WB
Trade pieces garnered and review; part 1
Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 07:55

I worked a crazy deal with a fellow gun nut who wanted one of mine. Pretty expensive piece so we worked a multi-gun trade. Both of us took a chance but we did our best diligence and felt each other out enough to feel positive about the deal. It was fun and my FFL guy made out like a bandit for some lite paperwork. Everyone seems happy.

I got this unusual rig in. Not anything I'd ever have looked at to actually acquire. It dates to around 2005 or so. I have glanced at the later PPQ M2 that is pretty highly regarded. They even make that one in .45 ACP. Everyone has a G19 laying around including us. This is an interesting alternative. The Germans are curious folks, how they design things. They like lots of little special clever parts. However generally they pull it off and they work. This gun is a Walther P99 QA 9mm. The "QA" was a short run model that had a "Q-uick A-ction" trigger system that was half cocked by the slide, like a typical Glock etc. There was a "Q" model prior that is the Military issue for many European Countries and Security forces. It is basically a modified DA model with second strike ability. To confuse things further their existed a DAO model too. I'm not totally clear on all of it myself! It did later morph into the PPQ series which I hear has a much improved trigger system as to poundage.

This gun is not one you'd typically buy in the store based upon the trigger feel. It is too heavy at 8.5 lbs. But the longish pull is very smooth and consistent, you are not going to accidentally fire it! I think that is exactly the point of the design for service. It sort of feels like a K-frame Smith with a very slick action, but no stacking at all, just a smooth pull though. Reset is not short either as is all the current rage and talk, which I do not really understand in real use. It however feels quite natural, is easy to shoot, and quite accurate! I do not seem to pull to any one side firing like I do with some other models. I'm glad I did actually fire it some or I'd have traded it off prematurely. It works and is a fair if not exotic alternative to the G19. It's not better, but the size, thickness, weight (24 oz.) and rounds (16) are basically identical. The Walther does come with 3 different backstraps, 6 front sights, and two mags. Other's have followed suit lately. The Walther seemed to do it a decade previous though.

I just thought you guys would appreciate a little review from a true objectionable view. It's not bad.

*This shows the basically identical size late PPQ M2. However it has a different mag release style and long ambi. slide release, picatinny rail too.