[MLB]

My P99 hangs up upon cocking occasionally. It just started happening recently. It appears that the recoil spring is bowing downward due to the flexure of the (plastic hinged) guide rod, and catching on the frame. I can understand the utility in making the rod in two pieces for assembly, but can't imagine why they would place the hinge near the middle as opposed to at the end. Ah well.

I probably only have around 1200 rounds through it, but am planning on picking up a new guide rod and spring. My spring is probably fine, just the rod is weak. Wolff dosen't list them on their site, so I'll probably go through Walther America (S&W).

Does anyone have any suggestions on alternate suppliers, or better yet, an improved guide rod? I was interested in the picture of the new P99C on Dr. Lunde's page. It appears to have a pair of springs on the guide rod. Can anyone tell me if this rod is solid (unhinged) or even better, metal?

Thanks for your time...

 

[martyr]

i know there's such a thing as a metal rod, but i understood that they were used to show how the polymer guides were just as good.

(edit: i heard that here: http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/WaltherP99FAQ/V/2.html )

anyway, my polymer rod flexes down too, although not so far as to catch on the frame under the 9mm barrel

 

[MLB]

Well, I've had little luck finding a metal guide rod for my p99, so I ordered the Sprinco "Recoil Reducer". I really don't see the need for a recoil reducer, and the $70 is a bit steep, but it incorporates a stainless guide rod into its design. I'll post a review after it comes in.

 

[ylide]

MLB,

I am really looking forward to your update.

 

[P88]

MLB,

Could you post a picture of your spring?

Also what year was your P99 made?

I have several .40 P99's and every one of the springs has the assembly point of the rod at the end, not in the middle. I've even ordered a couple of spares and none of them are assembled in the middle either.

 

[NM_P99]

I have one of the much sought after metal P99 9mm guide rods, straight from S&W/Walther, it functioned no better than the plastic version, and lasted about as long.

 

[MLB]

My P99 is an AD (2003).  I should have looked a bit closer before I posted I suppose.  I didn't have the rod with me when at the time.  Darn memory.  The splice point is closer to the end than the middle.  My bad.

That being so, the resulting flexure in the rod is still quite pronounced.  If you look closely you will notice that the rod is being slowly scraped away by the spring itself near the splice (see the smaller picture).  

I'm not entirely sure that this is the cause of the "catch", but it dosen't seem right to me.  I am convinced that the plastic one is a compromise though and a more rigid rod will be an improvement either way.  

The springco rod hasn't arrived yet.  I'll post when it does.  Thanks for the comments.

 

[P88]

hmm. That really looks no worse than mine. When the slide is put on the frame, the frame should straighten that rod out from pushing on the end.

When you say it hangs up on cocking, what exactly do you mean? Does the slide not go back into its full forward position?

When you cock the stricker, are you pulling the slide back all the way and releasing the slide, or are you "riding the slide" forward with your hand still on the slide?

 

[MLB]

Maybe the guide rod is not my problem then. I suppose it should straighten out when it's on the frame.

The problem occurs after reassembling the handgun. Afterward, I typically run the slide back and forward a few times to make sure everything feels right. I don't let the slide slam forward on an empty chamber, and therefore do "ride it back" in this situation, but this shouldn't be relevant here because the slide is restricted from backward movement after about half an inch or so. A bit more force than should be required allows the slide to move back, and after that it moves freely.

I wonder if I don't have it clipped fully on the barrel now and then. The rear portion of the guide rod flange is a little worn. I'll have to try that and see if I can reproduce the problem. Thanks for the input.

 

[P88]

You might be on to something. Lets us know what you find.

Also, I personally don't find anything wrong with letting the slide fall on an empty chamber. I've done so with my P99's for years and haven't seen any problems. This may be a problem with other types of guns, but I don't think there is anything to worry about on the P99.

 

[ylide]

Just wanted to add your Titanium slide looks great. I wanted one but after looking and trying to order one for two months a local dealer got an OD in and I grabbed that.

 

[Nocturnal]

When I first cleaned my gun I was surprised to find the guide rod as flexible as it is. Mine also deflects a bit when inserted into the slide. There's really no way to prevent that except for using a rigid guide rod or by supporting at least half of the top of the guide rod. Now it's both flexible and only grabs the very edge. Thus it flexes. I'm assuming it's on purpose and that the flexibility buys us something.

 

[comacho]

Maybe someone should ask Dr. Ken Lunde.
comacho
http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/WaltherP99FAQ/

 

[MLB]

The Sprinco Recoil Reducer came in a couple of days ago, and last night I had the chance to try it out.  I put about 200 rounds through it.  Mostly WWB 165 grain and a few magazines of Federal Hydra-Shoks.

Below are pics of the rod itself and installed:

The rod itself is well made, highly polished stainless steel, and chrome moly spring stock.  Probably not $70 worth, but nice nonetheless.  

The range report was a bit less satisfying though.  This spring setup feels significantly stiffer than stock.  My plain old WWB often failed to feed, due to short cycling IMHO.  I had the same issue with the Federals though.  I'm going to contact Sprinco to see if they sent me the "Cor-Bon" (stiffer spring) version by mistake.

As far as reducing recoil, the P99 in .40 kicks a bit as you know.  It's a light gun.  While it may be a bit lighter, I didn't notice a big difference.  

As far as the "catching" goes, I'm starting to think that due to the worn flange on the plastic rod, I may have not seated it well on the barrel occasionally.  This would explain it's occurance only upon reassembly.

 

[alex]

thanx all for posting.  my german 40 cal spring sags just like in the picture.  i was concerned because it was scraping finish off of underside of barrel.  i was concidering ordering a replacement but now will not

 

[martyr]

for the benefit of the records, my springs:

 

[P88]

MLB,

I wouldn't discount the Sprinco just yet. Shoot it a little more and maybe use some 180 grain bullets. I've never used the Sprinco, but it may need some break in period. Although 200 rounds, you'd think it would be broken in. How often did the FTE or FTF occur?

Also, I don't really think there is anything wrong with your original spring. Like I said, once you put the slide on the gun, the bending will go away, because the rest of the rod face will be supported by the frame.

Is the Compact spring rod made out of polymer also? It looks like its bending slightly too.

 

[p-99quality]

MLB I have a sprinco in my AD 9mm and I like it much better than the original. I have a few hundred rounds thru it and not one failure, I think it will out last any other original, but I do wonder how it will act when I get a suppressor.I also got some LE marked 15 shot mags and they are just what the doctor ordered ,More fun! $39 but I gotta have 'em

 

[MLB]

Thanks for the input gentlemen. I think I'll send them a note to see what they have to say, but give it another few hundred rounds to try to break it in. I really like the rod itself much better. I'll look for 180 grain rounds too.

 

[mitko]

I had the same problem, replaced the recoil spring and AFTER that realized that the chamber needs to be cleaned too.
It's been 2 years since I had a FTF.
Just scrape the chamber really good and see how it works.