Walther P99 and PPQ lovers please report experiences!!

[sigarms228]

So I am a big SIG lover and never even gave Walther a second thought. I already own a Glock 19 Gen 2 and a SP2022 9MM as far as poly pistols. I REALLY like my SP2022 and don't need another poly 9MM pistol but I can't get the Walther out of my head so I think I am going to have to buy one sometime soon in 9MM. I really wanted to like the HK P30 and would have bought one if I could shoot is at least almost as good as my SIGs but no dice - the trigger just does not do it for me but nice pistol otherwise.

My son graduated college last year and I gave him some stash to buy himself some nice things and one day he comes home with a Walther P99 AS in .40. Hmm I said still not that interested in it other than I thought it looked REALLY cool and then at the range he asks me if I want to try it and I say sure. Then after the first 12 rounds I ever put through it he laughed and thought I missed the target all together except for a couple rounds at 25 feet. Then I reeledl the target in and dang - not a bad group at all the the very FIRST try with the P99. I though the recoil was a little bit much and would prefer a 9MM myself. After trying his P99 AS a couple more times it never failed to impress me and ever since I am really thinking I want a P99 AS or PPQ for myself in 9MM. The grip on the P99 was also the most comfortable I have ever held including the P30 in comparison. Then there is that wonderful price on a new P99/PPQ - for a German proofed pistol of high quality that used to sell for quite a bit more but now around $550 - $570.

So I have to ask what have been your experiences with the Walter P99 and the PPQ?? Have you found them to be one of your more accurate pistols to shoot? How do you consider the recoil/muzzle flip compared to other pistols you have tried in 9MM? How do you find the trigger as I find it to be simply oustanding/amazing?? Has you P99/PPQ been reliable and durable? How do you consider quality/fit/finish to be overall? What else do you like or not like??

Also I am especially interested in hearing about experiences, good or bad, with the new Walther PPQ and what your preference may be compared to the P99 AS including ergonomics, accuracy, and trigger??

Thanks!!

Very FIRST time ever trying the P99 AS.

 

[gun addict]

i just bought the exact same gun yestoday! Took it to the range and the recoil, to me at least, was alot less than the USP40 i had. The grouping was also excellent

funny thing though, the Walther used serial number : FAA, FAB, FAC, FAD etc

just so happened my gun had the serial number FAG all over it

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

i checked out ppq at the gunshop. good trigger pull. short reset as advertised. however, the cost of the gun and aftermarket parts (and lack there of), coupled with only a 1 year warranty forced me to purchase something else.

 

[sigarms228]

i checked out ppq at the gunshop. good trigger pull. short reset as advertised. however, the cost of the gun and aftermarket parts (and lack there of), coupled with only a 1 year warranty forced me to purchase something else.

I can understand the aftermarket cost of parts and availability but the Walther PPQ has a Lifetime Warranty for the original owner.

From the current Walther PPQ manual at S&W/Walther website:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&storeId=10002&catalogId=13152&content=43305

7. Limited Lifetime Warranty
For Owners Within the United States
This warranty is granted by Carl Walther GmbH (“WALTHER”) for original owners of new WALTHER
PPQ pistols. This warranty, which is effective from the date of purchase, shall last for as
long as the original owner owns his or her WALTHER PPQ pistol. With respect to WALTHER PPQ
pistols, this warranty supersedes any and all other warranties

WALTHER Service Center
For Owners Within the United States:
WALTHER AMERICA
Sales + Warranty Service Phone: 1-800-372-6454
2100 Roosevelt Ave. Fax: 413-747-3317
Springfield, MA 01104 E-mail: [email protected]

 

[ExTank]

I have a P99 AS and I thought the trigger felt "mushy" dry firing it. There's a pretty long "pull" and the break is not crisp.

But I got to "try before you buy" at a gun store/indoor range* and I thought it shot sweet. I didn't notice the trigger feel while I was shooting, and I got to rip off some rapid-fire at 7m, and did respectable (8-ring). My slightly arthiritic Dad likes it, and is contemplating one.

I took one home with me that day. I have no complaints, no regrets.

*The had a P99 AS as one of their rentals.

 

[balance 740]

This is the best review I have found for the P99 so far: http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/9149-walther-p99-review.html

And I agree with a lot of what was said in it. I have owned my 9mm P99 for about 5 years now, and with more than 5k rounds through it, it only jammed once on a round of MagTech that had no gun powder. After trying many of the cheapest ammo brands I could find to shoot through it, the pistol has been flawless, and I would consider the P99 to be on the same level quality-wise as Sig or H&K pistols.

