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by JamesWilson (aka Jimmy) images/edited by Arnie
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Comparisons Having originally decided to get this model to replace the original Version 1 P99 I had I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the extra features the second version included. The metal suppressor seems to be of high quality and the metal barrel adds to the realism somewhat. The slide also seems to have a different finish to it compared to the older P99s, making it look less shiny, and more like the tennifer finish on the real thing. |
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They have used an internal thread on the outer barrel and a thin extended thread on the suppressor to join the two, leaving the barrel the same length as normal. I personally would have preferred the extended outer barrel, but it doesn't make all that much difference.
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The Looks This new P99 also has a different cylinder to the old version, the inner brass part having been replaced by aluminium. The frame of this model is almost indistinguishable from the real thing, which is also made of a polymer plastic. The markings on the frame are also the same as on the real steel, apart from the "made in japan" sign on the right front end. The slide also sports the notice "JASG 6mm Maruzen" on the front right-hand side, where the calibre would be in real life. Apart from these 2 differences all the Walther trademarks and banners are present, including various serial numbers on the ejection port and frame, and due to it being a "limited edition" this second version seems to have an extra serial number on the slide, just below the ejection port. |
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Having never used or handled a real steel P99, I am going from pictures I could find on the internet, but I can't see any other differences in appearance between the airsoft model and the real one except the hole for the gas charging valve in the bottom of the magazine. (Arn's note: it's been confirmed that the real P99 has a hole in the bottom to aim in cleaning and servicing. Thanks go to Chad for the tip) Size/weight specifications for the P99, (read straight form the manual) are: 17.8cm long, 13.1cm tall, 2.9cm wide and 30.6cm long with silencer, weight is listed as 660g . |
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Ergonomics The P99 is, according to Walther, the most comfortable pistol ever, and I'd be inclined to agree with them on that. The grip is perfectly contoured to fit your hand, with a small thumb rest on each side as well. The texture both on the front of the grip and on the sides ensures that your hands won't slip, even with gloves on, and also makes drawing the model from a holster easier, as it naturally takes the right position for firing in your hand. The backstrap can be easily removed by taking out the small split ring pin at the bottom, and a smaller or larger backstrap can be put in its place if you find the normal one is not the right size. I'm pretty sure the real steel Walther ones will fit, but I think Maruzen makes some cheaper ones as well. |
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The controls of the P99 are somewhat different to most conventional pistols, such as the Colt 1911 and Beretta M92.The most noticeable difference is the lack of an external hammer, a design made famous by Glock. The P99s hammer is internal and the only visible part is a small pin, with a red-dot on it, which can be seen through a small hole in the rear of the slide when the pistol is ready to fire. An internal hammer prevents problems caused by the hammer being snagged on clothing or holsters and also helps prevent accidental discharge of the weapon. |
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The de-cocking lever, which isn't actually a lever at all, but a small panel set into the top left-hand side of the slide, can be used to release the hammer to its safe position and will also reset the trigger to its "double action" position. This brings me on nicely to the next interesting feature of the P99: the trigger system. The trigger has 2 distinct positions, double action position and single action position. If you cock the pistol and pull the trigger back about a centimetre you will hear and feel a click and the trigger will stay in that position if you release it. This allows for a short, quick trigger pull and more accurate firing, as there is less force needed to pull the trigger. |
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However it is far more likely for the pistol to go off accidentally, if it is dropped, or the trigger is caught on something. Therefore its probably a better idea to cock the model and then leave the it in its longer pull "double action" mode, which takes a lot more force to pull and is very unlikely to be set off unless you want it to be. This mode will, however, make your first shot slightly less accurate, as the extra force used to pull the trigger will most likely shift your aim a small amount. Still, it's better than shooting yourself in the leg by accident!
