Well, I guess I'll jump into this now with an observation.
We only get the all-German P99s in Canada, so I haven't had to deal with any of the older models with a S&W slide, and we don't have import markings on the guns.
But my comment refers mainly to your reaction to the posts, Honkus. You started this thread by inviting people's opinions about S&W, and then lambasted them for it. If you didn't want negative opinions, why did you ask?
You say that people have only posted "whining and contradictory statements", yet I see a few valid points brought up about, for example, a 20-year gun dealer saying the German model had better much better fit & finish, interior machining marks, and one person having customer relation problems with S&W. Seems like valid points to me, as are the points supporting S&W.
So my point is, if you don't want to know, don't ask. If you like your P99, great, but it appears others don't have the same opinion.
Nothing personal, just an observation in the interests of this site and respecting other people's views.
Cheers,
Jammer