Why didn't the SW99 sell better?

[Outrider]

From what I hear, the SW99 is a great pistol.

But it didn't seem to sell well.

Any ideas on why it didn't go over bigger?

Is it still in production in .45 or other calibers?

 

[deanodog]

I often wondered the same thing. I like them but seems like they never hit the hot sales.Could it be advertising? I don't know

 

[MattB]

They were rather expensive for what they are. So is the P99 on which the SW99 is based. As far as I know they are no longer made as S&W is focusing on the M&P.

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

I can tell you why I THINK the SW99 never sold better....

Same reason as why the excellent P99 didn't sell better...

POOR MARKETING...

Also, the confusion as to "who" made the P99, and why the SW99 was even made when it was basically a P99 excluding the slide and barrel, and the price was sorta high, and POOR MARKETING, etc..

For example if you read the various firearm forums about the P99/SW99 you will find out that many folks think because the P99 has "S&W" on the barrel it's made by S&W.. Nope, just imported.. Some folks think that since the bottom end of the SW99 say's Walther it's made by, uh... well, it's confusing to say the least. I don't think this Walther licensing the manufacture of the Walther PPK is clearly understood by most firearm buyers, and the relationship between the P99 and SW99 is so close to incest that nobody can figure it out.

I do know that Walther fans consider the P99 superior to the SW99 because it's "all German" (so was the Tiger tank for what good that did them in WW2), and the barrel and slide of the SW99's made in the good old U.S. by S&W were somehow inferior.

(The all American S&W PPK's get the same rap vs the older German PPK's.)

I do know that my buddy bought a new SW99 because he couldn't find a P99 at the time, and for his trouble he saved money, got basically the same pistol anyway, got a lifetime warranty vs the one year Walther warranty, and his SW99 shoots and functions just as well as my P99.. We have shot them "head to head" and I certainly couldn't tell any difference between the two, and you just know I was looking for some...

My buddy loves his SW99, and I think they are excellent firearms.

Just personal opinion, no offense.

Jesse

 

[powerkicker]

I actually chose the SW99 over the M&P because it is simply much more stylish and is functionally equivalent. I chose the SW99 over the P99 because the proprietary Walther rail didn't suit me.

They didn't sell well because S&W didn't market them well in my opinion. It almost seems that S&W didn't want it to compete with their own in-the-works M&P.

 

[TSQUARED]

The situation is not unique to the Walther/S&W relationship. Most sales agreements of similar nature never realize the full potential of the product in question. The US partner is loath to commit maximum resources because of the profit split with the non-US partner. In most cases the foreign partner uses it as a means of gaining knowledge of the US market before embarking on his own US business. At the same time the US partner gains experience with a new product or design. As I understand the S&W/Walther relationship - the slides and barrels were manufactured by S&W and the frames by Walther for both the S&W99 and Walther P99. The difference in cosmetics was purely an attempt to provide some product differentiation.

The S&W 99 is a tuly excellent product. I thought they were competitively priced with respect to the Glocks. I own and shoot both the S&W 99 and Walther P99QA. In addition I have just purchased the S&W M&P9PRO. I certainly prefer the ergonomics of the Walther and S&W products to the Glocks. While I can shoot a 1911 type with comfort I find the Glock grip with it's rear hump much less comfortable.

 

[bad_man_ one]

All your questions can be answered HERE.
I love my P99's, two 9's and a .40 S&W with the proprietary Walther rail, no problems.
I also have a SW99 in .45 acp., same thing, no problems, all great guns.
Regards,
BM1

 

[gmchenry]

The SW99 was also in a negative light when the NJSP cancelled their orders. Had S&W not had to modify the pistols and mags to accommodate the whims of the NJSP which made them unreliable, adoption may have gone better.

You also have to remember that the SW99 was going head-to-head with Glock. Glocks are cheaper and simpler to make when compared to the SW99.

 

[Out West]

Good question. Price was probably a factor. Slightly more expensive than a Glock. I've owned all the S&W 99's and enjoyed them. Certainly prefer them to Glocks - better ergonomics, second strike capability and excellent trigger action. Like I said, good question.

Out West

 

[ArmyCop]

I wonder the same about S&W's CS45 which I own and think very highly of....

 

[PX15]

Originally posted by ArmyCop:
I wonder the same about S&W's CS45 which I own and think very highly of....

AC:

And I wonder the same about the CS9, which I have.. And love...

Jesse

 

[cce1302]

I'd have to attribute some of it to the XD.

 

[Outrider]

Does Smith still have it in production as a .45 or other calibers?

 

[MattB]

Originally posted by Outrider:
Does Smith still have it in production as a .45 or other calibers?

No, the SW99 has been discontinued. It doesn't really have a place with the Sigma at the low end and the M&P targeting the police market.

 

[powerkicker]

Originally posted by MattB:

Originally posted by Outrider:
Does Smith still have it in production as a .45 or other calibers?

No, the SW99 has been discontinued. It doesn't really have a place with the Sigma at the low end and the M&P targeting the police market.

I think they still carry the compact version.

 

[Revoman]

Ok, I have a chance to buy a S&W 99c in .40 caliber used very little, excellent condition.

$350.00 firm do I stand still, walk, or run.

I don't really need it, but it seems like a good deal.

 

[PX15]

Originally posted by Revoman:
Ok, I have a chance to buy a S&W 99c in .40 caliber used very little, excellent condition.
$350.00 firm do I stand still, walk, or run.
I don't really need it, but it seems like a good deal.

Revoman:

Just so you know. CDNN is selling 40cal.SW99's with Night Sights w/one mag in "New Test Fired Only" condition, (which should entitle a buyer to the S&W Lifetime warranty)for $349.99.

Pg. 14, bottom right,catalog 2008-4.

Not sure if that's of interest to you, but at least you know how the pricing is going on those particular pistols.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[sadp40]

i miss my sw99 teary eyes,,,,oh well i did trade it for an stg-58 but still...think i'll go cry now,

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by Outrider:
From what I hear, the SW99 is a great pistol.

But it didn't seem to sell well.

Any ideas on why it didn't go over bigger?

Is it still in production in .45 or other calibers?

I sort of think they got a bad rap by the bad publicity unfairly generated by the New Jersey State Police contract.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Hello friends,

I have a S&W99 compact .40 as my carry pistol. I absolutely love it. The trigger pull is surprisingly smooth, and the ergonomics are the best of any auto I've ever carried. When I came across a second NIB piece at a local gun show for $400 a while back, I went for that too.

Later, I bought a full-sized Walther P99 in .40 for my house gun just because I got such a good deal on it.

Maybe not sexy, maybe not pretty... but a GREAT gun. I'm fine with everybody passing them by... better for me.

Best wishes,

Roger a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful