TheWombat

PPQ, Sig P226, Sig P228, HK 45, Baby Eagle, TheWombat

OMFG!!! Someone's stolen my PPQ and replaced it with a plastic blue one!! I found when I took the photos with the real PPQ the black on black meant it was difficult to really view the detail of the holster fit. :-) TheWombat

10 weeks on I've now owned my PPQ for 10 weeks and put through close to 3000 rounds. So I've included below an update on my initial review including thoughts on what I like, what I would change etc after having the PPQ for a while. Reliability - 10/10 The PPQ has been 100% reliable, whether it is using magazines dropped in wet mud, different brands and types of ammunition, shooting 600 rounds in a day without cleaning etc while on GunForHire Urban Pistol courses. It has not skipped a beat. This includes shooting in 16 degrees (Fahrenheit) to 70+ degrees. I use Slide-Glide and Shooter's Choice to lubricate the PPQ. I am fairly liberal in applying the grease to the rails etc. The one failure I had was the first time trying to shoot one handed (weak hand) where I limp-wristed - this was absolutely user induced and all subsequent one handed shooting has been fine having used proper technique. I have shot the following ammunition brands/weights in my PPQ without issues. FMJ CCI Blazer Brass 9mm Luger: 115gr FMJ (5200) Federal American Eagle 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ (AE9AP) Federal American Eagle 9mm Luger: 147gr FMJ FP (AE9FP) Remington UMC 9mm Luger: 115gr FMJ (L9MM3) Remington UMC 9mm Luger: 115gr FNEB Leadless (LL9MM11) Remingtron UMC 9mm Luger: 147gr FMJ (L9MM9) Sellier & Bellot 9mm Luger: 115gr FMJ (V310452) Sellier & Bellot 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ (V310492) Speer Lawman 9mm Luger: 115gr FMJ (53615) Speer Lawman 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ (53616) Speer Lawman 9mm Luger: 147gr TMJ FN (53620) Winchester Ranger 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ NATO (RA9124N) Winchester USA 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ NATO (Q4318) HollowPoint Federal Classic 9mm Luger: 147gr Hi-Shok JHP (9MS) Speer Gold Dot 9mm: 124gr +P Hollow Point (23617) Speer Gold Dot LE 9mm: 124gr +P Hollow Point (53617) Ergonomics - 8/10 The design of the grip etc is very ergonomic. I've yet to meet anyone who has tried my PPQ and not commented positively on the ergonomics. There are 3 replaceable backstraps (I use the medium size), however to switch between backstraps you will need to tap out the backstrap pin (hence the dropping in score of 1 point). I actually used the PPQ for a couple of weeks without the backstrap pin so I could try the different backstraps. There were no issues, and the backstraps remained in-place without the pin. In reality, once you decide which backstrap you like you are unlikely to be switching between backstraps so the fact you need to tap out a pin is not a significant concern. Some modern firearms also have replaceable sides on the grip for the 'perfect fit.' To be honest I'm not entirely sure that is necessary for most people, however it would allow the user to add additional stippling (see below) to the replaceable grip parts in a less risky way (i.e. if they stuff it up they can just buy a new backstrap/sidestrap). The texture on the grip is fairly gentle, which is good if you are carrying the PPQ IWB as it does not irritate your skin. For most people it will provide just the right amount of grip however I find that when shooting indoors in a warm range, my hands sweat and I would like to have somewhat more grip (e.g. like the Hogue G10 checkered grips on my P226). I can't risk adding some additional stippling in case I mess up the grip. Hence I'm dropping 1 additional point from the score as a result of wishing a little more grip texture and also some competing firearms have interchangeable side grips. Remember, in a high stress situation (if you are carrying the PPQ) you may wish to have a little extra grip. The magazine release is a lever on the trigger guard rather than a button. I much prefer the PPQ magazine release. It means I don't need to change my grip and it is also ambidextrous. I typically use my middle finger on my strong hand to drop the magazine although I can also use my trigger finger. In fact all controls are ambidextrous which is a big plus for the PPQ if using it as a defense/carry firearm (if you are injured) or if you are a southpaw. The sights can be replaced without the need for a sight pusher, so you can do it yourself at home in less than 5 minutes. That is a nice change compared to some of my other firearms. Also the take down of the firearm is very quick and easy. No need to chase springs, bushings and other items around the room unlike some firearms Fit and Finish 8/10 Overall quality and fit & finish are high. There have been some reported issues with Smith & Wesson messing up the fitting of the night sights on the First Edition however this is not an underlying issue with Walther or the PPQ. The quality seems high, the workmanship seems solid. On my PPQ there is 1-2mm sideways movement at the front of the slide/frame, although the rear of the slide/frame is tight. The fit of the barrel to the slide is tight, so there seems to be no impact to accuracy. Some pistol brand/models have tight tolerances, some do not. I believe