SW99 in .40

[panther]

My favorite pawn shop has a SW99 in .40 that is calling my name. It has the original case, extra mag, the backstraps and sights. It doesn't have the owner's manual. Is that available online, or can I write to S&W and get one?
Also, it's priced at $449. Is that a good price?

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Go to this link for a owners manual for a M99. Don


http://stevespages.com/pdf/s&w_99.pdf

 

[panther]

Thank you very much.

 

[Doughboy Racing]

Yea that is the price a M&P goes for and in my opinion the 99 is even a little nicer of a piece.

 

[Fastbolt]

S&W website downloadable manual for their various SW99 models (.pdf format).

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/other/SW99.pdf

BTW, there was an early revision of the .40 magazine bodies and followers designed to resolve the early slide stop engagement issue which was reported among early production P99's & SW99's.

The magazines can be identified by looking at the left side of the mag body, at the top, where the slide stop lever's tab reaches inside the mag body. The revised .40 mag bodies have a flat spot pressed into the side, to the rear of the lever's cutout, designed to help prevent the cartridge bullet noses from shifting leftward under recoil and bumping against the tab, lifting it upward to engage the slide while ammunition was still remaining in the mag.

In this image the original mag is shown on the left, with the revised mag on the right. The follower had to be revised, as well.

S&W made some further changes to their barrel design, making some subtle changes to the feedramp, chamber mouth and muzzle crown, as well as incorporating a flat area on the bottom of the barrel (the exterior) designed to reduce contact between the rear of the recoil spring guide assembly and the bottom of the barrel during unlocking/locking (cycling). Walther also made some slight changes in the frame they produced for the SW99 series, as well as some of the Walther frame & slide parts, but only an armorer would really need to be aware of them if a sear housing block were being replaced.

I carried a SW99 .40 for a few years as an issued weapon. I own one of my own, too. Decent gun. Typical snap and muzzle whip of a lightweight, plastic .40, though.

The rear sight and front sights have some minor issues to consider when carrying the gun (or replacing the front sight post), but nothing critical (unless you plan on knocking the rear sight base against a hard surface, which could damage the read sight base plunger).

Although I still occasionally shoot a SW99 .40 for practice, I've focused most of my attention on my SW999c (9mm compact). I tend to really like the 99 (Walther or S&W) series when it's chambered in 9mm.

 

[FirebirdV8]

The SW99 is a nice gun. I have one in 40 cal and it is accurate and has the unique decocking feature on a striker fired pistol. It was also one of the first pistols to have the interchangeable backstraps. Because of the similar price I would try a M&P as well just to see which one you like better.

 

[ncbengal]

I have had the sw99-40 and the M&P-40, sold the 99 in favor of the M&P. The poly frame of the 99, made by Walther in Germany, is okay except for the hump in the trigger guard which my fairly large hands found inconvenient. The decocking device is good, but is the only safety in that your first shot is "double action" with a loooong, stiff trigger pull, followed by shorter "single action" thereafter. Of course, the striker can be manually recocked with a round in the chamber by pulling the slide back about 3/8"+or-. IMHO, the trigger on the M&P is a little crisper. Takedown is a little more awkward than the M&P or the Springfield XDM, which I also have in .40. I am still debating with myself on preference. SW99 shoots good, is as accurate as either of the other 2 mentioned here. It will put every shot in an 8" circle at 25 yd holding 2 hands.

 

[MattB]

My favorite pawn shop has a SW99 in .40 that is calling my name. It has the original case, extra mag, the backstraps and sights. It doesn't have the owner's manual. Is that available online, or can I write to S&W and get one?
Also, it's priced at $449. Is that a good price?

$449 is a decent price if it's in good shape, but it's probably worth offering them $400 and seeing what they say. I bought a Walther P99 in .40 about a month ago with very light holster wear, box, three mags, and all the original backstraps and tools for $450.

 

[Mr. Scott]

I like my SW99. It feels better in the hand than the M&P and the trigger I think is worlds better.

 

[ab4ka]

I had the compact version and really liked the features like the decocker, the cocking indicator on the rear and loved the trigger, but it was just a tad to small for me. I'd love to have a full-size.

 

[OPS Marine]

I have the SW99OL, which is DAO and has no decocker. I've posted a photo of it on those 2 S&W photo threads.