Walther P99 AS Review; A Decocking Striker?

[@sfc.michaelfoxwilliams8603]

As a Airborne Soldier,that has been deployed 3 times.And has made it back.This is how i feel about the Walther P99as .40 cal. If i could carry one pistol into combat with me,and only one pistol this P99as,would be the one.As a owner of both the PPQ 45,and the P99as. I just love how they feel,and the reset is second to none.I have not have had one failure with either one of them.I have Glocks,Sigs,and Springfield armory,they are all good.But the Walther is great.The P99as .40,is the Holy Grail of hand guns to ME!I am just speaking from my experiance with fire arms.

[@meko4756]

How would u come it to the H&K VP9?

[@mumblety96]

@@meko4756 You didn't ask me, but when it came time to buy my own firearms vs. what was issued, the first 9mm I auditioned was an HK VP9 SK with some slick laser that activated when you grasp the grip. That thing just oozed quality. I forget the circumstances at the moment, but when I was ready to buy, I chose a Walther PPS M1. It felt slimmer in my hand, and the extended paddle mag release was easier to hit than the stubby HK uses. That PPS is like my vital appendage, and lead me to a P99 AS. Holy cow I love this mechanism and I'm shocked it hasn't caught on with professional and defensive carry alike. Now I need a P99C.

[@jizzythefroggy1108]

People who think the Glock 19 is the best do-all general purpose gun are wrong. The P99AS blows it away.

[@re4477]

Shantra Mulani I’ve had mine for over 12 years now and I still love it to this day.

[@sauerkrautjr]

I just wish they had more market support. Mags, holsters, sights, barrels, etc. The PDP is sick though

[@jodylivengood4061]

I have a Glock 48 that's much thinner than the 19 and the P99AS with the amount of ammo on board. I carry my P99AS whenever I can. It's just a much nicer pistol. Shoots better. It's also shown itself to be more reliable with non nickel plated cases and wide mouth JHP ammo. The Corbon +P. They're cheaper than and I needed to fill 9- 30rd mp5 magazines with them. My Glock 19 I used to have didn't like those either. So I used Federal 9BPLE instead. Used to get that for just barely more than FMJ range ammo in 50rd boxes. Pretty sure we won't see that again. But the P99AS eats and spits out everything my Beretta M9A1 does which is everything labeled 9×19mm. I like the Glock okay and their fan boys have some merit to justify their loyalty. But yeah the Walther P99AS is just a better pistol than the Glock 19 even if it's a little bigger or much bigger than the 48 in my case. I think I paid about $60 more for it than their price on a Glock 19. They dropped the price twice without me even asking. Can't out a optic on it and it has the paddle release that a lot of people don't like. So $100 off a NIB gun and they threw in two boxes of ammo. One 50rd FMJ and my choice of JHP as a final Thank you for getting that thing out of the store. Went there for a HK P30L. As soon as I asked them to see it I got the "Yeah no problem , but if you like that you might want to check this out". The P30L never made it out of the counter.

[@e2sealoperator561]

I have a Walther p99 gen1. It has no initials on it. It's from 1999 and in mint condition. Best pistol I've ever bought. I have no problem recommending these pistols.

[@macoyupadoodle]

Periodcoins O , i have the 3rd gen but i find the 1st gen the best looking

[@funkyfresh2404]

I have a P99 and a P99c. I carry the compact mostly in various modes. They are excellent and the decocker is just what I want.

[@user-yo8ab1ys9e]

I love my P99AS Gen. 3. Easily my favourite sidearm to shoot.

[@donaldbarrier5806]

Smith and wesson was in charge of import of p99 for many years. They did not properly promote this wonderful pistol. It competed with several of there own products probably why. Also they produced pps/ppk in u.s.. They sold many of them as they were not really competition against any smith products. P99 should have been a glock killer.

[@GBGuns]

Thanks for the info. Truly an under appreciated gun.

[@andybassham2369]

Indeed. There are those that own it or have fired it, and then there are all of those that know nothing about it. Incredible striker pistol with the same usability and function of a hammer fired double/single. A decent trigger, and extremely accurate. And pretty much the first "my god this fits my hand like it was meant to be there" guns I ever held. Have had my 1st gen since 2004, added a PPQ 2 years ago because why not. I find the paddle mag release superior as well, and still find myself reaching for it on different guns.

