Walther PPS: Any Firsthand Impressions?
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I don't own one, but I've seen a number of range reports up around the web. I was not as impressed with the size of the one that I handled as I had thought I would be.
You might be interested in this PPS Forum, btw: http://ppstalk.com/forum/default.asp
You might be interested in this PPS Forum, btw: http://ppstalk.com/forum/default.asp
I did hold one recently and was impressed by its thinness, which should make it very easy to carry and conceal in an inside-the- belt holster. However, the 1" or so grip width at the backstrap had me wondering about felt recoil in such a light pistol, especially in the .40 version. --c
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I have fondled one (a First Edition) and I have one on order at the other dealer Boats. It was nicely made and appeared to be the perfect replacement for my KelTec PF-9. But thus far, with $ jingling in my pocket, they have yet to call me to come and get it.
Boats, was the one you saw a First Edition (gray frame, fancy box, extra mag) or a service model?
Boats, was the one you saw a First Edition (gray frame, fancy box, extra mag) or a service model?
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3,430 Posts
Boats, the one I saw was in Mville at DGs and that is where I place my name down for one. Still no luck.
S72, I had a Kahr P9 and it never worked. In fact, I have never ever seen one go thru a who mag without a malfunction. I did have a G26 and it was totally reliable but I wanted something slimmer. I now have a PF9 that is reliable with ball but want something a little more worthy of confidence. The PPS still awaits me.
S72, I had a Kahr P9 and it never worked. In fact, I have never ever seen one go thru a who mag without a malfunction. I did have a G26 and it was totally reliable but I wanted something slimmer. I now have a PF9 that is reliable with ball but want something a little more worthy of confidence. The PPS still awaits me.
boats:
Perhaps you aren't looking in all the right places?
I have a ten year old Sig P239 that has NEVER missed a beat. I have a Walther P99c/AS that up to this point has never missed a beat. Surprisingly I HAD 2 Glock 26's in years past and I DID have a problem with one of them.. So if you are under the impression all Glocks are perfect in the reliability area I respectfully suggest you are mistaken.
At some point I've either owned, or own a Walther PP, P1,P5, P99c/AS and P99/AS.. They have ALL been not only fully reliable, but fantastically accurate. The PP/P1/P5's were in fact military/gov't "surplus" and I have no idea of their history before I got them, but even so they have been excellent.
I'm not sure the PPS offers me enough over my P99c/AS to warrant buying one, but I probably will anyway, and I have absolutely NO concern over the reliability of the Walther PPS.
Why Walther chose to sell the poorly made, problemmatic P22 under the Walther banner is a mystery to me. The materials are sub-standard for a Walther and even tho it has the appearance of the P99 series of pistols they have nothing in common. Most Walther lovers don't even consider the P22 a "real Walther".. The only other Walther that has ever had a moment of negative press is the old PPK series. Ammo sensitivity, heavy trigger, slide bite all are negatives, and it seems the S&W produced ones are of lesser quality than the originals German made. Even with the issues of the PPK there are plenty of folks out there who use them for cc and swear by them.
If worrying about potential reliability is a factor of consideration in whether or not you chose to buy a Walther PPS I suggest it's misplaced.
YMMV/Best Wishes
J. Pomeroy
PX
Thanks for the detailed reply. I guess I should qualify my remarks. While I fix a lot of guns for friends My automatic pistol experience is mostly with 1911's and have owned two over nearly 40 years. They work well but will stovepipe with my light reloads at times. No problem I know how to clear the pistol blindfolded. Only thing I know directly about Glocks is my son has one and it has never been interesting to me. You hear good things about them.
On the small Autos. I mean 380 blow back designs with short barrels and steep feed ramps. Walther PPK's and the like. I am comparing them to J Frame Smiths which I have also owned over the years. I have never had a J frame Smith malfunction of any sort. They will jam dirty I understand but it's never happed to me.
My recent Walther / Interarms PPK experience tells me there is a definite relationship between short and reliability, After working with it a lot I can expect one jam in 50 rounds. And with the short slide and strong mainspring it's not real easy to clear. Talk about a mystery, who was in charge of that project.
Small pistols that lock up positively in 9 MM are another matter and expect Walther's PPS will work properly. I have a Walther 10 Meter Air rifle and it's as good as it's possible to buy. Could be for a easy to carry weapon I will have to stay with small revolvers. However I would like to have a good look at the PPS. Was in the dealers today and he got 3 sold them all and will not see any more this year.
Boats
Thanks for the detailed reply. I guess I should qualify my remarks. While I fix a lot of guns for friends My automatic pistol experience is mostly with 1911's and have owned two over nearly 40 years. They work well but will stovepipe with my light reloads at times. No problem I know how to clear the pistol blindfolded. Only thing I know directly about Glocks is my son has one and it has never been interesting to me. You hear good things about them.
On the small Autos. I mean 380 blow back designs with short barrels and steep feed ramps. Walther PPK's and the like. I am comparing them to J Frame Smiths which I have also owned over the years. I have never had a J frame Smith malfunction of any sort. They will jam dirty I understand but it's never happed to me.
My recent Walther / Interarms PPK experience tells me there is a definite relationship between short and reliability, After working with it a lot I can expect one jam in 50 rounds. And with the short slide and strong mainspring it's not real easy to clear. Talk about a mystery, who was in charge of that project.
