SW99 .45ACP Reliability?

[wizard.mk18]

My wife and I finally decided to purchase a pair of striker fired .45ACP pistols as backup to our 1911's.

Our local dealer did not have a pair of Glock 21's but took us downstairs to his vault to browse and pulled out a pair of SW99's in the desired caliber. They were not on our list of guns to consider but felt good to both of us and were good looking having stainless slides.

We got a really great price as he said they were long discontinued.

Does the board have a consensus on these guns. I don't usually jump into a purchase without research, but at $389 each, it seemed to both my wife and I that it was a very good deal as there's not much available in the under $400 category.

Are there any issues with the SW99 that I should be aware of?

As I said, these will be backups for our 1911 type pistols and if used, will be carried around our farm in Safariland 6280 type holsters.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[S&WForty]

I own .40 versions of a S&W SW99 QA fullsize and a compact SW990L (QA became L when they changed to 990). They were purchased back around 2007-2008. Both have several hundred rounds through them, and they have never ever malfunctioned. I cannot speak for the .45 version though, but I think the .40 round is more finicky than the .45, so I bet they function well.

The ergonomics are great, but the triggers are sorta "gritty." Based on what I read about older M&P triggers that get upgraded with Apex kits, it seems to be the same complaint. Not the end of the world, but not something to write home about either.

What model are these? They had three different triggers. The QA (L) trigger is Glock-like in that it's a "DAO" style trigger. There is a "AS" model available that is DA/SA. I believe it stands for Anti-Stress. Most that have that trigger really like it.

In case you're not aware, these are extremely similar to the Walther P99 pistols (Walther made the frame, S&W made the slide). My long ago reading told me the P99 was developed around the 9mm round. That round supposedly shines the best in this pistol family. IMO, my little ole .40 Shield handles recoil better than my two SW99s (and a G27, too).

For your intended use, they are probably decent deals for the price stated. Look for accessory availability first to get an idea what is available. They soon became overlooked when the M&P line came out.

 

[5Wire]

I believe the only trigger option at the time of the SW99s didn't have the "AS" name but it was what later came to be known as "AS" as Walther came up with variations.

The SW99s do fall under S&W's Lifetime Service Policy. That's a definite plus, too.

I owned this one for a while:

 

[TTSH]

This is a thread I recently started on the SW99 in .45 ACP: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...38851-sw99-45-old-article-some-questions.html You may find some of the information contained therein interesting.

You are way ahead of me owning two while I am still shopping around for just one reasonably affordable one here in MA! And it sounds like you did quite well price-wise and even got the more desirable (to some, including me) stainless steel slide version. All I can say is Congratulations!

Actually, my own SW99 .45 shopping is on hold for the rest of this year. I kind of overdid things this past summer and now I am paying a heavy price for that. But watch out come next spring!

 

[oberlin1]

Wow...what a deal! You did very well. I have been looking for that very gun and they are always snapped up!

 

[jsbethel]

You may want to pick up a couple of extra recoil springs while they are available - Smith & Wesson Recoil Guide Rod Assembly S&W SW9945 SW990L45

 

[fuzzymcnab]

Wizard, you did very well indeed. Although the fans of these guns are a small group, there are many more collectors than there are good examples of these guns to go around. The high bore axis causes them to be a bit snappy in the recoil department, but they are a true joy in the hand with more sexy then a Bond girl. I love mine and would not part with it for any price.
Fuzzy

 

[DanHend]

My only issue I had with my 9mm was with the "DA/SA" trigger, and it was enough for me to sell it. I liked the features, and I loved the grip even more. The DA trigger was pretty good. Only about 7-8#. The SA trigger was light, but it was the main downfall for me.

There was absolutely NO feel on where the trigger break was. It drove me mental. What was even worse was the few times I did find the break point in SA. When I found it, I could put 5 shots in a .356" hole on a target at 20 feet. Most of the time, I had a shotgun pattern.

If you can find the break point, it'll be the best gun you'll ever have. If you can't, at least now you can sell it for very little loss.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

I have had one since the mid 2000's. Shot it yesterday (3 full mags) and had no problems with it.

 

[growr]

My best friend has one and has run many thousands of rounds through his .45 with no hiccups.

The SW 99 was very accurate, reliable and was quite under-rated, however it ended up paving the way for the M&P series which is why ( My opinion) it was relatively short lived. A number of the features introduced in the 99 were kept in the M&P....interchangeable back strap for example...

I would buy one in a heart beat if the price was right!!
Randy

 

[jyo]

I brought a minty, used SW99 in 45 ACP several years back---I shoot it from time to time and actually like it quite a bit---it shoots to point of aim---is reliable---grip is good for my large hands---came with three magazines and orig. box---trigger is OK, but probably won't please a trigger snob, but is fine with me---I've probably shot 800-1000 rds thru it with no issues...