Post by: Ben on June 29, 2008, 01:16:15 PM
I was looking at the AS, but am not sure how I feel about the whole double-action thing (one of the reasons I've always favored 1911s). I know they make the QA, but I also saw it's advertised with an 8lb trigger pull. My Glock 23 with that action is supposed to be around 5.5, and that feels a little heavy for me. If the QA really is that heavy, I could probably get used to the SA (single action on it felt really nice), and I guess being comfortable with different actions is a good thing. You never know when you may have to kill a zombie and the only thing you have to shoot is the gun of the guy whose brains it just ate.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 29, 2008, 01:26:52 PM
My personal recommendation. And favorite .45.
Post by: grampster on June 29, 2008, 01:41:23 PM
I've had Glocks and Beretta's. The Walther is superior to the Glock as to safety and trigger pull. Seems more balanced than my Beretta's with the exception of my Mod 96. But that is a larger handgun. The Walther is easier to conceal.
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on June 29, 2008, 01:48:08 PM
Yup, get it.
I have a QA in 9mm....Love it.....
Post by: mfree on June 29, 2008, 03:52:39 PM
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on June 30, 2008, 12:34:47 AM
Post by: taurusowner on June 30, 2008, 03:26:15 AM
Post by: HankB on June 30, 2008, 03:45:19 AM
On the other hand, when I was shooting IDPA more frequently, there was a flurry of P99s that showed up shortly after the pistol was introduced - the adjustable backstraps made the guns comfortable for everyone.
But then a strange thing happened . . . over about a year, the P99s gradually disappeared. Seems that many exhibited reliability problems, and Walther, with stereotypical Teutonic arrogance, dismissed the complaints.
In some cases they told the people that different ammo - commercial, over the counter stuff, nothing exotic - required different recoil springs.
A friend - an IDF veteran - found that the pistol could only go a couple of hundred rounds (WWB ammo) between cleanings, or reliability declined.
My personal observations are hard to reconcile with the enthusiasm some people on the gun boards have for their own P99s, so I suspect that quality control is spotty . . . maybe the Monday morning and Friday afternoon guns are the ones with problems?
One thing . . . based on the company's past history, once Walther introduces a "P100" and discontinues the P99, you can expect factory support and spare parts to dry up promptly.
Post by: Ben on June 30, 2008, 05:00:30 AM
My understanding is that the Walther and S&W 99s are "paternal twins"? Quality control would be an issue for me only because I used to have a PPK/s that would reliably stovepipe on me all the time. I'd just been reading good things about the 99, and after putting one in my hand was REALLY impressed with the ergonomics. Just wanted to get the opinions of people I "know" as well.
I've been so 1911-centric all these years that I've never really paid attention to the P99s, Sigs, HKs, XPs, etc. designs, so it's almost like being a newbie for me.
taurusowner -- live in CA, so paperwork isn't the prettiest thing for out of state private transfers. I'll certainly keep your P99 in mind though as I continue shopping.
Post by: El Tejon on June 30, 2008, 05:09:16 AM
Love the trigger reset on the 99. Fantastic.
Con:
Too blocky, but that is subjective from carrying a 1911 all these years.
Do not like that first shot but it can be mastered with practice, just takes time.
I have heard that it is a sensitive piece and needs to be cleaned often but have no direct evidence of that.
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on June 30, 2008, 05:30:59 AM
Usually once a year, in the fall when the season is over.
I have had one FTE. However, it was intentional, to see how much limpwristing it would take. My old PPK/S would have constant problems, but not the P99.
I can not IWB it if I am going to be walking around, as it is too heavy for me and my bad back.
As far as the first shot being different, that is the AS model. I have the QA, and all of my shots are identical as far as trigger pull.
"One thing . . . based on the company's past history, once Walther introduces a "P100" and discontinues the P99, you can expect factory support and spare parts to dry up promptly." Not so. Call Earl's Repair, he has and can get almost everything.