I'm a beginner.....Glock 19 vs Walther P99

A

Angelo

Inactive
Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and guns in general. I've been trying to get as much info as possible about these two so I can see which would be better for me, assuming one is better than the other. Are they considered to be on the same level just different features? I've heard a lot about the reliablity of Glocks but what about Walther? One thing is for sure, I like the looks of the P99 much more than the G19. I'm not stuck on looks though, I rather have the one that's right for me.

I used my Uncle's .357 magnum snub nose while visiting him in Tennessee. The recoil didn't bother me, it was the noise. That thing is LOUD. To make things worse he lives in a valley surrounded by mountains. Talk about an echo Of course he thought it would be funny to not tell me about this until after I had already found out for myself. I can laugh about it now since I didn't go deaf. That was my first gun experience and now I want more, just with ear protection this time :)

Now back to the two I'm interested in. I would be using it mainly for target practice but also for self defense. I know 9mm aren't favored by the majority for self defense but that's what I want. I don't have a CCW licence but I'm going to apply for one soon.

Does anyone have experience with either of these guns? If so what do you think of them. I'd love to hear the good and bad for both if possible. Unfortunately I don't have a range where I could rent these and try them myself. I live in Rhode Island and as far as I know there's nothing around here. I was told that Boston is the closest place for rentals.

One thing that makes me wonder about Glock is the KaBoom phenomenon they had with the .40 calibers. I would use new ammo only so I'm not sure this would be much of a problem. I've heard that it can happen to any gun of any caliber. If that is true why do it appear that Glock is being singled out in regards to this?

Any help is appreciated!

Angelo
 
I can't say anything about the Walther, but I'm very happy with my Glock 19, being a person new to firearms myself. It's a very reliable gun with a proven track record, and as far as semi-automatics go, it's a very easy gun for a newbie. One caveat that some people have about the Glock is that it doesn't have a manual safety. It has a trigger lever safety and two internal safety mechanisms, so assuming the gun is properly maintained, it will only fire when you squeeze the trigger. Just remember the safety rules - keep your finger OFF the trigger until you're ready to fire, and get a holster that covers the trigger.

As far as kaBOOMs!!!! go, that is only an issue if you use bad ammo (double-charged reloads, reloads with overused, weak brass or the rare defective factory rounds) or you fail to maintain your firearm properly. Bad ammo or dirty barrels will kB! any firearm, and Glocks actually hold themselves together better than most firearms when a kB! happens. Also, don't fire unjacketed lead ammo through a Glock - they'll foul up the barrel quickly, which will eventually build up chamber pressures to kB! levels, unless you clean the barrel, when you'll find out getting rid of lead fouling is a pain. Since you're a beginner, just use factory rounds and clean your gun every time after you use it and you'll be fine. I don't know why people are picking on Glocks when it comes to kB!s. They're not any more prone to them than any other competently made firearm.
 
Angelo,

Welcome to TFL and to guns in general.

You'll find better information here than you will from a lot of gun store salesmen and most of the gun rags.

I try not to shoot even .22s without ear protection now. I too have had the (bad) experience of firing a .357 without protection. It isn't good on your ears. Buy a decent pair of muffs and wear plugs underneath always.

I've fired both the guns you mentioned, but own neither of them. Either will be a good choice in my opinion. You really can't go wrong UNLESS you select the one that you aren't most comfortable with.

They should both be extremely reliable, sufficiently accurate, and durable.

There is nothing wrong at all with using the 9mm for self defense. Practice with it and it will be fine. You really don't need to avoid the .40 Glocks just because of all the Kb! rumors going around. If you use jacketed factory ammo you have no need to worry.

The guns you mentioned have a different manual of arms. If you can't shoot them both before buying, get someone in a shop to go over each of their features and decide which feels the best, and which manual of arms you are most comfortable with.

You will get a lot of responses that will steer you to the Glock as it has a big following. Don't buy based on popularity, buy what feels best for you (as long as you go with good quality brands).

Other pistols you might look at are the CZ75B, Ruger, H&K USP, SIGs, Kahrs, and Berettas. Any of these would suit you fine as well.

