Price checks: Walther P99 9mm AS, Sig P226

[MattB]

I was looking at two used guns today at a gun store here in Virginia, and was hoping someone here could clue me in on a good price for them.

The first is a used Walther P99. It's the standard anti-stress model in 9mm and judging by the lettering it was made in 2000 or 2001. The gun is in nearly new condition, with only a few tiny nicks on its finish. The pistol includes two mags, all the original backstraps, and a paddle holster. The asking price is $550 (consignment) but the gun store was unaware that the pistol only had 10-round magazines and not the full-capacity variants...it's basically a Massachusetts gun, and since Virginia doesn't have capacity restrictions that has to lower the value somewhat.

The second is a Sig P226 TDA non-rail in 9mm. The finish on this pistol is also excellent, and the gun appears to have been fired very little. It comes with two full-capacity magazines and night sights, and appears to be an older model judging by the lack of a rail, grips that don't have the P226 lettering on them, and that the slide has the "made in W. Germany" lettering on it. They want $595 for it.

The thing that gives me pause about these two pistols is that I can get a brand new S&W M&P40 full-size for less than either one. I could also spend about half of what they want for the Sig and get an S&W Sigma SW40VE, but I don't think it's necessarily a fair comparison. Any advice on what might be a fair offer for the Sig or Walther would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ray-500]

I was looking at two used guns today at a gun store here in Virginia, and was hoping someone here could clue me in on a good price for them.


The second is a Sig P226 TDA non-rail in 9mm. The finish on this pistol is also excellent, and the gun appears to have been fired very little. It comes with two full-capacity magazines and night sights, and appears to be an older model judging by the lack of a rail, grips that don't have the P226 lettering on them, and that the slide has the "made in W. Germany" lettering on it. They want $595 for it.

The thing that gives me pause about these two pistols is that I can get a brand new S&W M&P40 full-size for less than either one. I could also spend about half of what they want for the Sig and get an S&W Sigma SW40VE, but I don't think it's necessarily a fair comparison. Any advice on what might be a fair offer for the Sig or Walther would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure of the W. Germany part. I have a relatively new 226, Blackwater Edition, and the frame is stamped, "Frame made in Germany". The slide itself carries the Blackwater logo. As a guess, I would think you could probably knock off $100 from the asking and be content if the dealer says, "No." There are many other Sigs out there, and if that is what you want, you can find a good (current one) at a decent price. I would say don't jump at it unless it is a specific piece that you want for whatever reason.

 

[Raoul Duke]

The Sig is likely a West German import. It's probably a Pre-94 model with a stampted rather than milled slide. In this case, that's a good thing as it's still built like a rock but the balace is superb as the stamped slide is lighter and makes for a less top heavy firearm. They are wonderfully accurate (not as accurate a Ray 500's target model-how's that one working out for you?) But still great out of the box performers-even when the box was lost that long ago. $595 is on the upper end but if the pistol is in great shape then it's a fair price. If you want the new stock grips they're $30 shipped from Sig. You'll have no problems using new production mags either. PM me if you want more info on that Sig.

 

[Ray-500]

They are wonderfully accurate (not as accurate a Ray 500's target model-how's that one working out for you?) But still great out of the box performers-even when the box was lost that long ago. $595 is on the upper end but if the pistol is in great shape then it's a fair price. If you want the new stock grips they're $30 shipped from Sig. You'll have no problems using new production mags either. PM me if you want more info on that Sig.

Its working out great. I love it. The only downside is I have nothing to blame the misses on but myself.

 

[MattB]

Not sure of the W. Germany part. I have a relatively new 226, Blackwater Edition, and the frame is stamped, "Frame made in Germany". The slide itself carries the Blackwater logo. As a guess, I would think you could probably knock off $100 from the asking and be content if the dealer says, "No." There are many other Sigs out there, and if that is what you want, you can find a good (current one) at a decent price. I would say don't jump at it unless it is a specific piece that you want for whatever reason.

Thanks to both of you for the information. No, there's nothing specific about this one, I'd actually prefer a .40S&W but this was just what they had on hand. Any ideas on what the P99 is worth? My understanding is that they're relatively rare pistols.

 

[Raoul Duke]

I live in MA so I have no idea what the market is for the P99. Ray might since he's in a more reasonable state; RI if I remember correctly.

 

[MattB]

I live in MA so I have no idea what the market is for the P99. Ray might since he's in a more reasonable state; RI if I remember correctly.

Are P99s banned in Massachusetts? I could have sworn I've seen them in gun stores up there.

 

[Raoul Duke]

Are P99s banned in Massachusetts? I could have sworn I've seen them in gun stores up there.

I had to double check and you're right. They are on the list but I haven't seen one recently. That doesn't mean a whole lot though.

 

[drgrant]

Are P99s banned in Massachusetts? I could have sworn I've seen them in gun stores up there.

No. You can get a P99/P99c pretty easily in MA, save for maybe the DAO and QA variants. Further, in MA most handguns are not "banned" it's just that dealer
sales are restricted to certain makes/models which are "compliant" with two layers of crappy regulation.

-Mike

 

[newenglandjeff]

Are P99s banned in Massachusetts? I could have sworn I've seen them in gun stores up there.

S&W is still the main importer of Walther firearms, and they are pushing thier own line of M&P's. There is another Walther importer in Tewksberry Ma that can get you a P99 without the S&W logo, but you will pay...



http://www.carlwalther.com/page1.htm

 

[Raoul Duke]

Sorry, I didn't mean to give the impression they were banned per se. As Mike pointed out, most handguns aren't banned in MA, even when they aren't sold new by dealers. My point was that MA has an A-typical market for many firearms. Most guns tend to skew upwards in cost in MA compared to most other states in the union. On the other hand, we have relatively cheap Sigs due to LEO trade-ins and Smiths due to proximity. Other than that we generally pay more for any given item. So I figured someone out of state, could given you an answer more applicable to your neck of the woods.

Of course all that was predicated on them not being on "the list" which, as I noted, they in fact, are. Therefore, we're right back to square one were I said, "dunno, haven't seen to many of them on the shelves."

 

[MattB]

Sorry, I didn't mean to give the impression they were banned per se. As Mike pointed out, most handguns aren't banned in MA, even when they aren't sold new by dealers. My point was that MA has an A-typical market for many firearms. Most guns tend to skew upwards in cost in MA compared to most other states in the union. On the other hand, we have relatively cheap Sigs due to LEO trade-ins and Smiths due to proximity. Other than that we generally pay more for any given item. So I figured someone out of state, could given you an answer more applicable to your neck of the woods.

Of course all that was predicated on them not being on "the list" which, as I noted, they in fact, are. Therefore, we're right back to square one were I said, "dunno, haven't seen to many of them on the shelves."

I just moved out of Massachusetts after 20 years, so I've experienced the wacky gun laws. Interesting point about cheap Sigs...I might have to have one sent down here to Virginia. And I know they aren't literally banned, but given how vague the regulations are made by the idiot of an Attorney General in MA some guns are all but banned or the manufacturers don't bother trying to make them MA compliant.

 

[WayneWong]

I paid $598 for a brand new P99 AS (Anti Stress) 9 mm in September '07

 

[MattB]

I paid $598 for a brand new P99 AS (Anti Stress) 9 mm in September '07

That's good to know actually...it makes $550 for this one seem high, especially given that it doesn't have night sights and has a non-standard rail.