Walther PPQ 9mm Review

[Omega Man]

Originally Posted by ralph

I've been keeping up with Hk pro as well, maybe I'm wrong,seems to me I read that HK has stated they have no plans for a striker fired P-30,Anyway, rumors of this thing existing/not existing have been going on for awhile with no actual confirmation either way,..Frankly, after about a year of hearing rumors, I would'nt hold my breath on it. Besides, after shooting the PPQ for awhile, I don't see what a striker fired HK would have to offer over a PPQ, except higher cost..

A striker fired P30 would hopefully have less recoil, than the PPQ.

[zacbol]

Originally Posted by Omega Man

A striker fired P30 would hopefully have less recoil, than the PPQ.

I'm not sure why some people are saying the PPQ has an abnormal amount of recoil or muzzle flip. I don't find it substantially worse than the P30, though to be fair I have not fired them side-by-side.

[ralph]

Originally Posted by Omega Man

A striker fired P30 would hopefully have less recoil, than the PPQ.

I'll have to agree with Zacbol..I really did'nt find the PPQ's recoil to be any worse than any other 9mm,There are two things that the PPQ has over a striker-fired HK at the moment..
A.It exists..
B.It's available.

[ozy]

Originally Posted by ralph

I'll have to agree with Zacbol..I really did'nt find the PPQ's recoil to be any worse than any other 9mm,There are two things that the PPQ has over a striker-fired HK at the moment..
A.It exists..
B.It's available.

Another very happy PPQ owner here... i'll second ralph's great comments re:the ppq.
having my now sold hk p30 for a couple of years, the ppq combines the best of the p30's ergonomics with an excellent trigger.side by side , ifelt that the p30 had more kick then the ppQ.
ALL IN ALL, A GREAT GUN!

[zacbol]

Necropost but seems silly to start a new thread.

Used the PPQ at a day long intermediate pistol clinic run by LMS Defense last weekend. I had a few failure-to-feeds, though not more than 3-4 out of 400-500 rounds. I was shooting American Eagle 115gr and Speer Lawman 115gr. I also had some issues with magazines not dropping free, though I'm not sure if it was limited to the Baby Eagle magazines I bought to supplement the OEM mags (PPQ mags are still not available AFAIK) or was happening with them all. The FTFs definitely occurred even with the OEM mags.

The instructors jokingly said a Glock would solve my problems. I responded that the Gen4 G19 I had (for all of a day) was a train wreck with constant FTFs/FTEs. I did have my Gen3 G19 as a backup but I had loaned my holster to a friend who was using a G19 in a SERPA before being told it was crap and unsafe. Since the FTFs were relatively rare, I decided to stick it out with the PPQ. I also made it a point when other shooters who were using Glocks had issues to loudly say 'GLOCK!" to make a point. Invariably these were chalked up to something other than the gun itself, whether crappy reloads/mag issues/etc.

Still like the gun, but was disappointed I had issues. Certainly not selling it or anything. It could be the PPQ requires a little break-in, might be partly the Baby Eagle mags I was using, or the ammo. I'll try it in future courses with some higher power, Ranger +P 124gr ammo and if I can procure them use only Walther magazines.

[Outrider]

The guys on the Walther forum have reported that they have had issues with the Baby Eagle mags not always dropping free.

[Alaskapopo]

Got a chance to compare a PPQ against a Gen 4 glock. The PPq's grip is excellent. Concerns are it still has a high bore axis that magnifies muzzle flip. That was one of the reasons I sold the P99 I used to own in 40sw. But the grip was excellent and the trigger was very Glock like which I do like. I will stick with Glock as I like the over all package better but I do which Glock had the PPQ's grip.
Pat

[Littlelebowski]

Originally Posted by Alaskapopo

Got a chance to compare a PPQ against a Gen 4 glock. The PPq's grip is excellent. Concerns are it still has a high bore axis that magnifies muzzle flip. That was one of the reasons I sold the P99 I used to own in 40sw. But the grip was excellent and the trigger was very Glock like which I do like. I will stick with Glock as I like the over all package better but I do which Glock had the PPQ's grip.
Pat

How was accuracy?

[ralph]

Originally Posted by zacbol

Necropost but seems silly to start a new thread.

Used the PPQ at a day long intermediate pistol clinic run by LMS Defense last weekend. I had a few failure-to-feeds, though not more than 3-4 out of 400-500 rounds. I was shooting American Eagle 115gr and Speer Lawman 115gr. I also had some issues with magazines not dropping free, though I'm not sure if it was limited to the Baby Eagle magazines I bought to supplement the OEM mags (PPQ mags are still not available AFAIK) or was happening with them all. The FTFs definitely occurred even with the OEM mags.

