Looking at my first Walther... .40 or 9mm? AS or PPQ or both?

[wacki]

I'm definitely going to buy a Walther ... and possibly two. I really like the 3 mode trigger of the AS but the raving reviews of the PPQ make me wonder if I should make it a dual purchase (no Walther rental options in Indianapolis area).

I tend to stick to just shooting at the range. So accuracy, quick followup, recoil and are all I really care about.

I would say guilt free ammo costs is a factor but I reload.

For those that own both .40 and 9mm ... what feels and shoots better for you?

For those that own both a AS and PPQ... what are your thoughts?

Any other advice will also be appreciated.

[Rothenfluh]

I have owned both (PPQ & P99 AS). I no longer have the PPQ and now possess the P99 AS. The PPQ is a fine pistol, no doubt. I just much prefer DA/SA of the AS model. I also think the P99 is far more aesthetically pleasing. But that's just me. I also prefer 9mm over the 40 S&W by a large margin.


R

[wacki]

Hello Rothenfluh,

Thanks for the response. You said this:

I also prefer 9mm over the 40 S&W by a large margin.

May I ask why?

[skeeter149]

I didn't want the recoil of the .40 I hear about(no actual experience). I get a great deal on ammo and wanted the German made gun, or more so German I believe. I always have shot 9's as well.

[ISOTOX]

I have a P99C in 9mm. I have also shot the PPQ in 9mm and 40 s&ww...While it is a fine gun the P99 was in general a smoother firing gun...hamd grip is just a tad chunky'er...to me it feel's better in my hand..the PPQ not so much... looking at them side by side you would think they would be the same. I also have a grip extention so I can use 16 shot mag's in it...I also bought a PPS in 40 s&w that I use as my primary carry...so if you are thinking of buying 2 gun's try the PPS as well....in the end it is what ever you are comfortable with that count's...good luck

[Rothenfluh]

Originally Posted by wacki

Hello Rothenfluh,

Thanks for the response. You said this:

May I ask why?

It is really just a personal preference. 9X19 is an excellent caliber, it has a slightly tapered body which can't help but facilitate feeding, allows a fair range of bullet size 90-147 grain and has an enviable, successful, century long track record. 40 S&W, is a solution looking for a problem, IMO. Had the powers that be decided to use the parent cartridge (10 mm) we would not be having this conversation, as it is a very superior defense cartridge. But it was decided to neuter the 10mm and design a new substandard 10 mm cartridge. It is too snappy in its recoil and significantly reduces capacity of the pistol for what it provides. No, I am not a fan of the 40 S&W. Having said that, I don't look down my nose at those who like or use the round. Just my opinion.


R

[tstien]

I have both a P99 and a PPQ. I have both the 9mm and the 40S&W. As for asking others as what pistol is best for you is like asking a person what pants fit you best. They can tell you what they like and why but until you try them on you will not know which you like best.

In your post you make a couple of points. You first statement was about cost. This is an easy question to answer. The 9mm is going to be cheaper to shoot. In my neck of the woods .40 S&W cost about 40% more then the 9mm. If you are truly going to use the pistol for just range time then go with the cheaper option. If you are going to use the pistol for self protection then you need to decide on which caliber camp you belong to and by that. That point has been beat to death with no true clear cut winner. Rest assured that someone will argue their chose for caliber and someone will counter that theirs is better.

One other point you made was about shooting experience. I assume you are asking about recoil. Neither round I would say is brutal or unmanageable. The 40 S&W will have more recoil. That is a matter of physics. The 40 S&W bullet has more energy at the muzzle therefor more energy, recoil, is going to be instilled into the pistol (every action there is an equal and opposite reaction). Since the mass of both pistols is the same then the felt recoil from the 40 S&W will be more. Will the recoil from the 40 S&W be to much for you? I do not know. Only you can answer that.

As for the trigger system, this question you need to answer for yourself. You will need to try them to decide. Since you said you may purchase both, then by all means, do so. If you find used ones you could always sell one or both for little or no loss of money if you do not enjoy shooting them.

I do need to give you a compliment. I do like that you attempted to find rental guns to try them out before you were to purchase one. That is the best way to go about picking a new pistol.

Good luck in your quest to find your next pistol.

[slurm]

I don't own both, just the PPQ, but I've held the P99 before and cycled it through the different DA/AS/SA pulls.

If the P99 has a lifetime warranty, and even if it still costs $50-60 more than the PPQ, I'd buy the P99. Even though it doesn't have the lifetime warranty, I still wished that I had gotten that instead.... just not as much. I don't intend to sell it, so I'd like the longer warranty if possible.

Despite all the rave you hear about the PPQ, what works for some might not work as well for you.

[Mig1]

I will pick up my PPQ in 9mm on Thursday. I own a P99AS in .40.

I will tell you that .40S&W has several distinct advantages over 9mm in defensive shooting, but the largest benefit is better and more consistent performance when shooting through intermediate barriers such as doors, windshields, etc...

Also, saying .40S&W was a solution looking for a problem is flat out incorrect. It is a solution for very real and specific problems.

Fortunately though for most of those problems (except barrier penetration) are also solved by new and improved 9mm rounds that were not in existence when the .40 was created.

For speed shooting 9mm will be better due to lower recoil. For range shooting 9mm will be better because it is cheaper.

9mm also has higher capacity (and helps speed shooting due to fewer reloads).

If you don't need the capability to shoot through things like a police officer or warrior might do, then there is no need to take the disadvantages of the .40S&W.

As far as the trigger goes, I prefer the same trigger feel for every shot. So for ME the PPQ is the better choice.

If you prefer the P99 AS trigger, but also like the PPQ slide release, you can get the P99 defense kit option, which includes the extended slide releases and factory night sights.

[AoxoMoxoA]

Much like the .32 vs .380 debate that is discussed on occasion in the PP-series forum, the same reasoning applies here.

Walther designed the P99 as a 9mm pistol, and only added .40 S&W to appease the "bigger is better" American customer base. Financially, it was probably a good move as they sold many more pistols. But the fact is that the .40's felt recoil has been described by many as too snappy for the frame, just as is the case with the PP-series more powerful, and later introduced .380 vs the originally designed .32auto.

I owned a P99AS in 9mm, but have shot both, and found the 9mm to be far more pleasant to shoot when compared to its .40 S&W cousin. The slide on the .40 is also heavier, which I believe adds to the felt recoil. Unless you are, as Mig1 puts it, "shooting through intermediate barriers such as doors, windshields, etc...," the 9mm is more cost effective, plenty powerful and more than sufficient for range use.