[Jammer]

Well, after going through the whole process of taking the exams to get my Canadian restricted permit (started in June) and then looking into which handgun to buy, I just got delivery of a 9mm Walther P99.
I now understand why some people have said leave the mags loaded for a while to compress the springs a bit (I foresee a few thumb blisters). Pretty tight fit.
As for the grip and feel, it's like it was poured into my palm...very nice. I haven't fired a handgun regularly since my army days which ended in 1987, and then it was the Browning HP. Quite a difference with the Walther, I'd imagine.
Hopefully I'll get out to the range on Friday.

Cheers,
Jammer

 

[kearsage]

Welcome to the dark side.  Get a HKS 941 speedloader and you can avoid the thumb blisters.  They're about $7.00 to $8.00 US. Enjoy the pistol!  

 

[BrokenArrow]

Load em up to ten, and it just a few hours they load/eject fully loaded much easier.

Notice the markings are slightly different, and the front slide steps a little deeper on later guns.

Both of mine are date marked AB (01), but have different markings and slide shapes... both are 9x19, and all German proof marked. Test fired 2 yrs apart though...

Wassup w dat?

 

[Jammer]

Thanks for the tip on the mag loader kearsage. I'll look for one.
I've kept the mags fully loaded for 2 days now so hopefully that'll loosen them up.
I'm not sure why my markings would be different from yours, BA, but if you want more pics I can send them to you. Mine is all-German made too, but I don't see a date stamp anywhere.
Cheers,
Jammer

 

[Chip00]

Your barrel seems to stick out of the slide a little. Sure it is not a knock off from Pakistan? Just kidding.

 

[Jammer]

No doubt Pakistan likely has less strict gun control laws than here in Canada.
The minimum barrel length for handguns (categorized as "restricted" firearms) in Canada is measured in centimeters (106 cm), which puts it at just over 4 inches. So to make the normal 4 inch handguns legal here, the manufacturer has to make the barrel slightly longer.
If it's shorter than that, the handgun is put into the "prohibited" category.
Cheers,
Jammer

 

[Chip00]

I knew that from Earl's Walther site. Just noticed it in your photo and knew it was "different". Hope you enjoy it.

The reason I mentioned Pakistan is that there is an area there, not an official part of the nation, that produces knock off guns of all sorts for who knows whom. Not of the highest quality needless to say.

 

[Herr Walther]

Does your country require the pistols to be stamped with an import mark?

Your datecode will be found on the right side dustcover just forward of where the triggerguard meets the frame.

I like the looks of that longer barrel. Might have to call Earl.

 

[Jammer]

Quote[/b] (Herr Walther @ Aug. 08 2003,9:03)]Does your country require the pistols to be stamped with an import mark?

Your datecode will be found on the right side dustcover just forward of where the triggerguard meets the frame.

I like the looks of that longer barrel. Might have to call Earl.

No import mark requirement that I know of, but it does have the Eagle with an "N" (or for all I know, it might just be an excited turkey) stamped on the slide, frame and barrel.
One of those stamps is at the location you mentioned for the datecode, along with the letters "AC" and what looks like the tree branch (or an antler).  How's that for an accurate description?

Cheers,
Jammer

 

[BKP99]

The Walthers coming in to Canada come straight from Germany I've been told by dealers. In my experience none of the 9mm or the .40 I have seen have any 'smith and wesson' markings on them. Call either Milarm or P&D Enterprise in Edmonton (they have websites) and offer good prices.

 

[Jammer]

Well at least I now know what the markings mean:

Quote[/b] ]The slide, barrel, and frame of 100% German-made P99s bear the "eagle over N" proofmark, which signifies that the pistol was tested with a "proof load." The "N" stands for nitro cellulose, which is used in gun powder. The frame, on the right side under the accessory rail, also bears a staghorn proofmark that signifies that the proofing was done at the ULM/DO proof house. HK pistols are also proofed at ULM/DO.

And that's correct, we get only the German P99s.  I just saw on another post some guy's 9mm P99 had S&M engraved on the slide.  I thought they only made the slide for the .40 in the US. [EDITED: Someone had posted elsewhere that this was simply the import stamp on the .40, and S&W made a limited amount of slides for the 9mm to handle undercapacity for Walther.]
We have no import marks on the gun, which I think gives it a much nicer, less cluttered look.
I had checked out all the online sights when comparing the prices, and Ellwood Epps in Ontario was $100 cheaper than any of the other shops.
BTW, Herr Walther, I see that Earl does indeed have the Canadian barrel, but I was surprised at the prices.  Over $1,000 US, whereas I paid $990 Canadian.  Quite a difference.
Cheers,
Jammer

 

[sigmundsauer]

I like the longer barrel. It doesn't negatively affect the concealability or usefulness of the weapon. Hey, a couple of extra MM's of barrel is, well, a couple extra MM's of barrel.

Nice Pistol. I wish I could get one of those barrels for mine.

Tim

 

[Herr Walther]

Your Walther was built in 2002. But you probably already figured that out.

My next one is going to be from Earl's and #### the high price. I'd rather pay extra for it to come with the regular mags and a smaller import mark.

At least when you deal with Earl you know what your getting for your hard earned dollar.

 

[Jammer]

Thx, Herr Walther, someone on my Canadian forum (Canadiangunnutz.com) told me the codes to figure out the date of manufacture, so mine was indeed made in 2002 (AC).
But then again, come to think of it, how did you know my code was AC when my pic only showed the LEFT side of the gun?

??? Are you, in fact, the Amazing Kreskin??
What are your firearm import laws like?  If they're not too restrictive, you could get a true German P99 and mags, with no import marks, and with the Canadian barrel for about $735 US.  Not a bad deal.
But in Canada, we have to jump through hoops to get imported firearms, so we generally buy from our own distributors/retailers.  I've never had a problem so far.
Cheers,
Jammer

 

[Herr Walther]

You mentioned the datecode after I had described where to find it on the dustcover in a previous post.

To import into the US, you must get an import permit from the ATF and it also must not be on the banned list. (I.E., PPK)

Lots of hoop-jumping on this side of the border too. Generally, the only way to get one without an import mark is to buy overseas as a serviceman and fill out the correct hoop-jumping forms to bring it into the country. Or, buy one from an individual who has done that.