My Favorite Pistol: Walther P99 and Evolution

Christmas came early! Let's just hope that I continue to practice good firearms safety and don't "shoot my eye out". In the last week, I've bought or arranged to buy 2 pistols. Neither really fit into a plan as such (maybe 1 of them...... a little bit). They're mostly because I like them, and they both have to do with my favorite gun: the Walther P99 and it's evolutionary progeny, the PPQ. 

So, I'll start here. This is the original (Gen1), Walther P99. Some may recognize it as the Pierce Brosnan Bond Walther, when they decided to move the Bond character to a more plausible primary weapon, vs the much loved, but rather illogical 7.65mm Walther PPK...... if you didn't already know, yes indeed, it was a .32acp version of that gun he supposedly carried. Might as well have been a .22LR! Anyway, that's not the reason I like that pistol anyway. Well..... look at it! More importantly, hold it. I know, it's a very personal thing, but that grip fits me like no other. In fact, I traded my HK VP9 for one of these a while back, but then I traded that for a PPQ.....

This is it. My favorite pistol! That which the P99 became after evolutionary improvements. I like it so much that, I'm about to have 3 versions of it. 

The Umarex (part of Walther Gmb), PPQ CO2 powered, .177 BB/Pellet gun.  

The Walther PPQ/22LR, which of course shoots a .22 long rifle. It's direct blowback, as you can see by the fixed barrel and the magazine. It's unfortunately, not paddle released, but hey..... I'm going to pick this one up next weekend and is part of my early Christmas, but is there more?

 

Is there more!?! Does Santa wear red? I came across this and bought it. It looks vaguely familiar doesn't it? What is it? Why, is a Magnum Research (of Desert Eagle fame), MR9, sometimes labeled the "Baby" Desert Eagle. OK, what is it really? It's a Walther P99, licensed to Magnum Research with a slightly altered frame made by Walther, upper parts made and assembled by MR in Pillager, MN (one of my favorite town names). 

Here's a little bit of history and commentary for you. Don't worry, I'll let you know which is history and which is my commentary. Back in the late 80's and into the 90's, Walther wasn't in as good of a business situation as it is now and needed some help selling in the large American market, so they hooked up with Smith and Wesson. At the time, Walther needed a company with a big footprint here in North America and Smith was trying to get involved in the polymer gun market, so it looked like a marriage made in gun heaven. So, Smith took over the importation and distribution of Walthers and as such, you see the P99s of that time with the S&W rollmarks. That part is the history. This next part is my commentary. Don't get me wrong; I don't like S&W as a company, but I respect their guns. This whole thing turned into a conflict of interest for them and Smith for their part pretty much ripped off Walther's technology which you see today in the Smith & Wesson M&P line lifted from the Walther P99 and the S&W Shield derived from the Walther PPS. In the meantime, Smith did a piss-poor job of marketing Walther's products, so much so that Walther ended up breaking away and forming their own distribution based in Ft. Smith, AR. All that is fine, because in the gun-world, everybody copies everybody else. In fact, Walther hired away one of Glock's top engineers when it started the P99 project to compete against the Glock 17. The part I take exception to? Look at that top image..... that's the S&W SW99. It's a Walther manufactured lower mated to a Smith upper. It's awkward, ugly and an affront to it's Germanic roots! Walther agree to some rather interesting partnerships to push more units at that time. The Magnum Research MR9 was a part of that, although, clearly a much more aesthetically pleasing one than the SW99! So yeah; I've gotten myself into the collecting and enthusiast aspects of gun ownership. 

That part of me would rather have had picked up the later 4.5" version of the MR9 with the Desert Eagle-esque slide than the 4", but I'll take it. Of course there are other members of this family tree that I'd like to get as well.

The next most likely would be this; the Q4 Tactical. It's unfortunate that it only comes in the M2 or "button release" version, but I'd really like to have the longer threaded barrel and the slide already cut for RMR attachment plates. 

