Walther PPQ

[HvReagan]

Does anyone here have any experience with the Walther PPQ and could put forth some input? I recently posted another thread asking for more guns like the Walther P99 or S&W SW99, but since then I'm close to abandoning my hunt for da/sa AND striker fired handguns. Anyway, now I'm rambling. Original question for clarification: Does anyone here have any experience with the Walther PPQ and could put forth some input? (M1 and M2 are both acceptable, and comparison is encouraged! Thanks guys.

 

[Potatohead]

Man, someone finally mentioned a PPQ on here! Ive been wanting a PPQ m2 5" for quite awhile. I can find very little info if any.

 

[RBid]

I have over 5,500 rounds through a PPQ ("M1") 9mm.

The short & sweet review: because of the awesome trigger, it is very slightly easier to be accurate with than most pistols. The front end does lift a little more in recoil than a Glock, Ruger SR, or M&P muzzle will, assuming equal technique, which makes zero difference in slow fire, and negligible difference in rapid fire. It's my favorite pistol on the market...

...but I traded mine for the convenience of a Glock, and the marginally smaller size envelope of the 19/23/32 frame.

 

[frankenstein406]

40 cal m1, really love the gun and the mag release. Has good accuracy and eats anything I've tried. They also make a m1 with nightsights and threaded barrel.

 

[Fishbed77]

I'm close to abandoning my hunt for da/sa AND striker fired handguns.

Too bad. You're missing out - the P99AS may the the one striker-fired pistol out there that has a better (if only slightly) trigger feel than the PPQ.

 

[RBid]

Too bad. You're missing out - the P99AS may the the one striker-fired pistol out there that has a better (if only slightly) trigger feel than the PPQ.

This is truth. The SA of the P99AS is awesome.

 

[DAdams]

Plus three on the 99AS. Keep looking.

 

[HvReagan]

Too bad. You're missing out - the P99AS may the the one striker-fired pistol out there that has a better (if only slightly) trigger feel than the PPQ.

Very true, but finding an ambi P99 is quite hard right now. Either that or I'm looking in all the wrong places.

 

[Quercusalba]

The PPQ is my most accurate handgun. I can always pick out my PPQ targets from my range photos because they're the ones with the tightest groups. But for me, the trigger is a little too light for carry/HD though many don't have a problem with it. I prefer the DA/SA of the P99/SW99. The decocker is a great feature. The P99, especially with the "defense kit (NS, ambi slide lock)", is hard to find. The SW99 can be had for reasonable prices and are excellent too, but make sure it's not DAO since you want da/sa.

 

[Jaywalker]

I find the PPQ M2 trigger to be as good as other people say, and that helps it to be more accurate than most other semi-autos. I don't notice that the muzzle climbs higher than a Glock G19. If concealed carry is in the cards, however, be aware the PPQ is bigger than the G19 in all dimensions, and slightly heavier. The trigger reach is slightly shorter than the G19, though, regardless of the published values.

 

[ScarLata]

P99 with Defense Kit

 

[sigarms228]

I really like mine. Best $489 I ever spent!!



At 25 yards first time to the range with it standing offhand and with my old eyes the target is blurry at 25 yards.

 

[Chuck R.]

I’ve got 2 PPQ-9 M1s, and I’m looking to pick up a 3rd.

As others have pointed out, the trigger is very, very good, excellent for a striker fired pistol, not in the league of a polished 1911 though.

Overall the ergonomics are superb, it really is a great feeling pistol, balanced well, points instinctively, and even looks good (for tuperware). Size wise, it’s smaller than a standard size M&P, slightly larger than a G19, about the same size overall as my Baer “Stinger” CCO, zero issues carrying it IWB. They could have taken an appetite suppressant when they designed the slide stop though, it’s huge. IF you shoot thumbs forward, you’ll have to modify your grip slightly, or you’ll either hit slide lock prematurely, or not lock at all. The 1st few hundred rounds and couple of matches I had issues with this. I really wish they would have kept the slide lock of the 99s. For me, the M1 magazine release (paddle) is the greatest invention since the 1911. It really is a fantastic feature as I do not have to change my grip at all to drop a mag.

