Walther P99
 

Hi Guys,

I am looking at purchasing a handgun for self defense, and after handling a few different ones in the local gunstore I like the feel of the Walther P99 best.

Any experiences - positive, negative, how is the reliability etc?

Many thanks

nowthen

The best place to ask this is at www.thehighroad.org they're an amazing source of wealth.

How experienced are you in terms of shooting? If you haven't taken a firearms safety course, I would sincerely recommend it before picking up your first pistol. I would also suggest you take the NRA's Self Defense course, which will teach you a great deal about how to defend yourself.

Are you defending your home, or your person? If this is for concealed carry, then make sure the weapon you buy is something you are always comfortable carrying.

If this is for purely home defense, consider a shotgun. There's a saying: "My handgun is designed to get me where my shotgun is."

edit: fixed your link

thanks man i will check out the link. it will be my first handgun, only shot rifles and shotguns before. unfortunately i am in central america so no courses for me, however luckily i know a gringo down here who is ex-US military and he is teach show me how to shoot.... this is for concealed carry and something to have in the car, i am also getting a remington pump action for the house.

unfortunately we have had an upsurge of kidnappings here in panama and i definitely fit the profile - young, white, working for a rich foreign company... the last guy got stabbed 36 times and the shit completely kicked out of him, and that was after he paid the ransom! not going to be me....

I've shot the .40 caliber walther p99 quite a few times and it is a great gun. I've never had any problems with it. It seems fairly accurate. I dont think you could go wrong purchasing this gun.

If the situation is that serious, then I would recommend devoting a significant amount of your time to self defense. Protecting yourself from harm involves more than just being able to put a bullet where it needs to be; it requires a total mindset.

This is absolutely correct.

You must be vigilant with all aspects of daily existence. Vary your routes, departure and arrival times, use different vehicles, be careful with what you throw in the trash, use different doors in your house, keep the insides of your house unseen, or even have multiple places (options) for where you will stay and for god sakes you must train and practice with whatever weapon you decide to use, and must do so consistently and frequently. Ideally in mock tactical situations, similar to the ones you will encounter when (if) the shit hits the fan.

Without training and eventually proficiency your weapon will likely become more of a liability then an advantage.

Be careful, and be smart. Make yourself an undesirable target.

Above all....TRAIN.

Good luck,

-bear

i have the 9mm p99. it is my favorite handgun. i own glock 21, sig 229, walther ppk, ruger, beretta.

the p99 is so light, and, at least for me, most accurate. it also comes with three different back grips to customize it for you.