Walther P99 / P99c Review: Defying the Dingus
Ah, the ‘80s.
Glam rock was unironically cool. Adu!t films had stories. Handguns were made of metal and had hammers. Life was good.
Then Gaston Glock came along and ruined everything.
Before long, we had plastic guns with trigger dinguses, YouPr0n and Justin Bieber. And while I fully admit that Justin’s rendition of Despacito is _ucking excellent, if there’s one thing I can’t stand…
It’s dinguses. Er, dingi?
Not necessarily for what they are—but what they represent: the stifling monotony of modern striker-fired pistols.
And that’s why I love the Walther P99: it’s unapologetically dingus-less.
So then, my fellow gun hipsters, that takes us to the all-important question…
What makes the Walther P99 hipster worthy?
Unfailingly accurate and endearingly unique, the Walther P99 exudes a sense of soul and substance that boldly repudiates the cliches of “modern” striker-fired pistols.
I think it’s safe to say we all need more neon yellow in gun pics.
The P99 plays with your emotions.
You know what you’re holding. You know it’s not the kinda thing that ignites the primal flame of tactical longing in your loins.
Yet it does.
Somehow, Walther made this piece of tacti-plastic feel… special. Even sexy. And not just because it was in four Bond movies and graced the blessed hands of Kate Beckinsdale in Underworld.
The P99 feels special because it is special.
To the eye, its edgy lines resolve into a strangely pleasing dissonance of sharp angles and adverse contours. In the hand, it conjures a precise, purposeful presence, begging for a firm, intentional hold. And, somehow, every fiber of its glass-reinforced techno-polymer frame seems to say:
“I was never meant to be a compromise for a metal gun.”
Then you shoot it.
And you realize everything you thought you knew about single-action triggers… was a _ucking lie; because this one is muted, understated and generally anticlimactic. Yet it feels incredible. In its own Walther-y way.
Which is a better way, apparently. Because the P99 faithfully shoots to POA, with no drama, no attitude and no left-of-center BS.
Even in double action.
Second-gen P99c with first-gen full-size P99.
The DA/SA Striker
Yes. You read that right.
Unlike its striker-fired peers, the Walther P99 (in its original and “AS” flavors) is a proper double-action/single-action pistol—just like the Beretta 92, the Sig P226 and its predecessor, the magnificent Walther P88. In other words, it has two trigger pulls and a decocker. Which happens to be a button. Yes. There’s literally a button on the top of the slide. It’s like starting a Bentley every time you decock the gun. Not that I’ve ever started a Bentley.
The P99’s baller AF push-button decocker.
In any case…
The P99 has no use for a dingus, since it’s a true DA/SA pistol.
And to me, that says something about why it matters: it dares to be different—boldly defying the hive-minded hegemony of the dastardly dingus.
Now at this point, some of you are probably saying, “WTF is a dingus?”
Don’t worry. I got you.
Deign to the Dingus
In case you’re not an unrepentant gun nerd who hangs out on forums and imbibes YouTube gun content en masse, “dingus” is a colloquialism—of somewhat recent advent—that refers to the little safety lever built into the triggers of most striker-fired pistols. The “dingus” varies in size, shape and execution, but it’s usually there in some form.
Based on my reading, it’s primarily intended to prevent the trigger from moving backward (and firing) if the gun is dropped. Apparently there’s a greater risk of this happening with striker-fired mechanisms—and firing-pin-block safeties (which are ALSO present on striker-fired guns) do nothing to keep the trigger itself in check. Beyond that, the dingus supposedly provides some measure of protection against snags and unintended swipes. At least that’s what Glock wants you to think.
Interestingly, the P99 does have a secondary lever, tucked within the trigger shoe. Kind of like an “internal dingus.” Apparently, this is what protects the P99 from inertial trigger motion—though I suppose there’s no reason for it to be on the outside, since the P99’s DA action is inherently snag resistant.
