[BrokenArrow]

Picked one up even though it is rare for S&W to get anything right the first time out... usually the mags get tweaked.

Looks real nice; fit and finish excellent. Melonite finish on
through-hardened stainless steel (touted as good/better than Tenifer on surface hardened steel). Operating system is same as the 9/40 SW99/P99.

Nine shot metal magazine that looks like a SIG/HK double stack in the feed lips/follower. Loads to 9 easy, inserts into gun w slide fwd easy, ejects easily when empty, a little tougher when full.

No calipers, eyeballed w a ruler:

4 1/4 inch bbl
7 1/2 inches long overall
5 5/8 inches high to top of slide, 5 7/8 to top of sight
1 1/16 inches wide
3 inches bottom of trigger guard to bottom of grip
4 3/8 from web to front of trigger guard

About same slide length as 1911/92FS but shorter overall

Looks and feels smaller than it is. It is a _lot_ closer to the SWalther 9/40s than the Glock 45s are to the Glock 9/40s. Smaller than the USP45.

When in the hand, grip angle and bore axis feel like a 1911, from web of hand up about the same height, from web of hand down, it's longer. The grip is thinner than a 1911 (waaaay thinner than a G21/30/36), but longer than a 1911 (same as G21). I would have preferred a shorter grip, say an 8 round mag. It's not gonna be easy to hide that longer grip for CCW. With that long grip, might as well have given it a longer bbl too; what were they thinking?

When put in a Bianchi UM84 mil-spec holster, the flap is hard to close, the optional thumb break strap too short. Fits in a Fobus for the Walther P99, but ya can tell it's a bit thicker. Fit in a Bianchi AccuMold size 16.

No problems w Speer 230 Blazer and Gold Dot, Taurus 185 Hex. As reliable and accurate as my G21, P220 so far. Handles nice, less flip than the P220.

Will keep ya posted.

Mike >>>>---->
In archery we have three goals: to shoot accurately, to shoot powerfully, to shoot rapidly.
- Anonymous Byzantine general, On Strategy (Peri Strategias) c. AD 527-65

 

[Catbird]

I just thought I'd resurrect this old thread in an effort to see if anyone else has any first-hand experience with the .45 ACP SW99s.

 

[dklink]

I have owned a SW99 in .45,for about three months now.  I love it, it is my daily carry weapon.  Accuracy is top notch, right up there with SIGs or Glocks.  I have about 1500  rounds through my SW99 all of which were my reloads.  No malfunctions what so ever.  I have noticed that striker hits harder than my glocks.  It will shoot the CCI primer, which sometimes gives the Glocks trouble.  My advice to those interested is to go to a gun show and shop around.  The price in Dallas seems to go from 565.00 to 485.00, look around and you will save.

 

[Catbird]

Maybe it's just my gun snobbery, but I sure wish Walther would produce the P99 in .45 ACP and/or 10mm.
I'd buy them both.

 

[M700Police]

Quote[/b] (Catbird @ Sep. 03 2003,8:08)]Maybe it's just my gun snobbery, but I sure wish Walther would produce the P99 in .45 ACP and/or 10mm.
I'd buy them both.

You're not the only one.

 

[Catbird]

Maybe if there's enough of us, we should start an e-mail campaign to Walther.

I suppose there's no time like the present...
Anyone know the proper e-mail address for Walther, the company?

 

[M700Police]

[email protected] seems to be the only address listed on their site.

 

[Chip00]

I could not wait for Walther so I too bought the S&W99-.45ACP.
Here are my comments from the S&W forum:

My new SW99 .45Auto slips right into my Sidearmor IWB made for my Walther P99 in .40.
The Sidearmor is a krydex holster of the finest manufacture and a comfort to wear. It has three belt attachment options and at least as many cant options. It has a bodyshield for the rear of the slide. It is also available in a limited choice of colors.
This brings a whole new option to concealed carry since it is one of the most comfortable holsters ever for concealed in the waistbaned carry.
The Sidearmor line of holsters has a large loyal following especially among users of the Glock, 1911 and Sig lines. Just look at the comments on their forums. The Walther fans even banded together to have Sidearmor design one especially for the Walther P99 and the S&W owners got the bonus.
IP: Logged

