Sig P228 vs Walther P99 AS

[Radjxf]

Anyone here owned or fired both of these? I'd like to hear any comparisons, esp about the triggers. I've owned and fired a P228 that I foolishly traded away, but am now interested in the P99 AS. Have yet to handle one, just have heard positive things. Any experience welcome to hear.
P.S. Please no "get a Glock" responses--not interested! Thanks

 

[Silvanus]

The Walther P99 is an excellent pistol. The AS version really has an outstanding trigger, which is probably part of the reason why it's so darn accurate. Fits my hands very nicely, but that's a personal thing, you have to try that for yourself. But you can't go wrong with the SIG either. I'd still choose the P99 though. A very underrated gun in my opinion, but on par with all the big brands like SIG, Glock, H&K, ect.

 

[OH25shooter]

I actually have both, the P99AS and a P229 SigSauer. To me, the Walther seems more service weapon size and the SigSauer more conceal carry size; however the 228/229 is carried as a service weapon. My Sig also seems to be slightly heavier and thicker in the grips. Of course as you know, the P99 has three adjustable grip pieces. Regarding the triggers, the 228/229 is pure DA/SA. The P99AS is set up different. The first DA on the Walther is much longer than the Sig. Plus it has the decocker for DA or SAO trigger adjustment, and the magazine release is pulldown instead of the push button. I've never been fond of that design. Many times I've thought about trading away one or the other. I cannot decide, so I've kept both and likely will not sell either one. Either choice is a quality made firearm. I also agree it is an underrated handgun, maybe due to the lack of Walther marketing in the states.

 

[Kacerdias]

Having never fired a Sig 228 I cannot comment on that particular firearm. I have fired a Sig 226. The ergonomics of that pistol are pretty good and the trigger was wonderful. The trigger reset was very short and extremely predictable. I liked it. The grip felt a little chunky and the slide had a noticeable rattle after every shot but it fed every type of ammo and was impressively accurate.

I own and carry a Walther P99c in 9mm which is very similar to its fullsize sibling but in a more comfortably carried package. You really have to experience the anti-stress trigger to appreciate it. Double action is long but not too heavy. The reset is precise and single action follow up shots are very controllable. The ergonomics are very good for a compact pistol and my guess is the fullsize is even easier to grip. The AS system is unique in that it blends the best aspects of DAO (no external safeties needed) with SA (short trigger pull, fast reset). I wanted a CZ 110 because it had a similar setup but that pistol never made it to the US. The Walther is a good pick. I never feel undergunned carrying mine.

 

[Ala Dan]

Having only owned (and fired) a very early West German SIG-SAUER P228,
my vote has too rest with it; as its the most perfectly balanced self-loading
pistol that I have ever placed in my hands. Mine is an early example 1990
model, that has been rendered and tagged as a "SAFE QUEEN"; and "NEVER
TO GET RID OF" weapon. I still have the old (silver-gray-white-and red) card
board box, with the manual or arms and factory test target, with an extra
standard capacity magazine. I gave $550 for the package, many years ago
when "large capacity feeding devices" were still on the restricted list~!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have no direct experience (owning or shooting) with the Walther, just handled an earlier DA/SA model in a gun shop. I have a P228 made in 1995. It is of the highest quality, accurate and reliable ... and I can't shoot it worth a <darn>. Its fat grip and long trigger reach are simply too large for my hands, and I've never done well with the DA/SA trigger pull transition. The Walther has a more slender grip, a shorter trigger reach and this AS trigger is the same from the first shot to the last.

 

[Navy87Guy]

I used have a Sig P228 -- still have a Walther P99AS. That tells you which side of this argument I come down on.

First, remember that you're asking to compare a compact (P228) to a full-size (P99) pistol. That's where my problem lay. The P228 is too small for my hand to fit it comfortably -- whereas the ergonomics on the P99 are exceptional. I found the placement of the decocker on the P228 to be a bit problematic (it was right where my thumb wanted to be) - while other people dislike the mag release on the P99.

I also found (surprisingly) that the larger P99 was more comfortable to carry. I had the same model holster for both guns and the P99 was infinitely easier and more comfortable to lug around. I even bought a P99 Compact, but finally sold it because it didn't provide any carry advantage over the full-size.

The Sig is definitely a well-made gun, but it just didn't work for me. I'm a full-size kind of guy (my current carry gun is a Beretta PX4 Storm). You really need to get your hands on both guns for a decent comparison. No one else's experience will be the same as yours so despite all the opinions and advice you'll get, it all comes down to what feels right for you.

Jim

 

[Mr Kablammo]

I have shot both. Both were pretty accurate with the edge to the P99. With regards to triggers, the Sig P226 was heavy DA and scary-light SA. Perhaps it was a police trade-in. The P99 had a smooth long DA that did not feel like one had to 'squeeze' the gun to get the trigger to start moving. With regards to CCW, the Sig grip was a boat and the hammer can jam into your side. Overall, the edge went to the P99. That was not expected.

 

[FieroCDSP]

OH25shooter: If you ever feel up to selling it, let me know. I've been looking at the Walther for a while now. The grip feels almost as comfortable as my M&P, but I've only handled one at the counter. I know it's slightly smaller than the M&P, and I can conceal that reasonably well. For a polymer pistol, it seems to rate fairly well. At least I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about it.

 

[Shipwreck]

Trust me - the P99 is a fantastic gun if purchased in the A/S variation!

 

[gc70]

I have owned both the P228 and the P99AS. The Walther's grips feel better in the hand and the decocker and mag release are works of ergonomic genius. The Sig is better balanced, points more naturally, and recovers more quickly. Both guns are more accurate than I can shoot and are superbly crafted. The AS trigger on the Walther is more versatile than a TDA and has a short reset. The Sig's SA trigger pull is crisp and the DA pull is smooth enough to remind me of S&W revolver triggers. The Walther's polymer frame and tennifer slide have clearly superior finish/appearance durability compared to the Sig.

Overall, I would prefer to shoot the Sig and carry the Walther.