A more far-fetch addition would be the target/race-gun versions. The Walther Q5 Match, and the Canik TP9SFX. Not because I don't want one of these sci-fi looking variants, but mostly due to their $600-700 selling price!

Speaking of....... Canik....... If you didn't already know, the Walther P99 has been copied,..... a lot. One of the main culprits has been the Turks. There's been a number of firms, such as Sarzimaz, but by far the most successful has been Canik. A brand brought into the U.S. by Century Arms of Delray Beach Florida. The Canik TP9 is basically a clone of the Walther P99, down to the decocker on top of the slide. They are so close to the various Walthers, that there are videos showing people interchanging slides and barrels between the TP9 and the Walther PPQ. The reviews for them have been very good, particularly when you calculate in the big difference the selling price difference between the brands! Canik has done so well that they've released a number of different models. If I were a betting man, I'd put money on me picking one of these $300-350 9mm models at some point and adding to my growing collection!

The Modern Miniteman

As I approach my "gun goal", it's time to evaluate my situation. The intention of being a gun owner was and is not for it to be a hobby or a collection. That's a separate concept, and I'll get to that later. My purpose is the old 2nd Amendment goal of exercising my right to be armed and defend myself and my family if the need arises. I've extended that to include what might be necessary in the event of a temporary breakdown of societal norms (aka SHTF, WROL, etc). To that end, I've decided that I'd like to have the following weapons:

• Service Pistol: A pistol designed to handle defensive situations over possibly an extended period of time and therefore uses a "standard" caliber round and of sufficient power to stop an adult human. I have a Walther P99 with 9 magazines.
• Pistol Caliber Carbine: A carbine length weapon designed to use the same caliber ammunition as my primary pistol which would be easy to use by someone not as familiar with firearm use. I have a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (Gen 2) chambered in 9mm and takes the Beretta magazines (7 mags). Beretta and Walther magazines can be interchanged with minimal modifications. 
•  Survival Gun: A general use, adaptable weapon that can be used in a variety of situations. I have a Fedarm SS-12, 12 Gauge single-shot with a chamber adapter for 9mm. I'll also be getting chamber adapters for 22LR and some other calibers as well. This gun has a synthetic stock, a paracord sling and folds down to roughly 18 inches.
• Battle Rifle: A full-sized main "battle weapon" designed to either offensively attack an enemy or fight off one or more concerted attacker(s) chambered in a standard caliber. I have an AR-15 clone in .223/5.56 NATO along with 14 magazines. 

It's in my plan to also get the following as time and finances allow:

• Home Defense Shotgun: In all probability, this will be a Mossberg 500, or Remington 870 pump shotgun in 12 Gauge. 
• Concealed Carry Handgun: 9mm "single-stack" handgun for ammunition commonality and adequate knockdown power. In all probability, this will be the M1 version of the Walther PPS.
• Small Caliber Small-game and Practice Handgun: 22LR, Walther P22. Similar handling characteristics to the P99.

That puts the count at 7, and that my seem like a lot of guns, but it's really not. Each has it's own specific job and none of them overlap. There's not really even a "back up" to each other. 

As you can see, the majority of the guns I own or aspire to own are "Minuteman" type guns. What does that mean? I own guns because I believe in being responsible for protecting myself, my family and being a sheep dog to my neighbors. And if it came down to it, I'd do what I'd be called on by my country if things went seriously out of whack. 

Note that all of my guns, whether owned or projected to purchase are chambered for "standard" calibers; that being 22LR, 9mm Para, 223/5.56 NATO, and 12 Gauge. These are rounds that are easy to get, cheap (relatively) to buy, and more easy to scavenge in case of a breakdown. These are serious considerations since, guns become fancy paperweights without ammunition! 

In addition, it's my intention that I have the capability to reload virtually all the calibers listed above...... with obvious exception of the 22LR of course since it's "Rimfire". Right now, I'm set up to do 9mm and 5.56, so I'm most of the way there. I just need 12 gauge. So, is there anything else that I need/want for completion?

