Yesterday I picked up another family member. This time it was the Walther PPS in 9mm. The PPS will be my CCW firearm for out of state travel, particularly with the warmer weather approaching. For other times where clothing allows I will continue to use the PPQ for CCW. One of the reasons for choosing the PPS over other competitors e.g. M&P Shield, Nano etc is that it has a similar magazine release design to the Walther PPQ, which helps make it easier to switch between PPQ, PPS, HK45 etc.

 

Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PPS with the 6, 7 and 8rnd magazine.

 

 

Brief Review

 

The PPS was collected yesterday and taken home where it was field stripped, cleaned and relubed. The only modification to date was the addition of some grip-tape to the grips as a temporary measure for indoor shooting. I will likely get a 'limbsaver' to try as these are recommended on the Walther Forum.

 

The firearm is easy to field strip, Glock-like with the need to pull the trigger. I don't have any issues with this however others may dislike this.

 

The PPS is very narrow (0.91" excluding slidestop/takedown, or 1.04" including). I find it comfortable to hold and have fitted the larger replaceable backstrap. The 8rnd magazine is most comfortable for use followed by the 7rnd. The 6rnd magazine means no pinky finger which some may find uncomfortable or different.

 

For CCW IWB with a 6rnd and a 8rnd spare magazine I believe it is a good contender. It is a little too large for standard pocket carry unless you have large pockets!

 

With such a short slide and recoil spring, racking the slide back takes more effort than the PPQ, however doesn't seem to be a major issue. The trigger is heavier than the PPQ, being ~6.1lbs. I am expecting the trigger to settle down after a few hundred rounds.

 

I shot 150 rounds today, a box of each of the following:

• Winchester Ranger 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ NATO (RA9124N)
  
• Speer Lawman 9mm Luger: 124gr TMJ (53651)
  
• Federal American Eagle 9mm Luger: 124gr FMJ (AE9AP)
  

No failures at all in the 150 rounds, which is excellent news. The recoil was manageable even with the hotter Speer Lawman round. I will be trying some Speer Gold Dot +P in the near future.

 

I was only shooting at 5yds and 7yds for this first session, however the ease with which I could group bullets < 1" was uncanny. Bullets outside my groupings typically were hitting low (directly at 6 o'clock) which is predominantly a result of the stiffer trigger than I am used to. There was almost no flyers to the left, unlike for example with my HK45 where the flyers are typically at 7:30 rather than 6 o'clock.

 

Accessories ordered:

• A couple of additional magazines
  
• Theis IWB holster
  
• Meprolight Night Sights
  

Summary:

 

After 150 rounds I am very very pleased with the PPS, it shot far more accurately than I was expecting considering its small size. The recoil was also less than expected. The only area where I am hoping to see some improvement is the trigger, which is a bit heavier/stiffer than I would like.

 

As usual, Walther magazines are fairly pricey ($40-$45)

 

hth

 

TheWombat

It's a nice gun. Congrats on the pickup.

Enjoy the ppq's sibling. Looks nice a nice gun

YES!!!!!

 

 

Your 1911 and this, sell the other crap!

Nice ! Did Mrs Wombat try it ? If so , how did she like it?

Nice ! Did Mrs Wombat try it ? If so , how did she like it?

 

I wouldn't recommend this firearm for a woman. It's grip size and recoil might make for a bad combination with a smaller stature woman.

The PPS trigger will smooth out after some shooting. Mine was a little gritty when new. It's accuracy is surprising, isn't it? One of my favorite 9's and it has been flawless.

MrsWombat tried it at RTSP today and she says she likes it. The recoil was ok (with American Eagle 124gr) and she liked the feel of it in her hands and, importantly for MrsWombat is that she likes the look of it.

 

She is considering buying one for herself!

 

I've just ordered a 'limbsaver' which is meant to make it even nicer to shoot. Then again I put 150 rounds through it in 30 minutes, including Speer Lawman and Winchester Nato rounds which have a bit more 'zip', and my hands were fine. I don't believe it needs the limbsaver, but since they only cost $12 and people on the Wather forum rave about them I thought I'd give them a go.

 

The PPS is surprisingly accurate!

 

TheWombat

Can you post a link to this so called "limbsaver"?

Good to know ! Next purchase by me will be something with CCW in mind .

Good to know ! Next purchase by me will be something with CCW in mind .

 

Ruger SP101 or LCR

 

your welcome

Also consider the M&P Shield if you like M&Ps. Looks like a good alternative.

 

TheWombat

Can you post a link to this so called "limbsaver"?

 

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1314

 

and you can see photos of the two different sizes fitted to a PPS here:

 

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/pps/19713-limbsaver-pps.html

 

hth

 

TheWombat

Ruger SP101 or LCR

 

your welcome

 

Yep , those 2 are on my short list along with the Nano . Nano. Can't say it once.

Yep , those 2 are on my short list along with the Nano . Nano. Can't say it once.

 

Let me know when you're free - you can try my Nanonano

Wombat, I want to shoot your PPS with that on.

Wombat, I want to shoot your PPS with that on.

 

No worries, we can arrange that.

 

TheWombat

The recoil was manageable even with the hotter Speer Lawman round.