this is manufactured this way by design to increase reliability in the field. Others have also reported the front 'wiggle' although none have stated it has impacted accuracy. There have been a couple of forum posts about slide blemishes, I am assuming this is related to a small batch of PPQs as seems very limited in number. My slide has some holster wear from my Kydex holsters however the PPQ still looks as new even though it has been given a fairly tough workout. The loaded chamber indicator is useless. It is based upon the extractor being pushed outwards and showing a red/orange color at its rear. In my experience when a round is loaded in the chamber the extractor does not move enough to show the red/orange. While I don't ever rely on a loaded chamber indicator it does seem more of an after thought. If I compare the fit/finish to my Ed Brown 1911 then there are obvious differences, hence the 8/10 score. The quality is higher than I would expect for a $500-$600 striker fired plastic firearm. Trigger - 8/10 While the trigger was a little gritty for the first 300 rounds, it has now become well worn in and breaks crisply. It is the best striker fired trigger I have found having shot Glocks, Springfield XDs, M&Ps (non-Apex), etc hence the 8/10 score. It doesn't compare to a single action premium 1911 etc however it would be an unfair to expect it to. The trigger reset is very short, and be warned that if you're not used to it you may need a few practices to not accidently double tap. The reset is audible and tactile so is easy to know when the trigger has reset. The trigger weight is around 5.6lbs. Availability of Accessories (light/holster/sights) - 4/10 This is the real issue for the PPQ. There are very limited accessories. Sights - Trijicon Bright & Tough (WP01) and Meprolights night sights are pretty much your only options currently and cost around $80-$100. The P99 sights fit the PPQ. If you like Heine 8s etc then you're out of luck and this limited sight support is a real shame. A big plus is you can fit the sights yourself in 5 minutes without any specialist tools such as a sight pusher. Holsters - Definitely improving now with a variety of brands including Theis (IWB hybrid), PJHolster (Kydex), Raven Concealment (Kydex), Kaluban Cloak (Kydex), DeSantis (Leather), Crossbreed SuperTuck (IWB hybrid), TTGunLeather (Leather) to name a few. You will be able to find a holster that works for you, albeit some of the big name holster manufacturers are still not supporting the PPQ. Some (and only some) P99 holsters fit the PPQ. Magazines - 10, 15 and 17 rounds available in 9mm. Walther magazines are expensive ($50+) however the Magnum Research MAGFA915 fit and work fine and are around $30-$35 each. Some parts are interchangeable with the P99, however in general there are limited aftermarket options. As the PPQ is proving to be popular and has had positive reviews on YouTube etc, we will hopefully see more accessory manufacturers coming onboard and supporting the PPQ. We are already seeing this with Holsters. Calibers - 5/10 Only in 9mm and .40 caliber. Walther is unlikely to make a .45 or other calibers based on past history with the P99 etc. Available Models - 5/10 Standard Model - Currently only a full size 9mm and 40 caliber which are about the size of a Glock 19. First Edition - standard model (9mm only) with threaded barrel, a 17 round magazine and night sights Compact Model - not currently available however as Walther made a compact version of the P99 it is reasonably likely we will see a compact version of the PPQ. Longslide Model - There is unlikely to be a long slide version of the PPQ. Price & Value - 9/10 Since I bought my PPQ they have reduced in price by $200 (however even at $700 I was happy with the price). You can buy a PPQ for between $485 and $525 currently. In the box comes 2x15 round magazines, a magazine loader, a test target and spent shells and the PPQ itself. For this price it is an absolute bargain and if we didn't have to jump through so many hoops in NJ I would buy another PPQ - i.e. so I would have 2. Uses I use my PPQ for home defense where it has my Viridian C5L light/laser and hollow points. This is a perfect use for the PPQ. I also find the PPQ easy to conceal carry IWB even with my relatively slim build using the Theis holster. Final Verdict - 9/10 Considering that I spent more than the price of a PPQ to improve my Sig P226 trigger, and that for the price of my Ed Brown I could buy 6 PPQs I have to say it is a bargain. The only thing I would change about the PPQ would be to add a bit more aggressive texture to the grip, however most people I am sure will be fine with how it currently is. The PPQ is my go-to firearm, if I could only choose 1 pistol to have it would be the PPQ, which is impressive as it is by far my cheapest firearm. After 10 weeks of ownership and 3000 rounds I have no regrets and remain more than impressed with the Walther PPQ. I look forward to seeing how the next couple of years unfold and whether we see a compact version (which would be good for summer carry) and whether we'll see more accessories from 3rd parties becoming available. TheWombat Pictures: PPQ DeSantis Speed Scabbard - OWB Leather PJHolster - OWB Kydex Theis - IWB Hybrid Kaluban Cloak - OWB Kydex Viridian C5L Light/Laser Trijicon Night Sights

