Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop

[RhB Michael]

67°F/66°F here at 0800. Morning all. Going to be running out to the gunshop in a bit to inspect that P99 and make an offer on it. Regardless of whether or not it is a TA model, I will be adding it to the collection. I was hoping he had a P1 or P.38 postwar in stock, but no luck there.

No luck. It is a QA model. I bought it anyway even though I'm not really crazy about it not being DA. It looks brand new. From the barrel marks I'd say 100 rounds or less and then sat in someone's safe for the last 15 years. Datecode BA. Full kit, everything matches and test target present.

They will only go up in price now that they have been discontinued. $550 was a good price on this. Especially since I traded some stuff and a rifle I didn't need. Net zero, even up trade.

 

[chadbag]

No luck. It is a QA model. I bought it anyway even though I'm not really crazy about it not being DA. It looks brand new. From the barrel marks I'd say 100 rounds or less and then sat in someone's safe for the last 15 years. Datecode BA. Full kit, everything matches and test target present.

They will only go up in price now that they have been discontinued. $550 was a good price on this. Especially since I traded some stuff and a rifle I didn't need. Net zero, even up trade.

What is a "QA" model? I assume "DA" is double action pf some sort. I've not shot a P99 but it says it's a striker fired vs hammer fired?

 

[chadbag]

Well, I guess my interview the other day with the big established internet company was not as good as I had hoped it was. I was a bit nervous and probably not as on top of things as I should be since I've not been working daily in the field for 6 months. (I've been doing some side work and learning projects etc but not daily actual work so probably am a little rusty).

Anyway, I'm still working to get more interviews and applying at various places. I did have two other interviews about the time I had the initial interview with this company (above) and am not sure where they stand. They were supposed to get back with me but haven't. Their online HR system that tracks applications still shows "in process" for the one. I texted the guy who said he was setting up interviews as soon as the hiring. manager got back (which was this past Monday) and have not heard anything yet.

Anyway, that's the news here on that end. Thanks for all who sent good thoughts, vibes, and prayers. I guess it was not to be. Hopefully something else pops up quickly.

 

[Jaz avalley]

Well, I guess my interview the other day with the big established internet company was not as good as I had hoped it was. I was a bit nervous and probably not as on top of things as I should be since I've not been working daily in the field for 6 months. (I've been doing some side work and learning projects etc but not daily actual work so probably am a little rusty).

Anyway, I'm still working to get more interviews and applying at various places. I did have two other interviews about the time I had the initial interview with this company (above) and am not sure where they stand. They were supposed to get back with me but haven't. Their online HR system that tracks applications still shows "in process" for the one. I texted the guy who said he was setting up interviews as soon as the hiring. manager got back (which was this past Monday) and have not heard anything yet.

Anyway, that's the news here on that end. Thanks for all who sent good thoughts, vibes, and prayers. I guess it was not to be. Hopefully something else pops up quickly.

Tariffs and world politics are all giving people the jitters, they may honestly just not be that efficient or have several priorities, the good thing is you have opened your self to bettering yourself, you’ve taken that leap of faith, you have been picked for the initial stage - a lot of people never make that grade, do not beat yourself up, stay positive keep learning and training something will eventually fall into place
You’ll get there

 

[Jaz avalley]

Well howdy there internet peeps and those who who are fair-goers

It's Troy again.

Told this story before, but since we have a recommendation to go to county fairs (the ones where the kiddos show off their farm animals)...

Way back in the late 80s, as I worked as a news photographer in a very small rural town, I got to cover the County Fair. That is a HUGE deal in rural USA.

I remember going in to get a few fun pics of the little tykes and their animals. I think it's 6 or 7 year old children showing lambs??? Keeping an eye on the stands, I noticed a bunch of VERY seasoned citizens, and got a few images of them smiling and pointing at the show arena. Talking with them, I discovered that they were from a local Senior Home (assisted living) and enjoying a bus trip to the fair.

Their activity coordinator tickled their funny bones right before I walked in, and pointed at the kids with their lambs. "Look. It's time for the Fuzzy Goats!" she declared.

None of the seniors corrected her. But they made sure to let me know about the City Slicker activity director, and how she identified farm animals.

