Anybody ever owned a P99?

[MilesColtrane]

I'm considering my first pistol purchase, and I'd like some opinions.


I've got a friend who's trying to dissuade me from buying anything with a synthetic frame.
I have decided that I want my first to be an automatic. Maybe a Colt Python next?

[bmbmd]

1. Bond

James Bond. Q would disapprove.

[krispos42]

2. "Gun Tests" didn't like them

November 2005. They tested a Walther P99QA and a similar Smith & Wesson SW990L, both in .40 S&W. The Walther had a magazine-bulge problem when loaded past eight rounds (it wouldn't drop free), and the trigger was described as heavy and uncommunicative. The Smith & Wesson had a better trigger, but not a decocker.

The testers reported that they had trouble with being able to shoot rapidly and on target with both pistols. It seems that the guns lack natural pointability.

Gun Tests gave both guns a "Don't Buy" rating. They felt that there were a variety of other pistols that were simply better.

There is nothing wrong with a polymer pistol, don't let your buddy get you down. Just buy a name-brand one, that's all.

You might want to get a .22 rimfire pistol for you first gun. They are about half as expensive as a high-powered pistol, recoil is minimal, and ammo is super-cheap, about 2 cents a round. Very good to learn pistolcraft with because you can all practice all day and concentrate on shooting, not recoil.

A Browning Buck Mark pistol starts about $275 or so, IIRC, and the guys at "Gun Tests" like them quite a bit. Or you can get a Ruger Single-Six revolver. They are Old West-style six-shooters, and they come with two cylinders, one for .22 Magnums and one for regular .22s.

If you're determined to go the high-power route, I got to fire a Ruger P345 one afternoon. Polymer framed .45. The gun worked fine out of the box. Very comfortable, naturally pointable, sights were pretty accurate. I think the magazine had a problem, because the last round would jam on loading. It was one of the first ones Ruger made, so that was probably it.

The Army just purchased a few thousand Ruger P95 9mm pistols as well, and those are also polymer-framed.

I've heard good things about the Springfield Armory XDs as well. And of course the there's the classic, the Glock.

It would help if you told us what you were planning on doing with it.

[MilesColtrane]

3. Thanks for your input.

I used to subscribe to Gun Tests, and bought my Mossberg 500 on their recomendation.

This gun will be for range shooting, and as a home defense back up. I don't plan on carrying it.

[Irreverend IX]

5. For those purposes...

I would suggest the CZ75 SP-01.



I generally favor steel hammer-fired pistols, and this one is very reliable and accurate. The ergonomics of the CZ75 series are considered to be among the best of all pistols, and the weight of the SP-01 is well-distributed. You can get one with a safety or a decocker, which allow for different styles of carry. The SP-01 is big and heavy (and it holds 20 rounds with the default mag), so it may not be suitable for carry if you ever decide to do that, but it's great for target shooting and home defense. The rail on the front can be used to mount a flashlight, which is useful when going through your house at night.

I shot a P99 once and thought it had a flimsy, toy-like feel. I've heard they have lots of problems with their plastic cracking. Striker-fired guns with polymer frames are popular now, but I don't like them much. They're top-heavy and the triggers feel gummy, especially the Glock-style trigger with the integrated safety lever.

All-steel guns feel smoother and have a better heft to me. It's really an apples-and-oranges thing, though; you should go to a range and shoot as many different guns as you can and figure out what style you like. Some people love the plastic pistols.

Another advantage of the CZ75 series guns is that you can purchase a .22 LR conversion kit for them:



You just take the slide off your CZ, put this one on, put in the .22 magazine and you're ready to shoot .22 LR. This means you can do lots of cheap target practice with a gun that handles the same way as your regular one. The conversion kit only costs around $250.

[tburnsten]

9. CZ is the way to go!

If they fit your hand. I have a CZ 97B .45 Auto and a CZ 75D PCR 9x19, they are excellent pistols, the 75 in all its versions is a superbly reliable feeder, capable of superlative accuracy, and feel great in any ordinary sized hand. A CZ 75 Tac in OD green is going to be my next pistol. Don't plan on only having one though, you might as well budget for two or three while you are at it.

Also, CDNN Investments has the CZ 40B for under $300.

Check this out-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CZ_75

CZ 97B-


CZ 75D PCR-

[benEzra]

4. Nothing wrong with polymer-framed guns...

the overwhelming success of Glocks (which now account for ~70% or so of guns in police holsters, IIRC), and their amazing durability, show that a polymer-framed gun can hold up as well as or better than a steel framed pistol, and better than an aluminum framed one. My wife has a Glock (G26 9mm, with Trijicons) and loves it.

As far as the P99 itself, I am not all that familiar with it, but I seem to remember that there were some early quality control problems that should be resolved by now. If you like the P99 but are worried about the reviews, though, you might want to take a look at S&W's new "M&P" pistol, which is similar and gets rave reviews from almost everybody I've read, including John Farnam.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearchResultView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&pageSize=10&published=1&beginIndex=0&resultType=2&attributeName1=Model&attributeValue1=M%26P&attributeValueType1=STRING&attributeValueOperator1=EQUAL&isFirearm=Y

[Deep13]

6. A lot of people like them, but I don't care for the double-action-only.

If you want a compact, polymer pistol consider the Beretta Storm (the pistol, not the carbine).

Polymer is at least as durable as the hardened aluminum that most automatic frames are made from. If you want something that is all steel you might want to consider a Browning Hi-Power.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

7. All I can say is that I love mine.

Bought a little over a year ago. Try to put 100 rounds per week through it. Never a jam or misfire. Really easy to field strip for cleaning. Comes with three interchangeable grip thingies so you can really fit it to your hand. I highly recommend the p99.

The P22 is another matter entirely. Very fussy gun. Do not recommend.

[Deep13]

8. Best all-around full-size auto pistol:

Berretta 92

I have the latest incarnation, the 90-Two.

Long sight radius
comfortable to shoot, good ergonomics
night sights
dead-on accuracy
straight line loading, misfeed is nearly impossible
open top, stove-piping is nearly impossible
equipment rail for flashlight or ray gun sight
chrome-line barrel, extremely tough
weather proof
ubiquitous replacement parts
quick field stripping for cleaning
small hand grip available