SW-99 - Statistical Data Included

Guns Magazine, Nov, 1999 by Charles E. Petty

Several years ago, Walther introduced its P-99 polymer-frame pistol. The P-99 was, and is, a very clever pistol that takes advantage of advances in polymer frame construction and incorporates a very interesting trigger design.

Now, an innovative decision at Smith & Wesson has allowed America's biggest handgun manufacturer to utilize some of the state-of-the-art features of Waither's P-99. The resulting gun, dubbed the SW-99, offers a degree of adaptability, dependability and accuracy that may not be found in any other gun on the market today.

The trigger is the most remarkable part of the design. The SW-99 is a striker-fired pistol but it has a decocker and is capable of being fired either double or single action. We need to understand the trigger for it is a bit different.

When you load the pistol the striker is cocked and the trigger remains in the forward position. This is somewhat analogous to the "cocked" state of a single-action pistol.

From here, the trigger can move rearward about 0.3" with light spring resistance to a point that is best described as the "single-action position." An additional 0.3" of trigger movement, this time with increasing weight, is required before the gun fires. Unless the gun is going to be fired immediately S&W recommends that the pistol be decocked; it should always be decocked before being holstered.

The double-action trigger stroke is just as long as others are, but a simple armorer modification can convert it to a double-action only pull. Otherwise it behaves exactly like a conventional double-action.

The other major feature of the SW-99 is an interchangeable backstrap that includes three different sizes to fit just about any hand. This is an unbelievably handy feature, although, once you find the size that fits you, it's probably something you'll never change. The benefit of this feature will be realized primarily by law enforcement.

The real benefit of the interchangeable backstrap will be realized by law enforcement agencies. With the SW-99, an armorer can fit the same gun to officers with just about any size hands.

Differences And Similarities

Mechanically and operationally the Walther and the S&W are as peas in a pod, but cosmetically there are some notable differences. They involve both the frame and slide.

The top of the S&W slide is rounded instead of square. There are forward grasping grooves and the grooves are larger. I'm not sure whether that amounts to a functional improvement or not, but the S&W slide is visually different, and forward grasping grooves are a popular feature.

Both the slide and barrel are made of stainless steel and finished with the "melonite" process that gives them a matte black appearance.

Two features that were included on the Walther are continued here. The striker protrudes slightly out of the rear of the slide when the pistol is cocked. There's a dab of red paint on the end of the striker that becomes visible when it's cocked. You can also feel whether or not the striker is protruding for a tactile cue in the dark.

There is also a type of loaded chamber indicator. There is a spot of red paint under the extractor that is visible when the back end of the extractor is pivoted inward by a cartridge in the chamber.

The frame is even more radically changed. While the Walther had a rail for attaching accessories such as lights or lasers, the S&W rail is generic and will accept a Weaver-style ring as well as most clamp-on mounts. Gone is the square trigger guard but its inside contour is identical to the Walther. This shape allows even the heaviest glove to get to the trigger.

One of the criticisms leveled at the Walther was that it might be possible to unintentionally engage the slide stop with the right thumb. If you look at the gun you can see how this might happen, but honestly I tried and tried and never could make it happen.

Even so, the S&W has a small guard molded around the slide stop to prevent any upward push. There are some small changes in the texturing of the frame to improve the grip and the backstrap has a provision for a lanyard loop. S&W has lanyard loops on all their AirLite revolvers. Could it be that we're seeing a new trend?

The Alliance

As interesting as the gun and the changes are, the real story is how this alliance was formed between Smith and Walther. S&W, the largest manufacturer of handguns in America, if not the world, has joined forces with Walther, a relatively small German company. Technically, the deal is between S&W and Umarex Sportwaffen the parent company of Walther.

Smith & Wesson has a long-standing business relationship with Umarex who has been licensed to manufacture S&W tear gas guns for the European market and also to produce S&W replica air pistols. Over dinner one night S&W's VP of New Business Development, Bob Scott, and the president of Umarex were discussing Walther's new P-99 when the idea of a "strategic alliance" came to light. The next day S&W President Ed Shultz approved of the idea and got involved.

The result is a straight purchase deal in which S&W buys completed pistol frames from Walther. According to Scott, it took much longer to get all the required governmental approvals than it did to work out the design changes in the gun itself.