Walther P99 Threaded Barrel History

Excerpted from http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2188/p99sd.html (MIchael's Walther Unofficial Homepage)

The German term is "Schalldämpfer". These barrels are produced at the Walther plant in Ulm, Germany in very small batches for importation exlusively by Earl's Repair Service.

The barrel features a reverse-thread, 1mmX11mm pitch and diameter measured from outside the threads. As stated above this is a drop-in affair with no fitting or alterations required. The barrel is stamped on the 45 degree angle, right side with "EARL'S REPAIR SVC" "TEWKSBURY, MA." On the right side flat of the chamber it is marked, "Walther banner, 9mmx19SD", The Eagle over N proofmark, the date code KK, and then the Ulm elk antler proofmark.

I was informed that in order to produce these barrels, the entire P99 production line stops. Barrel tooling has to be changed out, and since all major parts of the P99 are serial number matched, this makes sense. It also makes for a very expensive barrel. The first batch delivered to Earl's Repair Service consisted of 30 barrels and took over a year and a half to receive. There is another batch on order, but will take approximately the same amount of time to receive. The retail price of the barrel is $395.00 and comes with a thread protector shown as a small round black ring in the scanned pistol image.

Now Walther does produce the SD barrel in some quantity and they have been available through a few sources, previously Gulf-Stream Sports (now out of business) and now Earl's or M. Kaehny GmbH.  Current pricing runs from $250 and up for the AC Date Coded barrel and reduced recoil assembly.  Here is the link to the Walther Germany page showing the "Suppressor Kit"

264 70 87   Schalldämpferset SD-Lauf (117 mm), Schalldämpfer, Tasche, Werkzeug € 589,00

As you can see from the above kit, Germany seems to ENCOURAGE their private citizens to use suppressors on their P99s to cut down on noise pollution!  With a price of about $600 US, you get the suppressor, barrel, recoil assembly and cool carrying case!  No stupid ATF FORM 4 $200 tax and approval required!

UPDATE!

The original barrels came with a M12x1 LEFT HAND thread (M=Metric, 12=12mm diameter, 1=pitch is 1mm in one turn) or 1x24 Inch
There apparently were also some M12.5x1 Left Hand threaded barrels made also.
The current barrel has a M13.5x1 LEFT HAND threads (UP TO AA-AC Date Code)
The current barrel needed a different thread because WALTHER decided to use a Brügger & Thomet suppressor.

Note:  The new AD Date Coded barrel that I just obtained is M13.5x1 RIGHT HAND Thread.  Walther either has changed them or they make both kinds.

As a point of reference, the AA Date Coded barrel is M13.5x1 LEFT HAND Thread, as is the Heckler & Koch USP 9mm SD (Special Duty).

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