If youve got the money to spend, the Walther is the way to go. Rugers are also great pistols and I rarely hear negative comments made towards them. I owned a P90 .45 in the past and loved it. If you simply want a reliable gun that whizzes a piece of lead downrange, the P99 isnt worth the high price and the Ruger would easily suffice. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of fine firearms though, you will be thrilled with the P99.
P99 vs P99QA
- Thread starter swat11
- Start date
Regarding the standard vs. QA versions of the P99, I favor the standard (traditional double action). It seems to me that the standard P99 competes with the HK USP, Sig, CZ, Beretta, etc. I feel safer with that longer, heavier first shot trigger pull. I figure I would only shoot double action if I had to draw and fire very quickly (probably at very close range). I don't think the long, heavy fist-shot trigger pull would be a huge factor at close range. About 99.9% of the time, I will have (and take) time to cock the pistol before firing - giving me a better trigger pull than a QA P99.
I think the QA version of the P99 competes with the Glock, Styer, and other pistols with short, light, double-action-only triggers. I recognize that many people like them and feel perfectly safe using them. I woudn't argue (much) with them. But knowing that my pistol is ready to fire at all times with just a short, relatively light trigger pull makes me a little nervous. I like the extra margin of safety provided by traditional double action. This was probably the biggest selling point, for me, of the P99 (actually, mine is an SW99, but same thing, right
). If I wanted something like the QA trigger, I'd just go with a Glock (less money and very well-proven design). I like having a streamlined, polymer framed, light, high capacity pistol that is traditional DA.
Regarding the Ruger pistols, I'm sure they are solid and reliable guns. But, to me, they don't look or feel as nice and refined as the Walther, HK, and other "higher end" pistols. Sort of like comparing a Chevy truck to a Mercedes. If you are looking for a less costly option, I'd check out the CZ pistols (75B or the lighter and more compact PCR model). These seem just as well designed and made as the "high end" pistols, but cost about the same as the Ruger. They are a little heavier than the plastic guns, however.
Doug
I think the QA version of the P99 competes with the Glock, Styer, and other pistols with short, light, double-action-only triggers. I recognize that many people like them and feel perfectly safe using them. I woudn't argue (much) with them. But knowing that my pistol is ready to fire at all times with just a short, relatively light trigger pull makes me a little nervous. I like the extra margin of safety provided by traditional double action. This was probably the biggest selling point, for me, of the P99 (actually, mine is an SW99, but same thing, right
). If I wanted something like the QA trigger, I'd just go with a Glock (less money and very well-proven design). I like having a streamlined, polymer framed, light, high capacity pistol that is traditional DA.Regarding the Ruger pistols, I'm sure they are solid and reliable guns. But, to me, they don't look or feel as nice and refined as the Walther, HK, and other "higher end" pistols. Sort of like comparing a Chevy truck to a Mercedes. If you are looking for a less costly option, I'd check out the CZ pistols (75B or the lighter and more compact PCR model). These seem just as well designed and made as the "high end" pistols, but cost about the same as the Ruger. They are a little heavier than the plastic guns, however.
Doug
DougB - the QA trigger is 6.5 pounds. So its not that light. The normal Glock is, what, 5.5lbs and most people put in a 3.5lb trigger.
My thinking in avoiding DA/SA is that the first shot has got to count. With a long hard pull (DA) you may miss your target if your adrenelin is running. After the first shot you may be blinded by the flash (especially in the middle of the night in your house).
You really can't count on cocking a P99 as you may pull back too far and cause a bullet to lodge itself in the chamber - just when you need the gun. Its not like cocking the hammer on a 1911.
To each their own of course.
My thinking in avoiding DA/SA is that the first shot has got to count. With a long hard pull (DA) you may miss your target if your adrenelin is running. After the first shot you may be blinded by the flash (especially in the middle of the night in your house).
You really can't count on cocking a P99 as you may pull back too far and cause a bullet to lodge itself in the chamber - just when you need the gun. Its not like cocking the hammer on a 1911.
To each their own of course.
Mr. Pub,
Thanks for the info. I've actually never tried the QA trigger - I'd just gathered from what I've read that it is similar to a Glock's trigger. I don't find it at all difficult to cock my SW99 (I don't think I've ever pulled too far and caused a jam), but I can see how that might be possible. At the distances I'd be shooting inside my home (in a break-in situation, for example), I doubt that the difference between a 6.5lb and whatever the traditional DA P99 trigger pull is (maybe 9 lbs?) would make much difference. But who knows. I do know that I like being able to cock the thing when I'm plinking or at the range, and have a real single-action trigger pull. I would hate to saddle myself with ALWAYS having to use the 6.5lb QA trigger, just for the sake of possibly having a slightly more accurate first shot in that one-in-ten thousand chance that I have to use the pistol very quickly in self defense. But I can certainly see how others might see things differently. I don't keep my SW99 as my primary home-defense gun (12ga pump and old S&W 9mm serve that purpose), so I weigh recreational shooting enjoyment more heavily that pure self-defense usage.
