HK P8 and Walther P99

[The_Waxman]

Through the German Bundeswehr I resently got my grips onto a HK P8 and it worked just fine. Allthough I didn't have it for long it still came into consideration for my next sidearm. I wanted to ask if anyone could post his opinion or his experience regarding the HK P8 or the P99 which I couldn't test yet. Thanx for the info.

[Mark Salvati]

Had a couple of SW99's and Walther P99's at a recent S&W sponsored shoot at work. We had 9mm's and .40's in several finishes(just black on the SW's though). Well balaced, well designed overall. Oddities http://www.specialoperations.com/ubboard/biggrin.gifecocker located on the left upper rear of the slide. 2. DA&SA action with a pseudo two stage trigger in SA 3. H&K style mag release. 4. exposed striker to indicated cocked condition in SA. 4. Loaded chamber indicator on the extractor.

High quality gun, but very odd. Shooting it is also very odd. The trigger does not break untill the bitter end, and you almost shoot better when you jerk it. Overall though, very nice, worth a look at least.

[jaxmore]

No choice to be made here...go for the "P8" (we call it a USP here)...I carry one in .40 and I also have my own 9mm version. This is an excellent sidearm with great reliability (never had any problems), better-than average accuracy (VERY nice to qualify with) and ergonomics (everything is right where it should be), and it is very easy to field strip (a well-trained chimp could probably break it down). If you want a tough sidearm that is accurate and simple to use, this is it.

[The_Waxman]

Thanx for the info. By the way, we also have the USP in Germany. The P8 is just the military version with slight changes. The safety mechanism is different and it has transparent magazines like the Styre-AUG, though it's more or less similar.

[BG]

I beleive the HK P-8 safety us disengaged by pushing the safety UP - I don't if anyone can confirm this, but I have seen a picture with the safety in the down position (where it would be when de-cocking).

The choice really depends on the application of the firearm - I would take the HK USP (variant-1) for tactical Law-Enforcement or duty use, but for concealed carry the Walther P-99 is a pure winner. The easiest way of using the P-99 is in the traditional double-action mode of fire (decocked - depending on your level of training, or trigger forward in the "single-action mode" provided you are well trained in it's use). I test fired the Walther P-99 in Ulm, Germany (with one of the designers) in March, 1999 - excellent quality.

BG.

[Repp]

Hi Waxman,

I just recently testfired the P8 for comparative purpose against the P1. I must say that I personally aprove of the P8, in the hands of a good marksman, it shoots precice and even an average marksman can shoot remarkable results with it. The Bundewehr knows why it took the P8. ( It's german quality after all ) P99 is o.k, and as BG put it, nice to conceal. But you are buying the P8 for field training I imagen, so concealment isn't that important.

Take care,

Repp


[This message has been edited by Repp (edited 07-30-2000).]