Originally posted by cometpx4:
Hold off and wait for the Walther PK380. Its the same size as the P22, 7/8 rounds, 19 0z.. and shipping now. As you know Smith and walther are now the same.
comet:
Respectfully I suggest that Smith & Wesson and Walther are NOT the same... Never have been.
The relationship between S&W & Walther is simply one of convenience whereby S&W has agreed to be the U.S. importer (and warrenty provider) for a specific number of Walther pistols.
These pistols imported by S&W for Walther America include the PPS/P99's/P22's perhaps one or two others I cannot remember right now.
For example the warranty on a Walther firearm is one year. S&W warranty is for the lifetime of the original buyer.
Smith & Wesson did collaberate regarding the SW99 (which is basically a Walther P99 but with a S&W slide and barrel. The SW99 was molded into the SW990 and both S&W models are no longer manufactured.
But even then Walther had no claim to the SW99, or SW990, and no Walther banner is found on those pistols. The Walther P99's ARE bannered by Walther and the only indication of any connection to S&W with the P99's is the line "IMPORTED BY S&W for Walther", generally found on the right side of the slide near the front of the pistol.
Walther DID sell the PPK line of pistols to S&W, and the new PPK's ARE indeed all American manufactured and solely owned by Smith & Wesson.
My understanding is the with the release of the Walther 9mm/40 cal. PPS the smaller caliber, old technology PPK was redundant and no longer desirable to Walther.
So, S&W does import for Walther on specific firearms, S&W does own the PPK but other than that S&W and Walther have always been two distinct firearm manufacturers.
No offense, just offering my opinion.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
P.S. If I'm wrong I'll be more than happy to apologize.. My comments are based on owning a P99/AS, P99c/AS, PPS (2). I have had many conversations with the folks at S&W Customer Service regarding the relationship of these particular Walther firearms to S&W, and two conversations with a gentleman in Germany at Walther headquarters. It seems most of the confusion regarding the connection of S&W & Walther comes simply from having the import marking of S&W on the slides of those Walther pistols S&W is importing, (and obviously being paid to import and warrant) and servicing these particular pistols.