Small pistols that lock up positively in 9 MM are another matter and expect Walther's PPS will work properly. I have a Walther 10 Meter Air rifle and it's as good as it's possible to buy. Could be for a easy to carry weapon I will have to stay with small revolvers. However I would like to have a good look at the PPS. Was in the dealers today and he got 3 sold them all and will not see any more this year.
Boats
G
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·Held one with much enthusiasm and expectation at a gun show a few months ago and was disappointed by its top heavy feel. To keep the slide so thin but still have mass in the slide, I believe, the slide is made taller. Just felt a bit odd, but I suppose I would get used to it.
Scott
Scott
Have owned one for 4 months. Mine is the Smith and Wesson stainless steel model. It has fired FMJ and Hornady PD loads without a hitch. I have fired about 250 rounds through it. The thin grip gets some getting used to and it is heavy for a CCW but in an inside the pants belt holster it is barely noticed.
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3,430 Posts
My new, brand new Walther PPS digested about 100 rounds of 115 REM ball without a hickup yesterday on a quick trip to the range. I have not yet tried JHPs because I only have +P+ which the book of words prohibits. I am thinking of the +P 124 Gold Dots, the +P 124 Golden Sabers or the +P 115 CorBons. I will try them once I get some and post the results. I need more mags too. So far so good.
FWIW:
I picked up my black PPS in Savannah, Ga. yesterday. I probably paid too much ($595), but they are just very hard to find, and after shooting it today my "buyer's remorse" vanished.
My PPS was absolutely accurate and 100% reliable right out of the box. That always makes me smile, but in my past experience with Walthers that's the norm and not the exception.
The pistol my PPS will replace in my cc duty will be the fine Walther P99c/AS. The PPS is basically a slim P99 and is so much easier to cc in my FIST Kydex IWB holster. I prefer the 7 rd magazine, and I'm willing to trade the 3 extra rounds offered by the P99c/AS for the extra concealability and ease of carry with the PPS. The PPS fit my FIST holster that was custom made so both my P99/AS and P99c/AS would both fit..
My impressions after just the short time I've owned the PPS is that I don't care for the Glocklike trigger vs the AS trigger on the P99's, but I can live with it.
I don't like the one piece dual mag release as well as the individual ones on the P99's, but I'm comfortable with the type, so it's not a big deal.
I DO like the 3 white dot sights as they appear to be roughly twice the size of those on the P99's, and for an old fart with declining vision that's a definite plus.
For anyone thinking this might be a "pocket" cc I respectfully suggest you had better have some very large pockets.. I just don't see the PPS in this role. (I have a Seecamp LWS32 for that duty).
I'll try and include three photos. The first magazine fired from the new PPS at 7', two handed, (while freezing) is shown in one of the photos. I'm very happy with it's accuracy as the PPS has the potential for much greater accuracy than my old hands and vision can take advantage of. You young folks with good eyes and steady hands will love it.
I can see the PPS doing my cc duty and relegating the fine P99c/AS to the gun safe, just based on it's slimness and ease of cc. I love the P99c/AS, but it is a bulky little sucker. (Think Glock26).
It seems many of the current gun magazines have tested the PPS (www.gunblast.com too) and I've yet to see a negative article. I think this is the first Walther pistol in recent times that has had as much publicity and I think the PPS will continue to be in short supply for a little longer.
I'm well pleased with my PPS, and even at $595 I consider it a bargain.
Best Wishes,
J.Pomeroy
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I picked up my black PPS in Savannah, Ga. yesterday. I probably paid too much ($595), but they are just very hard to find, and after shooting it today my "buyer's remorse" vanished.
My PPS was absolutely accurate and 100% reliable right out of the box. That always makes me smile, but in my past experience with Walthers that's the norm and not the exception.
The pistol my PPS will replace in my cc duty will be the fine Walther P99c/AS. The PPS is basically a slim P99 and is so much easier to cc in my FIST Kydex IWB holster. I prefer the 7 rd magazine, and I'm willing to trade the 3 extra rounds offered by the P99c/AS for the extra concealability and ease of carry with the PPS. The PPS fit my FIST holster that was custom made so both my P99/AS and P99c/AS would both fit..
My impressions after just the short time I've owned the PPS is that I don't care for the Glocklike trigger vs the AS trigger on the P99's, but I can live with it.
I don't like the one piece dual mag release as well as the individual ones on the P99's, but I'm comfortable with the type, so it's not a big deal.
I DO like the 3 white dot sights as they appear to be roughly twice the size of those on the P99's, and for an old fart with declining vision that's a definite plus.
For anyone thinking this might be a "pocket" cc I respectfully suggest you had better have some very large pockets.. I just don't see the PPS in this role. (I have a Seecamp LWS32 for that duty).
I'll try and include three photos. The first magazine fired from the new PPS at 7', two handed, (while freezing) is shown in one of the photos. I'm very happy with it's accuracy as the PPS has the potential for much greater accuracy than my old hands and vision can take advantage of. You young folks with good eyes and steady hands will love it.
I can see the PPS doing my cc duty and relegating the fine P99c/AS to the gun safe, just based on it's slimness and ease of cc. I love the P99c/AS, but it is a bulky little sucker. (Think Glock26).
It seems many of the current gun magazines have tested the PPS (www.gunblast.com too) and I've yet to see a negative article. I think this is the first Walther pistol in recent times that has had as much publicity and I think the PPS will continue to be in short supply for a little longer.
I'm well pleased with my PPS, and even at $595 I consider it a bargain.
Best Wishes,
J.Pomeroy
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