Classic Glock dingus. Photo from Wikipedia.
As for the term “dingus” itself…
At least one article I’ve read asserts that the term itself is not endemic to firearms and thus should not be used to describe what should simply be called a “trigger safety.” But the term is used. A lot. And I, for one, believe that language evolves to suit the needs of its users—not vice versa. So…
As oft’ we uttered in the gilded halls of Seton Hill University, where I earned my MA in the lucrative discipline of creative writing…
“F_ck it.”
Ima call it a dingus.
Walther’s Wager
It’s 1997.
The Glock 17 has been around for 15 years. The Glock 19—launched in ’88—is already redefining the landscape of modern handguns.
So, why did Walther ditch the dingus and go a completely different direction with the P99?
Short Answer: Walther still cared about preserving the esoteric qualities that make great pistols… great.
But here’s the long answer…
The Wonder Years
Back in 1971, Smith & Wesson blessed us with the Model 59—the first pistol to combine a staggered-column, high-capacity magazine with a DA/SA fire-control mechanism. That critical innovation spawned a lineage of high-cap, DA/SA pistols that came to be called “the wondernines.” Of course the M59 eventually evolved into the excellent S&W 5906.
The wondernine lineage—minus the P226. And the actual model 59 (5906 is a stand in).
The “wondernine era” peaked in the late ‘80s, following the US military’s XM9 pistol trials—which was basically like the wondernine kumite (do you know… dim mak??). Of course, the Beretta 92 and Sig P226 emerged as the undisputed champions, and the rest of the XM9 contestants lived humbly in their mutual shadow.
But interesting things happen in the shadows. And one of them… was the Walther P88.
The Fate of the P88
In my opinion, the P88 is “The Most Wonderful Wondernine.” In fact, that’s the title of my review on the P88 compact. To me, the P88 series represents the ultimate expression of everything a wondernine should, could and wants to be. It’s incredibly well made. It’s incredibly accurate. It’s incredibly sexy. It’s just an incredible pistol, all around.
It was also incredibly expensive. And, unfortunately for Walther, the P88 didn’t sell well.
In fact, from what I’ve gleaned in my years of gun Googling, the P88’s less-than-stellar sales factored heavily into the financial woes Walther faced in the early 1990s. At one point, Steyr was expected to purchase Walther. That didn’t happen, for whatever reason.
Then, in 1994, the owners of the Arnsberg-based Umarex corporation—maker of air rifles and BB guns—purchased a 90% stake in Walther, thus ending 108 years of Walther being owned by… Walthers.
But 1994 also marked the beginnings of something new, for the now investor-owned Walther GmbH. Something that took the lessons of the P88 in stride and sought to embrace the trappings of modernity—which, at that point, resembled a low-budget squirt gun and rhymed with “block.”
Walther recruited Horst Wesp as lead engineer on the new project. While rumors suggest that Walther “stole” engineers from Glock to work on (what became) the P99, Wesp actually came from Steyr. From what I’ve found, he worked on the AUG back in the ‘70s—another firearm that was ahead of its time and pushed the envelope in terms of innovation.
Ergonomics were also a major consideration for the new gun. The established “Walther Canon” suggests that Cesare Morini—known for designing Olympic Bullseye pistols—was responsible for the P99’s unique ergonomics. However, at least one thread on the Walther Forum suggests that’s not actually true. Regardless, the P99’s ergos were certainly groundbreaking for the time (which we’ll talk about in greater depth, here soon).
Yet, despite Walther’s future-leaning take on their forthcoming pistol, the idea of the “wondernine” was still alive and well in the mid-90s. Moreover, the P88—despite its struggles—was a triumph in terms of bringing extremely high standards for accuracy into a DA/SA service pistol.
So…
What if you took the most compelling traits of “postmodern” pistol design—e.g., lightweight polymer frame, striker-fired action—and applied those to the classic wondernine formula? A formula that Walther itself had, arguably, perfected with the P88.