I believe Walther was the first company to put ergonomics as a high priority on their polymer pistols. The grip of the P99 was designed by an Italian Olympic pistol grip designer, and the P99 was the first polymer pistol to come out with replaceable backstraps, which every other company seems to offer on their pistols now.

The trigger on the P99 is the best DA/SA trigger on any pistol I have ever felt, metal or plastic. The DA is long but smooth, and the SA is light and crisp. The trigger reset is one of the shortest trigger resets on any pistol I have felt (probably as short or shorter than a 1911), and the trigger resets right at the break point, which makes it very easy to shoot with in my hands. The PPQ trigger is a constant action trigger where the trigger is the same from the first to the last shot, and it mimics the SA of the P99 trigger, just with a heavier take-up.

In my opinion, Walther pistols are not as popular as the other brands because Walther does not do enough advertising in the USA, coupled with the fact that Smith & Wesson (their competitor with the M&P) is the official importer of Walther pistols from Germany. S&W does the customer service and repair for Walther in the USA, and most of the reports of people returning thier pistols to S&W for service have been good. S&W has been known to service P99 pistols after the 1-year warranty had expired, and in most cases I've heard, they didn't charge a penny. The PPQ has a lifetime warranty.

As far as accuracy, the P99 and PPQ have been my most accurate pistols in my hands, and I've seen lots of reports similar to yours, where people have been very accurate with their P99 or PPQ pistols on their first time out. I've never put them in a rest, but from the reports I've seen, they are more mechanically accurate than most of their competition of combat pistols.

My only complaint with these pistols is the amount of muzzle flip. The P99 and PPQ seem to have more flip than any other pistols this size that I have ever tried. Though for me, that doesn't stop these two from being the two easiest pistols for me to shoot quickly and accurately with. I carried my P99 for years and just recently switched to the PPQ since I found that I shot it better.

As far as PPQ accessories, any sights that fit the P99 will fit on the PPQ, and most holsters will fit as well. There are not as many accessories for the P99 or PPQ as on other more popular pistols like Glocks or 1911s, but that could be said for many other pistols as well.

The price of factory mags are pretty high, like $40-$55 for factory mags for the P99 or PPQ, but you can buy the MR Baby Eagle mags for about $30 that will fit both pistols. The MR mags are made by Mec-Gar, just like the original factory mags, and they are the exact same mags except they don't have the "Walther" banner on them and they have a different blued finish.

I don't think you could go wrong with these pistols. If you already shot the .40 version and liked it, then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you pick up a 9mm.

 

[Fishbed77]

The grip on the P99 was also the most comfortable I have ever held including the P30 in comparison.

IMHO, the P99AS is the best polymer handgun on the market. Period. You can see why HK tried to copy it with the P30. Too bad they couldn't get the trigger right.

 

[priler]

OH NO! please don't. please don't ask me what i think of the p99 AS. i don't have that kind of time or energy. can't i tell you i love it and leave it at that? seriously,how many times must i be a fool preaching to people about the p99 AS virtues?,.i mean every single detail from tip to tip?,.including subtle details that you'll discover later.


here's a tiny tidbit for you.

walther wanted a striker fired system,but one that would have the "feel" of a hammer fired,because under german police protocol striker fired pistols "only" need 8 lbs.(3.5kg) of force for cartridge ignition,whereas hammer fired guns must have 12.5 lbs.(5.5kg) of force. what this means is heavier(hammer fired) or lighter(p99 AS) trigger pulls. walther did this specifically to help it be conducive to practical accuracy.

shall i start now on the grip? i mean the tiny details that some don't even know are there. like how when i wrap my hands around it,there's this oddly shaped recess that meets the tips of my three finger perfectly and i instantly feel i'm home.


can i stop now please?

 

[Phantom Captain]

Have to agree with all the positives here too.

I have a P99AS and it's my favorite pistol...ever. I am also of the opinion that it's the BEST polymer 9mm on the market. In fact, I don't even feel the need to look at or get another 9mm or another polymer pistol because nothing could surpass my P99. The only other 9mm I own is a WWII P-38 but that's a whole different story.

Mine also has no malfunctions, no jams, feeds everything perfectly, recoil is completely manageable, trigger is amazing, accuracy is amazing. Have I fawned over it enough yet?

Do yourself a favor and get one, get the 9mm though. I've talked to others who had the .40 and after a while they wish they had bought the 9mm instead. Also, make sure to pick up a few extra mags. No telling how long the 15 rounders will still be available.