•  An Smith & Wesson SW99. A backup/ Truck Gun with in everything but name (and price) is a Walther P99, in 9mm of course. These can often be bought for less than $250.
  
  
•  A 300 "Blackout" AR. There's a number of ways I could go on this. The main idea of a 300Blk being something with better knockdown power inside of 200 yards than the 5.56. I could go with a pistol length weapon or carbine length. Mostly, it would be a "hog gun". Technically, I already own it since I bought another Aero Precision lower receiver.
  
    

•  A Breakdown/Take-down 22LR for obvious reasons. The Henry AR-7 shown at the top would be over $100 cheaper than the Ruger AND espeically if the Ruger 10/22 is equipped with the Magpul X-22 stock.I guess, we'll see on that. 

 So, I guess, that's it. I'm halfway to an overall goal of 10 guns total, with three which that could be considered optional. They would give me that ability to do just about anything I needed to do. I seriously doubt that I would get into collecting. Not that I'm uninterested, it's just that they are simply too expensive! 

Sure, we own a Winchester 1873 in 38-40, but it's a family heirloom and will probably never be shot. Otherwise, these things just get into too much money and something a teacher-father of two just can't afford to get into. So, I'd have to say that I'm pretty satisfied in the progress to my goals as a Modern Minuteman.

The Missing Carbine Has Been Found

I grew up with the Family Circus and always got a little chuckle from the depictions of the path the little boy took to get to things. Probably because I saw a lot of it in myself. It's taken me a long time and a circuitous path, but I've finally arrived at my "pistol caliber carbine" destination. Below is the Kel-Tec Sub 2000.

  

 Yes, I'm aware that it's a little unusual.... 

..... and that's just the beginning. Yup, it does indeed fold in half. Opened, it's roughly 30 inches. Folded, it's about 16"!!! Let me go back to the beginning and explain my "philosophy of use" for this thing. 

• I wanted a carbine that takes my primary pistol round (9mm Parabellum) and preferably my magazine as well. 
• Something that most anyone can get better accuracy than a pistol..... and at a longer range. Around 25 to 75 yards; where a pistol leaves off.
• Something that can go most anywhere without being obtrusive...... oh, say like an AR, or even a case big enough to hold an AR.
• Something small, light and easy to carry as well as get into action.
• Modern, with the ability to adapt modern accessories.
• Relatively inexpensive. 

 

My original intention was to take the "Planet of the Apes" gun, otherwise known as the Hi Point 995 and add the forthcoming Hightower Armory MBS 95 "bullpup" stock making it about 26" overall. I got as far as spending $150 to pick up one on Gunbroker. Unfortunately, after a trip to the range, the reality of the pathetic 10 round magazine got me to thinking about other options. Then it got worse when I realized that in fact, the rumors of the ProMag 15 round magazines not working proved to be all too accurate. There is a fix.... kind of, but if you try, it, and it doesn't work, you're out of luck, since it involves disassembling the mag, and bending the springs! So, I did a little math in my head.I had $150 in the 995. Hightower Armory said the stock conversion would be between $200 and $250; so we'll say $225. That makes the outlay about $375..... and that's with a magazine that wasn't anywhere close to my Walther and still stuck with a 10 round max. I knew the Kel-Tecs run in the upper $300s and lower $400 so the total wasn't too far apart. So, what was the deciding factor?

Yup, mags, but not just any mags...... Beretta 92 mags. As it turns out, a number of gun manufacturers use mags that are very similar. It kind of makes sense right? Similar concept, similar number of rounds, same round. Here's what happened; as always, I was looking around at trying to find inexpensive magazines for my rather expensive Walther P99, the originals of which are $40+ each. Of course, Sig mags, or HK mags aren't any cheaper, but I came across an article talking about using mags from the Beretta 92f/fs. It's also comes in a variant called the M9..... getting the picture now? Yeah, that M9, the former sidearm of the U.S. military that was just replace by the Sig 320. So, there are all sorts of mags available cheap, but there's going to be more coming, as the military begins to dump it's warehouses! 