I do believe I have helped in the sale of a few PPQs :-) TheWombat

While posted separately re: the Kaluban Cloak I'll summarise here re: holsters for those with a PPQ PJHolster OWB - kydex, good for the range, $40 inc delivery Kaluban Cloak OWB - kydex, very good for general use, also supports many laser/light units and also retains the PPQ while the light is not fitted. ~$80+delivery Theis IWB - horsehide/kydex hybrid (similar to crossbreed supertuck), $65 inc delivery hth TheWombat

I've just received my Kaluban Cloak holster (with light/laser) for my PPQ and I'm impressed. It arrived in about a week, the Kydex is nice and thick, even without the light fitted it retains the PPQ which is useful for those times when you don't have the light on. The Kaluban Cloak is supposedly similar to the Raven Concealment without the 6 month wait. While I don't have a Raven to compare it against there is a forum article you can find on Google where someone has done a side by side comparison of the Kaluban Cloak and Raven Concealment for a Glock that was very favorable to the Kaluban Cloak. (see subsequent post for more photos) It definitely seems to be a good holster. It doesn't conceal the PPQ as well as the Theis IWB but then again it isn't a fair comparison. It is however well made and seems to do the job well. Recommended! TheWombat

Also, from my experience of force on force training and seeing other students attend as well I would suggest many people would. a) not be in a clear frame of mind after the event, they would be in shock and not necessarily thinking some of the points mentioned above about what to do etc b) would not recall all the details of what had just happened The above experience was just from training, I expect the real life situation would produce more significant effects on an individual. TheWombat

no worries, any questions drop me a PM or post here. I think quite a bit of what we undertook at the weekend on the course can be applied to the home range with airsoft for practice. BTW the GFH targets are a perfect fit for those larger size boxes you see in the earlier photos. :-) TheWombat

I'd go broader than this which is that comparing crime between countries is very difficult (at best) as there are far too many factors at play. My point to my posts is that saying the UK has a higher crime rate than the US due to them not having firearms is not necessarily a correct conclusion, and as stats can show, depending on what crime rates we look at the figures are far lower than the US. I'll leave it at that, I just get irritated when I hear comments similar to 'crime is rampant in the UK due to having their firearms removed' as I don't believe that is correct and actually doesn't necessarily help the pro-gun argument. TheWombat

My concern is that stats are easy to manipulate as crimes are categorized differently in different countries for example. I just did a quick Google and found one website stating that there is more knife crime in the UK than Gun crime in the US therefore UK is more dangerous. That is a flawed conclusion as it doesn't look at all violent crime, I am sure there is significant knife crime in the US as well. My understanding, and I'm happy to be proven wrong, is that homicides/murders in the US are higher than the UK, number of shootings in the US is higher than the UK. Stats from the united nations from 2002 (sorry, just what I had to hand) 5.62 homicide rate in the US (per 100,000) compared to 2 in the UK 3.25 firearm homicide rate in the Us (per 100,000) compared to 0.02 in the UK. Add firearms into the mix and the difference is even larger which makes sense as firearm ownership, even by criminals, is much lower in the UK. If you look at the recent London riots then 5 deaths, if you look at the 1992 LA riots then 53 deaths. Perhaps not a fair comparison though as fundamentally different reasons for the riots. I am sure the UK has changed in the 5 years since I lived there, however I still keep in contact with friends/family and the news. Any and all stats will be suspect, unless there is very detailed clarity on what they include, how they are collected and how comparable they are. E.g. If someone is shot in Newark, gets taken to hospital and dies 2 days later from an infection is that logged as a shooting death, a firearm incident, just a death etc? I am sure there are some stats where the UK really is worse, however I do believe that homicides are lower in the UK as an overall statistic. We are unlikely to find any data that all parties agree to since crime rates are a key political item to twist, however we do ourselves a disservice if we just jump on numbers ourselves without considering where they've come from and how they might have been manipulated. A sensitive subject I know. TheWombat

