Walther P99

This article is about the semi-automatic pistol. For P99 (disambiguation), see Walther P99 (disambiguation).

Walther P99
Walther P99, 9 mm version with green polymer frame.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Horst Wesp
Designed	1993–1996
Manufacturer	Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen
Produced	1996–present
Variants	P99QPQ, P99 Military, P990 (P99DAO), P99QA, P99AS, P99TA, P99C, P99C AS, P99C QA, P99C DAO, SW99
Specifications
Mass	630 grams (22 oz) (9x19mm Parabellum) 655 g (23.1 oz) (.40 S&W)
Length	180 millimetres (7.1 in) (9x19mm Parabellum) 184 mm (7.2 in) (.40 S&W)
Barrel length	102 mm (4.0 in) (9x19mm Parabellum) 106 mm (4.2 in) (.40 S&W)
Width	29 mm (1.1 in) (9x19mm Parabellum) 32 mm (1.3 in) (.40 S&W)
Height	135 mm (5.3 in)
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum .40 S&W 9x21mm IMI
Action	Short recoil operated, locked breech
Muzzle velocity	408 m/s (1,339 ft/s) (9x19mm Parabellum) 344 m/s (1,128.6 ft/s) (.40 S&W)
Effective firing range	60 m (9x19mm Parabellum)
Feed system	15-round detachable box magazine (9x19mm Parabellum) 12-round box magazine (.40 S&W)
Sights	Interchangeable 3-dot notch sight

The Walther 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. The P99 and its variants are also made under license by Fabryka Broni Radom.

History

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. 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 in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate and has been ordered by Bremen, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, the Polish Police and the Finnish Army's special forces and military police, where it carries the designation PIST 2003 (Pistooli 2003).

Product evolution

A redesigned second generation P99 was presented in 2004, incorporating a modified trigger guard that eliminated the "ski hump", which is clearly visible in the accompanying first generation images. This was done to address some users' comfort concerns regarding the previous style. The first generation P99 pistols had a slide release at the left side of the frame, second generation guns may have optional ambidextrous slide stop release levers. 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.

Design details

Walther P99 with the slide locked back displaying its vertical barrel tilt.

The P99 has a polymer frame and steel slide. The slide is Tenifer treated (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 loaded chamber indicator on the right side of the slide.

The original first generation P99 had a traditional Double-Action/Single-Action trigger with a decocker. When the slide is racked completely to the rear upon loading, the trigger remains in the forward position for the first shot and the Double-Action mode is activated. The trigger travel is 14 mm (0.55 in) long in the Double-Action mode at approximately 35 N (7.9 lb_f) trigger pull. On all subsequent shots, the trigger travel is reduced to 5 mm (0.2 in) at 20 N (4.5 lb_f) trigger pull. For manually deactivating the Single-Action mode without loading the pistol the P99 features a key or knob on the slide. The Double-Action mode can also be manually activated by moving the slide approximately 10 mm (0.4 in) back. Currently the original trigger is no longer offered and has been replaced by 3 trigger variants.

The striker protrudes visibly and palpably from the back of the slide when the firearm is in a constant partially cocked state. It should however be noted that the striker of the second generation P99QA variant does not protrude from the back of the slide, unless fired, as the firearm is in a constant partially cocked state.

Ergonomics were a key focus in the design of the firearm, and as a result, three interchangeable grip backstraps are included (small, medium and large) to accommodate various hand shapes and sizes; this feature permits most shooters a comfortable and efficient grip on the firearm. This adaptable grip was innovative at the time the P99 was introduced.

The P99 features four internal safeties, iron sights adjustable for both windage and elevation, tool-less take down, and an ambidextrous magazine release incorporated into the trigger guard. The lower forward edge of the frame also known as the dust cover has a mounting-bracket or rail interface system for attaching accessories, such as a tactical light or laser pointer.

The .40 S&W caliber models incorporate a slightly larger slide in order to preserve the same recoil spring assembly used in its 9mm counterpart. The P99 is available in 4 colorations; a black frame with a black slide, a black frame with a titanium-coated slide, a military olive-drab frame with a black slide, and a desert tan frame with black slide. All three of these finishes incorporate the same black grip inserts that come with every P99. The compact versions of the P99 are only available in all black.

Accessories

Fixed metal 3-dot iron sights, fixed tritium night sights, adjustable sports iron sights, adjustable optic fibre iron sights, laser pointers, tactical lights, magazine flashlight adapters, holsters, magazines, magazine loaders, grip extenders and a silencer kit with a 117 mm (4.6 in) barrel and protective cap for the muzzle treads and a silencer that reduces the sound signature by 33 dB(A) are offered as factory accessories.

