Just Ordered a new Walther PPQ M2 and Why

[Baklash]

As I posted previously, I have been looking for a new 9mm, something larger than my CW9 and CM9, and I had narrowed things down to the PPQ, VP9, FNS, and Sig P320. I took a considerable amount of time evaluating these finalists and struggled somewhat during the process. More than once I thought I had found THE ONE. They are all very nice and beat out many other "also rans", but I couldn't afford to buy all four. :(
Here's how it went: The FNS with the matte SS slide was really cool looking. I also loved the front sight because it was better for my older eyes, but the trigger was gritty on both guns I shot and had a strange feeling at the break. It also did not fit my hand nearly as well as the other contenders. The Sig P320 pinched my finger on every round fired, whereas the others did not. That was a surprise.
So, I was down to the VP9 and the PPQ, both of which fit nice and have great triggers. And the polymer frames on both are super. I did like the front sight on the PPQ better. Ultimately, the VP9 was $150 more costly and I could not determine that it was any better than the PPQ except for, maybe, the steel guide rod instead of plastic. The VP9 is the only one with the steel rod.
Even after I had settled on the PPQ there was indecision of the M1 versus the M2. While having large hands, my fingers are not that long and I usually have trouble reaching the mag release button with my thumb. However, I found that I am able to reach the button on the M2 without changing my hand position. I also liked the M1 paddle release, so it was pretty much a toss up. The U.S. public is far more accustomed to/and prefer the button release versus the European paddle mag release. So I decided that if I ever do want to sell the PPQ, although unlikely, it might be easier with the M2. Yeah, I know the M2 mags are more expensive.
Whew! Multiple choices are great, and sometimes can be difficult, but that's part of the fun in buying a new gun. :cool: Picking it up on Thursday.

[ripley16]

The PPQ is in many ways a very nice pistol. My only complaint is that the trigger resets very quickly and the pull is really, really light after that. I shoot from reset, and I found that I had double taps inadvertently. Many people praise the PPQ trigger, but it was too light, too quick for me, thus not a pistol I'd continue to shoot from reset. Otherwise it's fine. Accurate, good ergos, well made and reliable. I like the paddle mag release personally, mainly because I can't reach button releases without changing my grip.

Enjoy your new pistol, but watch that reset. :yo:

[CJB]

Its light no matter what, but is easy to make heavier.

[kwh]

Thanks for the review of your thought process. Let us know your results on the quick set trigger.

[CJB]

I gotta say, first, I love my Kahrs. If anything happened to them, indeed it DID happen once... I would immediately replace it, without hesitation. Done deal, I feel they are the best deep concealment handguns on planet Earth.

But... there's room for something a bit bigger.

The Ruger American, while no doubt strong and bristling with features (which add to its complexity) just does not feel good in my hand. Its a great gun, well made. Probably more accurate than I can shoot it.

The PPQ feels like I took a big ol stick of puttybutter in my hand and squeezed it into shape. The shape is perfect for me. The trigger on mine is between 4.5 and 5 lbs, as far as I can measure with my very old set of trigger weights. It will hold four and a half, and drop five. The sights are simplicity and easy to adjust and replace. Screw on front, slide in rear. You need a 1.5mm hex key up front, and your thumbnail in back. The trigger can be made lighter, or heavier, as needed by replacing one spring. The arrangement of the trigger bar, the actuator and the sear (my names for the parts) are cleverly arranged so that the pressure is not on the sear/striker contact surface, but on the sear/actuator surface. Think of it like a mouse trap (of sorts). You push "here" and it releases "there". The result is that the trigger has a decent engagement that is almost dead smooth and as light as you'd like it. You slide the actuator out from under the sear and "wham" the trap slams shut. All the heavy pressure does not have parts moving one against the other. Instead there is a sliding out from under the sear which lets the striker fly forward. Very nice, very simple, very robust. Should last next to forever, with the same nice pull as it had when new. There is a small caveat with the striker block, and sometimes you gotta futz with them to reduce residual gritty feel as the trigger is pulled. Its an easy job to do, or... just shoot (or dry fire) the crap out of it.

Some folks just jump up and down over the paddles on the M1 version. I prefer the button. Hey, vanilla and chocolate.... to each their own.

One thing I like is the ambi slide release actually WORKS when you have to close the slide on an empty mag. Many times, ambi releases only work that way from the left side (for a righty shooter). The magazines are robust. The slide grooves outrageous. Its a great pistol.

And, the magazines sit fairly high in the path of feeding. At least on the .45.... There is very little upward, rattle, shuttle, wiggle of the cartridge into the chamber. Feeding is not an issue, and I do not foresee an issue with any type of ammo. Mine feeds empty .45ACP cases just fine!