In my view England's typically far safer than the US having lived there for 30+ years. It is easy to take specific stories out of context and twist them for a specific point of view. If there had been gun ownership in the recent London riots than far more than 5 deaths and the small number of members of public would have been injured. All countries have pros and cons, but comparing the UK and USA from gun ownership/crime etc is far from straight forward. Hath TheWombat

I will (most likely) be at RTSP on Saturday, arriving sometime around 8:30 to spend an hour doing some practice. As 8:00 to 10:00 is members only I'll hang around from 10:00 to 11:00 if others are planning to come and shoot during that time. TheWombat

I first held a firearm about 4-5 months ago when MrsWombat and I went to Sunset Hill Range in PA. I had no training/awareness - and although the range session was very safe, I found my results frustrating. As I knew we would be heading back to Sunset Hill a couple of weeks later when some friends visited us I spent a lot of time watching YouTube, specifically the Beginner Shooting Tips w/ Il Ling. From this I distilled the learnings down to the following: Strong Stance (knees bent, lean forward) High Grip Hard Grip (40:60) Front Sight Smooth Rearward Roll of Trigger Thumbs Forward Say 'One' 'Two' (i.e. breath control) Follow Through The result when we returned back to Sunset Hill was like night and day. I was significantly better at shooting (and better than MrsWombat) and overall it was a much more enjoyable session. After those two range visits we applied for our FIDs and then have undertaken additional training as per my signature during the last 4 months. If you're just looking to shoot at the range then, in my view, NRA Basic Pistol is probably all that is required, then a bit of research on forums/YouTube although everyone's situation is different and depends as much on family situation, budget etc. If however you're owning firearms for Home Defense and/or Concealed Carry then I am a strong believer on the need for additional training to include tactics/techniques (e.g. GFH Urban Pistol) and Force on Force (GFH Simunitions). I typically select the Gun For Hire courses at present as location wise they are the most convenient for me, and overall I've enjoyed the courses I've taken and the instructors, particularly Joe and Chuck, are great. I have also bought a few books, e.g. by Massad Ayoob among others. TheWombat

9mm Walther PPQ < $500 1000 rounds of 9mm ~$200 to $230 including shipping Consider a 9mm firearm that can also take a .22 conversion (e.g. Sig P226/P229) if you are concerned on potential costs. TheWombat

I may be at RTSP this Saturday morning, I'll post on the forum Events/Meetups nearer the time. If I'm there you are welcome to try my PPQ. TheWombat

Jet Guns is currently $482 (http://www.jetguns.com/walther-ppq-9mm-41-synth-grip-15r-p-21330.html) however it sells out quickly (they are currently sold out). I expect they'll get some more stock very soon. If looking to buy over the Internet then browse the Walther PPQ forum as forum members are usually posting where to buy and their feedback on service. JetGuns has a good reputation from the forum. As I'm not actively looking to buy, since I already own, I'm not following the threads so much. There is also a First Edition model that has a threaded barrel, proper nights sights and a 15rnd and 17 rnd magazine for around $674 to $750. The 17 rnd magazine would need to be pinned for NJ obviously! The First Editions are often out of stock due to popularity so you'd need to phone around and keep a close eye out. I know GandRTactical just got another batch in however they are already sold out. I also suggest contacting the local vendors such as Arms-n-Ammo (PK90) by submitting a price request via the forum as the local vendors may be fairly close in price and I'm all for supporting the local vendors where possible. I know PK90 has a PPQ in stock as I was down there recently. hth TheWombat

PPQ ergonomics are one generation better than the P99 in my view. There are very few used ones around although likely to be very rare. There was one person on the Walther PPQ forum selling a used one (after he had bought an additional PPQ which was a First Edition model). As you can buy new PPQs for between $485 and $525 at present I'm not sure you're going to find a used PPQ that is significantly cheaper than that. TheWombat

I have the DeSantis and didn't think it was all that good. Take a look at the sticky thread on holsters on the walther forum (PPQ sub forum) and you'll see I have reviewed the DeSantis, PJHolster and Theis holster. Within the next 2 weeks I will also be reviewing the Kaluban Cloak holster (similar to the Raven Concealment holster although without the 6 month wait) Others have reviewed other holsters on the same thread of the Walther PPQ forum. Note that most P99 holsters will not fit the PPQ. It is only the sights that are interchangeable. TheWombat

