Gun-Tests Mag: Pass on P99QA

[General Sherman]

from Gun Tests magazine:


Quote from Gun Tests Mag Nov 05:

40 S&W Quick-Action Polymer Pistols:
Pass On These Two

Walther America’s P99QA and the Smith & Wesson SW99OL offer plenty of extras, but the Walther’s trigger function and the lack of a safety on the S&W gun trigger a pair of Don’t Buys.

We found the primary advantages of the Walther America P99QA (shown above) and the similar Smith & Wesson SW99OL to be their light weight and snag-free profiles. We might have wished for a thumb safety, but both guns were free of levers that can catch on clothing and ruin a draw. We found these guns could be carried comfortably and securely in concealment garments such as this denim jean jacket from 5.11 ($130, from www.511tactical.com).
One result of the union struck between Smith & Wesson and Walther has been the production of polymer pistols distinctly different from the Smith & Wesson VE series, which closely resemble the old Sigma line of pistols. These new SW99 pistols are chambered for 9mm, .45 ACP and in .40 S&W.

These pistols are double-action only, striker-fired guns utilizing a polymer frame with interchangeable backstrap plates to accommodate different size hands. The rear sights are adjustable for windage. To change elevation, four interchangeable front-sight blades are supplied.

Elsewhere, the Walther America pistol is virtually the same as the Smith & Wesson product, save for the Walther offe...

End Quote.

[Soybomb]

For what its worth do they knock the glock for not having a thumb safety? To me thats a plus. Its also not really dao as they claim, the striker is pre-loaded.

I don't like qa triggers though, or glocks trigger for that matter.

[srfl]

The thing that killed me was when GT staff stated in their P99QA summary: "Saddled with its lever-action magazine release, short trigger, and a decocker that required partial movement of the slide to reactivate, we think the Walther America P99QA would require undue amounts of training to be used successfully."

Now, the need to train with a gun is necessary regardless of it's operation now isn't it? One of the most uniquely operating handguns out there remains the HK P7....if GT tested the P7 (not sure if they ever did) would they give that outstanding gun a "Don't Buy" due it's unique manual-of-arms that would also require, as they put it, "undue amounts of training."

I also had the impression that the S&W got it's "Don't Buy" due to a lack of a manual safety in conjunction with the QA trigger.

[Fenris Wolf]

So, they didn't like the Walther trigger, but didn't mind the fact it has no safety. They liked the S&W trigger, but felt that it should have safety? Is that what this guy is saying or is he just a crappy writer? I'm confused.

[JMag]

Originally posted by Fenris Wolf
So, they didn't like the Walther trigger, but didn't mind the fact it has no safety. They liked the S&W trigger, but felt that it should have safety? Is that what this guy is saying or is he just a crappy writer? I'm confused.

That's one of the quirks of GT magazine...you can stay dazzled and confused until the next issue...an so on.

[MTPD]

Originally posted by srfl
"Saddled with its lever-action magazine release, short trigger, and a decocker that required partial movement of the slide to reactivate, we think the Walther America P99QA would require undue amounts of training to be used successfully."


---------------------------------------

While extra training would probably be necessary with regard to large agency situations (compared to a Glock), for motivated individuals it wouldn't be a problem. Bear in mind that training non-gun people (most cops) isn't easy in the first place, so simple is always better. But any "real" gun-person who takes the time to learn the proper handling of the P99/SW99 series, will love them.

The P99 lever magazine release, for example, is one of the best features in my opinion. It is almost imposible to accidently release the P99/SW99 mag, which holsters/car seats/etc. have done numerous times to my 1911 style push button mag release CCW pistols.

[thejackbull45]

Originally posted by Soybomb
For what its worth do they knock the glock for not having a thumb safety? To me thats a plus. Its also not really dao as they claim, the striker is pre-loaded.

I don't like qa triggers though, or glocks trigger for that matter.

Very good point. I do not want an external safety nor DA/SA and this is a MAJOR selling point of Glock and the P99.

[thejackbull45]

Originally posted by srfl
The thing that killed me was when GT staff stated in their P99QA summary: "Saddled with its lever-action magazine release, short trigger, and a decocker that required partial movement of the slide to reactivate, we think the Walther America P99QA would require undue amounts of training to be used successfully."\\

Are they kidding? Pull the trigger it goes boom. To disassemble decock by pushing little button on slide. To recock, rack slide. Yeah thats alot to learn. To strip a Glock the striker needs to be decocked correct?

[srfl]

...yeah, that was the first time I really scratched my head over a Gun Tests review....

[USDefender]

I quit my subscription to Gun Tests because I found their "findings" to be inconsistent in a lot of their articles.

Just one example that comes to mind: At one point, they thought that the Ruger P95 was, practically, the best thing since sliced bread. In a later article, they found the same exact gun to be 'lack luster' (although they still didn't give it a "don't buy").