[@jimhovater8755]

I carried a P99AS, both 9mm and .40 versions, on duty as an LEO, when required to provide my own duty weapon. It was, and is, everything Glock wishes it was. My favorite EDC is my PPQ M2.

[@tnman23]

I have the compact version of this gun, it's by far my favorite pistol.

[@chsims7032]

I love my P99as. I ended up opting for the .40 cal version as the shop was out of stock of the 9mm, and I couldn't pass up on a P99as for $400. In the past, the .40's I have fired were ridiculous in terms of recoil, even in full sized handguns, but the P99's genius design makes the .40 feel like any 9mm or .45 I have. It's definitely my new go-to carry gun.

[@michaelvincent4684]

I very much enjoy all of your informative reviews Mr. Bates!

[@GBGuns]

Thank you. This is an old video!

[@bdm1000]

You're one of the few who can appreciate this firearm. I'm probably ordering a P99c in the next day or so. I know the PPQ SC is out with a sweet trigger, and I've watched your reviews, but I've compared these pistols very closely and there are a lot of elements of the P99c that I think win for me as a primary carry gun (DA/SA, paddle design [which makes it easier for mags to drop from a subcompact when I use my middle finger to activate it]), I don't have to worry about over-inserting P99 magazines, and Gunbroker has them for $369!). I've looked at the parts diagram for the PPQ SC and-for me-I would like to see it have a few years to develop a track record with that polymer "fire [striker] control" group. I'm sure it's fine and that the Walther engineers have worked it out, but it is a major renovation that I'd like to see go through thousands of rounds.

[@leonsam12]

Love my P99. Wanted one for ten years and finally got one, I love the mag release, on my brothers Springfield I keep hitting the mag release, on my P99 I have no problems

[@xro5841]

I have had my P99 AS for over 15 years. Love it love it love it. Also got the IMI Polymer Retention Holster and love it as well. Can get a Drop Leg accessory for the IMI holster. Got it but NOT a fan. Cannot sit down with it as holster. Need to design a Swivel for it but have not do so yet. Great Video thank. Love to see my gun shown off.

[@onefasteg]

I love my P99QA, chose it over a Glock. Loved the decocker option. I am a lefty and love the mag release. It felt more comfortable than the Glock. Plus the QA trigger is a nice touch.

[@GBGuns]

+onefasteg wait until you see the MR9 we just got in for review. That video will be out within a week or so. Our production quality has gotten a lot better since this video was made too.

[@MrsLiederlover]

SFC. Michael Fox Williams: It's so much refreshing to read gun comments by a former combat soldier, than some of the comments made by self-appointed Gun Range Commando Experts. I hope you and the other guys in your company are still helping each other.

[@lonniep44]

I LOVE THIS GUN- spent 3 months looking for my first carry- just a little big for 24/7 but I am still getting it. I'm getting the Walther CCPm2 stainless - Wish WAlTHER WOULD COME OUT WITH A 3 SIZE VERSION OF THIS GUN LOVE THE TOP DECOCKER.

[@Pezzonovante916]

I had a Smith & Wesson SW99 (Smith Slide; Walther frame) in two-tone with the AS trigger and sold it. I've pined for a Walther P99AS/P99cAS ever since. The Steyr is another great handgun stable whose line is woefully undermarketed.

[@GBGuns]

+Pezzonovante916 agreed

[@nathanfranklin4425]

I've been looking at these. Nice looking pistol too. Thanks!

[@greatnortoni]

Same mag release for the PPQ - at least the M1 (1st version). Then they went and put a darn button it it and screwed it like a pooch! I'd really like to have a PPQ Longslide - but not with a button - only a paddle!

[@michaelgriffith5192]

Good review found a compact used but like new that I'm going to buy. Can't wait

[@GBGuns]

+Michael Griffith Awesome! Let us know how you like it!

[@davidsawyer6003]

I have a Walther with the paddle release and wish I could have it on all my guns. Since I got that gun I consider the button release a flaw.

[@REPO831]

I really like the 2.54mm trigger reset, my number one concern is availability of parts and service for the gun.

[@GBGuns]

+REPO831 Valid point, even night sights are limited for this. It's a great gun that we somehow missed the boat on in the US.

[@jreezy70]

+Graham Baates picked this up as my first handgun a few months ago and love it. After 300-350 rounds, I'm adding hiviz sights (find them on Amazon, as well as Meprolite and others) as well as Dawson Precision, and rubber Talon Grios should be arriving soon.