To me it does have more muzzle flip than other comparable 9mms, but it IS NOT a deal breaker, the other attributes overwhelm this one feature/flaw. It doesn’t even effect my split times, but when I shoot one of my M&Ps back to back with the PPQ, same ammo, “it’s there”.

It is dead nuts reliable; I have one I carry with about 3K through it, zero issues. My 2nd I use as a range/match pistol, it’s got 6-7K through it. I probably clean it after about 500-600 rds of nasty cast bullet reloads and it runs like a top.

Factory magazines are expensive, but can be found. The Magnum Research mags are cheaper, made by the same company that makes the OEM, and are every bit as good. They are cheaper and can even be found on sale once in a while.

Aftermarket sights and holsters are now on line, and there’s quite a few to choose from. I’m running Kaluban Cloak and Blade Tech holsters and Dawson Precision sights on mine. Parts are another story, as they’re not something you can pop into a local gun shop or order from Midway. So far though I haven’t needed anything though.

I’ve now got 16 handguns, owned close to 40 through the years, and like I said, I’m looking for a 3rd.

Chuck

 

[Esoxchaser]

PPQ and PPS are both excellent firearms. I am not a fan of poly pistols, but I enjoy shooting my brothers and friends Walthers. Great triggers, and the fit in my hand very well, allowing for a great instinctive point, unlike I get from a Glock. S&W M&P's are very similar to the Walthers, you should look at them both.

 

[powder]

M2 in 9mm.

Excellent trigger/ergos/CCW.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I have the P99 AS and I love it: I shot 2200 rounds with this pistol without a problem and I can't see how a factory round could jam it.
A couple of weeks ago I went to my favourite gun shop and the shop owner showed me the PPQ with the paddle magazine release (the only imported here in Italy): I was impressed, expecially with the factory target group... I had the temptation of an impulse buy, but I have another project for my next purchase and I already have the P99 that I prefere over the PPQ for the second strike capability. Give a look to the review I made on the P99, if interested: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=589971
Anyway the PPQ is a fine, fine, fine pistol.

 

[HvReagan]

Well thanks for all the input guys! I'll be sure to come back with more discussion when I have a bit more time. One thing I do want to ask right now is, for those of you who carry a PPQ/P99 IWB, what holster do you use? And do you carry it condition 1?

 

[chuckles]

I had an M2 and loved the trigger, Walthers customer support not so much. It was a good six months before you could buy a couple of spare magazines, then I had a broken slide stop lever, sent back on MY dime, 2 weeks later another broken slide stop lever 2 days after its return from Walther. People that own Walthers refuse to acknowledge any issues with the customer support from Walther. Nice trigger, really lousy customer support. Look around at the availability of mags and spare parts before you buy one. I sold mine a week after getting it back the second time. Fool me once... Well you get my drift. I only lost $30 on mine and it was a cheap but valuable learning experience for me. YMMV and JMHO.

 

[Chuck R.]

Well thanks for all the input guys! I'll be sure to come back with more discussion when I have a bit more time. One thing I do want to ask right now is, for those of you who carry a PPQ/P99 IWB, what holster do you use? And do you carry it condition 1?

Condition 1, (I wouldn't carry a pistol otherwise) in a Kaluban Cloak kydex, setup for IWB with "J" hooks:



Chuck

 

[HvReagan]

If concealed carry is in the cards, however, be aware the PPQ is bigger than the G19 in all dimensions, and slightly heavier.

Good point, and I have noticed. Although, I think the difference is minimal and the PPQ can still be carried with relative ease.

P99 with Defense Kit

You sir are a better shopper than me, I looked at gunbroker before and must have totally missed that.

IF you shoot thumbs forward, you’ll have to modify your grip slightly, or you’ll either hit slide lock prematurely, or not lock at all. The 1st few hundred rounds and couple of matches I had issues with this. I really wish they would have kept the slide lock of the 99s.

It is dead nuts reliable; I have one I carry with about 3K through it, zero issues. My 2nd I use as a range/match pistol, it’s got 6-7K through it. I probably clean it after about 500-600 rds of nasty cast bullet reloads and it runs like a top.