I really can't say enough good about the PPQ, except.... its not small, and it needs to be in a holster, and... the trigger is awfully light. I think it would have been better suited for use with a grip safety, for carry. Its that light. Not sure if I'd want to carry it concealed, but was hoping for open carry here in Fl - which has been sidelined by one ******** Republican state senator.

I'll be carrying a Kahr PM45 daily until Doomsday it seems. Nothing at all better to carry. But the PPQ is really an excellent pistol. I'd choose it hands down over the Ruger American or the VP9 (or VP45 if they ever get around to it).

[Baklash]

CJB,
It's nice to hear good comments about the PPQ. No one likes to think they may have made a bad decision. In fact, your previous post about your new .45 played a role in my decision to go with the PPQ. I gotta admit I was concerned about the light trigger, but like you, I just wanted something bigger than my nice little Kahrs. I trust their trigger. So far my CM9 is the only trigger I trust for pocket carry with a round in the chamber. I am interested in your comments about increasing the pull of the PPQ. Have you done it with your .45? And how much can this increase the pull? With my lack of knowledge I would need specific instructions in order to tackle it, considering I understood only about 1/2 of your description of the trigger mechanism. :o:o

[CJB]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1164803

Follow the links there, and you'll see that the trigger spring really controls the weight of the trigger. With no spring in place, there's about .2 lbs force. Its the spring that makes up the rest. So... you can go lighter, and heavier. Of course he doesn't mention heavier, since its a target pistol write up, but heavier is an obvious option.

[Barth]

Congratulations on the new gun.
I seriously considered one.
But my HK P30SK V1 LEM LE fills that role - LOL!
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r678/barthunderwood/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-07/20150725_111257_zpsgtubwhzr.jpg

[Baklash]

First range trip today with my new Walther PPQ. Love the trigger. It's so smooth it feels like it's on ball bearings. Very accurate.
Ripley16, thanks for the heads up, but I am happy to report no unintentional double taps. Put 100 rounds thru her with zero issues. Couldn't stay longer due to wife's doctor appt. If I didn't go, I would have needed a doctor myself.:D

[ripley16]

Ripley16, thanks for the heads up, but I am happy to report no unintentional double taps.

That's good to hear, the PPQ is nice. Were you shooting from reset at all? That's when people report having the double taps. Otherwise a fine gun. Enjoy.

[Baklash]

That's good to hear, the PPQ is nice. Were you shooting from reset at all? That's when people report having the double taps. Otherwise a fine gun. Enjoy.
Good point. Only shot from reset 2-3 times to try it out, so I know that's not a good trial. I want to get better acquainted with Miss Q (pun unintended:p) before I do it much because I very seldom shoot from reset. I only had enough time for about 100 rounds. Next trip I will give her a better run.

[Alfonse]

Those have a fantastic trigger. I doubt you will want to change it when you get used to it.

[Redfish]

Same two finalists. Reason was I wanted higher capacity of a double stack but fingers too short to reach the trigger on just about everything. No clear winner between VP9 and PPQ M1 for me. But had to choose one and I bought the HK. I think it came down to liking the "innards" more but that's about as subjective as it can get. I don't think either would have left me with the feeling of having made a mistake. But it didn't start out that way. The first two times out, it seemed squirrelly. Recoil pushing it left, right, all over the place. Third time out, we bonded. It was like somebody replaced it with something else while I was sleeping. And I doubt seriously that it was the gun that changed. It's very predictable. Some muzzle flip but not bad. I can't get it back on target quite as fast as the Beretta PX4 which, even in 40 cal, is an extremely soft shooter. But I can't reach the DA trigger on it and it won't do condition 1. And the VP9 is definitely more accurate. Especially as the distance increases. I'm sure I'll get faster with it as I've only had it out 5 times so far whereas I've had the Beretta for years. No failures so far. I like the paddle mag release. I can't operate a button with my thumb without shifting the gun even on a Kahr. I can push the right paddle with my trigger finger easily with no other hand movement. Anyway, I like the feel and balance of both guns. I like the trigger of both as well. I think that, if I had the "ready neccesary" to have both, I probably would. And a few more Kahrs as well. Got any PQ pictures?

[CJB]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/bandersnatchreverb/Firearms/20141231164112_zpstouhthdp.jpg

[Barth]

Funny, there seems to be a slight resemblance to my HK P30?
Made me wonder who copied whom?
According to Wiki the Walther PPQ was first produced in 2011.
With the HK P30 being first produced in 2006.:p

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r678/barthunderwood/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/23f1f451-21da-42f5-8f4f-5bdc9928a57b_zps7sudjvub.jpg