Walther P99
|
|
P99.jpg
The Walther P99 is a pistol made in Germany by Walther Sportwaffen.
The design of the P99 was initiated in 1994, and a handgun was presented in 1996. The main goal was to develop a new, modern-style police and self-defence handgun that incorporated all the latest developments and that would cost less than its predecessor - the Walther P88, that did not achieve any significant commercial success, mainly due to high prices.
The P99 is reported as extremely reliable and very accurate, especially the 9mm version.
The P99 is internal striker fired, with a cocked striker indicator on the rear of the slide, as well as a loaded chamber indicator on the right side of the slide. It also features four internal safeties (none external), decocker, toolless takedown, optical accessory rail, adjustable grip size, and ambidextrous magazine release.
It is available in the following variants:
- P99AS (Anti-stress) Single/Double action
- P99DAO (Double-action Only) Double action
- P99QA (Quick-action) Single action with shorter trigger pull
A licensed version of the P99 is manufactured in the USA by Smith & Wesson under the name Smith&Wesson 99. These guns have USA-made slides; the frame and mechanism are made in Germany.
As of the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies the P99 has been the weapon of choice for the fictional character James Bond. Bond's standard issue handgun prior to the P99 was the Walther PPK.
- Type: Single Action or Double Action
- Caliber: 9mm, .40SW, 9x21mm
- Length overall: 180mm (7.1")
- Mass: 700g unloaded (24.7 oz)
- Barrel length: 102mm (4")
- Capacity: 15+1 rounds (9mm), 11+1 rounds (.40SW)
Note: During the US Assault Weapons Ban which expired on September 13, 2004, only 10-round magazines were available for US civilian ownership. It is now legal for civilians to possess high-capacity P99 magazines.
External links
- Carl Walther Homepage (http://www.carl-walther.de/englisch/defense/defense-36.html)
- Walther P99 FAQ (http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/WaltherP99FAQ/)
- Walther P99 (http://www.enemyforces.com/firearms/p99.htm)
- ATF: Semiautomatic Assault Weapon (SAW) Ban FAQ (English) (http://www.atf.gov/firearms/saw-faqs.htm)