You’d have…
The P99 and its magnificent predecessor.
The Last of the Wondernines
When the P99 debuted in ‘97, it replaced the P88 as Walther’s flagship service pistol. With the passing of the torch, the P99 became the heir of the P88’s prestigious lineage, and, by proxy, the lineage of all the DA/SA wondernines that came before (at least that’s how I’m choosing to see it).
Thus, it is—perhaps—the last of its kind.
But it’s not just the DA/SA trigger that qualifies the P99 as a true-blue wondernine, in my mind.
It’s the intangibles. The way it feels. The way it handles. The way it engages the senses and plays to your instincts. The things that, all too often, seem missing from the dime-a-dozen striker-fired pistols of today.
The things that literally put the “wonder” in “wondernine.”
Looks pretty damn wonderful to me.
Esoteric Ergos
The P99’s grip speaks to you—in an arcane dialect of curves and contours.
At first, you’re not fluent. The hump on the backstrap seems excessive—forcing your hand back and your POA down. The sides offer little purchase. The back of the slide extends rearward over your hand—almost like the sight notch is sitting on your wrist.
But then, you squeeeze—up and in.
The gun connects.
Holding the P99 is a unique ergonomic experience. I will say the grip is a bit slick—hence the Talon tape.
Driven upward by the hump, the web of your hand locks into the shallow “arch” beneath the slide’s rearward extension. The hump itself anchors into the crease between the heel and the palm, while your support hand instinctively closes the gap on the side. Everything tightens as you extend to your target. Your sight picture falls into perfect alignment.
And then, as you’re becoming conversant in the P99’s unique ergonomic vernacular…
BANG!
It all makes perfect sense when the trigger breaks.
50 rounds @ 10 yards, single action. I was honestly a little shaky—too much coffee. But the P99 never disappoints.
Point & Click
It’s terse. It’s subtle. It’s restrained. It’s discreet. It has the haptic sensibilities of a high-end computer mouse.
That’s a compliment, by the way.
The break is so direct. So pointed and precise. Like it’s somehow closer to the shot itself. And to your point of aim—which is faithfully heeded every time you pull the trigger.
The thing just shoots where you want it to.
The P99’s SA trigger has a uniquely understated break that engenders an incredibly precise feel.
BANG!
There’s some slack. A firm wall. And just enough of crisp “tick” to give you a tactile point of reference. No overly dramatic snap, crack or pop. Nothing that serves to undermine or overshadow your primary “job” as a shooter:
Aiming.
BANG!
And the reset? Well, it already happened…
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Double taps. Triple taps. Entire-magazine taps. The P99 has one of shortest, most seamlessly engaging trigger resets of… guns. Period. Moreover, your groupings tend to stay reasonably coherent, even in rapid fire.
But that’s in single action. Lest ye forget—this is a DA/SA gun.
Doubly Striking
While Glock, Smith & Wesson and others would have you believe their striker-fired pistols are “double action only,” we—as astute purveyors of pew—know that’s not true.
With Glocks, the striker remains 60% - 80% cocked (depending on who you ask) before every shot. Then, of course, the dingus is supposed be your safety net, since the pull is lighter and shorter than a true double action (yet, somehow, still not all that shootable—or safe, if you ask me). Smith & Wesson M&Ps actually have more of a pre-cock than Glocks. But I think it’s still slightly short of being fully cocked so they can call it double action, from a technical standpoint.
None of this applies with the P99 (in standard / “AS” configurations).
Because, again, the P99 has a gloriously gratifying push-button decocker. It completely de-tensions the striker, giving you a full-length / full-weight DA trigger pull for your first shot—just like any other DA/SA “wondernine.” It then resets to the excellent SA for every shot thereafter.
The P99 also has striker indicator—the red “protrusion” means it’s cocked and you’re in single-action or AS mode.
