The problem (at least for Walther aficionados) comes from the fact that Umarex like to conceal the origin of many of their products by using the storied Walther banner (when, in fact, those products are not made by Walther). Those products simply are not up to the standards (quality, reliability, durability, fit & finish) of real Walther products. And in doing so, they sully the Walther brand for those who do not know what they are buying (see Schwing's remarks, for example).
The other problem is the fact that Umarex charges as much for their potmetal pistols as other manufacturers (Ruger, Browning, etc.) charge for more durable steel or steel & aluminum alloy pistols that will last a lifetime.
FWIW, I'm also a P99AS owner, and I don't feel that Walther is sullying the Walther name.
On another note, I feel that it should be mentioned that, to this day, NONE of the P22 bashers have been able to prove that the P22 is manufactured by Umarex. The only "proof" mentioned is this:
1. No ULM Staghorn proofmarks, only Cologne Triple Crown
2. Cologne is where the UMAREX factories are located
3. The quality is not the same as the P99
4. Umarex owns Walther.
All that is conjecture, not proof.
First and foremost, Walther officials have already stated that the gun is made by Walther in their Arnsberg factories. The ULM factories are where their centerfire guns are made (P99, PPQ, PPS), while Arnsberg is where they make the P22 and the PK380, as well as other tactical rimfire guns like the Colt M4, HK MP5 and Uzi.
The triple crown Cologne (Koln) proofmark shows it was proof tested in Cologne, doesn't mean it was made there. The barrel also has the Eagle/N proof mark which is the Nitro proof issued at ULM. The slide of the P22 also bears the Carl Walther ULM/Do marks.
Quality is not e same as a P99. That's subjective. I think the quality of the frame molding is quite good. On a par with the P99. Sure, it's different, because it has to be, it is a scaled down version of the P99 after all.
The slide quality is obviously lower than the quality of the P99. But there's a reason. The slide is made of cast Zamak, not forged. You can't compare the 2 processes. The finish is as good as I've seen on any cast products.
LAst but not least, just because Umarex owns Walther, it doesn't mean they actually make the gun. Their core product is airsoft, and they don't need to invest in new tooling and get into the manufacture of real firearms, when they can just let Walther make money for them. To say that they would deliberately undermine their cash cow with poor products is simply silly. All they do is act as the distribution channel for all those products.
The other problem is the fact that Umarex charges as much for their potmetal pistols as other manufacturers (Ruger, Browning, etc.) charge for more durable steel or steel & aluminum alloy pistols that will last a lifetime.
No one forces you to buy any of their products if you think they're too expensive. There's lots of guns out there that are overpriced, yet people do buy them. If they didn't those companies wouldn't be in business.