Good luck,

Shake
 
I have both.
The Walther is more ergonomic, and looks cooler.
The Glock has fewer options, as far as the trigger goes.
Both are more accurate than I am, and both have been completely reliable. Walther 16 round magazines are more expensive than Glock 15 round mags. Either pistol is a winner.
For a beginner buy a Glock 19, and a 15 round magazine, for the same price as the Walther P99. The Glock "manual of arms" is much simpler than the Walthers. And the Glock is easier for a beginner to completely strip down and learn how it works.
 
If you don't get the opportunity to shoot them, at least go with the one that feels best in your hand. I have small hands and love the way my Walther feels. Not that you have to have small hands to get the Walther, but if you're like me, you may not like the Glock.

Also, the Glock points high for me. What I mean by this is that when I bring the gun up to eye level to aim, my hand position naturally causes the muzzle to point up slightly. As a new shooter you may not notice this, but you will find that other guns (1911's, Sigs, etc.) have a different grip angle than the glocks.

They are both great guns and I don't think you can go wrong with either.

-Red-
 
Angelo, I'm a newbie, too, and have shot the Glocks, SIGs, Berretas, Smiths, and others, but bought the P99.

That's not to say the Glock isn't a great weapon, but the P99 has more features that range from offering an advantage in safety, to a convenience in operation. Taken all together, IMO, it makes for a more sophisticated gun. Let me talk about those features, and what they mean in practical terms, that caused me to prefer the P99 over the Glock.

Not necessarily in any order of importance:

Ergonomics: The feel of the P99 in your hand is incredible. With three interchangeable backstraps, you're almost sure to find one that works for you. I put hundreds of rounds through the gun with each strap, to experiment with what worked, and settled on the medium one. The ergonomics also make the gun look 'cool', but I don't care about cool. I care about performance. James Bond be damned. The P99 does look great, though, and that's just an added benefit. I like to say this gun has more curves than Marylin Monroe. :D

Trigger: The trigger action is smooth, and very positive, with a crisp letoff, and long travel for the first round. A friend described the trigger as "a double action Glock". If you pull, and for some reason the round doesn't fire, it reverts to double action mode, and will strike and strike and strike. Good if you get a tempermental round at the range, and don't want to rack the slide. Also good for another reason... see the Decocker.

Decocker: As an added margin of safety, the gun can be loaded, a round chambered, and decocked. Given the DA first shot capability, you have a longer, heavier trigger travel for that first shot, with single action, short travel followups. Added safety for home defense.

Striker Cocked Indicator: This enables you to tell either at a glance, or by touch in the dark, what the state of the gun is. A very nice feature, particularly on a hammerless weapon. The indicator just gives you some peace of mind.

Chambered Round Indicator: In many guns, the only way to know if you 'got one in the pipe' is to do a 'press check' on the slide, not a terribly elegant, safe, or convenient way to check. Similar to the striker indicator, the P99 provides a visual and tactile way to know you're ready to rock.

Ambidexterous Magazine Release: Pretty straightforward, the mag release is very conveniently located in such a way that offers extremely fast magazine swaps with a press of your pointer finger.

Breakdown: I'm not sure about a complete strip down, but in the Walther, it seems to be about the same. No tools to field stip - just depress the lever forward of the trigger guard, and you're there.

Operation: Ok, so what does all this mean in the final analysis? If you're a rightie, you can operate every control on the gun with ONE HAND.

Accuracy: Scary.

Cost of HiCap mags is less than $90, which I think is about the same as, if not less than, those for a Glock.

Regarding the value of 9mm as a self defense round, don't kid yourself. I've been doing a lot of reading on this, and the 9mm round is absolutely lethal. Anyone who tells you otherwise either hasn't read what I've read, or is trying to sell you their own opinion (granted, this one is mine, though :D ). But no round will be lethal if you miss. The current crop of new 'fashion' calibers like 357SIG and 40SW are not sure to last the test of time. I'll go with what has been tried and proven over the test of time, time and time again.

