I need feedback on the SW99

B

bobby_lori

New member
I am thinking on buying a Smith & Wesson SW99 for duty use. I have to stick with the Smith due to policy. Anybody got one? I really need feedback (good/bad) on the guns. How do they compare to the Walthers? I know that the Smith is a joint effort between Walther and Smith, but is the quality in the Smith. Again, I don't need replies of "buy the Walther" because of our policy. Also, anyone know of any officers or departments using them? Thanks for any help you can supply.
 
Hi Joshua, I had one about a year ago in .40cal.I put about 500 rounds through it and then decided I wanted a 1911.I had no problems with it and liked the adjustable grip.Never a malfunction in those 500 rounds.
 
NJPD have a series of problems with their SW99s, they went back to their old HK P7s. I think someone will post the link to the article.
 
What kind of policy would make you buy the piece of crap knock off and not the real deal???

I personally don't like the SW99. I have 6 P99's and when I went to buy a SW99 just to put in my collection I was appalled by the lack of quality that was in this gun. The examples that I saw were all brand new in the box, but they looked like they had been used for a year already. The Melonite finish was flaking off all over the guns. Also when the slide was cycled, it sounded like the gun had been sitting in the sand.

There are those who really like their SW99's, but they just don't live up to what this design was supposed to be.

P99
 
How do they compare to the Walthers?
Click to expand...

About like a Yugo compares to a Mercedes E-Class.


But since you are limited to S&W I would say pass on any of their polymer guns (SW99, Sigma, etc) and go for one of the tuned up stainless models like the 5906TSW "Tactical" in 9MM or 4006TSW "Tactical" in 40S&W depending on which caliber your PD specifies.

The next thing I would do is find out whose "policy" it was, and if they are an elected official contibute lots of time and money to their opponent the next election.

They obviously are more concerned with being politcally correct than the welfare of their officers.:mad:
 
My buddy and I bought new guns on the same day, about a year ago, me a P99 and him a SW99, both .40's. We spent the rest of the day on the range, and blew about 400 rounds through each gun.

Walther: flawless, not one FTF, FTE, etc. More accurate than me :D

SW: At LEAST one malfunction for each magazine, FTF, stovepipes, slide locking open with rounds in the mag, etc. To make matters worse, he was shooting 4-5" groups.. at 7 yards. He'd shoot the Walther, and make 1-2" groups.

My friend was so pissed by the end of the day, we went back to the store and he practically threw the Smith at the owner. We now have identical Walthers :)

As always, YMMV, but I was apalled at the Smith's problems.
 
My SW99 often locked open with rounds yet remaining in the magazine. It also failed to feed once or twice per magazine with the six brands of ammunition (all new factory) that I tried. I sent it back to S&W, but the problems continued as before. I no longer own that pistol.

I was very disappointed in the failure of S&W to at last offer a quality auto after decades of pushing their own low second-rate designs. The SW99 has features, such as the rounded trigger guard, that I prefer over the Walther. Maybe someday they'll get it right, but I'd avoid the model till then.
 
I've had multiple failures to feed with my Walther P99. It is extremely finicky about what it likes to feed on. With factory Winchester 180 grain loads (white box) I get a failure to feed almost ever magazine. I have about 400 rounds on this pistol. I could never make my particular Walther P99 a carry or service pistol. YMMV. Cheers, Cryoman
 
I've had an SW99 9mm for a couple of years. It is reliable. I haven't seen any finish flaking off or noticed any quality problem with the pistol. That said, mine shoots low with 115gr ammo even using the lowest front sight. I called S&W about this and they said to send it in. They seem to offer good service. This may be a caliber issue - it seems like with both the Walther and S&W versions you hear about more problems with the .40 caliber version. I believe Walther makes he frame and trigger components for both pistols - I think S&W only makes the slide and barrel (not insignificant, I realize, but not the whole pistol). Anyway, if I had it to do over again, I would probably have bought the Walther, but if you like the design I don't think you'll go far wrong with the S&W (especially in 9mm).

Doug
 
ICryoman, do you have one of the early 90's production forties. They all had that problem. The springs were not tuned properly. Order a new current production recoil spring for starters. You might also try switching the mag springs. It took Walther a while to iron it out.

The 9MMs are flawless in my experience.
 
ICryoman,
I've had my P99 for several months now and have shot nothing but white box Winchesters through it (about 400 rnds) without a single failure to feed. Do you have the problem with both mags? I would definitely investigate as it sounds like something is defective and should be fixed by Walther/Earls.
 
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