Now, if you don’t decock after racking the slide, the P99 will remain in what’s called “Anti-Stress” (AS) mode. That’s a fancy way of saying the gun is fully cocked (i.e., in single action), with the trigger in the double-action position. Basically, if you breathe on it, it snicks back to the “normal” SA position, then continues to reset to that point as you shoot.
Based on exchanges with other P99 users, I get the sense most just ignore the AS “mode.” I do. And if you’re one who values the merits of DA/SA for carry, you will too.
Striker decocked—you’re in double-action mode now.
Now, having a longer, heavier DA pull for your first shot might seem like a liability for accuracy (vs. “normal” striker-fired actions). But the P99’s DA gives you a delightfully stack-free take-up, which leads right into the same “discreetly crisp” break you get with the single action. There’s no jerky transition from pull to break (i.e., overtravel). There’s no unsettling “jolt” as the striker (or hammer) releases.
It’s one of the most confidence-inspiring DA triggers of all my 20+ DA/SA pistols. Plus, the subdued sensation of the striker release makes transitions from DA to SA uniquely seamless; DA to SA pairs tend to group pretty tightly.
And once you get into SA after that first DA pull… bullseyes and 10-rings better watch out.
Marching to the Beat of Different Gun
Shooting the P99 feels like nothing else.
It doesn’t feel like a hammer-fired gun. It doesn’t feel like other striker-fired guns. It’s its own thing. And it’s a very good thing.
That said, there was kind of an “adjustment period.” At least for me.
As I intimated, the ergos took a minute to get used to. But once I “got it”—it started to feel very natural and very secure. The gun’s unique handling characteristics ultimately work in your favor (I think), and for me… the P99 never disappoints at the range.
And I mean never.
Certainly, we all have better range days than others. But even when I’m having an “off” day, the P99 seems to minimize my imperfect inputs, still allowing for respectable results. In fact, the first time I shot a P99—well before I was dialed into its unique feel—it still put up nice groups.
At the end of the day, I still think the Beretta PX4 beats the P99 in pure single-action shootability. Just shooting putting bullets into a bullseye, the PX4 is a divine force of nature. That said, the P99 seems more well-rounded overall—in terms of its superbly precise SA break, its uniquely shootable DA pull, and its lightning-fast trigger reset.
Furthermore, I would be surprised if the P88 wasn’t more mechanically accurate than the P99. The lockup is just incredibly tight on the P88. Adding to that, I’m finding that my newly acquired HK P9S is pretty much a “one-hole gun”—it might even rival the P88 in terms of just raw accuracy.
But the difference here are academic. Truthfully, the P99 hangs in there with just about anything, as far as accuracy. And it far exceeds—in my experience—just about any other “normal” striker-fired gun.
Intentions Matter
To me, that suggests there was real intent—real engineering effort—behind the P99’s excellent shooting dynamics. I think that’s also true of the Walther P5 and the P88, both of which have that inherently “shootable” character—albeit in very different ways. Honestly, I get the same impression with most of the classic wondernines: they’re generally just good-shooting guns.
And, to achieve that, I think someone has to…
Try.
The Walthers have always been a family of overachievers.
Now, I realize I’m taking a lot of cheap shots at Glock throughout this review. Do I think the Glock 19 overrated?
Absolutely.
But do I think Glocks are bad guns? No. I don’t personally prefer them. But they’re reliable. They’re tough. They’re well made. And I don’t think they’re inherently inaccurate.
But when I shoot a Glock 19… when I see others shoot a Glock 19… when I hear this abiding refrain over shooting low-left and “meh” shot groupings… I have trouble believing that Gaston sat down with his engineers and said, “Okay, people… what can we do to give this thing really EXCELLENT shooting characteristics??”
Maybe I’m wrong, but I just don’t think that was a priority; nor do I think it was a priority for most of the striker-fired pistols that followed in Glock’s footsteps.
