Walther P99C QA vs S&W 990L

[knoxx45]

Right now I am contemplating buying either the Walther P99C QA in 40 S&W or the S&W 990L in 40 S&W.

Has anyone had any experience with any of these guns? I have fired about 40 rounds through each one. This was courtesy of some of the kind members of my local range. And, honestly, after firing them, I really like them both, but cannot tell the difference. My question pertains more towards quality. Is one more reliable then the other one. Does anyone have any experiences with any one of these, either good or bad. I feel pretty sure that S&W will be there if I have a problem, because I have delt with them in the past and they were more than accommodating, but I have never delt with Walther. But if I remember correctly, didn’t S&W buy or acquire the rights to Walther? So… are these the same gun?

Any help would be great.

Thanks a bunch…

Knoxx

 

[modifiedbrowning]

knoxx, the 990L is S&W's version of the P99. The frame for both is made by Walther. The 990L slide and barrel are made by S&W. The main difference is the styling and that S&W uses blackened stainless for the slide and barrel with a Melonite finish while Walther uses carbon steel and a Tennifer finish.

Additionally, S&W is the importer for Walther but, so if you need to contact Walther America you are talking to S&W. I have never needed them but, from what I hear S&W is very good about dealing with Walther owners.

Both are good guns, personally I prefer the Walther styling but, then again, I am a big Walther fan. I don't think you would be disappointed with either and the S&W usually sells for less than the Walther.

Hope this helps.

 

[knoxx45]

modifiedbrowning...

thanks for the reply. Have you any experience with the P99CQA?

 

[modifiedbrowning]

knoxx, nope.
I have three regular P99s that have the AS trigger (DA/SA).

 

[knoxx45]

anyone

can anyone help???

 

[MattB]

I have both a Walther 99AS full size and a S&W 990L compact both in .40 S&W. Both are great and are very similar. I personally like the blackened stainless slide of the 990L over the Walther. The Walther's finish is not as durable and can easily be scratched. I also love the trigger of the 990L as it is a sort of "DAO" like glock but with no take up and a nice clean break. The Walther has a DA/SA set up and the Double action is a bit on the heavy side but the single action is a hair trigger. Both are very accurate. Quality is equal as I have never owned a bad Smith or Walther and fit and finish are great. My vote would go to the smith 990L cause I like the durability of finish on the Smith.

 

[flashman70]

My wife has the P99 QA in .40 S&W and likes it very much. Ergonomically it fits the hand well. With the QA if you decock you can't fire the gun DA. You have to move the slide back about 3/8" to recock it. Some folks don't like the trigger on the Walther, but I doubt the S&W would be very different. It's pretty soft shooting for a .40 S&W also.

 

[Soybomb]

The decocker on the QA seems to confuse people, its there for takedown so you don't have to pull the trigger, nothing more.

I'd pick whichever is the size you like best if you like both triggers. S&W is the importer of the walther so they're who you go to for warranty work and will take care of you just like its a s&w made gun. They're both durable and well made and wouldn't put the quality of either over the other.

 

[holycrikey]

The QA is a great option from Walther, but I'm still very biased to the AS trigger. If you're looking for a glock-like DAO type trigger, I'd go with whatever one you can find cheaper. I agree that the finish on the Walther's slide is a bit easy to scratch. That's why I intend to have it hard-chromed down the line. However, it's a fantastic firearm.

You'd be happy with either one of them. As said above, the only big differences between the two is the coating on the barrel and slide, as well as the S&W having a more rounded, tight trigger-guard.

A lot of use Walther owners are obviously a little more apt to look at Walther over S&W

 

[Shipwreck]

Like everyone else - I have the A/S models of the Walther - 9mm compact and fullsize. Also have a SW99.

I too find the finish on the S&W to be a little less scratchable. The grip is shaped a but differently too. The S&W feels better to me 1 handed, but the Walther is better 2 handed. The Smith has a different thumbrest on the grip, that is why it is nicer 1 handed.

The Walther does look cooler, but the S&W is just fine.

I hard chromed all of my slides, so I no longer have a scratching issue. No more holster wear for me

 

[MattB]

Hey Shipwreck. Where did you have that finish done on the slide and if you don't mind me asking, how much did it run you? I love the look of the hardchrome on the P99.

thanks,
Matt

 

[Shipwreck]

Tripp Research - www.trippresearch.com - Make sure ya call them - they take forever to answer an e-mail.

It used to be $92 ($80 + $12 shipping). he went up on 3-1-06, and the last one was $115 w/ shipping. To me, it doesn't look right w/o it - when I got y fullsize P99, I sent the slide off about a week later

I started it w/ the compact due to holster wear - liked it so much, I did the SW99. Then, when I got my fullsize P99, I just had to have it done.

I get the extractor and the decocker button covered in black polymer. I leave the barrel alone.

I remove the front sight and send the slide in w/ the rear sight. They then chrome the small spring pin that holds the rear sight on.

 

[MattB]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Shipwreck]

No prob

 

[LT4or bust]

P99c QA

I first bought a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II, very nice and accurate gun.
I like to carry tucked behind my right hip area , the Kimber has too many rough areas to carry alll day long... I'm sure they can be smoothed out.
I took a better look at my next carry gun, the P99c QA , so comfortable to carry I almost forget it's there.
It's not as accurate as the Kimber approx 2" at 25 yrds offhand standing, the Walther ... approx 3.5" same way. Still plenty good for close incounters.
I need the melt job on the Kimber and it'll be fine.

Good Luck, John