Second generation variants

P99AS (Anti Stress)

This variant comes closest to a traditional Double-Action/Single-Action trigger with a decocker. In Double-Action mode the internal striker is at rest with no pre-load and the trigger travel is 14 mm (0.55 in) long at approximately 38 N (8.5 lb_f) trigger pull. When the slide is racked completely to the rear upon (re)loading, the internal striker is manually pre-cocked to Single-Action mode and the trigger remains in the forward position for the first shot and the Anti Stress mode is activated. The trigger travel is 14 mm (0.55 in) long in the Anti Stress mode at approximately 20 N (4.5 lb_f) trigger pull. On all subsequent shots, the P99AS is automatically pre-cocked and the trigger travel is reduced to 8 mm (0.3 in) at the same 20 N (4.5 lb_f) trigger pull. For manually deactivating the Anti Stress mode and setting the pistol to Double-Action mode the P99AS features a decock key or knob on the slide. The Anti Stress mode can also be manually activated by moving the slide approximately 10 mm (0.4 in) back.

P99DAO (Double Action Only)

The P99DAO is similar to the previously produced P990 Double Action Only variant. The internal striker is at rest with no pre-load. The trigger travel is approximately 14 mm (0.55 in) with a trigger pull of approximately 38 N (8.5 lb_f). The trigger pull is consistent in length and force from the first shot to the last and the striker returns to its de-cocked position after each shot.

P99QA (Quick Action)

This variant has a Glock style trigger system with a pre-loaded internal striker. When the trigger is pulled, the striker is fully cocked and released, firing the pistol. The trigger travel is approximately 8 mm (0.3 in) with a trigger pull of approximately 38 N (8.5 lb_f). The trigger pull is consistent in length and force from the first shot to the last. The P99QA was announced in 2000 and 2001.

P99c (Compact) versions

Compact versions of the P99 available in the 3 preceding action types marketed as the:

• P99c AS (Compact Anti Stress)
• P99c DAO (Compact Double Action Only)

Training variant

P99RAM (Real Action Marker)

The P99RAM is a CO₂ training and simulation pistol, equipped with a CO₂ blow-back system. It fires low-cost Paintball- and Rubberball ammunition in caliber .43 in (11 mm). In its design, controls and handling, the P99RAM is indistinguishable from the original P99 pistol. Lightweight protective clothing is needed to adequately protect the users for Paintball- and Rubberball simunition hits during training.

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
• Year 2000 - a limited edition P99 fabricated to commemorate the new millennium. 2000 of these were made to reciprocate the year for which it was issued.
• P99 TA - a model prepared for the police tryouts in Baden-Württemberg in 2002, featuring a single/double-action trigger with redesigned trigger guard, center location ambidextrous decocker and an early ambidextrous slide catch as well as the removal of the "captured" accessory rail in favor of a standard "open" rail system. Lastly, this model has new contours on the lower frame just ahead of the disassembly clasp, just before the accessory rails to facilitate holstering.. Approximately fifty (50) P99 TAs were produced with less than 25 sold to the public (10 imported to the U.S.).

Fabryka Broni Radom P99 Rad

P99 Rad made by Fabryka Broni Radom.

The P99 Rad variant is made under license by Fabryka Broni Radom in Poland and marketed as a military sidearm proposition.

The P99 Rad grip shape and texture has been altered when compared to the P99 variants and an extended ambidextrous slide release and extended ambidextrous magazine release levers are fitted as a standard feature. The standard sights are high-contrast 3 dot sights with contrast enhancements that have been painted with afterglow paint that can aid target acquisition under unfavourable lighting conditions. As an option the P99 Rad can also be fitted with self-luminous tritium night sights. The P99 Rad pistol is available with the DAO trigger mechanism with a trigger pull of approximately 39 N (8.8 lb_f) and the QA trigger mechanism with a trigger pull of approximately 32 N (7.2 lb_f). The grip frame has an integrated mounting MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rail for attaching tactical lights and laser sighting devices.

Smith & Wesson SW99

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. Walther introduced a color coding system to denote the difference between early generation SW99 and P99 magazines, with the latest generation being 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. The barrel, slide and frame of all 100% German-manufactured P99s bear an "Eagle over N" proof mark of the German Proof House at Ulm. The mark further 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

• Canada: SPVM (Montreal Police).
• Finland: Used by the Finnish Defence Forces as the PIST 2003 (Pistooli 2003).
• Germany: 41,000 P99DAO pistols purchased in 2005 for the North Rhine-Westphalia Police.. The State police of Rhineland-Palatinate procurred approx. 10,000 units of the P99Q. The P99Q has also been ordered by the police forces of Hamburg (8,000 pistols), Bremen (2,000 pistols) and Schleswig-Holstein (8,000 pistols) with deliveries between 2009 and 2017.
• Ireland: An Garda Síochána detective specialist units use the P99C.
• Malaysia: Royal Malaysian Police.
• Poland
• Portugal

Gallery

• First generation P99.
  First generation P99.
• 
  P99 field stripped to its main parts.
• 
  P99 TA with laser unit.
• 
  Polish made P99c AS.

See also

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

External links

• P99 Semi-Automatic Pistols at Carl Walther Sportwaffen GmbH
• Walther 2008 Defense Catalog
• P99 Second Generation Instruction Manual
• Walther America
• Walther P99 FAQ "Lenaburg Edition"
• Walther P99 at World Guns
• Walther Forums
• WALTHER PISTOLS on RISK International Hellenic website