--------------------------------------------
Follow up.
I measured the SW99-45 against the Walther P99 in 9MM and the slide width and height is the same. It is very slightly longer from chamber to end of slide and barrel...about 1/4 to 1/3 inch. Not enough to expose the trigger in the Sidearmor holster.
The width of the grip is the same but the difference is in the front to back length of the grip and the distance from the back of the grip to the trigger. The length of the grip up and down is naturally longer. The distance from the chamber to the rear of the slide is slightly longer too. Not enough to render the body shield on the Sidearmor IWB holster ineffective.
Unfortunately the SW99-45 comes with only two very similar sized backstrap inserts. I need an extra small one for my hands so if you know of any sources without an ugly dremel job, let me know. Thanks.

 

[Chip00]

To follow up with a photo, here is my SW99 45 in my Sidearmor IWB holster. Fits perfect.

 

[Catbird]

...but tell me about the gun, i.e., shooting characteristics, accuracy, reliability, etc. Can you name 1 or 2 things that you DON'T care for with the SW99 .45 ACP?

 

[Roro]

great scotts... Is the grip longer than the barrell...

 

[Chip00]

The size of the front to rear of the grip is bigger than the 9MM or 40 cal P99/SW99, by about 1/2 inch.  The grip is about 10 mm or 1/2 inch longer top to bottom.  Front of trigger to back of backstrap is about 1/4 inch longer.  Grip is same width.
Slide is same width.  Front of barrel to rear of slide is about 10 mm or 1/2 inch longer.  These are sloppy measurements made in a hurry for this post.

 

[Chip00]

Here is another photo made for this post for comparison.

 

[Chip00]

To answer Catbird's question, it shoots fine as expected and the accuracy is better than expected. I cannot give a range report at this time.
The only negative for me is the grip is too large front to rear, for me. That is the trigger reach is longer than on the P99 in 9MM and .40cal and that is a bit too large for my smaller than average hands, even with the small backstrap in place. Nothing that I cannot live with, but if I had my choice it would be smaller.
As said, function and shooting are perfect as expected.
The only other possible negative is that ten round magazines are not available. If made, they would stick out the bottom of the grip a bit.

 

[Catbird]

I know that this is a lot to ask, but I'd like to see some paper targets showing actual accuracy results.  If you could post one or more of those, that would really be appreciated.

I thought I'd never say this, however I MAY have to break down and get one since I have it from the horse's mouth that Walther has no plans to make a P99 in .45ACP or 10mm.

 

[gmchenry]

Here's an online review where they also post paper targets:
http://www.gunblast.com/SW99.htm

Both my SW99 .40 Compact and .45 are very accurate (neither available from Walther). I'm also a fan of stainless particularly with a concealed carry weapon.

 

[sigma40sw]

Thought I'd chime in on this thread as I just picked up a SW99-45 two weeks ago.

I have not had time to check the sights,but I am shooting a 200 gr RNL bullet in it and it seems to be extremely accurate with the load. It's an old 180 PF load for IPSC I have been trying to use up.

I have been shooting my P99's and the change over is not a problem. The small Backstrap makes it feel like my P99's.

So far I have only shot it in 2 matches one IPSC (Ltd 10) and one IDPA match in CDP division. Got a mail note yesterday from the IDPA Match Director asking if I made a mistake when I signed up, Did you really mean to shoot CDP ?, The answer was yes. I think I got the question because I won the CDP division and the overall match with it. I think I upset a few 1911 owners :<)

For those of use who like big bullets (45) this the answer. I am very happy with this SW99, and I don't have to buy another new holster,it fits my Blade-Tec and Alessi P99 holsters just fine. I had to rumage through my old holster Box (everyone must have one of those) to find a Mag Pouch for the mags. They fit perfectly into the SW59 double mag pouch I had.

I short, this is a keeper
Sigma40SW

Anyone interested in a Glock 21 ??

 

[gmchenry]

It's a darn fine shooter, highly accurate, and won't break the bank.  I picked one up and knew I had to have one.  I held out for a couple of months, but then I got weak and broke down and bought one.  I've not regretted it for an instant.  There's a lot to like.

 

[Chip00]

Did you see the target in the Powerblast report using a 200 grain SWC lead target load? 7/8ths inch at 25 yards. The other rounds are not bad.