But I feel like it was with the P99.
It’s a _ucking great gun.
But, hey—nothing lasts forever.
Evolution and Attrition
As the P99 evolved, it began to stray from the core DA/SA architecture that originally defined it. In 1998, there was the P990—a “proper” double-action only variant. Then, in 2000, Walther launched the “QA” or “Quick Action” variant, which was basically a P99 with a Glock-style striker system.
Sigh.
In 2004, Walther face-lifted the P99 series, implementing a range of mainly cosmetic updates; this became known as the “Second Generation.” The P99’s “Second Gen” saw the introduction of a compact model (which I own and will cover), while the original DA/SA variants were rebranded as “AS” models. Both compacts and full-size models were available as “AS” and “QA” variants.
*While some sources suggest there are actually three P99 generations (based on slight mag-release differences), I’m going to approach it as TWO generations for simplicity’s sake.
And finally, in 2011, Walther launched the PPQ—effectively sounding the death-knell of the P99’s unique take on DA/SA. The PDP then became the PPQ’s replacement, as of 2021.
It’s like a not-quite-as-good SAO P99 with a dingus. Photo: Wikipedia.
Truth be told, the PPQ and the PDP are basically just 3rd and 4th generation P99s—slides and frames will actually interchange between all three product lines. But, unlike the P99 series, the PPQ and PDP both use a fully cocked striker mechanism. With a…
A…
[sobs, meekly]
Dingus.
Cocked and Unlocked
I’ve never actually shot a PPQ. But I have dry-fired one. And I can tell you, without any reservations…
The trigger is really good. Even with a dingus.
But, in every way, the PPQ and the PDP are single-action only pistols. No different than a 1911 or a Browning Hi Power, apart from having a striker instead of a hammer. In fact, we’ve seen a shift in recent years of striker-fired guns going to single-action only—PPQ/PDP, VP9, P10C, P320s. Obviously, a pure single-action trigger is easier to shoot. But, until now, single-action guns have always had one key feature:
A manual safety.
YMMV, of course. But for me, an SAO striker-fired gun without a manual safety—which Walther does NOT offer on the PPQ / PDP—is a no-go.
Now, I prefer DA/SA with a decocker. Which is why I love the P99. But if you’re NOT going to give me a heavy/long DA trigger for my first shot… I’m gonna need a _ucking off switch. A dingus just ain’t gonna cut it.
Plus, as good as the PPQ’s trigger is…
The P99’s single-action trigger is still better.
The P99 Compact & The Second Gen
As I mentioned, I own a P99 Compact (in addition to my full-size, which happens to be first-gen). So, I suppose I need to tell you about it.
It’s more compact. Next question.
I kid, I kid.
Compact and the full-size. Notice the “AS” branding on the Compact—which is what all DA/SA P99s became in the second gen.
But seriously, it’s just a chopped version of the full-size. You go down to a 3.5-inch barrel from a 4-inch barrel and the grip gets slashed to Glock 26 dimensions—which means it’s pretty much a two-finger proposition without the pinky extension.
And, as noted above, the compact is ONLY available in the second-gen style. There was no compact model prior to the 2004 facelift.
Personally, I prefer the aesthetics of the first-gen P99s. To me, the lines seem a little less busy and the angles have an overall sharper, more aggressive character. I especially dig the finer, half-height slide serrations on the first gen. And I suppose it’s worth noting that Bond and Beckinsdale (as Selene, in Underworld) both carried the first gen.
Anyway, back to the P99 Compact…
Truth be told, it doesn’t feel nearly as good in the hand as the full size. Not a surprise, I guess. And it’s not so much that your pinky dangles (without the extension), it’s that the backstrap feels so… incomplete in your hand. It only goes down to about the center of my palm, whereas most “normal-sized” handgun grips get down near the heel. It feels very truncated.
But I tell you what…
30ish rounds @ 10 yards. It puts up tight little groups—just like the full size.
