I want to like Walthers, but...

[mikolev]

Everyone I know praises the Walther P99. I personally believes that it looks like it should be shooting lasers instead of bullets, but to each his own. I'm willing to give Walthers in general, a chance to move up in my own personal ratings, but what has Walther made over the past 30 years other than the P99, PP, PPK? I'm not a big fan of any of these guns. Not that I don't think they're well made or inferior in any way, except aesthetics, but is there something I'm missing, or have these 3 guns developed a rather large fan base for such a small selection.

Mikolev

[oldman]

Don't forget the Walther P5.
I prefer the P5 over any of the ones you posted (actually, over a lot of other makes too) but that's just my opinion.

[Ricochet]

I shot a Walther P99 in 0.40 cal. over the Xmas Holidays. It had a nice feel, handled fairly well, and shot fairly well. But for some reason it didn't give me the "I gotta have this" feeling. I was considering the P99 or SW99 as a purchase in the near future. I am having second thoughts. However, my reluctance is not the look or aesthetics of the pistol. Hmmmm. I think all I've read on this Forum lately has given me pause. I guess I want to learn more about some of the other options before I buy.

[Jeffress77]

Well, Mikolev, you carry a Walther P99 for a week, and feel it in your hand and shoot it often, and I am sure that you will agree it is an excellent handgun. Mine has had over 1500 rounds through it to date, and NOT ONE jam or misfire NOT ONE. I haven't talked to anyone who has had one either. Just because they haven't made tons of models doesn't mean anything negative. Maybe they are perfecting the current models rather than mass producing a piece of junk that they introduce just to get some money. I have seen Springfields, Glocks, and Smith and Wessons jam many times. But I have never seen a Walther jam. What does that tell you. And I can assure you that the Tennifer finish on a Walther P99 is the best finish available today for wear. I carry mine every day and constantly am putting in and out the holster on the table...etc. NOT A SCRATCH. I actually dropped it one time on the concrete (Loaded) and it didn't get a scratch then either. Even where the slide goes over the barrel there isn't any wear. Try getting that from a Glock or an XD or a SIG.

[Jonathan]

mikolev said:

Everyone I know praises the Walther P99. I personally believes that it looks like it should be shooting lasers instead of bullets, but to each his own. I'm willing to give Walthers in general, a chance to move up in my own personal ratings, but what has Walther made over the past 30 years other than the P99, PP, PPK? I'm not a big fan of any of these guns. Not that I don't think they're well made or inferior in any way, except aesthetics, but is there something I'm missing, or have these 3 guns developed a rather large fan base for such a small selection.

Mikolev

Well what has ANY company made that is so great? What kind of selection do the other companies have?

Look at the H&Ks...a relatively new company comes out with two of the ugliest guns I have ever laid my eyes on (the USP and the P7) but since they're effective and the Seals use them you can't buy one cheaper than $1,000.

Does that make sense? Look at Sig, what innovative new designs have they come out with recently?

Look Colt with the 1911, what else have they made in the last 100 years?

And Glock...

What I'm trying to get at is that weapon technology isn't like automotive technology. Most of the handgun technology today is based off the technological designs of 100 years ago.

All it takes is ONE gun to bring loyalty and respect to a company.

I mean the PPk was the Bond gun for crying out loud and now the new P99 has taken its place.

I've personally almost become obsessed with the Walther P99. There isn't a handgun out there that I hold such strong feelings for. From the moment I first laid eyes on it, I knew it was special and that I had to have it.

The P99s performance, effectiveness, durability and build quality are all at the level of a top of the line handgun. It comes down to its artistic beauty which people learn to either love or hate the P99. Thats where it comes down to for most guns today.

There are a lot of great guns out there so you have to choose one that appeals most visually and feels great in your hands.

The Walther P99 feels perfect in my hands and I believe its the most beautifully built handgun ever.

So there you have it...Quality over quantity...

The gun you buy has to grab you. If the Walther P99 doesn't grab you than don't buy it...It did for me what no other gun has...

[mikolev]

JONATHAN,

First of all, I wasn't bashing Walther for making only a few models of guns as of late, I was inquiring as to if there are any I'm overlooking so I could give Walther some more thought.

Secondly, what are you talking about the Seals use USP's or P7s. I've been in the U.S. Army for quite a while, and I've worked with Navy Seals. I've never seen them use anything other than the M11, which is a Sig P228, or and M9 which is a Beretta 92, so I seriously question your knowledge base. Just because you've seen one picture of a Navy Seal holding a P7 dosn't mean that it's "what they use".

Thirdly, I've shot about 700 - 850 rounds combined through the P99 in 9mm and .40. I've gotten groups just as good with my Glock, so I wasn't un-impressed, and wasn't impressed.

Fourthly, JONATHAN, I don't need you to tell me that gun technology is different from automotive technology. I've bought my share of guns in my lifetime, and I know that arguing attractiveness of a gun is personal opinion. That is why I wrote "to each his own". So what, I still think the Walther looks like crap, but I also think that it's a fine gun, just one I wouldn't buy. I think your defense of the P99 "to the death" is naive, when I'm betting I have shot it as much as you have.

