Walther P99 Trigger Systems
Walther P99 Trigger Systems
AS: Anti-Stress
Affected Models: Classic P99 / P99 AS / P99c AS
Trigger Travel: 0.55” Double Action & AS / 0.31” Single Action
Trigger Reset: 0.25”
Trigger Weight: 11 lbs. Double Action / 5 lbs. Single Action
The P99 AS is basically a hammerless Traditional Double Action pistol, which happens to be striker fired. The largest confusion in the trigger system is the AS mode itself, and with out that variable, the pistol would have a similar trigger action to a Sig Sauer or a Heckler and Koch.
The AS trigger system of the Walther P99 has three possible carry modes:
AS Mode
The first is the AS mode which will automatically engage after a round is chambered. The trigger is fully forward, as if in double action, but the striker indicator is to the rear and visible. This mode offers the safety of carrying the P99 AS in single action with a light yet long trigger pull.
DA Mode
The second mode is Double Action. After a round is chambered, the decocking button can be depressed, releasing the striker into a double action trigger pull. In this mode the trigger is fully forward and the striker is at rest and no longer visible to the rear of the slide. After the trigger is first pulled, all subsequent shots will be in single action. This mode is considered, among fellow P99 AS owners, to be the safest mode to carry the AS in.
SA Mode
The third mode of carry for the P99 AS is Single Action. This mode can be achieved by chambering a round into the AS mode, then slowly pulling the trigger to the rear until you hear the SA portion of the sear engage. There will be an audio able click and the trigger will remain in the rear position. This mode will also automatically engage after the first trigger pull in double action mode.
QA: Quick Action
Affected Models: Classic P99 QA / P99 QA (2004-Present) / P99c QA
Trigger Travel: 0.27”
Trigger Reset: 0.27”
Trigger Weight: 8 lbs.
The Quick Action trigger system is a pre-cocked striker system, much like a Glock. The length of pull can be different from pistol to pistol, based on the number on the striker itself. The higher the striker’s number, the longer the length of pull. This trigger system offers a consistent trigger pull from the first shot to the last. The decocker button on the slide of the QA is for disassembly only, and will deactivate the pistol when depressed.
The QA has only one carry mode, with the trigger fully forward and the striker will not protrude from the indicator hole although it is partially cocked:
DAO: Double Action Only
Affected Models: P990 / P99 DAO / P99c DAO
Trigger Travel: 0.55”
Trigger Reset: 0.55”
Trigger Weight: 9 lbs. Double Action
The Double Action Only trigger of the P99 DAO offers another trigger option with a consistent pull from the first to the last shot. In this trigger system, the striker is always at rest meaning the trigger has a much longer pull with every shot, compared to the Quick Action. Also, the full trigger weight can be felt through the entire arc of the trigger’s travel. This trigger can be compared to that of any other double action only pistol.
This trigger system has only one carry mode, with the trigger fully forward and the striker will not protrude from the indicator hole in the rear of the slide.
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All measurements were taken from the 2006 Walther America Catalog.
Gritty Walther trigger pull
Next purchase is likely to be a Walther P99c. I have handled a number of P99's in both the QA and AS configuration (about a half dozen new ones). One item of concern is the gritty feeling of the trigger while squeezing. Does this feeling go away with use?