JMOfartO:
I had the P99/AS and the compact P99c/AS.. I found them to both be fantastic pistols.
IF there is a downside to the Walther P99 model it is that it is imported by Smith & Wesson, and the warranty is one year.. One year of warranty and S&W has that responsibility..
I have a friend who wanted a P99/AS after shooting mine, but could not find one, so bought a SW99 instead. The SW99 is basically the same pistol as the P99 with the exceptions the slide and barrel are made in the USA, while the rest of the pistol is all German, Walther made..
We shot our two pistols together and his SW99 was every bit as accurate and reliable as my P99 but didn't have the Walther banner on the slide..
The SW99 has a LIFETIME warranty, backed by S&W and my experience with S&W Customer Service/Warranty Repair has been excellent. I DID get the distinct impression that fixing broken Walthers was not of their highest priority.. (I sent back a defective PPS to them a couple of times).
IF I were in the market for the P99 and could find an SW99 cheaper, knowing it had a lifetime warranty, I'd be buying the SW99.
But if you are determined you need the Walther, buy it.. It's an awesome platform in 9MM and "AS" trigger/striker mode.
As to the qualities of the HK P2000?
Well, can't help you there, but I do have a 9mm P2000sk (V3) which is my cc choice in that caliber. I chose the smaller SK version because cc is my primary use for it, and the only bonus the larger P2000 had (for me) was the slightly larger capacity 13rd mag. (sk has 10). Xgrip makes a fine adapter for the P2000 mag, and using it on the P2000 mag in the smaller SK gives me the higher capacity in a smaller package.. Another advantage of using the longer mag is that folks with larger hands probably won't be happy with the ten round fingertip mag that comes with the SK.
In my experience comparing the P99c/AS vs the P2000sk (V3) I would say either makes a fine choice. Both pistols were amazingly accurate, absolutely reliable, and IMO a person would be well armed with either..
I do like the external hammer on the HK, and the lifetime warranty, but both pistols are excellent choices in my opinion.
Of course if you could find an SW99, or SW99 compact, (they seem to be sorta hard to find) I think it would compare well to either the Walther or the HK..
Just personal opinion, no offense intended to those with differing opinions.
Best Wishes,
Jesse