Walther P99

Infobox Weapon
name=Walther P99


caption=Walther P99 Military, 9 mm version with green polymer frame
origin=flag|Germany
type=Semi-automatic pistol
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=See "Users"
designer=Horst Wesp
design_date=1993–1996
manufacturer=Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen
production_date=1996–present
number=
variants=P99QPQ, P99 Military, P990 (P99DAO), P99QA, P99AS, P99TA, P99C, P99C AS, P99C QA, P99C DAO, SW99
weight=convert|630|g|oz (9x19mm Parabellum) convert|655|g|abbr=on (.40 S&W)
length=convert|180|mm|in (9x19mm Parabellum) convert|184|mm|abbr=on|1 (.40 S&W)
part_length=convert|102|mm|abbr=on|1 (9x19mm Parabellum) convert|106|mm|abbr=on|1 (.40 S&W)
width=convert|29|mm|abbr=on|1 (9x19mm Parabellum) convert|32|mm|abbr=on|1 (.40 S&W)
height=convert|135|mm|abbr=on|1
cartridge=9x19mm Parabellum .40 S&W 9x21mm IMI
action=Short recoil operated, locked breech
velocity=convert|408|m/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on (9x19mm Parabellum) convert|344|m/s|abbr=on|1 (.40 S&W)
feed=16-round detachable box magazine (9x19mm Parabellum) 12-round box magazine (.40 S&W)
sights=Interchangeable 3-dot notch sight

The P99 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by the German company Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen of Ulm for law enforcement, security forces and the civilian shooting market as a replacement for the Walther P5 and the P88. Design work on this new generation sidearm began in 1994, and the handgun was presented in 1997 with series production commencing that same year. The weapon was first introduced chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum; subsequently, a version in .40 S&W was also developed primarily for the American market and unveiled in 1998. The pistol is used by the German Police of some federal states of Germany, the Polish Police and the Finnish Army's special forces and military police, where it carries the designation PIST 2003 ("Pistooli 2003"). [ [http://www.mil.fi/maavoimat/kalustoesittely/index.dsp?level=65&equipment=170 Finnish Army equipment page] ]

Design details

The P99 has a polymer frame and steel slide. The slide is treated with "Tenifer" (a nitriding process) which inhibits corrosion. It uses an internal striker as opposed to an external hammer, with a red-painted striker tip that protrudes from rear of the slide when the gun is cocked, as well as a chamber loaded indicator on the right side of the slide. It also features four internal safeties, sights adjustable for both windage and elevation, tool-less takedown, accessory rail, interchangeable grip backstraps of varying sizes for different users, and an ambidextrous magazine release incorporated into the trigger guard. AS and QA variations also feature a decocking button.

Redesign

A redesigned P99 was presented in 2004, incorporating a modified trigger guard that eliminated the "ski hump", which is clearly visible in the accompanying images. This was done to address some users' comfort concerns regarding the previous style. Walther also took the opportunity to redesign the slide so the user could grip it more easily, and notably, change the proprietary accessory rail to a Weaver type. Some models built in 2005 and all later models received one more design change, an elongated magazine release.

Variants

P99AS (Anti-stress)

Single/Double action. Prior to 2004 there was no designation for the double action trigger which Walther now markets as the P99AS ("anti-stress") trigger. It is called anti-stress because the trigger pull is the same length for the first shot, regardless of single or double-action. In this way, the anti-stress trigger functions as a sort of two-stage trigger, and lessens the possibility of stress-induced negligent discharges.

P99DAO (Double-action only)

The P99DAO was previously produced as the P990.

P99QA (Quick-action)

Glock style action with preloaded striker (shorter, lighter pull). The P99QA was announced in 2000.

P99C (Compact)

Compact version of the P99 available in the 3 preceding action types.

Limited editions

Walther has also created several limited production runs of the P99 including:
*MI-6 (James Bond) a marketing tie-in with the new James Bond movies
*La Chasse (hunting)
*Year 2000 (Millennium)
*P99 TA - a model used in police tryouts in Baden-Würtemberg in 2002, featuring a single/double-action trigger, decocker and an early ambidextrous slide catch [Deutsches Waffen-Journal 12/2002] . Few models were sold to the public.

mith & Wesson SW99

Closely related to the P99, the Smith & Wesson SW99 is a joint venture between Walther, who produces a modified receiver in Germany, and Smith & Wesson, who fabricates the slides and barrels in the United States. Magazines can be interchanged between the two models, but the pistols are considered to be two separate types, and are easily distinguished from each other by the trigger guard, grip and slide design. The SW99 is also available in .45 ACP, while the P99 is not. The P99 was developed and introduced prior to the SW99. Some users have indicated incompatibility between early generation SW99 10round .40 mags and .40 P99's. Walther addressed this problem by introducing a color coding system to the magazine to denote which generation they are. The latest generation is bright blue.

All 9mm P99s have always been completely German-made. In the past, some P99 .40 components were manufactured under license by S&W. This is no longer the case. The barrel, slide and frame of all 100% German-manufactured P99s bear an "Eagle over N" proof mark. The mark itself indicates the pistol was test-fired with a Proof Load; the "N" stands for nitrocellulose. Although almost all currently produced Walther P99s carry an engraving of "SMITH & WESSON Springfield, MA" on the front/right side of the slide, this only denotes importation by Smith & Wesson (currently an official importer) and not that it was manufactured by them.

Users

*ALB
**RENEA
*POL
**Polish police
*FIN
**Finnish Defence Forces
*IRL
**Garda National Surveillance Unit
*ESP
**Spanish police (partial)
*GER
**German police (partial)
*CAN
**Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
*NLD
**Dutch police intend to adopt it

Gallery

ee also

*Walther P22, a rimfire pistol possessing similar styling and ergonomics chambered in .22 LR.

References

External links

* [http://www.carl-walther.info/dev2/index.php?company=walther&lang=EN&content=products&hid=2&uid=1 P99 Semi-Automatic Pistols] at Carl Walther Sportwaffen GmbH
* [http://www.waltheramerica.com/ Walther America]
* [http://www.gunfaqs.org/P99FAQ/index.html Walther P99 FAQ "Lenaburg Edition"]
* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg14-e.htm Walther P99 at World Guns]
* [http://www.waltherforums.com/ Walther Forums]