I searched for info on this model, but the half dozen or so threads that popped up only mentioned the gun in passing. I have an opportunity to buy one for $200.00; just the gun and one ten round magazine. I have read about rear sights coming off the 990L versions. Did the SW99 have this issue, or other problems? If anyone owns or has owned one I would appreciate your opinions of it. Thanks.

Buy it. 200, seriously

Buy it. I have the same gun but the Walther version. The rear sight on some is a wonky unit but it works. 200 bucks is a good deal, offer 175 lol. My Walther P99 is a fantastic gun. It’s where striker design should have gone. The ability to decock the striker is genius. Buy it.

That's a nice deal on the gun, the only downside is mags are gonna be pricey. Factory mags go for around $40-60 plus shipping. Getting springs/small parts for it might also be an issue. Numrich has some 10 round mags and some small parts.

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it for that price. I have a p99 and 99c, the very first p99 I owned was in 40, our local police department carried them and were allowed to purchase when they switched. A good friend of mine on the department decided he didn’t love his as much after he bought it so I bought it. I have never owned a sw99 but if I found one for 2 bills I would

That's a great deal. Definitely buy it.

I had one. Ergonomic is great in the hand. Very soft shooting for a 40S&W . Very accurate. The only downside for the one I had was the very gritty trigger. Mine was the DA/SA version.

I'd pass. While it's a good price and a novel design, the S&Ws didn't stay on the market for very long. My local PD had them and pulled them from service due to mechanical failures.

Save your money and buy a walther instead.

I had the SW99 in 9mm and I hated it and sold it 15 years ago for about $200. For me, the deal killer was the trigger. I haven't tried a real Walther P99 (just the Smith & Walther) and I never could find the trigger break on the DA/SA trigger. On the 1:100 chance I did, I could drill a 5 shot group at just larger than 0.38", but more than often I would shotgun it spending more time finding the break instead of just shooting the gun.

I’ve never owned the SW99, but I’m a big fan of the Walther P99 series. If you’re okay with parting with $200 on a chance you may or may not like it, give it a try and see. If it were me, I’d just go buy the Walther P99 and be done.
Sean

I would spend more for a Walther.

I accidentally bought one and was quite pleased with it. Previously I had always dismissed it as an ugly P99, and to me part of the deal with the P99 was the looks. The SW99 shot very well, and seemed to have softer recoil than other 40s.

Several years ago mags were cheap, CDNN had $20-$25 factory mags, but that seems to have dried up. That being said, you can buy SW99, P99, PPQm1, or Magnum Research MR9 mags that will fit. And they're no more expensive than factory mags are these days, maybe $30-$40.

When I want to shoot a .40, I usually grab the SW99. I think for a $300 or less gun it's a good choice.

In my opinion the SW99 is very much a lesser Walther P99 AS. Not much good came out of the Walther-Smith & Wesson alliance.

I bought a used one back in the late 90s leo trade in, forum member “The Sarge” had talked me into getting a .40 since up to that point I had no interest in the caliber being a fan of the 10mm I always though of the .40 as the little upstart that had pushed the 10mm on the back burner.

Anyway I bought said piece, shot the snot out of it with hot 155gr. Federal HST rounds later settling on the 180gr. version and grew fond of both pistol and round.
The SW99 is a tough mid size piece, melonite over stainless on the slide and barrel I think, yes the trigger can be gritty in DA mode but a drop of oil on the spring and trigger bar smoothed it right up as well as a straight through pull instead of staging it. Single action is a dream, light, crisp and the reset is as good or not better than the P99/PPQ, and third gen Smiths.
Accuracy is better than you think but it’s no match pistol.
There is a mag safety just so you know, S&W was big in that back then, the decocker is easily reached and the paddle mag releases are ambidextrous and very cool in use.
All in all I like mine and have no interest in seeking it anytime soon.
Dale