The latest video review from Moondog as he takes a "Walmart-y" packaged CO2-powered Walther P99 Gas Blowback Pistol from Umarex. This is a made in Taiwan gas blowback pistol and while it's a gas blowback pistol, watching the video, the slide gives a "plink" sound. not a solid one as we are used to with our gas blowback pistols that we use as backup weapons. It can be nice for backyard plinking, but Moondog thinks it can also be used for CQB games.

This video review also comes with the full transcript which you can read below the video for reference.

HISTORY

The P99 is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol developed the Carl Walther arms company which is owned by the German firm, Umarex. Both the P99 and the Walther PPK have become famous, as the service pistols issued to the fictional British spy, James Bond.

PACKAGE

Umarex, like Cybergun, chose plastic blister packaging, which makes the gun look more like a toy. The packaging may work for Walmart but it's a bit of a turn-off for a collector. The gun comes with magazine, instruction manual, and sample BB's but no CO2 cartridge.

FORM AND FUNCTION

At first glance, the Umarex P99 seems like a good replica, with full Walther trades and a nicely textured polymer lower receiver with an integrated tactical rail. The made in Taiwan stamp and BB gun type safety switch above the trigger, leads me to believe that WinGun makes it for Umarex.

The real steel P99 has a removable backstraps on the grip to customize the fit for the user. This replica hides The CO2 cartridge under backstrap. The ambidextrous mag release is formed into the trigger guard. The magazine holds 15 rounds and has nice trades on the base plate. It looks similar but is not interchangeable with WinGun's 1911 and M9 NBBs.

The P99 DAO stands for Dual Action Only, so it has the long trigger pull of a NBB (Now Blowback). In this replica, the slide moves when fired (and has a good kick), but plays no role in the loading of BBs into the chamber. It is metal but seems hollow and cheap feeling and the gun makes a dissatisfying ‘plink’ sound when fired.

PERFORMANCE

Because of its long trigger pull and lack of built-in hop-up, from 35ft firing from a bench rest position, it turned in a disappointing 8-to-9 inch spread on the target. While the packaging claims 380fps, our gun chrono'd in at around 300fps with .20g BBs at 80ºF. On the positive side, that makes this a rare CO2 powered gun usable in most indoor CQB fields.

CONCLUSION

The Umarex P99 is a step up from a NBB but it's a mixed bag. At first glance, it looks great but when you look closely, its details disappoint especially its chintzy slide. If you want 007's gun and plan to use it exclusively for CQB, then the $60 P99 is not a bad choice. Otherwise wait for the green gas version expected from Umarex in the near future.