Center 952-2 is custom built. The tolerances are .002. That's the width of a human hair. Smooooooth and very tight. NO side to side movement. It's kinda like slamming the car door on a BMW compared to a Chrysler.

 

[Oboeman]

Consider trading the gun for something that makes you happier. It sounds like the gun will perform well, but you don't have confidence in it. While I think the tightness of the slide fit has less to do with accruacy that the manner in which the barrel consistently locks up (and I'm no gunsmith by the way), you won't use a gun that you feel poorly about. Just my two cents, but I have had the same experience with other guns on rare occasion, and they either took up space in the safe...or I traded them and felt good about the newer one.

Go Vols.

 

[Geronimo45]

I've got an all-steel 1911 whose slide rattles a little bit(near the dustcover area) - and it's not more than two years old, not shot much. The slide allows for a little space between it and the rails - for more reliable cycling, and probably also to make machining easier - bigger the tolerances, the less likely it is for the slides you make to fail to fit the frame.

 

[Soybomb]

How timely! I sent my P99 in to S&W on Aug. 9th, they received it Aug. 10th. I thought they would fix the looseness in mine (stupid, I know). I just got a call this afternoon (Oct. 13th) saying that everything is in spec. Two months, they didn't do anything. It rattled like crazy with the slightest movement in my wrist. And even with a loaded mag inserted and the slide forward, the barrel would still move side to side. BTW, I have another P99 (the old model) that is still tight as a drum, years after I bought it and used. I compare that old P99, my Berettta PX4, Glocks, and all the other guns that I own and they are fitted so much better than my new P99. I regret purchasing the new P99; I wish I knew that Walther and S&W lowered their standards so much now (sorry Walther fans) and that their service time is so lousy now before I bought the P99 online. I wouldn't have bought it, and I told the man on the phone this afternoon, very politely, that I will never buy anything else from either company again (not that it really mattered to him judging from his tone of voice).

So to answer the thread, the looseness is normal in the current models. They will not fix anything if you send it to them, and if you do send it to them, be prepared for a long wait to get it back in the same condition.

What size groups does it shoot at how many yards when shot from a rest? Ever had any malfunctions?

 

[Peacemaker]

Oboeman,

I think you hit it on the head. Being new to handguns (less than 2 yrs shooting experience) I know it's more accurate than me. But the rattling messes with my confidence in it. I'm more accurate with my CZ P-01 in 9mm-the gun costs less than th Walther P99 and feels more durable. However, I know the reputations Walthers have.
BTW, there's is no play between the barrel and slide which pretty much answers my original concern.

Thanks for the replies.

PS-I was offered $500 for it by a friend-I may consider selling this to get into the 1911's-really like the STI Ranger II.

Let the comments fly!

 

[sulpak]

Try using a 115 grain teflon head for your P99.