Springfield XD vs Walther p99 - .40 s&w

[Fat Boy]

Two .40 s&w's are available at the LGS-
Springfield - $450
Walther p99 -$399

I like the way the Walther feels in my hand.

I have read some negative things about the Walther

I want to know that the gun will be durable, and with proper care and use last many years- does the Walther provide this?

Is the Springfield XD better than the Walther and if so why?

Thanks!

 

[hk-sigman]

Both are excellent guns. However, the Walther P99 is a much more refined pistol.It is a superior weapon in fit, finish, quality and reliability. Not by a much but it is better.

 

[CPshooter]

I've owned both. In .40s&w, the XD is the better and more shootable platform IMHO. That being said, I just bought a P99 in 9mm and no longer own any XD guns (for no reason in particular though). Sometimes certain pistol platforms are just meant for a particular cartridge and other times they are not. The .40s&w from the P99 is harsh while the XD makes it a dream to shoot. Both guns are of equal quality and reliability, but the XD probably has a more consistent and better looking black finish. Had this thread been about choosing a 9mm, I'd have said P99, but if you are insisting on a .40 I'm going to have to say XD on this one.

 

[Kiln]

The XD won't disappoint you and has Springfield's lifetime warranty behind it. They're excellent pistols with very positive reviews and the two XDM's I have both work with complete reliability and are very accurate too. The XD's have a similar reputation.

I can't speak for the Walther P99 but honestly that price seems very low, I'm assuming that the gun is used. Officially at least, the Walther is only covered by a 1 year warranty...and that is on new guns.

Either way you can't go wrong but given the circumstances I'd go with the XD but that is simply because I prefer a gun with a lifetime warranty if I can possibly get one, especially on guns that will see high round counts.

The center fire Walther pistols have great reviews and are known for quality/reliability and so does the Springfield.

 

[777TRUTH]

Both are high quality, you wont go wrong with either.

Get the one that feels better in your hands.

 

[Fishbed77]

I have read some negative things about the Walther

Curious as to what you read. The P99 is a superior pistol in terms of trigger feel, fit, finish, ergonomics, and quality. Both pistols will be reliable.

That said, while the .40 S&W P99 is a great pistol, the 9mm version is absolutely sublime.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Curious as to what you read. The P99 is a superior pistol in terms of trigger feel, fit, finish, ergonomics, and quality. Both pistols will be reliable.

That said, while the .40 S&W P99 is a great pistol, the 9mm version is absolutely sublime.

+1. Where can one find this info? As for my experience, non Umarex Walthers are difficult to beat.

 

[Airburst]

My daily CCW is a S&W 99-40, which is the same gun as the Wather, except for the trigger guard. A smooth shooting 40 and accurate. I'd go with the Walther, unless you can pick up S&W 99-40.

 

[ExTank]

I'll second CP Shooter's analysis of the P99 in .40; it's a bit of a beast.

If you were going for 9mm, I'd say no contest, get the P99.

Haven't fired any XDs, but they did feel good in-hand.

Also curious about what bad things you may have heard about Walther, esp. if it's relating to the P99. The only thing that I can think of are some problems with the P22 and PK380.

Their main-line guns (P99, PPQ, etc.) are if anything undervalued in the U.S.A. due to the market dominance of Glock and Sig (due more to advertising budgets and marketing strategy than any substantive qualitative edge over Walther, IMO).

 

[meanmrmustard]

The only thing that I can think of are some problems with the P22 and PK380.

This, in spades. These are Umarex...look at actual Walther products.

XDs are good. Walthers are grand. Especially the PPQ in whatever iteration we are in of that model.

 

[Fat Boy]

This is a used Walther-

The only thing I found was in removing the slide; when it slid forward off the rear frame section it seemed a bit loose on the front frame connection points.

I guess the magazines are kind of expensive also-

This is a situation where this gun feels good; seems to "fit" my hand and I would like to go with it but don't want to buy a relative "unknown"

I appreciate all the help!

 

[Kiln]

I prefer a new gun over a used one if the two are similarly priced.

Same goes for guns with warranties when compared against guns without.

I'd go with the XD, you won't regret it.

 

[Fishbed77]

The only thing I found was in removing the slide; when it slid forward off the rear frame section it seemed a bit loose on the front frame connection points.

This is normal for the Walthers. These pistols are built to be reliable under all conditions. The loose slide-to-frame fit is meant to allow the pistols to function reliably in the presence of sand/dirt/ice. As long as the barrel/slide lockup is good, you will have an accurate pistol.

I guess the magazines are kind of expensive also-

Buy the Magnum Reseach-marked magazines for the "MR Eagle" P99 clone. These are identical to the Walther-marked magazines, aside from the name on the baseplate. Both are made by Mec-Gar, but the Magnum Reseach-marked mags sell for about $30, whereas the Walther-marked mags sell for about $50.

This is a situation where this gun feels good; seems to "fit" my hand and I would like to go with it but don't want to buy a relative "unknown"

The P99 is far from "unknown". It has been proven by over 15 years of service, and while not as common as Glocks, Sigs, or XDs in the US market, it has been very successful in the European LE and military markets (to the point that, until very recently, Walther never really made a big push in the US market, because they felt they didn't need to).

 

[Ehtereon11B]

I have both models and both take turns being my EDC firearm. Both are excellent, safe, reliable and accurate pistols. But I will say the edge goes to the P99 since I prefer SA/DA pistols.

 

[rhinoh]

I have two P99's a 9 and the .40. Both have been flawless. Personally I don't find the 40 to recoil noticeably harsher than the 9, which is certainly mild.