Trying to clear this all up

[KenY]

Forgive my ignorance.

I'm trying to work out the differances between the Walther P99, the hybrid P99 (S&W slide) and the SW99Ol

I've visited many sites, and read many forums. Here's what I think has happened. Please correct my mistakes.

Germany version Walther P99 - Stopped sending these to S&W sometime in 2002/3. Fairly easy to find out if you have one, slide is stamped with markings, it has the "N" under the eagle, Walther frame, etc. Tenifer slides.

Transition perion (Some where around 5000 - 40 caliber) - S&W received the frames from walther (Still square trigger guard), but manufactured the slides/barrel (Melonite). Slides are most likely lazer etched instead of stamped. There is probably no date stamp on the slides (At least not on mine). Aside from the melonite coating this model is exactly the same as the German version. Trigger is a quick action which agin was one of the options of the original german version.

SW99OL - (Sometime after 2004) This is a complete SW weapon. Trigger guard is rounded, trigger itself is different than the transition period (Not verified, just what I heard.) Whether or not it's true this weapon is considered less desirable then the two other above. (I'm not bashing the S&W model, this is just the take I have after reading the forums, personally I have no first hand knowledge.)

So how far am I off?

Thanks,

Ken

[RyanSBHF]

Walther P99 - 100% German made and has 3 different triggers: The Anti-Stress, Quick ACtion and Double Action only. As of 2005, only the QA model is imported into the U.S

"Hybrid P99 w/ S&W slide" - What you described sounds like a SW99, a joint project of S&W/Walther. It has an American made slide and barrel with a German made frame.

SW990l - This is a new SW99 with the Quick Action trigger.


With the release of the new M&P, the SW99 is likely going to be discontined.

[KenY]

Thanks for the info Ryan.

So the joint project SW99. That's basically a S&W made weapon? (Aside from the fame) The quick action trigger was assembled by S&W?

How different are the Melonite and Tenifer finishes? Is Tenifer far superior?

Thanks again.

Ken

[Nowhere Man]

Originally posted by RyanSBHF
Walther P99 - 100% German made and has 3 different triggers: The Anti-Stress, Quick ACtion and Double Action only. As of 2005, only the QA model is imported into the U.S

"Hybrid P99 w/ S&W slide" - What you described sounds like a SW99, a joint project of S&W/Walther. It has an American made slide and barrel with a German made frame.

SW990l - This is a new SW99 with the Quick Action trigger.


With the release of the new M&P, the SW99 is likely going to be discontined.

There was a short timespan when Walther permitted S&W to build the .40cal U.S. version of the Walther P99. It didn't last long. Two reasons cited were; Walther fell behind in filling U.S. orders and allowed S&W to "help" them or, Walther hoped that S&W could build the gun cheaper here. Either way, the experiment was short lived.

Here's an excellent site to answer most of your P99 questions;

http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/WaltherP99FAQ/


Dave