Please advise between two pistols - The Firearms Forum

demented · 01-07-2008, 04:35 PM

I've narrowed my choice to either a Smith and Wesson P-99 or a Steyr MA-1 in .40 S&W caliber. Can anyone tell me which of these is the overal best as to reliability, etc.. Thanks!

Taurus_9mm · 01-07-2008, 07:14 PM

I can't speak for the Walther P99/S&W SW99 but I do want a Steyr in 9mm. From various accounts I've read learning more about them, they're very reliable. Maybe someone with firsthand experience with both can chime in though.

http://www.steyrclub.com/f/index.php

Also a thread from XD Talk regarding them:

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54514

Pistolenschutze · 01-07-2008, 08:37 PM

Demented, both are excellent pistols, though personally I would favor the Steyr over the S&W. Keep in mind though, that my opinion is based only on my "feel" for both. The Steyr simply fits me better than the S&W. Functionally, I don't believe you could go wrong with either one.

demented · 01-07-2008, 08:55 PM

Thanks for the replies. Not being able to examine either, asking those "in the know" is my only way to determine which is best. If both are equally reliable, looks as though I can't really go too far wrong with whichever I choose. Hope it doesn't come down to a coin toss! BTW: This is intended as an upgrade of my S&W Sigma 40VE "truck" gun.

CampingJosh · 01-07-2008, 10:29 PM

I shot a P99 at a range a few months back and loved it. I liked the ambidextrous controls (even though I'm right handed), and it fit in my hand very nicely. Smooth operation, and no problems at all.

It helps that I'm a fan of Walther's P22, which is simply a scaled-down P99 chambered for .22lr. In fact, I'm probably going to buy a P22 tomorrow (and because Indiana has reasonable gun laws, I'll even be able to take it with me right away).

I haven't tried anything Steyr, but I can tell you that the P99 is certainly a good choice.

Pistolenschutze · 01-07-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demented

This is intended as an upgrade of my S&W Sigma 40VE "truck" gun.

I have one of those as well, demented. It's an OK pistol, but the trigger on it is horrible. I use mine as a utility gun too.

I own a Steyr and have found it to be both highly reliable and also extremely accurate. It has a very interesting sight arrangement on it though that some like and some don't. It's a triangular sight that makes for very fast target acquisition once you get used to it. For a self-defense pistol it is excellent.

demented · 01-07-2008, 11:18 PM

My Sigma has been 100% reliable, more so than I have a right to expect from a $250 pistol. As you mention, the trigger is tough getting used to, strictly as a self defense pistol I have no complaints, it'll hit close enough. What it lacks is that "utility" an easier to shoot pistol has, I shoot waaaay more at targets, etc. than at human predators!

01-07-2008, 04:35 PM	#1
demented Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13	Please advise between two pistols I've narrowed my choice to either a Smith and Wesson P-99 or a Steyr MA-1 in .40 S&W caliber. Can anyone tell me which of these is the overal best as to reliability, etc.. Thanks! -->

01-07-2008, 07:14 PM	#2
Taurus_9mm V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 345	Re: Please advise between two pistols I can't speak for the Walther P99/S&W SW99 but I do want a Steyr in 9mm. From various accounts I've read learning more about them, they're very reliable. Maybe someone with firsthand experience with both can chime in though. http://www.steyrclub.com/f/index.php Also a thread from XD Talk regarding them: http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54514 Last edited by Taurus_9mm; 01-07-2008 at 08:06 PM..

01-07-2008, 08:37 PM	#3
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Please advise between two pistols Demented, both are excellent pistols, though personally I would favor the Steyr over the S&W. Keep in mind though, that my opinion is based only on my "feel" for both. The Steyr simply fits me better than the S&W. Functionally, I don't believe you could go wrong with either one. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

01-07-2008, 08:55 PM	#4
demented Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13	Re: Please advise between two pistols Thanks for the replies. Not being able to examine either, asking those "in the know" is my only way to determine which is best. If both are equally reliable, looks as though I can't really go too far wrong with whichever I choose. Hope it doesn't come down to a coin toss! BTW: This is intended as an upgrade of my S&W Sigma 40VE "truck" gun.

01-07-2008, 10:29 PM	#5
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,797	Re: Please advise between two pistols I shot a P99 at a range a few months back and loved it. I liked the ambidextrous controls (even though I'm right handed), and it fit in my hand very nicely. Smooth operation, and no problems at all. It helps that I'm a fan of Walther's P22, which is simply a scaled-down P99 chambered for .22lr. In fact, I'm probably going to buy a P22 tomorrow (and because Indiana has reasonable gun laws, I'll even be able to take it with me right away). I haven't tried anything Steyr, but I can tell you that the P99 is certainly a good choice.

01-07-2008, 11:18 PM	#7
demented Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 13	Re: Please advise between two pistols My Sigma has been 100% reliable, more so than I have a right to expect from a $250 pistol. As you mention, the trigger is tough getting used to, strictly as a self defense pistol I have no complaints, it'll hit close enough. What it lacks is that "utility" an easier to shoot pistol has, I shoot waaaay more at targets, etc. than at human predators!