Mikolev

[Jethro]

I believe that one of the sidearms used by the Navy Seals is the H&K Mk23 SOCOM. But I say this only because they use it on the game SOCOM US NAVY SEALS that I have seen my brother in law play on Playstation2, so I know my knowledge base is seriously questionable ;D!!!!

[mikolev]

I've worked with Army Special Forces, and have come into contact with Navy Seals many times over the last 13 years. I have seen Army Special Forces use the Mk23 b/c it's in thier MTOE. I have never seen the Navy Seals use anything other than the M11, or M9. That's not to say their commander can't override their Mobilization Table of Operating Equipment to let them use something else, or even that they have more leeway than the Army, but I'm speaking out of experience, the Seals that I've talked to, and my own real-world observations, not based on the last movie I saw.

[Jonathan]

mikolev said:

JONATHAN,

First of all, I wasn't bashing Walther for making only a few models of guns as of late, I was inquiring as to if there are any I'm overlooking so I could give Walther some more thought.

Secondly, what are you talking about the Seals use USP's or P7s. I've been in the U.S. Army for quite a while, and I've worked with Navy Seals. I've never seen them use anything other than the M11, which is a Sig P228, or and M9 which is a Beretta 92, so I seriously question your knowledge base. Just because you've seen one picture of a Navy Seal holding a P7 dosn't mean that it's "what they use".

Thirdly, I've shot about 700 - 850 rounds combined through the P99 in 9mm and .40. I've gotten groups just as good with my Glock, so I wasn't un-impressed, and wasn't impressed.

Fourthly, JONATHAN, I don't need you to tell me that gun technology is different from automotive technology. I've bought my share of guns in my lifetime, and I know that arguing attractiveness of a gun is personal opinion. That is why I wrote "to each his own". So what, I still think the Walther looks like crap, but I also think that it's a fine gun, just one I wouldn't buy. I think your defense of the P99 "to the death" is naive, when I'm betting I have shot it as much as you have.

Mikolev

Okay, wait a minute, time out. If you're not interested in buying the Walther P99 then why in the hell did you post this post? Why also are you turning this into a pissing contest when I was only attempting to help you?!

What, do you want me to give you a medal because you worked with the Navy Seals and noticed they weren't packing a freaking H&K? Who cares what they pack? The H&K appears to be the choice for a Navy Seal and that was what I was told tey packed. So I was wrong. Oh boo hoo, the world is coming to an end. LOL. Jeez man...

[mikolev]

No, Jonathan, you are not trying to help. You are defending something with out a solid knowledge base because it looks cool to you. No, I don't want a medal for doing the jobs I've done, but my point is that your assertion that the reason that P7s are expensive b/c they were used by the Navy is moot.

And I can't post about a gun unless I'm planning on buying it, is that the rules you've set for this forum???

Mikolev

[The Paul]

Cool down guys, its not worth all this bickering......You are making all the little puppy dogs cry

[MLB]

I wonder what it is about this P99 that makes people see red. Makes it a tough handgun to discuss

Mikolev, aside from this one and the PPK, I don't especially like the looks of the Walther pistols. (OK, the P5 isn't bad either). I like the feel of the P99 in my hand too, so that's the one for me. I'll probably buy a PPK sometime, but for admittedly aesthetic reasons and despite its reliability.

I understand that the P5, P38, and the more recent P88 (which looks a bit like a Hi-Power to me) are reliable handguns. I say this from what I've read only.

Early Walther handguns (Model 1-4) were small caliber handguns that I know little about.

I found a bit of information on www.whog.org if you are interested in reading more. Hope this helps.

[mikolev]

Thanks for the site MLB. That info is pretty much what I was looking for when I set off down this rocky road.

Mikolev

[Jonathan]

mikolev said:

No, Jonathan, you are not trying to help. You are defending something with out a solid knowledge base because it looks cool to you. No, I don't want a medal for doing the jobs I've done, but my point is that your assertion that the reason that P7s are expensive b/c they were used by the Navy is moot.

And I can't post about a gun unless I'm planning on buying it, is that the rules you've set for this forum???

Mikolev

I don't need to defend jack s**T!! I will not beg anyone to buy such a fine pistol. IT should sell itself as far as I'm concerned.

I was never aware that you were asking me to defend it. You asked what made Walther so special and I gave MY reasons. What, do you want me to write you a freaking report?!

As far as the H&K goes, it sure as hell better be used by the Seals cause that was the only thing it had going for it in my book. If you think the Walther P99 is ugly...You're are going to sit there with a straight face and tell me the H&K is anything but horrendous looking? I know beauty is in the eyes of the beholder but damn!!

Buy whatever the hell you want. I couldn't care less. I bought what I wanted and I'm more than pleased with my decision.

[mikolev]

Jonathan,

Argueing aesthetics is futile, I hope you can see that.

This is my last post in this thread.

Mikolev