I’ve now got 16 handguns, owned close to 40 through the years, and like I said, I’m looking for a 3rd.

Your entire post was very useful. You also seem to have the most personal experience with the PPQ here, and it seems to have been a very positive one.

In fact I do shoot thumbs forward, but my hands are relatively small, and the enlarged slide stops sound and look like they would be more beneficial than detrimental. Thank you so much for your input on this! Also I noticed that your holsters do not have backings. I don't always wear a shirt tucked in and the metal against my skin is a little irritating, do you know of any holsters kinda' like crossbreeds that have backings?

I had an M2 and loved the trigger, Walthers customer support not so much. It was a good six months before you could buy a couple of spare magazines, then I had a broken slide stop lever, sent back on MY dime, 2 weeks later another broken slide stop lever 2 days after its return from Walther. People that own Walthers refuse to acknowledge any issues with the customer support from Walther. Nice trigger, really lousy customer support. Look around at the availability of mags and spare parts before you buy one. I sold mine a week after getting it back the second time. Fool me once... Well you get my drift. I only lost $30 on mine and it was a cheap but valuable learning experience for me. YMMV and JMHO.

Wow, nice post. There is so much positive buzz about this gun, but I was sure there had to be a downside right? Well here it is, thanks for sharing! Everyone always talks of the merits of this gun, but never talks about the customer service.

Overall though, I am still leaning very much towards this gun.

 

[mic_poo]

I have an M2... I absolutely love the grip shape, angle and trigger. When I bring it up, the sights are always right on for me.. Very natural pointability for me.

I am struggling with my thumbs though. Using it for idpa, upon a draw, I don't have time to arrange my thumbs perfectly, and I typically find that I'm either locking the slide prematurely or releasing it accidentally... I'm trying to get a new slide lock lever from Walther and will experiment with shortening/flattening the lever. (I didn't think shortening my thumbs was an option!)

 

[Chuck R.]

I am struggling with my thumbs though. Using it for idpa, upon a draw, I don't have time to arrange my thumbs perfectly, and I typically find that I'm either locking the slide prematurely or releasing it accidentally... I'm trying to get a new slide lock lever from Walther and will experiment with shortening/flattening the lever. (I didn't think shortening my thumbs was an option!)

Yup, that's exactly what I'm talking about. "perfection" would be an M1 with a P99 slide stop!

Also I noticed that your holsters do not have backings. I don't always wear a shirt tucked in and the metal against my skin is a little irritating, do you know of any holsters kinda' like crossbreeds that have backings? .

The KC's have sweat-guards or slide guards IF that's what you're referring to as backings, they're not a hybrid like a cross-breed or MTAC. I do have an MTAC Minotaur for another pistol and it's a superb holster. For the KC's I simply add a layer of moleskin to the back and/or wear a T-shirt.

Chuck

 

[mr.trooper]

+4 on the P99 AS

Been my carry gun for a while now. Everyone complains about the mag release on the P99, but if they would take 5 minutes and just roll with it I think more people would see what a beautiful thing it actually is.

 

[HvReagan]

The KC's have sweat-guards or slide guards IF that's what you're referring to as backings, they're not a hybrid like a cross-breed or MTAC. I do have an MTAC Minotaur for another pistol and it's a superb holster. For the KC's I simply add a layer of moleskin to the back and/or wear a T-shirt.

Chuck

Slide guard. That's what I'm looking for! Sorry I'm not exactly savvy with the terminology.

 

[eldon519]

I read alot on the internet about how awesome the PPQ is, and it inspired me to go to the range and rent one tested side by side with a Glock 19. As a frame of reference, I mainly had been shooting a Glock 26 prior.

The PPQ is a really nice gun. I think the trigger is better than a Glock and the grip is better than a Glock's but somehow these attributes did not really manifest into functional improvement for me. The recoil characteristics of the Glock outweighed the ergonomic advantages of the PPQ. It really is flippy and in my hand, slow by comparison. Some of it might have been my comfort with a G26, but my G26 is a Gen 3 and I felt it really didn't help that much with the trigger or grip of the Gen 4 19 I was trying. They were different enough to still need a bit of re-learning.

At the end of the day, I wound up with a G19 Gen 4. No regrets.