Doug
Thanks for the info. I've actually never tried the QA trigger - I'd just gathered from what I've read that it is similar to a Glock's trigger. I don't find it at all difficult to cock my SW99 (I don't think I've ever pulled too far and caused a jam), but I can see how that might be possible. At the distances I'd be shooting inside my home (in a break-in situation, for example), I doubt that the difference between a 6.5lb and whatever the traditional DA P99 trigger pull is (maybe 9 lbs?) would make much difference. But who knows. I do know that I like being able to cock the thing when I'm plinking or at the range, and have a real single-action trigger pull. I would hate to saddle myself with ALWAYS having to use the 6.5lb QA trigger, just for the sake of possibly having a slightly more accurate first shot in that one-in-ten thousand chance that I have to use the pistol very quickly in self defense. But I can certainly see how others might see things differently. I don't keep my SW99 as my primary home-defense gun (12ga pump and old S&W 9mm serve that purpose), so I weigh recreational shooting enjoyment more heavily that pure self-defense usage.
Doug
For all of you who have yet to fire the original trigger set up of the Walther P99, try to get past this myth of the trigger feeling like a sledge hammer. The initial DA pull is some getting used to, and there are those who argue against getting used to guns, but I can squeeze rounds off as quickly and accurately in IDPA with the DA as I do with the follow up SA. It is a combat gun; if you want a scoped auto, get something else.
This gun is designed to go bang. Maybe not the Glock std of burying in sand, pouring lava over it, cleaning it out with a drill bit and hitting .000000000000000000000023" groups at 500 yards
but I really think that you can not go wrong with it. It is my daily carry, 10 x 40 sw +1 155 GR JHP. 
By the way, the Walther is definately a woman, mine is named Catherine.
This gun is designed to go bang. Maybe not the Glock std of burying in sand, pouring lava over it, cleaning it out with a drill bit and hitting .000000000000000000000023" groups at 500 yards
but I really think that you can not go wrong with it. It is my daily carry, 10 x 40 sw +1 155 GR JHP. By the way, the Walther is definately a woman, mine is named Catherine.
Here is a detailed review of the STEYR pistol http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/steyr40.htm
I'm hoping for some advice (either way) as to why this pistol (I'm looking at the S9 or M9) is better or worse than the P99. One thing I gleened from this review that I didn't know before is that Steyr has wrapped a steel frame with Polymer while the P99 is all Polymer.
Does is all come down to preference? Some hate the DA trigger on the Steyr while other love it.....some hate the DA/SA trigger on the P99 while others love it.....some hate the safety/internal lock on the Steyr while others appreciate that its there.........
swat11
I'm hoping for some advice (either way) as to why this pistol (I'm looking at the S9 or M9) is better or worse than the P99. One thing I gleened from this review that I didn't know before is that Steyr has wrapped a steel frame with Polymer while the P99 is all Polymer.
Does is all come down to preference? Some hate the DA trigger on the Steyr while other love it.....some hate the DA/SA trigger on the P99 while others love it.....some hate the safety/internal lock on the Steyr while others appreciate that its there.........
swat11
juliet charley
New member
hube1236 -
Have you been taking 355sigfan's posts seriously again?
Have you been taking 355sigfan's posts seriously again?
Herr Walther
New member
Comparing a Walther, any Walther to a Ruger is like comparing a Ruger to a Jennings.
They aren't even in the same class. And yes I would, and did pay twice as much or more for a Walther than a Ruger.
Any day.
I have SN# 237 Walther P99. The trigger is silky smooth in DA and breaks crisply in SA. I think the problem with some may be that the plastic trigger parts need to be polished together by repeated firing before the trigger gets this smooth. Mine was a bit rough at first too, but is great now.
They aren't even in the same class. And yes I would, and did pay twice as much or more for a Walther than a Ruger.
Any day.
I have SN# 237 Walther P99. The trigger is silky smooth in DA and breaks crisply in SA. I think the problem with some may be that the plastic trigger parts need to be polished together by repeated firing before the trigger gets this smooth. Mine was a bit rough at first too, but is great now.