Why should I buy Glock 23 over Walther P99?

[ScarLata]

Some pic balance

 

[Fishbed77]

ScarLata, that pic is of a 9mm P99AS. The .40SW version has a different slide and looks like this:

 

[MrWesson]

After owning a M&P,XD and Glock(haven't tried SR9 or P99).

The differences are very minor,they are all reliable, ergo's are similar and I assume so between the pistols you compared.

For me I would see the trigger being the deciding factor and I shoot lead so I have been avoiding glocks lately.

I think the P99 is nicer looking if that matters.

 

[powder]

Neither: go for the gen 4 G26/27 or the PPQs.

 

[mgmorden]

I've got a SW99 (basically a S&W branded P99) in .40. Don't have a Glock 23 so I can't compare recoil but I do have a Glock 17.

Pros of the P99:
- Subjectively more ergonomic.
- In SA mode, better trigger.

Pros of the G23:
- Single trigger pull - don't have to get used to multiple pulls.
- Better aftermarket parts/accessories support.
- One extra round of capacity in the standard mag.
- (Subjective) Better magazine release.

Between the two I'd PERSONALLY go for the Glock, but either one will do what you need it to.

Don't know if they're still available but as of 4-5 months ago there was an outfit in Georgia selling surplus SW99's on Gunbroker. Most were going for $300 or a little under. Certainly a good deal for the price. 'course there are a lot of police trade-in Glocks out there in the $300's as well.

 

[ScarLata]

Fishbed77, You Are WRONG.

The Defense Kit Walther P99AS (9MM or .40) includes night sights and ambidextrous slide stop lever assembly.

I own a P99AS .40 S&W Caliber Defense Kit version pistol.

 

[Fishbed77]

Fishbed77, You Are WRONG.

Scarlata,

No. I am not wrong.

Look at the bevel at the front of the slide (where the Walther banner is located) in the photo you posted. That bevel is only present on the 9mm version of the P99 (ant the 9x21IMI versions sold in some countries).

The .40S&W P99 has a straight slide with no bevel as shown in the photo I posted.

If you have a .40S&W P99 that ended up with a 9mm slide, that would be a rare beast - not sure how the barrel would fit though.

 

[rhinoh]

Fishbed is correct.
I own both the 9 and the 40 P99AS. The slides are most assuredly different.

As to the OP's question, I very much prefer my P99AS's over ANY Glock, and yes I do have a Glock. Don't like it.

 

[DIXIEDOG]

I prefer Glock although like has been mentioned a couple times already don't overlook the G27 .40 cal baby Glock....I have a 23 and 27 and the accuracy of them both is very good but the 27 doesn't print as much. Accuracy between the 2 is so close it would be impossible for me to pick a winner, they have both been 100% reliable without a sing FTF in either of them. The 27 felt funny only having 2 fingers on the grip but after the first mag I found it was a non issue and I'm extremely pleased with it's performance.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I have never warmed up to the feel of the Walther P99 or its controls. In the past, I almost liked the feel of the Glock frame. With the advent of the Gen 4, they hit it out of the park. The Gen 4 19 fits my hand like a glove and shoots just as well. My vote goes to Glock.

 

[ScarLata]

Fishbed77,

The OP asked about P99AS.40 and I just want to let you know about the Defense Kit option (includes night sights and ambidextrous slide stop lever assembly) on 9mm 0r .40S&W pistols.
You are RIGHT about the slide, BUT I'm not talking about slide differences. So nobody is wrong.
Here is my .40 P99AS Defense Kit:

 

[wild cat mccane]

Either way...people are missing it with the P99 to Glock comparison.

The apples to apples trigger would by the G23 to the PPQ .40.


The P99 AS would be comparable to a Sig 226, Px4, 92, Sig 2020, etc, HK P30 or 2000.

The AS is like a hammer fired SA/DA with a decocker. It is just a striker fired and better than the mentioned.

 

[ScarLata]

"The apples to apples trigger would by the G23 to the PPQ .40"
wild cat, I agree with you.

I'm going to add a 3rd apple-tigger: New Steyr M-A1 Gen4

 

[ExTank]

Just wondering if the OP will drop back by and let us know if he'd made a decision.

 

[shadow9]

Fishbed - thanks for the heads up on 2nd gen - any distinction between generations was not made clear by S&W or Earls when I made the calls (~april 2011). Good to know,

OP - I'd actually recommend a third option to you as well - H&K P2000/P2K SK.

They're a margin thicker than the P99 or G23, but everyone that has one RAVES about it. As for full-support? Even the Steyr and XDS don't cover the head like that HK does.

 

[el Godfather]

Just wondering if the OP will drop back by and let us know if he'd made a decision.

Yes. Well I went with G23.

As much as I like Walther it is going to be the next on the list. Glock 23 seemed more appropriate for rough use that I need it for. Availability of extra magazines was also a factor for me and I wanted to replace standard with night sights. So I placed order for Glock 23 for now.

Walther remains on to buy list. When I do, I will test it in my own routine. If it passes my criteria will get accessories like night sights and magz for and then it may replace my Glock 23- which btw I wont sell.

