Does the P99 in .40 still have problems

M

Mike H

New member
I have shot the P99 in 9mm again and I'm really warming to the guns basic design.

Trouble is I fancy the .40 because I have a source for new 12 round hi-caps for it and I want a major power factor handgun for all sorts of reasons.

I hear about unexpected slide lock backs, broken firing pins, choosy with ammunition and excessive muzzle flip.

I'd appreciate any input from .40 caliber owners on their findings.

Thanks,

Mike H
 
I've got six P99's, all in .40. The first two had slide lock problems, but they went away after 100 rounds. The other 4 have never had a problem. They all shoot great, that's why I have 6.:D

I've never had a problem with any ammo. I don't have a problem with excessive muzzle flip either. All in all I think they are excellent pistols
 
I experienced two premature lock backs in the first 50 rounds, not one since. My firing pin is fine, Ive never experienced any ammo that wont function 100% and muzzle flip is comparable with most other 40s Ive experienced. I love mine and highly recommend them.
 
Mike H,

excessive muzzle flip.

FYI, because I have read this statement several times, I shot my P99 .40 and my G23 the other day side by side with the same ammo. The P99 has less felt recoil than the Glock. I have large hands and use the middle or medium size grip insert in my P99 pistol.

I am an experienced, long time shooter and have never found recoil to be an issue, especially in a .40S&W caliber handgun.

I have never experienced a single unexpected slide lock back in 700 rounds thru my P99. At this point I don't expect to.

My particular P99 seems to be slightly more accurate at all ranges with all types of ammo than my G23 which is actually a G32 with a G23 barrel. Big difference? Not at all. A tight center mass group on a "Q" target at any range is just that, a tight center mass group.

On a bullseye type target the P99 showed a slight edge.

I am looking forward to getting a P99 in 9x19. I want to compare it to my G19 which I like very much and have had and shot for 13 years.

Buy the P99 .40. You will love it. ;)
 
Thanks guys.

If the felt recoil is less than a G23 then its a real winner because I find the .40 Glock to be an absolute pussycat.

Now to find some spare cash........

Regards,

Mike H
 
I finally gave up on my P99 .40, three times it went to Walther USA three times it came back with the same problem. The slide locks back mid magazine sporadically, depending upon the ammo used, leaving me with a lack of faith in the pistol. This is after shooting over 1,000 rounds with no other malfunctions. It is a shame because I liked the P99 other wise, it was very accurate and felt good in my hands but I could not solve the slide lock problem. So I traded it in on a H&K USP 45, which I get to pick up tomorrow.
 
My P99 would lock back in mid-mag alot.I shoot with a high-thumb and ride the slide.The P99 has a large slide release which is very easy to hit.I changed my grip and the problem suddenly went away .Go figure.People think some of these weapons have a mysterious problem.The problem is the shooter.
 
I have a P99QA in .40

I had one FTF in the first 75 rounds. No other problem in the last 1400 rounds shot.

I like it a lot. My only complaint is the lack of a Surefire light that fits the P99. Walther has one but it is too big.
 
If it is the shooter how come there has never been a problem with any other pistol? After over thousand rounds how many different ways can one hold the pistol? Think what you want, I never said this was a problem with all P99s it just happened with mine
 
Landshark,the .40 has more felt recoil than the 9mm,naturally.When shooting the .40 the muzzle will rise further moving your thumb closer to the slide release.My gun would lock back every 50 rounds.One day I decided to do some one-handed shooting.I shot 150 rounds with no malfunction.I changed my two-handed style and the problem went away.Walther never had an answer for this problem because there was no problem.The only problem may be a big dumb-looking slide release.
 
Here is my experience

I had a P99 40, found out later that it was one of the crappy smith & Wesson imposters. It locked open consistently 3 times a clip. I have a friend that has a completely German made model, and while the slide lock issues were not as bad, it is still unreliable IMO. It is NOT a thumb or improper hold problem, it is entirely mechanical. I experimented quite a bit to alleviate the problem, being quite careful to ensure the problem was not me.

Incidentally, after several emails with the President of Walther USA, asking him to replace mine with a German model, since the one I had gave every indication that it was entirely made in Germany, he gave me the biggest run around I have seen since the great American auto industry. In short, I have sold, given away, and thrown away everything I ever owned that was associated with Walther. After almost 20 years of my being a customer, I was not willing to accept this type of treatment. Capitalism is a Wonderful thing!;)
 
Goat;
It is not the recoil of the .40 or the thumb position. The problem seems to be with the shape of the bullet and the rounds moving around in the magazine. They seem to contact the slide lock catch where the follower would, the lock backs always happened within the 3rd or 5th round. Fiocchi was the worst with Federal American Eagle second, Winchester it happened rarely and with PMC of any weight it never happened. The slide never locked back with any hollow points other than cor-bons. I tried every hand position possible my thumb was not hitting the slide lock lever. The first time my pistol went in it was determined that it had the wrong spring installed, that was changed the next time the catch lever was filed down and the last time I was told the magazines were at fault. I owned this pistol 6 months four with me and two with Walther USA. I wanted to like and depend on this gun but the malfunctioning slide lock became too frustrating.
 
Hmmm, I've had my P-99 for a year and a half without a single problem. In fact, I don't know of anyone who has. I was suprised to read your post.
VF
 
update

I am so happy I traded my P99 in on a HK USP45f. This HK is amazing not a single problem in the first 300 rounds, incredibly accurate and it feels great in my hands. No regrets.
 
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