 

[cmdc]

I have both the P99 and the PPQ, Both in 9mm. I've had the P99 for a couple of years, and just got the PPQ, and I can only second the above glowing praise for these pistols. They are comfortable, accurate, reliable and easy to shoot well. I don't want to get flamed here, because I have a bunch of Glocks too, but compared to the Walthers, the Glocks feel like bricks to me. I have ordered a PPQ in .40S&W, just to see how it compares to the 9mm. I have not shot one in .40, but have read they are much snappier. I'm about to find out...

 

[18DAI]

I own a new PPQ 9mm. Locally it is a well known fact that I have no use for striker fired plastic guns. I had never shot one that had a decent trigger - UNTIL I shot the PPQ.

At the local indoor range a friend put the PPQ 9mm in my hand. He told me to shoot it and then he would tell me which shop had them in stock. I reluctantly shot it. SUPERB trigger!! Smooth crisp and SHORT pull, WITH A DISTINCT SHORT RESET!!

I quickly put 100 rounds into 3 groups - all under 3" at 15 yards. The next day I went to the local shop and purchased mine. The only striker fired plastic I will purchase or own........well......that P99 does look awfully nice.....

If the word gets out about these PPQ pistols, that ugly M&P with its lousy gritty trigger is doomed and Glock sales will suffer. This is a PERFECTED Glock, IMO. TJ

 

[Shmackey]

I have a PPS for a carry gun, and it's so good that a full-size PPQ is likely my next pistol.

I too don't shoot plastic guns. I mean ... I didn't.

 

[wild cat mccane]

The grip bump is uncomfortable. Why not a grip insert with no bump? The sights are European with a wide gap between the blades. The gun is big.

That said I sold my AS 9mm and am looking at getting another anyways because it is fantastic regardless of these gripes.

 

[cmdc]

Shmackey, since you mentioned the PPS, I want to chime in here as well. They are very good pistols. I have one in 9 and one in 40 and both are easy to shoot accurately. The 40 especially is quite tame, given how light and small the pistol is. I really don't understand why they don't have a larger market share.

 

[Shmackey]

Shmackey, since you mentioned the PPS, I want to chime in here as well. They are very good pistols. I have one in 9 and one in 40 and both are easy to shoot accurately. The 40 especially is quite tame, given how light and small the pistol is. I really don't understand why they don't have a larger market share.

They're fairly new, and a lot of people still don't realize that the most important factor in a CCW gun is width. And some people who do realize it don't realize how paper-thin the PPS is.

 

[sigarms228]

Thanks for all the comments so far - much appreciates!

 

[DAdams]

P99

I have a P99AS in .40. When evaluating the market for my first full size semi I tried everthing I could get my hands on as a range rental. I tried everything else over the counter. I even waited a couple of years and went back and reviewed the market and the P99 ergonomics won out again.
It beat out everything in my mind and hand, The HK was number two and M&P number 3. I personally like the AS trigger set-up, some don't.
Hence you can always do a QA.

The P99 will likely yield more felt recoil as it is quite light for a full sized semi-auto, somthing like 22 ounces IIRC. It was also originally designed for 9mm and the .40 added later.

Since the Walther I have purchased a couple M&Ps, and since the PPQ is now out and the trigger is getting excellent reviews I might have to get one in
9mm some day.

As often stated the marketing has been lacking in the US for the Walthers and up until recently they were about $100 more expensive.

 

[searcher451]

Simply put, both. Well, make that all instead of both: the P99 AS, the P99C AS, and a new PPQ. And don't leave home without them.

 

[fastbolt]

Well, I've written my fair share of things about the P99/SW99 lines over the years on this forum (and others). I won't go back and rehash all of it again.

Suffice to say that as an owner of a SW9940 (full-size .40) and a SW999c, and having carried an issued SW9940 for a few years ... and having been through the SW99/P99 armorer's class 3 times and having fired many thousands of rounds through various models ... I have a lot of respect for the 99 series.

Considering S&W originally offered their lifetime warranty to the original owner on their licensed SW99/990L's, including the Walther parts (which was everything outside of the bare slide & barrel), it only makes sense that Walther finally agreed to extend a lifetime warranty on their newest offering (PPQ). About time.

I haven't looked at one of the PPQ's, but it seems as though Walther finally decided to put some attention toward refining and enhancing their P99 QA model, and not we have the PPQ.

FWIW, I tend to like the 99 series chambered in 9mm, myself.

I also tend to prefer the original sear action, which is similar to a traditional double action gun (or DA/SA if that is more familiar). I never really cared for either the original DAO or the QA (Quick Action). The PPQ is reportedly something like a refinement on the QA in that the trigger is a bit lighter and resets more quickly. Probably a nice improvement for the folks who dislike an initial DA trigger and want a consistent trigger stroke.

