I've been wondering about this lately.
I see most here on the Walther Forum make disparaging remarks about the SW99. It's not the "real thing", it's just a "clone". Personally, I just don't get it. Is a Dell computer just an IBM clone? Is a Les Baer, or Wilson, or Kimber 1911 just a Colt "clone"? I don't think so, although technically they all are. Calling Dell just an IBM clone is ridiculous. It's also ridiculous to call a Les Baer just a Colt clone.
I own two SW99's, a .40 & a .45, both full size. I also own a P99c 9mm. All 3 are AS's, all 3 have been 100% reliable, all 3 are very accurate, all 3 are ergonomic, all 3 are great guns, and I love all 3 of them.
Maybe I'm missing something? Just what is it that makes the P99 a great gun, while the SW99 sucks?
The SW99 is a great gun, regardless of the brand or manufacturer(s) name on it. S&W fans at the S&W Forum shun the SW99 because it is not a "real" Smith. The Walther people shun it because it's not a "real" Walther. What a shame.
If both Walther AND Smith fans dismiss the SW99, is it any wonder Smith dropped the SW99? I think it's tragic that a great gun manufactured by two of the greatest gun manufacturers of all time was a failure.
Does it REALLY matter if your magazines say Walther or Smith on them? It doesn't matter to me or my guns, as my Smith magazines have been just as reliable as my Walther magazines. To me it just doesn't make sense to pay more for the same product just because of the name brand on it. The first time I charged my P99c with a S&W magazine, I half expected the Walther to expel the intruder, coughing & gagging. But, amazingly, the ammo nor the gun seemed to mind.
I know I'm not endearing myself to the Walther crowd here, but that's just me. I call-em like I see-em. I believe in calling a spade a spade, and could care less about political correctness.
I wonder what impact this forum has had on the SW99, and even on Walther? When new members or visitors here see the negative comments about the SW99 do you think they run out and buy a SW99? If no one buys a SW99 and they are discontinued, does anyone think this helps Walther? If consumers can't buy a P99 because they are scarce, and can't buy a SW99 because they are discontinued, what will they buy? Well, I'll tell you. The consumer will buy a Smith M&P, or a Sig, or a Glock, or a Beretta, or an XD, or a .......
The BEST thing this forum could have done for Walther in general, and the P99 in particular, was to give the SW99 the props it deserved. If the SW99 had been as successful as I believe it could have been, the P99 and Walther would also be more successful.
Sorry If I offended, but I think it's a shame a gun as great as the SW99 has been discontinued.
Now excuse me while I go put on my flame suit.
I see most here on the Walther Forum make disparaging remarks about the SW99. It's not the "real thing", it's just a "clone". Personally, I just don't get it. Is a Dell computer just an IBM clone? Is a Les Baer, or Wilson, or Kimber 1911 just a Colt "clone"? I don't think so, although technically they all are. Calling Dell just an IBM clone is ridiculous. It's also ridiculous to call a Les Baer just a Colt clone.
I own two SW99's, a .40 & a .45, both full size. I also own a P99c 9mm. All 3 are AS's, all 3 have been 100% reliable, all 3 are very accurate, all 3 are ergonomic, all 3 are great guns, and I love all 3 of them.
Maybe I'm missing something? Just what is it that makes the P99 a great gun, while the SW99 sucks?
The SW99 is a great gun, regardless of the brand or manufacturer(s) name on it. S&W fans at the S&W Forum shun the SW99 because it is not a "real" Smith. The Walther people shun it because it's not a "real" Walther. What a shame.
If both Walther AND Smith fans dismiss the SW99, is it any wonder Smith dropped the SW99? I think it's tragic that a great gun manufactured by two of the greatest gun manufacturers of all time was a failure.
Does it REALLY matter if your magazines say Walther or Smith on them? It doesn't matter to me or my guns, as my Smith magazines have been just as reliable as my Walther magazines. To me it just doesn't make sense to pay more for the same product just because of the name brand on it. The first time I charged my P99c with a S&W magazine, I half expected the Walther to expel the intruder, coughing & gagging. But, amazingly, the ammo nor the gun seemed to mind.
I know I'm not endearing myself to the Walther crowd here, but that's just me. I call-em like I see-em. I believe in calling a spade a spade, and could care less about political correctness.
I wonder what impact this forum has had on the SW99, and even on Walther? When new members or visitors here see the negative comments about the SW99 do you think they run out and buy a SW99? If no one buys a SW99 and they are discontinued, does anyone think this helps Walther? If consumers can't buy a P99 because they are scarce, and can't buy a SW99 because they are discontinued, what will they buy? Well, I'll tell you. The consumer will buy a Smith M&P, or a Sig, or a Glock, or a Beretta, or an XD, or a .......
The BEST thing this forum could have done for Walther in general, and the P99 in particular, was to give the SW99 the props it deserved. If the SW99 had been as successful as I believe it could have been, the P99 and Walther would also be more successful.
Sorry If I offended, but I think it's a shame a gun as great as the SW99 has been discontinued.
Now excuse me while I go put on my flame suit.