S&W 4006 (.40) or Walther P99 (9mm) ?

[cmm]

I need some advice from the knowledgeable semi-auto guys and gals here.

I already have a Walther P99 in 9mm. It is a pretty decent gun, even if it is plastic. I am considering getting a used S&W 4006 stainless.

Apart from weight, what is the benefit/drawback of the S&W 4006 vs the P99?
Are they too duplicative?
How accurate is the S&W?

This is for a target/range gun only.

 

[cmm]

I need some advice from the knowledgeable semi-auto guys and gals here.

I already have a Walther P99 in 9mm. It is a pretty decent gun, even if it is plastic. I am considering getting a used S&W 4006 stainless.

Apart from weight, what is the benefit/drawback of the S&W 4006 vs the P99?
Are they too duplicative?
How accurate is the S&W?

This is for a target/range gun only.

 

[sw4566]

In the event you were to fire some over-pressure or otherwise defective ammo, the 4006 is far less likely to go kaboom in your hand. The 4006 is reasonably accurate, and the all steel frame makes the .40 cartridge a little less snappy in the hand.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

I think the Walther P99/AS in 9mm is a fantastic pistol. I "had" the P99c/AS and P99/AS and they were both extremely accurate and always reliable.

I don't think you'll find the SW 4006 as accurate as the Walthers when it comes to shooting the smallest group, but you will find the S&W MORE than self defense accurate.

I knew the Smiths were generally not as "target accuracy" accurate as the P99's, but I sold both my P99's and replaced them with NIB S&W's..

I replaced the home defense P99/AS with a new 5906 because I like the traditional DA/SA w/external safety (in my old age),and Crimson Trace makes a set of Lasergrips for the 5906. Also my first priority in a self defense firearm is RELIABILITY and imo NO other firearms offers a better record of reliability over the long haul than all of the 3rd generation Smiths..

I replaced the P99c/AS with the PPS, (which was a terrible mistake)and then replaced the PPS with a nib 3913LS. (+ a nib CS9).

I am well pleased with the tradeoff's both in the home defense 5906 and the compact 3913LS/CS9.

But the P99 with the "AS" (anti-stress)trigger/stiker is an awesome pistol.

Just personal opinion/no offense.

Jesse

 

[M29since14]

The 4006 has the traditional DA mechanism, so it might be easier to hit with when shooting in SA mode - particularly for a range gun. (A 4006 is never going to be a "target gun.")

Since your P99 is a 9mm, I wouldn't consider a 4006 redundant (fires a different cartridge).

 

[cmm]

Thanks guys, that advice is appreciated. My Walther P99 is the AS (long first trigger pull, then short subsequent pulls) model.

Can the 4006 be configured as DAO if you want? I shoot a lot of DA revolver and would like a DA semi too, if it can be switched easily back to DA/SA.

The 4006 I am considering buying has been to a smith for trigger work and is supposedly a very smooth shooter.

 

[10mm Sonny]

The DAO version of the 4006 is the 4046.

 

[sheriff51]

I've carried both as duty weapons. Both are execellent but are different designs. Now that I'm retired I still carry either one of them and feel very secure

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Get an M&P 40 instead and get a pistol superior to both.

 

[dogsoldier]

I've carried both the 4006 and the P99 on duty and CCW. The P99, IF it's 100% German-made, wins HANDS DOWN.

 

[PX15]

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
Get an M&P 40 instead and get a pistol superior to both.

Dream on....

Jesse

 

[cmm]

Yes, my P99 is one of the early all German ones. I shot it this morning and it is pretty accurate, I have to say.

Thanks for the advice all.

 

[powerkicker]

I carry a SW99 in .40 more than my 3rd generation S&W pistols.

 

[Mortech]

The 4006 will be alot more pleasent to shoot with hotter loads that the P99 . I find my 4026 handles hotter loads better than my SW99 or M&P40 . But the M&P is a much better carry gun than either .

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by PX15:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
Get an M&P 40 instead and get a pistol superior to both.

Dream on....

Jesse

Yeah, because the P99 and the S&W third gen pistols are taking over police departments like a storm.

 

[dennis40x]

Personally I like the Walther AS trigger system. I've yet to purchase a S&W-MP series pistol and most likely won't.

 

[cmm]

Thanks everyone for your input. I found a trade deal on a 4006 locally so will be purchasing it Monday.

So here's a question: can you buy a barrel to convert the 4006 to 9mm? I understand that barrels are available to convert to 357 SIG caliber.

 

[PX15]

[/QUOTE]
Yeah, because the P99 and the S&W third gen pistols are taking over police departments like a storm.[/QUOTE]



FWIW:

Well, S&W 3rd generation pistols took over the leo market a long time ago, and in the nature of things were replaced, not by the MP, but by Glocks.. And not because Smiths were not as good as Glocks but Smith & Wesson marketing was not as good as Glocks marketing was..

Additionally times change.. Folks think of plastic guns as new, steel guns as old.. That's just perception but perception is reality for most folks.

I don't see the MP line replacing the Glocks for leo's in any number, and until S&W Wesson gets it's advertising and marketing act together it'll never happen.

As for the Walther P99.. The Walther P99 is an excellent pistol but just as with the management of S&W the folks in power at Walther apparently flunked marketing 101.. At least the feeble marketing attempts seem to bear that out.

Hey, if you like your plastic gun, I'm happy for you. But if you think the 3rd generation Smiths are not, and were not, excellent pistols you are disregarding the hundreds of thousands used by various leo departments all over the U.S. for a long, long time.

The most important factor in how good or bad a firearm is would be how well it works for YOU. You are the only person who matters, to you, and other's opinions don't amount to a hill of beans IF you are satisfied with the firearm of your choice.

I have no bone to pick with the MP.. I don't want one, just from what I read it's not that great a platform, but if it works for you, enjoy.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[MattB]

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:

Originally posted by PX15:

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
Get an M&P 40 instead and get a pistol superior to both.

Dream on....

Jesse

Yeah, because the P99 and the S&W third gen pistols are taking over police departments like a storm.

I'm actually deciding between a P99 9mm AS and an M&P40 right now. If I had the money I'd buy both...they're both excellent platforms. The M&P does have some useful features that the P99 doesn't (picatinny rail namely) but the P99 offers the DA/SA trigger. It's a matter of personal preference. The P99 is, however, far too expensive new compared to the M&P or Glock.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by PX15:
I don't want one, just from what I read it's not that great a platform

Heve you even shot one?