Have you tried a drive to New Hampshire? If there's ever been a 2nd amendment friendly state, that's it.

Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone!>>>>

You've all been very helpful. Right now it's still a 50/50 decision. I definitely have to handle both before choosing or even better I'll try to shoot both. As for shooting them, I guess I'll have to go to Boston or like Rovert suggested New Hampshire. I think it would be worth the trip. I'll be sure to let you know which I choose as soon as I know for myself!

Thanks again guys! :)

Angelo
 
Guess I can give you the 'semi-newbie' view, at least of the P99. I just picked one up about two weeks ago, and had a chance to take it to the range last Friday. Put 200 rounds through it, and thus far I am by far extremely pleased with it. The grip feels extremely comfortable, almost like it was made for my hand. Surprisingly, I had no complaints about the trigger....I expected it to be heavier than it was. Accuracy was, well...it's damn sure more accurate than I am. Recoil was moderate and pretty easily controllable. Breakdown is a snap, requiring neither tools nor time. My only real complaint is the sights. I always feel there's too much space, when sighting, between the front post view and the side posts. Felt to me like lining them up was a bit more difficult, but no big deal....pretty much everyone replaces their sights with night-sights and I plan to do the same. You're not limited with options, as they make laser sights, lights, and even a threaded barrel/sound supressor for the P99. Yes, I have fired a Glock, and I don't mean to imply I don't like them. I just felt the P99 was better. IMHO, YMMV, and a boatload of other acronyms.

Also, with regards to the Glock k/b thing.....I have always been a firm believe that the amount of reported Glock k/b's is not a factor of manufacture, but purely of their widespread distribution. Nothing more.
 
BTW, I forgot to mention RELIABILITY. I have 1500 rounds through this thing, with only one cleaning at 400, the other 1100 rounds just wipedowns with a silicone rag. Never a FTF or jam.

This is a gun that I can sleep with under my pillow, knowing I can depend on it to work when I need it.
 
You can't go wrong with both guns. My carry weapon is a Glock 19. Since you are a beginner the P99 should be your choice. You will enjoy the feel of a P99 more then a Glock 19.

If you still can't make up your mind, then flip a coin and let fate decide for you.
 
If you want the same type of trigger as the glock, then get the P99 QA 'Quick Action' model.

Otherwise, you are comparing two different systems in my mind.
Double action first shot then single action for the remaining shots versus a light double action for both the glock and P99 QA.
 
The very simplicity of the Glock could be for you, its downfall. For a new shooter, it is very easy to have a negligent discharge.
Both are fine pistols, but very different in operation. If you go with a Glock, be very certain to get a holster that completely covers the trigger.
No matter which, keep your finger comp[letely off the trigger until you are ready to fire. Keep the muzzle pointed downrange and you and everything else will be OK.
A trip to a range, no matter how far, can save you the expense of purchasing the wrong gun. (Besides, what a great excuse for getting in a day of shooting!)
 
I really don't think you'll find anybody that will knock the G19. For the size package it covers a lot of bases. It can serve as a duty sidearms as well as CCW. Also works well in the home defense role. I had a G22 and prefer the G19 to it.
 
Angelo,
Welcome!!
I own both the P99 and the G19. Let me say this. The Glock 19 is good, but the Walther P99 is better!!! Far better!!! Once you get the right combination of backstrap and sights, the gun will outshoot any G19!!! Standard capacity magazines for both can be had, but at a price. The last time I checked, 16rd P99 mags were $125 and 15rd G19 mags were on the order of $90!!!:eek:
If you get a P99, make sure it has the Deutsch proof marks on it and for God's sake DON"T buy a SW99!!! These are cheap fakes!!!
A good place to get a P99 is Earl's Repair Service in Tewksbury Mass. www.waltherusa.net
Now go, do the right thing and buy that Walther!!:D
 
Mr. Pub, on a possible note of clarification, I think one of us might be mistaken. I can't speak for the QA, but the 'straight' P99 trigger action is an 'and' question. Not an 'or' question.