[@lj3277]

love this weapon. it is the smoothest shooting pistol I have ever owned

[@GBGuns]

+Les Jone wait 'till you see it with the spring system we have...

[@petercarmody4897]

Graham Baates what is the aftermarket spring assembly you are recommending?

[@GBGuns]

DPM Systems

[@petercarmody4897]

Graham Baates Thank you for the video and the tip. I bought one of these excellent pistols for myself and my daughter.

[@andrewghostronin38]

I’m stuck between this and the HK USP 45 as my carry gun when I can buy one

[@MrsLiederlover]

The P99 AS, my first striker-fired handgun arrives within one or two days. It might become a preferred carry gun Over the very nice Sig P228 and CZ 'PCR'. Quite frankly, I bought it simply to have a first, very modern German police handgun. Weeks ago we saw policemen in the Nuremberg Germany Hauptbahnhof carrying the HK P30, but that HK's heavily-stacked DA requires some getting used to.

[@franknapolitano9144]

The Heckler & Koch P7 M8 is another nice carry option.

[@SaifulIkram]

The Royal Malaysia Police have purchased around twenty thousand P-99 both in AS, AS subcompacts and QA models in 2008 (not sure about the year though).

[@GBGuns]

That's a lot of guns!

[@clydezackery_hootie26]

being left handed I use my left middle finger to depress the mag release on my 1911. I was and still is trying to decide between the PPQ M1 and the P99 AS.

[@macoyupadoodle]

The reset of the P99AS is shorter than the PPQ IMO

[@mumblety96]

Which did you go with?

[@clydezackery_hootie26]

@@mumblety96 I purchased the P99 AS. I have since sold it and purchased a Springfield Prodigy 4.25”

[@RussellMorash-m8w]

Comming up with a double action striker fired pistol I am not sure if it was walther or not but it is genius

[@retthok]

Just bought one. Is it normal for the extremely light AS take up to the staging point to be "gritty/plasticky"? My break is smooth and no grittiness exists in either the DA or SA modes; only the staging. Thoughts?

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Yeah I need one of these.

[@kuntakinte1416]

the p99as is my EDC gun. Its hard to find holsters for it though. i have the g3 leather holster but im looking for a kydex holster.

[@retthok]

@1:14, follow up of a single action, not double unless it's second strike capability on a weak primer.

[@GrandpaRust]

I've got a PDP F-Series 3.5 and it's so good. So I've been looking into more Walthers. I heard this is the last year they'll make the p99?

[@GBGuns]

Correct

[@emilewicz14]

So the "antistress" feature doesn't work in DA mode, does it? It's rationale. The heavy trigger is a sufficient protection.

[@GBGuns]

That's correct.

[@BarryBirther]

Damn the detractors of paddle mag release! I won’t buy anything else but a pistol with paddle mag release. Even with the ambi-button mag release one has to modify their grip slightly....

[@Genesis23OPB]

btw, the PPQ M1/classic mags do fit in this gun. not the M2/button mags tho.

[@maxfit68906]

I like mine, I just wish Walther had a more aggressive texturing on the grip. I added Talon grips. We'll see how it holds up. Solid review!

[@GBGuns]

+MaxFit 68 I'd love to see a P99AS M2!

[@natedixon4731]

+Graham Baates P99 AS or PPQ?

[@GBGuns]

I'm saying as a concept: Make a P99 M2, but keep the paddle.

[@natedixon4731]

+Graham Baates the p 99 seems better to me cause you have the decoker and red indicator and lastly better looking to :-)

[@AliensWanted]

What song is playing at the end of the video?

[@obexproductions]

Great video! Thanks! I am thinking about getting this for my first handgun. What do you think? I am also thinking about the PPQ, VP9, and M&P. They are all so similar, it is hard to decide!

[@GBGuns]

For a first handgun the PPQ might be a better choice. The P99 is unique out of that lineup because it has a decocker.

[@Quercusalba1]

Yeah, lots of good guns out there. Check them out in person, if possible. Get both P99(carry/HD) and PPQ (range) - paddle models use same mags. If only one, P99 - you can put it into SA at the range (if you want) and DA for carry/nightstand use, more versatile than the PPQ. I have both.

[@ANGELSRAGE77]

Looks like you purchased some 16 round magazines separately, correct?