I realize that Gun Tests has the advantage of not having to cow-tow to their advertisers (since they don't have any). However, I've discovered that their inconsistencies make up for that "freedom" to write what they think.

I've also discovered that even though the other gun-zines do "cow-tow", somewhat, I have enough common sense to see through that & still gleen valuable info from them, whcih makes their cheaper prices & better pictures more attractive.

[Rockets]

Eight year sub. I did take it with a grain of salt and if they hated the trigger so much it should have been a conditional buy. I just weed through the subjective stuff and look for jams, accuracy, things that are not a personal taste issue. Even then if there are jams reported I hit a forum like this to make sure they did not get a lemon. I agree it is flawed. I bought a S&W Sigma 380 that they rated as a conditional buy because of the long stiff trigger and that thing sucked but I thought the conditional buy was fair as it did go bang every time and I guess some might shoot it well regardless of the 150lb trigger pull.

Anyway, I do read it with a grain of salt, if I am the market for something they don't like I look for a second non biased internet thread, but all in all, flawed as it is, it is the most objective mag out there I have found.

Rockets Out.....

[RyanSBHF]

I read that same article and was confused because several othe r guns they did reccomend didn't have manual safeties like the Springfield XD and S&W Sigma.

[Rockets]

Yup, And the 9mm P99 AS with no manual safety was a gun of the year when it came out. They often really like Glocks, can’t think of one they slammed, not for lacking a manual safety anyway. About the only thing I could pick up that might make a difference between these and others of the type is they said something like there was very little feedback from the trigger so you could not get the feel of when it would go bang. That’s really weak in my book. Come on, Gun safety 101, keep your finger away from the trigger until you intend to shoot and if your finger is on the trigger make sure you are pointing at something you intend to shoot. With that rule in mind to me it’s at least a “Conditional Buy” and without that rule every gun ever reviewed in the mag is a “Don’t Buy”

Rockets Out……

(Still like the flawed mag though)

[presspics]

Gun Tests magazine writers are truly unreadable. They rarely know what the hell they are talking about. They always love Glocks and never complain that it lacks a safety. They are scizophrenic at best. I never read anything they write too seriously. They are severely inconsistent.

[uncut]

In my book the P99/QA and SW990L are 2 guns that should not be compared in the same review.....
one is a precocked striker fired with decocker
the other is DAO strikefired wihtout decocker (heheh I know it doesn't need one)

and why in gods good world would one want a thumb or any other manual safty on a DAO gun anyways.......
hmmmmmmm guess what ... your next DAO revolver will come with a thumb safty :shocked:

and what about the H&K P2000 LEM.... that comes without a safty too... grrrrrr and so many others....

oh well I don't get any mags at all... I rather put the $ in a fund for the next gun that I will stumble across while reading forums all day....:supergrin:

[eblackhawk]

I have a subscription to gun test that I definitely won't be renewing. They hate every gun I love! IMO not worth the toilet paper it's written on!
Eric

[Glockguy]

Sorry GunTests Magazine but all semi-autos do not require nor have a common need for manual safeties in order to be highly acceptable user friendly and properly functional CCW weapons (I also personally believe the heavier trigger pull of the QA aptly contradicts any perceived worry of a manual safety absence).

If you berate based on the lack of a manual safety why test ANY guns with manual safeties in the first place? Such weapons apparently do not meet your minimum standard . . . which is ????

Anyway, while I have yet to notice a test of a Walther P99C with the AS trigger (and get this it has NO manual safety) in your magazine, I bought one anyway and I'm very glad I did. One of the best handling most accurate and functionally reliable great CCW decisions without a manual safety and yet without your advice. Thanks for not testing this weapon and for your better articles but I am yet another who blantantly disagrees with non-objective judgement especially from an entity (PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION MAGAZINE) receiving actual monetary rewards for supposedly unbiased reviews.

Glockguy

[USMC03Grunt]

Yeah, I had a subscription to Gun Tests too but let it expire after seeing some of the articles they wrote. Come to think of it, here's another gun rag (for those old enough to remember) that accepted no gun-maker adds, Pistolero. Anybody else remember these folks?:upeyes: I never put too much stock in some of their articles either.

[USDefender]

*Oops... Self-Edit for double post... At least I see I'm consistent in my beliefs. :supergrin:

[CarloPonti]

I own a P99 QA 9mm. It did have trigger reset problems initially and had to send it back to the factory. They replaced the trigger group. I bought mine new in 05 but I think it was an 04 manufacture. They may have had some trigger problems early on, but once repaired, I've got a 1000 rounds trouble free.

I love this pistol. It fits better in my hand than any pistol I've owned. It's pretty doggone accurate too.

I own 5 glocks and I think the trigger is much smoother, though just a tad longer. That it's a little different than the Glock, it's not much longer.

You wonder if some of these gun test guys live in the real world.

I highly recommend these pistols.

Does any know of any multi-thousand torture tests on these?

carloponti