Probably best to read the threads/posts on the Range and other sub-forums on NJGunForum. You'll see quite a few posts on Cherry Ridge, Range 14, OBRPC, CJRPC etc all of which are outdoor ranges (and some also have indoor as well). hth TheWombat

See above in red. For the Trijicons there are 3 options: WP01 - green WP01O - green front, orange rear WP01Y - green front, yellow rear Just Google and you'll see they are readily available at most places. We're seeing more and more holster options appearing, and the PPQ is becoming more and more popular so we should continue to see more accessories becoming available. hth TheWombat

Awesome, the best advice I can give is to let the wife try lots of different handguns, including Glocks, PPQs, Springfields, (plus metal guns) and get her to choose the gun she wants rather than force something on her. The H&K P30 and Gen 4 Glock are both very gentle recoil wise in 9mm and have pretty reasonable ergonomics and interchangeable grip sizes for smaller hands. For example MrsWombat was not interested in revolvers and had a strong affinity for: Sig P228 (due to the TV show NCIS and Leroy Jethro Gibbs) 1911s (because of how they look) I therefore helped her find about 10 used P228s and she then choose which specific one she wanted based on price/condition etc. For the 1911s it was a little trickier so I came up with a list of the different manufacturer/models that have 1911s in 9mm and that have alloy frames (to make it a little lighter for her). She likes the two-tone designs hence the ones she finally chose. She now owns a P228, Springfield EMP and a Kimber 1911 all in 9mm and enjoys shooting them (and to some degree cleaning them). You can always get softer shooting 9mm ammunition for her while she gets used to it, alternatively there are some .22 pistols (albeit the ammunition is a bit less reliable that may put her of shooting). hth TheWombat

I attended the Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Situation course at Gun For Hire (GFH). It is a two day course, with the first day predominantly focused on some case studies from the US and overseas followed by some practice of basic techniques without firing. The main instructors are Joe and Chuck, who also are the instructors for Simunitions, Urban Pistol etc. The second day continues with some basic techniques before moving into live-fire (with simunitions) scenarios. In total we had around 12 students, 3 instructors and 2 assistants helping out. The course description is: "One out of every three Americans have the legal right to carry a concealed weapon. With this ratio it is no surprise that 75% of all active shooter incidents have been stopped by a armed civilian. While Law Enforcement spends hours upon hours training for such an incident, civilians have little to no training in responding to such incidents. The Gun For Hire Active Shooter Response Cours for Civilians is a 2 day 16 hour course that will provide the student with the tactics and knowledge to properly respond to an Active Shooter Situation. This class is an absolute must for anyone that has a CCW Permit, Security Guards both Armed and Unarmed as well as any group or venue that hosts large events (Church's, Malls, Synagogues, etc). The course will begin with a review of several Active Shooter events and proceed into legal issues when responding to an Active Shooter Situation. The course will then move into showing the student proper tactics and procedures to use when responding to an incident. This course will combine both class room and hands on training to include live fire range exercises. This course will culminate with a force on force scenario using simunition training equipment. Topics Covered in this course will include, Case Studies of Active Shooter Events in the U.S. and Abroad Legal responsibilities of the Armed Civilian and Security Guard Responding to an Active Shooter incident with your Family Present Building Search Tactics and Techniques Proper Selection and use of Cover Close Quarter Tactical Pistol Training Response to incidents in Large Open areas (Church,Mall,Synagogue,etc) Shoot Don't Shoot situations First Aid for Self and Victims What to do upon Law Enforcement Arrival Dealing with the after effects of an incident" During the scenarios when I was the armed civilian reacting to the Active Shooter my heart rate probably passed 160 bpm - next time I will bring my heart rate monitor along to see. In the scenarios where we are not the armed civilian responding we instead act as the scared civilians who are caught in the situation (running around, screaming, dying etc) which provides a great opportunity to watch the responding student and see how they take the techniques covered in the last day and a half, and prior courses such as Urban Pistol, and apply them (or not) in response to the scenarios. In terms of overall feedback on the course. It is very useful as part of a broader training regime and teaches much more than just shooting paper at the range It makes it very clear the importance of continually training on technique/tactics so that when the adrenaline kicks in you continue to use these due to muscle memory For $250 for the 2 day class, it is good value considering the facilities and instructor ratio I'd recommend taking Urban Pistol 1 & 2, and also the standard Simunitions Level 1 as a prerequisite so you get the most out of the two days - otherwise you will struggle with information overload This class is a recent addition for GFH, so I expect we'll see further tweaks to the content (e.g. case studies) and scenarios as the students provide feedback While we didn't get time to cover all of the topics in detail, we did receive a good grounding on some fundamentals to take away and practice, practice, practice. I anticipate we'll see another Simunitions class being offered at the same location, which will be a full day of just Simunitions scenarios (with no theory), which will be a great follow on for people who have attended this Active Shooter class. As ever, these courses help reinforce my belief that Force on Force training and classes like Urban Pistol are an absolute must for anyone wishing to Conceal Carry, if you want to maximize your ability to respond effectively (and appropriately) in a real life situation. Once the adrenaline starts pumping, and its a real life scenario the fact that you can shoot 2 inch groups at 20 yards at the range means very little. MrsWombat couldn't make the course, however I'll be going again sometime and will ensure MrsWombat can make it. OldGlockGuy from NJGunForum was also at the class, so good to meet up (again) TheWombat

