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Maruzen
P99 Version 2
Review
by
JamesWilson (aka Jimmy)
images/edited by Arnie
This P99 does stray from
reality in one respect, however. The real steel P99 must have an extended threaded
barrel installed to be able to use a silencer, but for some unknown reason (possibly
so as not to spoil the original lines of the pistol) Maruzen have done it a
different way.
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.
Ergonomics The backstrap can |
The controls of The P99s hammer An internal hammer |
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.
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.
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.
External
Links:
RedWolf
Review – RedWolf’s personal review of the Carl Walther P99
http://www.carl-walther.de/englisch/
defense/defense-36.html – The real-steel
link, if you want to see what the real thing looks like, and how it performs
BlackHawk
Holster – A link to the holster mentioned in this review
AirsoftZone
P99 Preview – A rather old and inaccurate preview of the P99 on
AirsoftZone
Comment
on this review in the forums
Last modified:
Wednesday, May 9, 2001 9:37 AM copyright 2001 ArniesAirsoft
Images from the “James Bond: World is Not Enough” © MGM and
used with permission from RedWolf Airsoft