Could not possible comment…..baaaaaaaah!

 

[migalyto]

Anyway, that's the news here on that end. Thanks for all who sent good thoughts, vibes, and prayers. I guess it was not to be. Hopefully something else pops up quickly.

Were still pulling for you!

The right fit is out there for you!

 

[kbkchooch]

Could not possible comment…..baaaaaaaah!

My Border Collie would love to meet them!

 

[PNKFLOYD]

Could not possible comment…..baaaaaaaah!

Both pictures resemble my brother in law.

 

[Marlin39]

Could not possible comment…..baaaaaaaah!

Sugar would guard them.

 

[troyphoto]

Sugar would guard them.

But would Sugar know the difference between lambs and fuzzy goats? Hate to think Sugar's just another City Slicker.

 

[Kusojiji]

I retired a couple of weeks ago!

Congrats!!

 

[chadbag]

Tariffs and world politics are all giving people the jitters, they may honestly just not be that efficient or have several priorities, the good thing is you have opened your self to bettering yourself, you’ve taken that leap of faith, you have been picked for the initial stage - a lot of people never make that grade, do not beat yourself up, stay positive keep learning and training something will eventually fall into place
You’ll get there

yeah, I know it will. The only problem is that being without work a little over 6 months, the bills aren't getting all paid...

Not asking for sympathy. Just the motivation for looking is because of need. Not all the positions have been a step up. Some are and some are just level or a step down. But if they pay the bills for now then we'll be happy (for the moment).

 

[Marlin39]

But would Sugar know the difference between lambs and fuzzy goats? Hate to think Sugar's just another City Slicker.

Hell, we all think Sugar mistakes my mom for a "goat" the way she guards her. She's 92, under 5' and under 100#.

 

[Marlin39]

yeah, I know it will. The only problem is that being without work a little over 6 months, the bills aren't getting all paid...

Not asking for sympathy. Just the motivation for looking is because of need. Not all the positions have been a step up. Some are and some are just level or a step down. But if they pay the bills for now then we'll be happy (for the moment).

The last 6 years of my working years I had to change industries. After 5 months of interviews and no offers, a recruiter finally told me to get out of the industry. There were too many people younger who would be satisfied doing the job for less. I started a great final career in less than a month.

I'm not saying this is what is happening to you, but thinking outside the box may open some opportunities. You definitely have some transferable skills.

 

[chadbag]

The last 6 years of my working years I had to change industries. After 5 months of interviews and no offers, a recruiter finally told me to get out of the industry. There were too many people younger who would be satisfied doing the job for less. I started a great final career in less than a month.

I'm not saying this is what is happening to you, but thinking outside the box may open some opportunities. You definitely have some transferable skills.

That's the problem. I really don't have transferable skills. It's not like someone managed projects in X industry and can move to Y industry. Software is pretty specific set of skills and I'd basically be a junior if I moved to a different area.

The problem is industry wide right now. Everyone on the team who got laid off is still looking as far as I know. And everywhere I look people seem to be seeing the same. Hiring is broken. Companies want the 150% unicorn candidate and keep re-posting the same job over and over and I'm sure they've interviewed a bunch of people who could do the job and a few years ago would have been hired. They tell you "we've decided to go with another candidate or other candidates more aligned with the team's needs" and then they re-post, and re-post, and re-post. It's dumb.

And the rise of AI is such that recruiters overly rely on it which means lots of qualified people get overlooked and also there are services that will spam every open position for you with your resume whether it applies or not to the job so the hiring side also gets a flood of applications, many or even most of which are junk, and that gums things up.

Anyway, I'm not trying to complain (too much). I just wanted to report back on the events of earlier this week that I had solicited the good waves for.

 

[DeaconKC]

Espeefan congrats on the retirement.
Chad still gonna keep praying for you.
Wild day today, got to work and then got a message my Niece in Law had her appendix rupture and was being taken to surgery. Anyway she is doing okay now but they have a drain tube in and will be keeping her til Monday. LadyC wound up helping take care of the kids today and made them lunch and dinner here at the house. Then she had to take them to their school's open house. Little Mollie [4yo] just wanted to sit on my lap when they got back from school. Dad got home about 730, he of course is wiped out. So i would imagine we will have kids on hand for the next couple of days.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch..or gunstore today a really horribly sad Smith & Wesson revolver came into the store and I bought it as a parts gun. It went to Britain during WW2 under Lend Lease, then came back here, probably in the 50s. Anyway then it had it's cylinder bored out to accept .38 Specials [it was originally in .38 S&W] then had the barrel cut from 5" to 2" and a new front sight put on. No grips and a broken mainspring. Well it already has "new" grips and the spring ordered.

