Walther P99?

[Bearakracy]

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for such a forum exist, I don't think I have to express the importance of such a thing

I've never owned a handgun before, so lately I've been trying to do some research on the matter of handguns, the laws and procedures yada yada yada. Well so far the Walther P99 looks awesome, love at first site, it seems like a very quality handgun but im not a handgun expert (hopefully one day) which is why I'm here.

Does anyone think this would be a decent purchase for a first time handgun owner?

My purpose for the weapon is I for recreational shooting ive been away from shooting for quite awhile and look forward to making this a weekly to at least bi weekly frequency , as well as home defense. As far as handguns is the p99 adequate? Im also aware on the various versions being the DAO/AS/QS, are all legal or did i misread that? which versions would anyone recommend? durability? 40 or 9? if there is any other handgun that you may think is great would be taking into appreciation as well. im aware of the glock comparisons but i really like the decocker and anti stress function, is there any difference between the 8 pound pull and the standard pull? i didnt mean to be this lengthy but this handgun got me excited into buying a handgun in the first place, thanks again for all your response rather it be for educational or opinionated, especially if you've owned one before.

I'm also interested in a m.... sorry ar-15 leaning towards xm-15 bushmaster i think i got that right, with 4 positions stock instead of the standard.

[Black Majik]

I like the orginal the best, DA/SA. However, I gotta warn you even in 9mm the P99 is a snappy compact pistol for the cartridge.

However, the trigger truly shines. The DA is very light, the SA has a very short reset that rivals 1911s and Glocks. Otherwise, it's a great feeling gun, easy to take apart and accurate. But try before you buy just in case.

[faterikcartman]

Do a search. This gun has been covered here recently.

I own two with the AS function before it was called AS (I think the early ones are about the same). Both in .40SW. From what I've read here I may have been better off getting them in 9mm.

You'll note that most folks here tend to favour what they own and have experience with. Not everyone can afford one of everything and few want to dog on what they paid good money for.

I like the P99 okay, but for a new shooter I really think you should get a Glock 17 or 22. You'll probably always have it and can experiment from there. If you said P99 or Sig P226 or P229 I would probably take the Sig. I own all of these, by the way.

Despite being one of my favourites, if you are new to handguns I would probably not get a 1911, but would sure look to get one in the future.

If you're really going to be limited to punching paper and not worrying about home defence, 9mm is pretty well priced compared to other center fire alternatives.

If you didn't grow up with guns and strict gun safety drilled into your head and muscle memory I would also consider a handgun safety/shooting class. I've never heard of someone saying training wasn't worth it.

There are rarely any do-overs when something goes wrong with handling a gun, and the habits you pick up now -- good or bad -- will likely stay with you always. Keep that in mind.

[jtmkinsd]

Bushmaster XM15 is banned in CA...listed as an assault weapon

[flatovercrest]

As a first gun I recommend either a revolver or a Glock. Both easy to shoot, clean/maintain and reliable.
Welcome to the fantastic world of firearms.

[Gryff]

The P99 is a terrific gun. I had one in .40S&W, and it was a tack-driver. Only reason I sold it is because I only need a .40-caliber gun for CCW, and the P99 is too big for me to carry concealed comfortably. If it had been a 9mm, I would have never sold it.

They are easy to use and maintain, so I think it's a good choice for a first pistol.

[plan-b]

It's a fantastic pistol. Look here for a recent discussion on it:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=338853

[AfisBoy]

P99 AS is the way to go. I've got both the AS (older one before they called it that) and the QA. I could part with the QA without issue. The 9mm rocks. For the adventurous types, the .40cal mags hold 14 or so 9mm without modification and run just fine in the P99 9mm.

[bondmid003]

A P99 QA in .40 was the first pistol I ever bought. The first of many pistols!

[Moto4Fun]

I had the SW99 as my first "Big Boy" gun. I had it in .40, and found it to be a great weapon. Don't listen to the Glock Fanboys. There is nothing better about a Glock, just different. I put 1000+ rounds through it from brand spanking new, with 0 FTE or FTFs and it ate every ammo I fed in to it. It is super easy to strip, and I prefer the DA/SA decocker operation over the Glock or any DA only semi-auto. The trigger (if similar to the SW99) can be a little goofy, but once you know what to expect, it is fine. I hear that the p99 was better than the SW99, so that can only make it better.

Personally, I wanted a metal gun and stepped up to the SIG, but I can't say that I never looked back. I had to sell the 99 to fund the Sig, but if I could, I would have kept it and even still consider getting the Walther in 9mm version.

[ocspeedracer]

faterikcartman

I just have to say, love your avatar!
back to the post, you can rock out with your glock out!
Not knocking the p99 but personally I like to stay away from snappy and go comfortable.
Case in point, had Berretta 84f w/ 13 round mags in .380 very snappy and not comfy to shoot, got a colt mustang .380 it's even smaller but it's not snappy at all. Love it!

[Noah3683]

Awesome gun. My sw990l (s&w version of the p99qa) and my Dad's p99 both get out of jail next Friday. My god this is by far the longest 10 day wait I have ever had for a gun. Feels like I'm the one in prison

[Ksmash01]

I, too, was in love with the Walther P99 at first sight. When I became a gun owner I couldn't find the one I wanted, I kept running into SW99's everywhere. I ended up holding out, and purchasing other pistols(S&W M&P 9mm is my favorite 9mm currently).

This year, I got lucky and found a first gen P99 for under $400. It is two-tone, but the slide had gotten darker over the years of sitting in the case. The internals were perfect, as if it had never been fired. I had to get it, and I couldn't be happier.

Everyone that says the recoil is snappy is welcome to their opinion, but mine feels fine, not incredibly different than my sigma, or the M&P(actually, the M&P is really enjoyable to shoot).

If you gotta have a Walther, get it, you won't regret it. If I had to recommend a pistol, it would be the M&P9 or a Glock 17. I don't yet own a glock, but it's hard to go wrong with one, and I may add one to the collection in a year or so....there's just so much I want....

If it weren't for the frickin roster, I'd get a M&P9L.