I've always wished the 99's frame had been revised to allow more than just backstrap inserts, offering a palm swell alternative, myself, but I found the small & medium arched inserts to be decent enough. Walther has been making some revisions and refinements to their 99 frame over the years, including in the ergonomics. One of the ergonomic changes included eliminating the hooked profile of the grip tang (going to what S&W requested on their licensed frames, which may reduce pressure downward onto the web of the hand for some shooters).

Dropping the hooked ramp inside the trigger guard was probably helpful to those folks who dragged their fingers along the bottom of the guard.

I also liked the ambi mag catch lever, too.

I've always thought the 99 series deserved more attention and respect than it's received over the years. Walther doesn't seem to be inclined toward investing in much in the way of advertising, though, and from what I've been told they've been pretty busy focusing their attention on LE/Gov sales outside the US in recent years. It's nice that they've updated the 99 line here by bringing in their new model.

 

[Gunner442]

LOVE the P99. I have an OD Green P99AS in 9mm, P990(DAO) in .40, and P99 QA Compact in 9mm, and SW99 compact in .40( the joint venture with Walther). Highly reccomended... accurate, dependable, and great ergos. Love the "pointability" of the pistol. I'm also an HK and Glock owner, but really enjoy the Walthers!

 

[5-SHOTS]

Ok, I’m a little late on this thread (as usually…) but I want to add my experience with my Walther P99 AS 9mm late model that I love. The thing that impresses me, every time I hold it, is pointability. The other thing is that everyone that tries the P99 the first time, makes some really nice groups, just like you did! It is sure a very accurate pistol but that means it is easy to shoot also. Speaking about recoil, one time at the range I shot the P99 side by side with a Glock 17 using the same ammunition (Geco 124gr FMJ-RN if I remember well) and the Walther has less muzzle flip for sure, thing I was not expecting. Overall quality is top notch. Buy it with confidence: it is one of the best three SA/DA 9mm polymer guns on the market and the most under-rated in the world. Just what I think about it.

 

[Holland&Holland]

You think YOU are late to this party? =)

I will second the gist of these postings.

After 30+ years of being deeply into the 1911, and opposing the PFSF pistols for the most part even after owning a few, I managed to stumble onto a really clean Interams-marked 1st gen P99 at my local emporium and bought it on the spot after dry firing it a couple of times.

One of my prior PFSF acquisitions was the AS in 9X19. I didn't like the far forward trigger return for SA repeat shots after the first crunch, but the so-called TDA design of the first gen piece works better for me.

Everyone who has fired my example has liked it and commented on both its feel and easy accuracy at first blush, much as you did. After roughly 500 rounds, more than it probably shot in its first 14 years of existence, I have had exactly one FTF due to a hard primer with Russian Tula ammo; a second DA pull rectified matters but it is notable that hammer fired pistols with that large mass striking the pin are possibly more reliable.

After reading several threads here, I am going to avoid using +P ammo in "the old gal," and run with 124 GD or GS ammo. Did use a small Swiss file to bevel the "forward right rear area" leading to the rear slide rail to eliminate clearance with with the striker safety plunger as suggested by others.

I don't think I agree that its reset is as good as a 1911s, but it is surely close. Also, not much of a fan of the .40 version as its felt recoil was out of proportion to its additional power compared to 9X19. In my experience, the reset is critical to accurate repeat shots, and that leaves the order of things thus:

1. 1911
2. P99
3. Gen 3 S&W
4. Glock / CZ75 and clones / Beretta 92
5. XD
6. Browning P-35
7. SIG P22X series
8. M&P

...in my hands, given adequate reliability of course. The enhanced M&P may be an interesting to come, as recent shooting of a friend's M&P Shield indicates the improvement possible is real.

 

[ExTank]

I have a P99 AS in both 9mm and 40S&W. The .40 is still a bit of a beast recoil-wise, but the 9mm has mellowed into a very sweet natured shooter that consistently shoots nice, tight groups.

 

[wow6599]

I have had dozens of plastic guns come and go, in most calibers. The PPQ (9mm) is the first one I ever developed "feelings" for - which says a lot. Awesome firearm.

 

[RBid]

I know that this is a reanimated thread from last year, but...


My girlfriend is talking about getting a dog. I told her we can get one, if we name it 'Walther'.

...regardless of gender.


I love my PPQ. 2,300 rounds through with zero failures. Trigger + ergonomics = eeeaaaasssyyy accuracy. I even love the sights! I get on target very quickly, and hit POA.