help me decide... caliber on p99

[FongP]

ok, so im set on getting a walther p99. love the gun, the feel, the technology.
BUT, i cant decide on a caliber. 9mm or .40. mainly, it is becuase I dont know the difference and the more I read, the more confused I get.

i wanted a .40 at first becuase its got a bigger round with more stopping power. but then i heard the recoil on a .40 is a pain in the *** and not worth the kick compared with a .45. I would get a .45 but they dont make it...

to tell the truth, i like a gun to feel powerful, though. when I first shot a 9mm, i was disapointed. albeit I hit the target, but I just wasnt as satisfied as when I shot a .45 1911. HELP PLEASE!

btw, i did about 2 hours of searching, so dont knock me.

[Gnote]

Had both the P99 in 40 and 9mm. We ended up trading the 40 for a couple of reasons. The main reason was that neither he or I liked the recoil. I don't mind shooting more powerful ammunition and we have other pistols in 40 and 45. It's hard to describe but the best I can come up with was it is way too snappy. We both caught ourselves flinching when shooting it too long.

The 9mm is much more enjoyable to shoot. The ammunition cost for 9mm is also cheaper too. That wasn't a factor for us but may be a factor for you.

To give you an idea of how much we liked the 9mm, we started with the 9mm version b/c he is a big Bond fan. Only after finding out how much we liked the 9mm, we then bought the 40.

We did a lot of research too. One thing we came across was that there was an issue with the P99 rail when attaching a light to it. The recoil was so abusive, the light would damage the rail after a while. Its been a couple of years but I had seen pictures on the waltherforum. That didn't turn us off to the 40 though b/c we don't use the rail on or guns anyway.

[Black Majik]

Honestly, the ballistic differences between a 9mm and .40 is pretty much nil. With good quality JHP defensive ammo, both will work satisfactory for self defense.

If you're on the fence regarding 9mm and .40, shoot both in a P99 and decide from there. If a P99 is not available to try in both calibers, shoot both calibers in the same platform such as Glock 17 vs Glock 22, USP 9 vs. USP 40, P2000 9 vs P2000 .40 and so forth. You should be able to get a sense of the power increase of the .40 vs. the 9mm.

Lastly, practice is most important. A hit with a 9mm is much better than a miss with a .40. Granted a hit with a 40 is better than a hit with a 9mm. But, if you got a new gun, you'll be able to buy more 9mm than .40S&W given the same amount of money.

Personally, I'd go for 9mm. Cheaper to practice, cheaper to shoot, LOTS of excellent defensive ammo, quicker follow-up shots, and still very fun. If you want a gun to feel powerful, as you stated... get a 1911 chambered in .45 ACP.

Good luck in your search.

[FongP]

hmm. thanks for the tips guys. i think I will stick with a 9mm then. most of my friends shoot 9mm anyways, so we can always swap ammo, which will come in handy.

anyway, i figure since I will DEFINITELY be buying a .45 Kimber, I can just screw the half way point. a small 9 and a big 45. =) thanks again.

now...where to get the best deal in socal.... hmmm

[dfens]

I got the 9mm version and never looked back. I'm a firm believer in get it in the caliber it was designed around.

Just make sure to get the DA/SA AS model.

I can nail a head shot with mine at 25 yards, but it's like breathing at 15 yards or less.

The trigger is amazing. Rapid fire and follow up shots are better with the 9mm.

My P-99 9mm is a gun I will never sale it's so underated. Who cares about power if you can put rounds on target where you want them with out really trying. Now that's a gun.

[Grouch]

Get the 9

[Grouch]

and 40 doesn't have any more stopping power than 9mm

[SS109]

I had one in 9mm and it was a great gun.

[RideIcon]

if you've got a little extra cash to blow, get the 40 and find someone making a 357 sig conversion barrel, the 40 mag holds the 357 sig ammo and its got much more stopping power than the 40, if you dont want that hassle, get the 9,
the 40 sucks...
the titanium slide is cool tho!

[Leo762]

i guess ill go against the grain here, i would get a .40, i never shot a p99 in any caliber but a .40 is a really nice round - the recil is not that bad.

i would try it out first.

then again if all your buds shoot nothing but 9mm...

[Corbin Dallas]

and 40 doesn't have any more stopping power than 9mm

Really? Can you point this out with facts?

Because Like for Like prove otherwise:

http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/40s&w.htm

.40 S&W 165 grain Federal Tactical HydraShok JHP, 2/27/97:

Test Gun / Barrel Length / Velocity / Bare Gelatin / Clothed Gelatin
Penetration -Expansion / Penetration Expansion
H&K USP / 4 / 1007 fps / 13.85" - 0.62" / 15.15" - 0.64"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/9mm.htm

9mm 147 grain Federal Tactical HydraShok JHP, 7/12/96:

Test Gun / Barrel Length / Velocity / Bare Gelatin / Clothed Gelatin
Penetration -Expansion / Penetration Expansion

SIG P226 / 4.25 / 935 fps / 13.60" - .60" / 16.05" - .52"

[45R]

I really enjoy shooting the P99 in 9mm, however get the caliber that YOU feel is right for you.

[Gryff]

ok, so im set on getting a walther p99. love the gun, the feel, the technology.
BUT, i cant decide on a caliber. 9mm or .40. mainly, it is becuase I dont know the difference and the more I read, the more confused I get.

Hi Fong,

I had a P99 in .40S&W. Good gun. Yes, it is a snappy gun to shoot, but the ergonomics of the grip are so good that it is very controllable. It was also unbelievably accurate for having a 4" barrel. I was even able to win my class with it in IDPA competitions on a regular basis (using factory loads, to boot).

I also think that good .40S&W defensive rounds are clearly superior to 9mm defensive rounds, despite what others say. My personal defensive gun is always a .40S&W.

That having been said, your decision about caliber should be determined by what you intend to do with the gun. If it is primarily a defensive gun, with occasional trips to the range, I recommend the .40. If it is for frequent trips to the range for target shooting or competition, then I recommend the 9mm (less expensive to shoot, milder recoil, acceptable stopping power with the right loads).

The only reason I sold my P99 was because I got a Glock 23, which is more concealable, and I don't need more than one .40S&W gun (the $$$ best spent in another gun area).

Hope this helps,

Jim

[RideIcon]

.357 sig conversion

[Ryan HBC]

What is with you guys jocking all over the .357 sig? That's about the last caliber that I want to own. It's like a hot 9mm that's expensive and hard to find.