A bit of history regarding the Walther/Umarex relationship... (models 88 & 99)

[capt hindsight]

( Edit -This has tuned into a bit of a review)

I purchased a CP88, then a CP99 the other day and started reading up about the firearms on which they are based. Thought I'd share what I found...

Apparently Walther produced only 7000 of the P88 firearms over a 12 year period from the early 1980's until year 2000. The P88 failed in its bid to become the US army standard issue sidearm, losing out to the Berreta 92F. The Walther was expensive too, costing just short of double that of many of its rivals. A bit of trivia; the P88 was used by Ellis De Wald who was then disarmed by Axel Foley in the movie Beverly Hills Cop 3.

Umarex started manufacturing the CP88 Co2 version in 1996, it was the companies first pellet firing co2 pistol. Sales have continued to be strong to this day. I seem to remember reading somewhere that around 250,000 have been produced, but I've struggled to find that figure again for writing this post. Whats certain is the Co2 CP88 sales vastly exceeded that of the firearm.

The CP88 is a very close copy of the firearm version, the decocking lever is present but doesnt function, naturally the safety catch does function, and the magazine release button is used on the Co2 pistol to remove the grip and access the Co2 cartridge.

In the early 90's Walther was on the verge of bankruptcy, thankfully the CEO of Umarex spotted an opportunity to save both Walther, and utilise its firearm designs for Co2 air pistols and non lethal self defence products, in 1993 Umarex purchased Walther!

What I found interesting is that this purchase of Walther by Umarex means the CP88 and CP99 are indeed Walther pistols, they are not just licensed copies, they are technically Walther products albeit made in a different factory by the parent company Umarex.

The P99 firearm was the first Walther firearm pistol commissioned under Umarex ownership. It was far more commercially successful than the P88, as production costs were reduced by utilising polymer construction rather than a full metal design as per the P88. Production of the P99 lasted around 25 years, the firearm version finding favour with a number of police forces including Germany, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland and Portugal, amongst others. Umarex also managed to get the P99 written into 'Tomorrow Never Dies' as James Bonds pistol used by Pierce Brosnan - "Ah the new Walther, I asked Q to get me one of these", i'm sure that helped sales.

The P99 offered some innovative features, one being the replaceable backstrap on the pistol grip which is now seen on a variety of pistols including Glocks, this allowing the user to adjust the size and feel of the grip to suit their preference. True to form the CP99 comes with an additional backstrap so the gun can be altered as per the firearm version. The CP99 is the first pistol i've owned with an internal striker rather than the traditional cocking hammer. Apparently the firearm version offers single action which is activated by pulling the slider back, however the trigger remains in its forward positon this activating 'Anti-stress mode' something which nodds towards law enforcement use. It means the length of pull remains at the full 14mm but the trigger pull weight is approximately halved. When fired the gun resets into the single action position, trigger weight remains the halved, but length of pull is reduced to 8mm. The gun can be decocked by pressing the decocking button on the top of the rear of the slide.

The CP99 Co2 version emulates this design, Ive read some reviews which critise the trigger weight and pull, but I believe Umarex have tried to replicate the trigger action as closely as possible. Other than the absence of 'Anti stress mode' the Co2 versions trigger operates in a similar way, the slide can be pulled back to put it into single action and true to form the length of trigger pull is reduced (like most semi automatic C02 pistols). However when slowly pulling the trigger the full length from double action mode, there is a click as the gun cocks the striker and releasing trigger pressure leaves it in single action, albeit with the shortened length pull. I suspect this is by design rather that just the way the gun functions and best of all, the decocking button on the top of the slide actually works. So the Co2 version can be decocked by pressing this button and then pulling the trigger whilst it is held down. Personally I think thats amazing attention to detail from Umarex. In reality a Co2 gun can easily be discharged to be made safe, but Umarex have added this working feature as per the firearm. The magazine release on the Co2 version is also located as per the firearm, the section of the trigger guard located directly behind the trigger is hinged, and pushing it down release the magazine - but watch out as it drops rapidly towards the floor.

The CP99 Co2 version was introduced in 2006 and is specifically marketed by Umarex as a model that remains faithful to the original firearms design. Again Umarex have used this clever business model, capitalising on their Walther firearm design by selling mass produced quality Co2 versions that look, feel and handle like the firearm version.

I've read a fair number of reviews online, particularly in the USA, that compare Walther Co2 pistols with other brands and try to explain the premium price being down to 'licensing' fees to use the Walther name. That assumption is really interesting, but is probably incorrect as ultimately a Umarex/Walther branded Co2 pistol is from the same stable albeit manufactured at the parent company Umarex factory facilities. Personally I think the price premium comes from the attention to detail by incorporting features as per the original firearm.

I'm really impressed with both the CP88 & CP99, they are very different handling guns and excellent examples of evolution of handgun design, they both have adjustable sights (left/right only).