What does this have to do with my Walther P99? Back to my original story. Apparently, after a little modification, Beretta 92 mags can be used in the P99! So, this was the best of all worlds! I'd have a gun capable of using, quality, yet very inexpensive magazines, but have those same mags also fit my primary handgun! Is that cool or what! To test that, I bought a couple of extended 30 round Beretta 92/PX4 mags and tried them in my P99. They worked fine, except that I need to cut another retention slot in each one. 

So, back to the Kel-Tec Sub 2000. ......which by the way, is not without it's warts. It has a number of deficiencies which include build quality (sub $500 MSRP in today's world gets you a lot of polymer), and a few other random things. But never fear, if there's a firearm made in decent quantities, today's booming after-market has one or more solutions. And in the case of the Sub 2K, it's M-Carbo of St. Petersburg, Florida. I'm not going to get into an exhaustive list of their products here, but of particular importance are machined aluminum replacement pieces for the trigger parts which solves the common complaint of the trigger pull. Their extensive collection of replacement parts plays an important role in my decision as well. Did I mention that this gun is not only small (when folded), but only weighs 4lbs! So, what's the next step? Finding one for a reasonable price. 

Actually, for this gun, finding one has been a bit of an issue, although that has gotten better of late. The problem is that the Sub 2K mostly sells for retail and often for more than that. The full retail figure is $500, but supposedly, you should be able to find them for about $400. Then came the "hunt". I found that if a person was persistent, this carbine could be had for around $400 + or - online. Which means you'll have to tack on another $25 to $35 for shipping. Hard hunting can find a similar price locally, then you end up tacking on about the same amount in taxes. Which is where Gun Broker comes into the picture. I've found that you can find pretty much anything you want there, but you'll mostly pay the "typical" price. However, if a person is diligent and persistent, AND disciplined, he/she can find a "deal". In my case, the "deal" came in the form of a lightly used Gen 2 version, that came with a very reasonable $20 shipping charge, AND extras...... 

What extras? You may not be able to tell, but they can all be seen in this picture in some way. There's the M-Carbo bolt handle cover, aluminum trigger and trigger guard, a Magpul AFG (Angled ForeGrip), a recoil pad, an extra magazine, and a Kel-Tec soft case sized for the Sub 2000. There may be more, but I won't be able to tell till I take the gun apart. All-in-all, just the pieces I've been able to identify comes to over $150, so when I tell you guys that I got it for $385, plus the $20 shipping making the total $404.95, I'm just about busting at the seams over it! Add to that, the ability to take magazines I already own, I'd say that this is just about the perfect "go everywhere" long-gun for me.

An Up and Down Range Session

This was me on Monday! Presidents Day finally gave me a chance to get over to a range and try out my reloads..... and the Walther P99. Overall, I'd say, that I shot about 200 rounds of 9mm in three different guns.

The bulk of them were fired through the P99, which was fantastic by the way....

I fired several magazines through Hi Point 995 to establish a couple of things. One, it operates well had no trouble with even my handloads. Two; the issues that I read about the gun having with ProMag extended 15 round mags were also confirmed! That that I've been able to confirm the reliability of the gun, I now need to decide whether I want to continue on to build the Hightower Armory bullpup project, or sell it to buy a Kel-tec Sub 2000 folding carbine. 

 

......then about 20 rounds through this Fedarm SS12 shotgun with a 7", 9mm rifled adapter. I I learned that it's accurate with the 9mm making it a legit multi-caliber gun, so I'm pretty darned pleased with this $63 bargain. Those are the ups.

The downs? I had some of the above.... right. Yup, some cratered and flattened primers showing some signs of over-pressure. So; some adjustments are in order for my reloading processes. All-in-all though, an hour at the range is the start of a pretty good day!