The damn thing shoots just about as well as the full-size. Same great trigger dynamics. Same point-of-aim dependability. Same tight groups. And while it’s a bit more flippy in terms of recoil vs. the full-size, it’s not a huge difference—Walther uses a nice dual-spring setup for the compact’s recoil system. All things considered, it’s a pretty amazing little gun.
And it does seem very little.
Yet, somehow, that doesn’t make it carry as well you’d think. At least for me. And that leads me to my only real gripes about the P99 series…
Fear and Lobing
While P99 isn’t exactly slim, it’s not obnoxiously thick either.
You’ll find wider slides on Beretta PX4s, Beretta 92s and Legacy Sig P229s. And possibly HKs. However, 9mm Glocks other P2XX Sigs will come in with slightly narrower slides vs. a P99.
Now, I suppose the P99’s light weight does kinda help offset its width. It may not be skinny, but at 22oz, it’s not gonna be tugging at your beltline like heavier guns. That said, you must still contend with…
The “Lobe.”
#lobelife
I’m talking about the part of the slide that extends back, over the backstrap. Protuberance? Protrusion? I’m certainly open to other terminology.
But whatever you call that bullous of steel and polymer, it tends to poke into your FUDA / FUPA when you’re carrying in the appendix position. And it’s really no more or less comfortable whether you’re carrying the compact or the full size. Obviously, the compact’s chopped grip is more concealable… but not as much as you’d think. The lobe itself will actually print more than the grip.
Also, if you don’t know what FUDAs and FUPAs are… Google it… but it seems to be one of those dumb things that everyone just knows. And while it is dumb, it’s honestly a pretty useful descriptor for an otherwise ambiguous part of human anatomy.
In any case…
If you tuck a shirt in behind the gun when you carry it—or you put some other form of padding between your body and the gun (I literally use a beer coozy)—the “lobe” isn’t that big of a deal. And, honestly, it could be more of a me thing? After all, everyone’s body is different.
But, as I tell my wife…
I have curves.
The Legend Lives… for now
Clearly, the PPQ was intended to be the P99’s successor.
But…
As of this writing, there are currently brand new P99s (and they’re AS models!) for sale in multiple locations online. A batch was manufactured and imported in 2022.
But no one is ever sure when the P99 will die off for good. Over the years, there have been more than a few threads on the Walther forum, seeming to suggest the P99 has finally gone extinct. Then… like the coelacanth… someone catches a brand-new P99 swimming gingerly in the primordial depths of GunBroker.
You can still buy P99s brand new as of early 2023—but I don’t think the compacts are made anymore. Neither are first gens, obviously.
The cycle of doubt, fear and uncertainty then begins again.
I suppose we should applaud Walther for keeping the P99 alive this long. That said… why marginalize such an excellent design? Why turn your back on an idea that has as much merit today as it did 85 years ago? Maybe more—given the prevalence of concealed carry.
Walther… you invented the DA/SA combat pistol in 1938. And you perfected it in the 1990s. So, own it. Advance it. Bring it back to the forefront of not only your product line, but the contemporary conversation on concealed carry. Be a leader. Not a follower. And stand together with us… the united gun hipsters of the internet… as we dare to defy the dearth of DA/SA decency that is…
The dingus.
NOTE: I had mentioned doing kind of a “head-to-head” between the P99 and the Beretta PX4 Compact. But I think I’m going to do that separately—probably just in a YouTube video. Otherwise, this review would be an even lengthier tome than it already is.
UPDATE: Here is that video…
RETURNING THE FAVOR:
Check out gun writer Tamara Keel’s blog—Books, Bikes & Boomsticks. She has a refreshing wit and a smart take on firearms. She featured Hipster Tactical on her blog, so I wanted to do the same.
What are your thoughts on the Walther P99? Experiences? Opinions? Scathing condemnations on my review? Feel free to share below…
#hiptac
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