Obviously you have the QA, which, as you point out, is like the Glock. It has NO DECOCKER, so the 'flavor' of operation on this model is a little different than your setup.

On the 'regular' P99, when the gun is cocked, and the trigger safety is disengaged, trigger action is SA, with a short pull, from first shot to last shot, just like a Glock. You have to MANUALLY set the gun into DA mode by decocking.

When the gun is DECOCKED, that's when the trigger travel is long and heavy, because it is pulling the entire striker assembly, but only for the first shot. After the first shot, the gun takes on the Glock (SA) characteristics, unless there's a dud, at which point it reverts back to DA.

I remember reading somewhere that the gun could be set entirely to DA or SA mode, but haven't explored this yet, because I love it just the way it is, since I have the best of both worlds. IMO, the additional margin of safety of a DA for the first shot, when decocked, means that I have a little more peace of mind, and flexibility with regard to where I leave it in my bedroom, or if I carry.
 
Denfoote (or anyone else),

About these Deutsch proof marks, where are they on the gun? What do they look like and are they on all real P99's? If I do go with the P99 I'm going to Earl's Repair Service since it's the closest dealer around. Do I have to worry about checking for the Deutsche proof marks there? I get the feeling I won't have to but thought I should ask anyway.


Angelo
 
Mr. Pub, I stand corrected. I see there is a decocker on the QA, but that still doesn't really change my points about how the action works on the 'regular' P99.

Angelo, if my memory serves correctly (don't have the gun in front of me... )the proof marks are in a few different locations on the P99:
On the barrel, right side, top left of the flat side of the breech.
On the Slide, right side, top left, under the sites.
On the frame, right side, in the area above the trigger guard

They look like this:
bv76471.jpg
 
welcome angelo, as the owner of a p-99 in 9mm for the last year i can not speak enough about how good the firearm is. out of the box it was the most accurate firearm i've held. the action of the standard p-99 is beautiful to start with and can only get better. i second the motion to get one from earl's, and if you do, have him do a trigger job on it before sending it to you, only makes a sweet trigger sweeter. his are all german proofed <authentic Walther> firearms. with all that said, the g19 is also a fine firearm, but i prefer the p-99.

quote
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David Berkowitz: The very simplicity of the Glock could be for you, its downfall. For a new shooter, it is very easy to have a negligent discharge.
--------------------------------------------------

David, if a new shooter is having negligent discharge issues, they need to spend more time with the firearm unloaded and practicing. there is no "timeframe" in which NDs are acceptable. any time your firearm goes off without it being intended you are a danger to yourself and those around you.



Adept
 
Angelo,
Earl's imports Walther products. I understand that S&W made some P99 parts, or even complete guns that were of dubious quality, some time back. I didn't pay any attention since I already had an old Interarms P99. The only thing I remembered was to look for the "eagle over N" proof mark to be sure that it was all Deutsch!!!
Now again, go do the right thing and buy that Walther.:D
 
I also own a P99 (mine's a .40 though), and I'd have to say I love it. The thing just feels great to shoot. I tried the large and medium grips when I first got to the range, but stuck to the medium one. It fits perfect and feels great. I also had to change to one of the different front sight posts because I was shooting low, but that solved the problem immediately. All in all I think it is a great weapon.

There are 2 things you should be aware of however. The first is that the recoil (of the .40 at least) is a little more pronounced than it is with other weapons. (specifically in comparison with a Ruger P94) This isn't a big deal for me, but it is just something to be aware of. Oh, the muzzle flip is also a little greater than the ruger, but that is primarily due to the difference in weight.

The second thing is that during the first 600 or so rounds I had a lot of misfires due to the striker not being successfully recocked by the cycling of the slide. I was worried about this issue, but didn't persue it with walther because if you just pull the trigger again the thing will go boom since it's back in DA mode. Also, the last trip to the range I put about 250 rounds through it and I never had that malfunction happen. So my guess is that the Walther needed a breaking in period.

Anyway, I love the walther and definately recommend it. It was my first handgun (and only...so far), so it should be good for you.

Mike
 
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