 

Nitpicking as usual. Of the three rounds you have listed, the Winchester round is the "hottest" at 1185 fps. Next comes the Federal AE at 1150 fps and the slowest is the Speer Lawman at 1090 fps. Admittedly, on the Speer site, I could not find the SKU (53651) you had listed for any Speer cartridge. The 1090 fps was for SKU 53616. Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P (23617) has a MV of 1220 fps.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob<----has entirely too much time on his hands

I had a PPS in .40 SW. It kicked like a beast.

 

Hurts the hand.

 

My friend has the PPS 9mm. Its a lot better with recoil. Less painful to shoot.

Nitpicking as usual. Of the three rounds you have listed, the Winchester round is the "hottest" at 1185 fps. Next comes the Federal AE at 1150 fps and the slowest is the Speer Lawman at 1090 fps. Admittedly, on the Speer site, I could not find the SKU (53651) you had listed for any Speer cartridge. The 1090 fps was for SKU 53616. Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P (23617) has a MV of 1220 fps.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob<----has entirely too much time on his hands

 

Pizza Bob - interesting and useful!

 

The Speer Lawman (53651) should be identical to 53616 I think. The only difference is that the 53651 is the version made available to Law Enforcement - i.e. it is just a difference in model number rather than pressures etc.

 

While I didn't complete a blind test, the numbers above are interesting as the Speer Lawman felt distinctly like it had more recoil than the Federal. When I am next at the range I may try a blind test to see.

 

TheWombat

I just picked up the M&P Shield yesterday. My impression was that it was longer in the grip than I expected. The magazine did not fit flush. It had a basepad that became part of the grip when inserted. Considering that the grip is the hardest part to conceal, that surprised me. Also, the M&P line prides itself on being completely ambidextrous, which I like because I'm a lefty. The Shield only comes with a left side thumb safety.

How does the PPS compare in size to the Shield and Nano?

The PPS is more along the lines of a sub-compact. What sets it apart is it's single stack and very thin. Shooting target loads, recoil is no problem. I reload for it and shoot 100 round sessions easily. It feels easier shooting to me than a XD sub-compact. It has a solid feel to it.

I just picked up the M&P Shield yesterday. My impression was that it was longer in the grip than I expected. The magazine did not fit flush. It had a basepad that became part of the grip when inserted. Considering that the grip is the hardest part to conceal, that surprised me. Also, the M&P line prides itself on being completely ambidextrous, which I like because I'm a lefty. The Shield only comes with a left side thumb safety.

How does the PPS compare in size to the Shield and Nano?

Ooh that's pretty fail. Chris - wanna try out the Nano?

Ooh that's pretty fail. Chris - wanna try out the Nano?

 

Absolutely! Thanks.

Nice pistol, I have one and take it to the range once in a while. It's a surpsisingly fast shooter in 9mm, the sights return to the POA quicker than I manage with some of my full size guns.

 

In my opinion, it is the perfect form-factor for IWB carry. I'm surprised it took S&W that look to come out with the Shield.

 

-

 

 

Yep , those 2 are on my short list along with the Nano . Nano. Can't say it once.

 

you should also take a look at the kahr pm9 and cm9, cm9 is the affordable version of the pm9, but you really dont lose much in the downgrade. both guns are smaller and lighter than what you have mentioned, truly pocketable. no safeties to mess with. both are supposed to have incrediable triggers after break in. im also told they are very accurate and have less recoil and are more comfortable to shoot than the keltec pf 9. im picking up my kahr pm9 next month cant wait to shoot that little guy.

I just picked up the M&P Shield yesterday. My impression was that it was longer in the grip than I expected. The magazine did not fit flush. It had a basepad that became part of the grip when inserted. Considering that the grip is the hardest part to conceal, that surprised me. Also, the M&P line prides itself on being completely ambidextrous, which I like because I'm a lefty. The Shield only comes with a left side thumb safety.

How does the PPS compare in size to the Shield and Nano?

 

That is a big -1 for having a non ambi safety. I thought you would go with a Nano or PPS just for that simple fact that the Shield is NOT made for gentlemen like us.

That is a big -1 for having a non ambi safety. I thought you would go with a Nano or PPS just for that simple fact that the Shield is NOT made for gentlemen like us.

 

Sorry, I should choose my words more carefully. When I wrote "picked up the M&P Shield", I meant it literally. I held it in my hand, not bought it.

 

I have mostly learned my lesson about buying before trying.

Let me know when you're free - you can try my Nanonano

Will do Thanks!

There are quite a few YouTube videos now comparing the PPS and Shield from a size perspective. From what I've seen they are close enough to the same size. The Shield carries one extra round it it's flush magazine (7 rounds) compared to the PPS (6 rounds). Both have extended magazines (Shield 8 rnd, PPS 7 and 8 rnd) if my memory is correct.

 

My personal view, having held the Shield on Saturday is that If I had one I wouldn't use the Safety. It is fairly flush and not something I think could be easily toggled in an emergency situation. However the trigger lends itself to not requiring the Safety in reality.

 

The Shield looks less square/blocky. The PPS has interchangeable back straps while the Shield does not.

 

Both seem to be good options, more personal preference as to which is preferred including what style of magazine release works for you.

 

I've not shot the Shield, but the PPS shoots well.

 

TheWombat