The magazine release catch is also different to most conventional pistols, although it will be familiar if you have used a Heckler & Koch USP or Mk23 SOCom. It consists of a small lever at the point where the trigger guard meets the handgrip. To release the magazine you simply reach forward slightly with your thumb and push down on the lever. The mag release is ambidextrous, as with all the controls, although to use the de-cocking lever left-handed you need to alter your grip on the model somewhat.
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Field Stripping The safety catch can be engaged by pressing the small metal square on the upper frame towards the left-hand side and disengaged by doing the opposite. This safety catch also acts as the disassembly catch. In order to field strip the model you must first remove the magazine, then de-cock the hammer if it is cocked. Next you pull the disassembly catch downwards on both sides and then pull the slide and barrel assembly off the front of the frame. The barrel can then be slid forward out of the slide for cleaning or access to the cylinder nozzle. |
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Replacing the slide and barrel is slightly harder. First simply slot the barrel back in, making sure the out barrel is inserted correctly. Next, holding the slide upside down (and therefore the frame as well, obviously) slide the rails into the gaps in the slide. When the slide reaches about 3/4 of the way along the frame you need to push down a small silver triangular piece, on the top of the hammer, and make sure that the disassembly catch is still pressed down so that the slide goes on properly. Once the slide is all the way onto the frame you can turn the P99 the right way up again, rack the slide the whole way once and then pull it back a short way again, pushing the disassembly catch up again. All finished. |
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Performance "Get to the interesting bit, already!" I hear you cry in a fake New York accent. Well ok then, keep your hat on, here it comes. Despite Maruzen not having a reputation for making decent GBBs I guarantee you won't be disappointed by the P99, especially not the new version. I only ever use American Eagle or HFC Green Gas in my blowbacks and with either of these the P99 shoots at just over 330fps, better than any Tokyo Marui GBB, most KSC ones and equal to most Western Arms pistols. |
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The kick which the P99 gives out is also superior to any Marui GBB and almost all KSC Hardkick models. I have found that when compared side by side with a Western Arms Infinity 4.3" there is very little between the strength of the recoil. Range is much the same as most other gas blowbacks, although I'm not terribly good at judging distances, so I can't really give a figure for it.
| Another thing you're likely to notice about the P99 is that its' quite a bit louder than most other models, at least it is without the suppressor. There's also a rather nice metallic chink noise whenever the slide moves back and forward, especially noticeable when you cock the P99 manually. With the silencer screwed on the shots are slightly quieter, and the sharp edge is taken off the "bang" noise. I think this reduction in noise is probably equally due to the fact that the additional weight of the suppressor slows down the cycling of the slide marginally as it is to the silencing capabilities of the tube. The inside of the tube is cone shaped, getting wider as it gets further away from the gun and the inner surface is coated in foam, presumably to absorb the sound. |  |
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The magazine takes 20 rounds and when filled with American Eagle the gas will last almost exactly double that. Another good thing about the P99 is that even when its very low on gas the slide will still lock back at the end of a magazine, unlike some others which make that rather annoying pop sound and only cycle the slide half the way back. This may be partly due to the metal recoil spring guide I have fitted, which incorporates small bearings in order to make the slide cycle smoother. |
I bought it more for its aesthetic value though, as it's a nice stainless steel colour, and the fact that it enables you to install different strength recoil springs, as I thought there might be some problems using the model in cold weather. I haven't noticed any problem so far.
Faults I can find very few things wrong with the P99. Perhaps the slide could be more realistic, as I have found that the after-market Zeke metal slide is poorly manufactured and doesn't fit. The black finish on the controls such as the slide release and mag release starts to wear off after a while, although this does make the model look nice and authentic.
Weighing in at about 700g this piece is slightly light for some people, but it's very close to the real weight, so it doesn't bother me all that much. With my old P99 I had a slight problem with the metal rails which keep the slide on the frame coming slightly loose, causing the model to misfire occasionally, but this hasn't happened to the new P99 yet (touch wood).
One of my magazines also
started leaking gas, but this hasn't happened to any of the new ones.