 

[el Godfather]

Fishbed - thanks for the heads up on 2nd gen - any distinction between generations was not made clear by S&W or Earls when I made the calls (~april 2011). Good to know,

OP - I'd actually recommend a third option to you as well - H&K P2000/P2K SK.

They're a margin thicker than the P99 or G23, but everyone that has one RAVES about it. As for full-support? Even the Steyr and XDS don't cover the head like that HK does.

I have thought about it. May be down the road, but in 357 sig.

 

[leadcounsel]

Well, I guess I'll chime in as a Glock fan.

My Glocks all have Tenifer finish, which I understand is about as hard as a diamond. I believe the P99 has a similar finish.

My Glock triggers are fantastic. Crisp and predictable. As good as any double action duty pistol out there IMO. Not too long or short of a pull.

I just love the streamlined simple look and feel of a Glock. No nonsense pistol. Crisp slide action. Clean lines. Near total reliability (I won't pretend they don't occasionally fail - I have experienced the extremely rare failures; unsure of the causes - in the tens of thousands of rounds I've fired through various Glocks. I believe failures in Glocks are an anomaly). Light weight. They all feel and function the same. Mags interchange with others in the same caliber. Awesome to have lots of 22 round mags loaded for action. Awesome to have a backup smaller framed gun that takes the same mags. Awesome to swap out barrels and mags from .40 to .357 sig or 9mm in the same framed pistol.

There is a reason that Glocks dominate the law enforcement and competition arenas.

I'm in the financial position to afford any pistol I want to use for home defense or carry. I've have owned or still own HKs, Sigs, CZs, Rugers, Smith&Wessons, XDs, 1911s, Browning High Power, and tons of revolvers and so forth. But I keep a Glock 35 (.40) on my nightstand and a G23 (.40) on my hip. When I go jogging, I typically take a compact Glock 9mm with a 15 round mag in a belly band.

I will concede that Glocks are not the most attractive. I actually love the look and feel of Sig Sauer pistols, especially the stainless frames, and 1911s. I love the 1911 feel and weight. Lots of amazing guns out there; and I'm proficient with nearly every platform. But I always go back to Glock.

 

[el Godfather]

^good post.

Accessorized Glock 35 sounds very tempting.

 

[ExTank]

There is a reason that Glocks dominate the law enforcement and competition arenas.

I would give their marketing and customer service departments as much (if not more!) props for said dominance as I would their engineering, manufacturing, or quality control.

This isn't to denigrate the latter three in an attempt to slur Glock; no marketing or service department can turn a pile of poop into a puddin' pie. But agressive marketing and service support (especially for large customers like national militaries and large police dpartments) goes a looong way towards making people happier with a brand name or product than they would be on quality and functionality alone.

 

[Zerodefect]

IIRC: The Glock shot as if it sat lower in my hand. Easier to tame recoil and it dropped back to the target better during rapid fire. In my hands, the Glock 23 flat out completely outperforms the P99. So far, none of my fellow shooters have been able toput a pistol in my hands that shoots better.

My Glock 23 is quickly becoming my best pistol (and least favorite). It's not comfortable. But shooting isn't supposed to be. It's just works so excellently I can't get rid of it.

Mines custom. With the Glockworks trigger tuned just to me. SS guide rod. Ti FPsafety. Spring kit. Lonewolf connector. And it's as accurate as my better 1911's.

 

[herrwalther]

There is a reason that Glocks dominate the law enforcement and competition arenas.

Law Enforcement purchase Glocks for many reasons. Few of them are because they are *the best.* Often Glocks are available far cheaper than a SIG or HK pistol in the same caliber. They have lots of aftermarket parts which, if the organization allows, lets officers make it "theirs." They are also very simple firearms to teach. Which also helps the department save money teaching a recruit which way bullets come from. The Glock kool-aid is wearing off in some departments, and it is about time. The PD for a nearby major city which has about 1100 sworn officers has stopped issuing the "perfect" Glock 19 to officers in lieu of a Smith and Wesson M&P .40. But I digress.

Fishbed - thanks for the heads up on 2nd gen - any distinction between generations was not made clear by S&W or Earls when I made the calls (~april 2011). Good to know,

You probably won't find any 1st Generation P99s around. I believe I have only seen one in all the gun stores I have visited and it was quite the beater. However the easiest way to tell the difference is the 1st Gens have a "ski jump" inside the trigger guard going to the trigger. You can almost make it out in the P99 on the far left in post #31. The 1st Gens also use a proprietary Walther rail instead of the ubiquitous Picatinny rail.

 

[5-SHOTS]

Walther P99 AS and PPQ with the long ambi slide stop levers are indicated as AM versions on www.carl-walther.de
I have the PS, AM, LM version of the P99, 9x21 IMI caliber for the italian market: love it.

 

[Jaymo]

You shouldn't.
You should get the Walther.

 

[JR24]

There is absolutely no reason I would ever buy a Glock over a P99.

Personal opinion, of course.