Agreed, I just haven't had the time yet to try the different sets to see which are the best fit. At least one of the other pairs fits, it is then just a question of whether it aligns well for the 'holding screw'. Will have a play with it during the week TheWombat edit: Photos now updated with the correct rail adaptor

I picked up a Viridian C5L light/laser unit to try. (Apologies for poor quality pictures, if I get time I will retake with better light/quality - however you can also just google for better quality pictures). TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS BEAM INTENSITY/WAVELENGTH: 5mW peak, 532nm, Class IIIa, Continuous Wave LASER BEAM DIVERGENCE/SPOT SIZE/RANGE: 1.2 mrad, approx. 0.5" diameter at 50 feet, Range up to 100 yards daylight, 2 miles at night DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT/CONSTRUCTION: 1.900"L x 1.460"H x 1.310"W, 2.344 oz. (including battery), Primarily 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum, front and rear covers in high strength Zytel polymer USER ADJUSTABLE: Full windage and elevation on laser POWER SOURCE/BATTERY LIFE: One CR2 3V lithium (included); 4+ hours laser (constant), 7+ hours (pulsing), 1+ hour (tac light and laser) INSTALLATION: Slides onto tactical rail and locks into place by means of included Mounting Screw. ACTIVATION AND MODES: Ambidextrous with SMARTLASER Technology, constant beam and multiple pulsing modes INCLUDED WITH YOUR VIRIDIAN GREEN LASER:CR2 Battery, 3 Unique Rail Sets, 1 Rail Set Pin Removal Tool, 2 Adjustment Wrenches, 2 Mounting Screws, Operator's Manual, Demo DVD PHOTOS note: Photos updated to now use the correct R1 Rail Adaptor rather than the R2 Rail Adaptor. The aesthetics are improved. The R1 Rail Adaptor also fits the Springfield XD/XDM and the S&W M&P. The R2 Rail Adaptor fits Glocks and also standard Picatinny (hence why it also works on the PPQ) The R3 Rail Adaptor fits many Taurus models Other adaptors are available for HK USP, S&W Sigma etc. I like that it has a green laser, and the laser is very easy to visually see at any normal distance, even in daylight. It has ambidextrous controls for on/off which allows the user to use their weak hand thumb or finger to switch the device on. The C5L will remember the last mode used. It has a variety of modes that can be cycled through by pressing both on/off switches simultaneously and includes. laser only, laser/light, laser/light strobe, laser strobe etc. The laser is adjustable for windage and elevation and the C5L fits almost all firearms - you can check out the Viridian Fit Chart here http://www.viridiang...ducts/fitchart/. I am still playing with the various fitting adapters to see which one works best with the PPQ. My main dislike about the C5L is the battery cover. It is metal, yet the housing you screw it into has a plastic thread and it is very easy to damage the thread. You can see from the photos that the battery housing has marks on it, and this is from limited use. The C5L adds some width to the firearm as shown in the photos above, this won't be an issue for home defense however it would be more of a concern for carrying. Viridian also sell the X5L Gen 2, which is brighter and slightly longer and thinner. On the plus side, Viridian customer service is amazingly good, and they are replacing this unit with a brand new one. note: I just attended a Force on Force training course, and some scenarios were limited light (not dark). While all students had either weapons lights or flashlights not one of the students used them. It is clear that just owning a light is not sufficient and it needs to be included in a training regime to make using the light instinctive/appropriate. hth TheWombat