 

[Boris]

Chad: Hope you find something soon. Don't give up.

Another beautiful day at the Jersey Shore. Milestone of sorts, I went food shopping with the wife. Pushed the cart...no problem. After lunch, did some light yard work. Most time on my feet out doors since before the surgery. Need to spend less time on my butt at the computer. Less reliance on the walker and cane.
Today's High 79°, low 57° current temperature 57° Conditions Clear,

Baseball: Orioles Lose (badly); Washington wins; Phillies win: Mets Lose again.

Ordered a Ryobi 18V Tire inflater, Save on moving air compressor, when needed. Will be delivered tomorrow.

 

[RhB Michael]

What is a "QA" model? I assume "DA" is double action pf some sort. I've not shot a P99 but it says it's a striker fired vs hammer fired?

The Walther P99 was originally the only DA/SA striker fired handgun ever created. It may still hold that title, but I'm not certain after almost 30 years after its invention. This pistol saved Walther GmbH in the late 90s after the P88 failed to secure any military contract and very low sales due to its very high price in the mid 80s through 1990 when discontinued. It was created for the XM pistol trials in 1986 along with the Beretta 92 and SIG-Sauer P226, and a model from S&W that escapes me now. We all know how that turned out.

My first one purchased in 1997 as soon as they hit NA shores was bought from a shop in Texas. Serial numbering started at 001001. Mine was 001237. Wish I still had it.

The striker in the P99 can be entirely decocked. Not half-cocked, or pre-cocked, but all the way decocked to a DA pull. I have one currently and had two others in the past.

The QA model is similar in operation to a Glock trigger...until it is decocked. The difference between the P99 and P99QA is that once the QA is decocked it is rendered safe and cannot be fired in DA or SA. The slide has to be moved rearward 10mm to re-cock the striker so it will fire. The other difference is that when it is initially cocked (as upon loading or recock) the trigger is still in the fully forward position and must be pressed backwards about 20mm before it will fire. There is a definite stop before the sear disengages the striker. It is almost like a two-stage trigger on the initial shot.

Subsequent shots are all very short reset (2mm) and about 3 pound pull.

This version was not as popular as the regular DA/SA P99 nor the P99AS (anti-stress). The AS version was nothing more than a regular P99 with the added name. Marketing gimmick I guess.

 

[chadbag]

Ordered a Ryobi 18V Tire inflater, Save on moving air compressor, when needed. Will be delivered tomorrow.

I think they should work really well. I have the Kobalt 24v one but in my experience the Kobalt 24v stuff is not any better than other brands 18V/20V stuff. But I've used it to inflate car tires before and it works well. I almost bought the Ryobi one as well as I have a bunch of other Ryobi 18V tools but decided I didn't need 2 inflaters

Fun fact -- 18V and 20V toolsare the same voltage. 18V is the nominal labeled voltage and is what some brands list while 20V is the max voltage after charging pot the same number of cells. You know when you charge a battery it shows a little over voltage. That's where the 20V comes in. Kobalt 24V is really 21V worth of cells.

Same with those 40V/60V/80V systems. That's their max voltage, not the nominal voltage.

 

[chadbag]

The Walther P99 was originally the only DA/SA striker fired handgun ever created. It may still hold that title, but I'm not certain after almost 30 years after its invention. This pistol saved Walther GmbH in the late 90s after the P88 failed to secure any military contract and very low sales due to its very high price in the mid 80s through 1990 when discontinued. It was created for the XM pistol trials in 1986 along with the Beretta 92 and SIG-Sauer P226, and a model from S&W that escapes me now. We all know how that turned out.

Wasn't the SW99 the same mechanism as the P99 but in a SW designed grip? And made here to avoid some import issues?