I carried a 100% German-made P99 on duty several years ago. Now I have the chance to acquire a like-new SW99 in 9MM for a good price. My P99 (also a 9MM) was a tackdriver and utterly reliable. What can I expect from the SW99? TIA

They are largely the same gun apart from a few cosmetic differences. I can't think of any reason why an SW99 wouldn't shoot as well as its Walther twin.

Back in 1999 or 2000, my organization attempted to switch from the HK P7M8 to the S&W99. We experienced many problems with the gun, especially the magazines. One of the men at my station had his S&W99 "Blow Up" in his hand. And by that I mean the gun split from the frame rail to the bottom of the magazine well. The contract with S&W was dropped, and the SiG Sauer P228 was accepted instead. If you are not having problems with your Walther P99, I'd just stick with that gun. Just my 2 cents.

I have had both, now have the S&W. I never found any difference other than the S&W was about $100.00 cheaper and it's mag holds one more round. Nice as the Walther with a LIFETIME warranty

The mags are interchangable between the 99 series guns. The S&W also officially has a lifetime warranty as compared to the Walther 1-year warranty, but by all accounts S&W will repair a P99 free of charge regardless of how long it's been out there.

The mag issues were in the 40S&W early and were corrected by newer mags with a blue follower I have both P99 and SW99 in both 9mm and 40 and about to get a 45 SW99 I have had no issues with any of the pistols except running out of ammo

I have both the full size and compact versions of the Walther and once also owned a S&W version of this pistol. Although I sold the S&W, I never really saw much difference other than the styling of the pistol. Nor did I ever have any problems with any of the three 9mm guns. I'd have a lot more interest in them if I hadn't been seduced by the Browning High Power.

I have the SW99 in 40 cal and it has been nothing but reliable. The SW99 did have some growing pains when it was first released, but those were all taken care of. The SW99 should be just as reliable as the Walther.

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J.D. Roy

I own and shoot both a S&W 99 and Walther P99. Aside from the cosmetic differences in the slide there has been no difference in either reliability or accuracy. Both have been totallly reliable with a wide variety of bullet profiles and surprisingly accurate for a short barreled pistol.

My wife's S&W99 .40 blew up in her hand two weeks ago. A chunk of frame above the trigger finger exploded off and the frame cracked all down the mag well on both sides. Extractor also blew in half. She has put over 1200 rds through it over the last two years. S&W does not warranty these anymore, it all switched over to Walther and they only cover 1 yr. She really liked the 99 but isn't too sure about getting another. It took a week for her hand to heal up.

dear Sir; I am very sorry for the injuries your wife recieved. is she all right? My prayers are with you on this. I have a sw99 in 9mm I hope i dont have any problems with it. what kind of ammo did she use was it +p ammo?

S&W has a one year warranty. When that ends, they have a lifetime service policy that kicks in. I believe Walther has a similar arrangement.

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Bob

That was the only post he made .....2.5 years ago

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Bob