[@GBGuns]

+Angel R. Yes, I like the bright followers too.

[@ANGELSRAGE77]

+Graham Baates How is the finish on those magazines? The ones with the standard shiny blueing tend to easily rust on me because of the location I am at. I looked into these but I can't tell what the finish is from pictures online and all the vendors describe them as "blued". I've had my P99 for nine years and still going strong.

[@GBGuns]

They are original Walther mags and have the super glossy finish like the ones that came with the gun. You could always have your mags cerakoted.

[@ANGELSRAGE77]

+Graham Baates I knew they were Walther mags but haven't seen anyone on here with them. I almost bought a few of them but went with the 15 rounders since I wasn't sure of the finish on the 16 rounders. They looked darker online than the 15 rounders so I thought they might have a different finish like the old school baked on enamel or parkerizing , which I was hoping for. Thanks a million for that information. I was thinking of sending my magazines to Robar and have them put their NP3 finish on it. I have had excellent results with that finish and also their Roguard finish. But at $30 a piece to have them plated I would be looking at over a couple hundred bucks. I'll think I'll just stick to wiping them down every day. :) I might pick up a few of those 16 rounders anyways just to add them to the collection. Hey, thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions and helping me out. I truly appreciate it.

[@jeffreyelliott622]

I have two of the P99 gen 1's and they rock and wouldn't sell them for nuthin in the world !!!

[@Yoko.Kurama]

how much do these go for?

[@nathanhatfield4797]

I have been searching for this gun what is average price range ?

[@fesa_performance9617]

The P99 about 600

[@vtecbanger3180]

my p99c as seems to fail to eject and slide stays almost all the way open. I have to drop the mag, pull the slide to get it to eject the spent case. I tried 4 mags, and I'm using 115g federal aluminum 9mm rounds. any advice?

[@GBGuns]

+Vtec Banger try a different ammo. The aluminum might be expanding too much

[@GBGuns]

+Vtec Banger try a different ammo. The aluminum might be expanding too much

[@vtecbanger3180]

Graham Baates you would think a gun like this should spit out any round.

[@GBGuns]

+Vtec Banger yes, but it also has tighter tolerances than other guns

[@vtecbanger3180]

Graham Baates I am going to the store in 2 hours then the range. I will report back if ammo is the issue.

[@Mrgiggles10199]

So can I carry it in D/A modest consistently?

[@GBGuns]

+Tristan Dehoyos I'm not sure I understand what you mean. You can decock it and carry it in DA, after the first shot it's back to SA unless you decock again. If you want to go from DA to SA it only takes about 1/3" of slide movement to recock.

[@macoyupadoodle]

Its like any glock when the trigger is half way

[@BillHimmel]

That decocking button seems hard to reach! Is it? And does it make it harder to remember decocking before holstering?

[@GBGuns]

Remembering is just training. It's not hard to reach once holstered.

[@BillHimmel]

Ok, but that is rather pointless. The biggest danger for a ND is when holstering! Once the gun is in, everything is fine!

[@macoyupadoodle]

You can with the support hand thumb (before holstering)

[@michaelgriffith5192]

Well I got it, I think I made a good purchase I feel more comfortable with it carrying than the glock

[@GBGuns]

+Michael Griffith I love that DA/SA

[@alancarr3381]

Wow. How the format has changed. No beard!

[@GBGuns]

Haha, yes, and I've learned a lot since these early videos

[@alancarr3381]

@@GBGuns video was still good and informative. Not knocking that. I also liked it showing up in the wonderfully different series. Keep cranking them out Graham!

[@GBGuns]

@@alancarr3381 thank you

[@SC93-85]

Literally have never heard anyone say that 9mm can be snappy lol.

[@Bama_Law]

I can use trigger finger as well

[@jimhovater8755]

IMO, the P99 is superior to the PPQ and the PDP, with regards to its DA/SA capability.

[@panama-canada]

The features look exactly like Caniks. I think Canik copied the best of Walther.

[@1sabell3]

Luv the p99as

[@michaelvincent4684]

Nonetheless. I was simply making a general comment... :>))

[@spicecrop]

You mean follow up of a single action.

[@jamesm2889]

lol, TRP aint no standard for sure

[@andreasfranzmauskrell1126]

Walther!!!!! O

[@Physics072]

too complicated to have to semi slide to re cock it. Simpler on the CZ you showed prior.