Question for P99/SW99 9mm owners

D

DougB

New member
I have an SW99 and some pre-ban "normal capacity" magazines for it. They are Walther P99 magazines that have holes in the sides marked as 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 16. I assumed this meant that the magazine holds 16 rounds. But, try as I might, I can't seem to get more than 15 rounds into them. The hole numbered 16 shows a little brass when loaded with 15, but it looks to me like another should go in. But I've pushed about as hard as I dare to get the last round in without success. I paid close to $100 each for these, so I don't want to bend the lips or otherwise damage the magazines. They seem to function fine. Does the 16 include one in the barrel? Is there some trick to getting 16 into a P99 magazine? I have an old S&W M59 9mm that is supposed to hold 14 in the magazine, but I always get 15 in, so this is kind of a switch for me. Thanks.

Doug
 
I owned the P99 and a high cap mag. Fill the mag with 15 and let it sit for several weeks. Shoot it as much as you can and always leave it as full as you can. After a few weeks you will be able to put 16rds in it.
 
I've got some hi-caps for my P99. I've had no more problem loading them with 16 rounds than loading any other mags to full capacity. The last one is always tough. They do fit, though.

My suggestion is to get one of those magazine loaders. It's this plastic thing you put the magazine in. You push down on the thumb-lever, and that pushes the bullet into the mag. You then insert the next round and keep doing that until the mag is loaded. I find that this helps in general, but especially with the last 2 rounds. Unfortunately, I'm not sure who makes it (HKS?). They're available at most gun stores, but make sure you pick up the right one for your gun (they are mag specific, but you can match it up on the back of the packaging). I have a few for various guns, and they work great.
 
I too used the "load it and let it sit for a few days" method of breaking in the hi-caps for my P99. I loaded it a round at a time and let it sit loaded until I could get that last round in, then let it sit for a couple days. No problems since.

The springs in these mags are pretty strong, but you are wise not to force anything. Just try to leave them loaded (15 rds) for a few days and then see if you can get that last round in.

Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
 
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