The instructors jokingly said a Glock would solve my problems. I responded that the Gen4 G19 I had (for all of a day) was a train wreck with constant FTFs/FTEs. I did have my Gen3 G19 as a backup but I had loaned my holster to a friend who was using a G19 in a SERPA before being told it was crap and unsafe. Since the FTFs were relatively rare, I decided to stick it out with the PPQ. I also made it a point when other shooters who were using Glocks had issues to loudly say 'GLOCK!" to make a point. Invariably these were chalked up to something other than the gun itself, whether crappy reloads/mag issues/etc.

Still like the gun, but was disappointed I had issues. Certainly not selling it or anything. It could be the PPQ requires a little break-in, might be partly the Baby Eagle mags I was using, or the ammo. I'll try it in future courses with some higher power, Ranger +P 124gr ammo and if I can procure them use only Walther magazines.

I've got about 1500 rnds on my PPQ, so far I've have NO failures of any kind..I also have 2 of the Baby eagle mags..both work well, one of the mags does not fall free when empty stopping about 2/3 the way out. The other falls right out like a factory mag.I'm not worried as I use them as range mags. I think you're on the right track,It could need a little break in, although all I've ever shot through mine was my loads with plated 125gr bullets, these were within normal operating pressures for 9mm, and it's ran like a top,I think you're right, it could very well be ammo related,Like Littleleboski asked..How was the accuracy??

[Muzzy]

PPQ has a tight chamber--like HK. Out of spec ammo will stick and cause every problem, especially bulk reloads. I have had this happen on absolutely flawless (with factory ammo) HK's so dont blame the firearm if you are using bulk reloads, handloads, etc.

This nice tight chamber results in nice groups / excellent accuracy on the PPQ though so it all depends what you want. If you want to shoot volumes of cheap reloads or off the range brass reloads with corroded cases then I would stick to Gen 3 Glocks.

So it all comes down to do you want to shoot more with a looser chamber or shoot more with a tighter chamber but with more satisfying results. I guess I would chose both.

[zacbol]

Originally Posted by ralph

I've got about 1500 rnds on my PPQ, so far I've have NO failures of any kind..I also have 2 of the Baby eagle mags..both work well, one of the mags does not fall free when empty stopping about 2/3 the way out. The other falls right out like a factory mag.I'm not worried as I use them as range mags. I think you're on the right track,It could need a little break in, although all I've ever shot through mine was my loads with plated 125gr bullets, these were within normal operating pressures for 9mm, and it's ran like a top,I think you're right, it could very well be ammo related,Like Littleleboski asked..How was the accuracy??

Out of curiosity, what were the conditions during the 1500 rounds you've put through the weapon? Whether it was the higher rate, sustained volume of fire (my guess), being in cold, outdoor weather, being dropped on the ground, etc classes seem to test the mettle of any gun. I had put 300-400 rounds through the PPQ *before* the class without a single issue, hence my surprise.

The accuracy was good with me being the limiting factor. I shot considerably better than I would have with my stock G19, though that still wears the crap stock sights. One drill started with a 50 yd shot at steel. I was one of a few to make it on the first shot (after embarrassingly realizing I'd started with an empty gun. D'oh!). Again something I don't think I'd be able to do with the G19 or it would have taken quite a few more shots. I have a video of that run and others I will post once I get them from the instructor.

[mizer67]

I've put 2K through my PPQ since I picked it up in October. I've shot it in sustained fire for up to 550 rounds, till the gun got hot enough it was burning my support hand thumb, without issue. I haven't experienced one FTF or FTE, using both the PPQ factory and Baby Eagle mags.

The only experience I've had with mags not dropping free are when I fail to fully actuate the mag release.

I find the grip to be slippery, however, when my hands get sweaty. I applied some grip tape and it makes a big difference to me.

Accuracy is excellent. POI is a little low for me with the P99 Trijicons in place of the factory sights.

[Alaskapopo]

Originally Posted by Littlelebowski

How was accuracy?

Was just handling the PPQ I have not had a chance to fire one yet. But the box had a target in it fired at 15 meters that showed a 1.5 inch group or so.
Pat

[armakraut]

Nice to see someone put the Gen 3 glocks back into production.

[ralph]

Originally Posted by zacbol

Out of curiosity, what were the conditions during the 1500 rounds you've put through the weapon? Whether it was the higher rate, sustained volume of fire (my guess), being in cold, outdoor weather, being dropped on the ground, etc classes seem to test the mettle of any gun. I had put 300-400 rounds through the PPQ *before* the class without a single issue, hence my surprise.

The accuracy was good with me being the limiting factor. I shot considerably better than I would have with my stock G19, though that still wears the crap stock sights. One drill started with a 50 yd shot at steel. I was one of a few to make it on the first shot (after embarrassingly realizing I'd started with an empty gun. D'oh!). Again something I don't think I'd be able to do with the G19 or it would have taken quite a few more shots. I have a video of that run and others I will post once I get them from the instructor.

The 1500 rnds I put through it have all been shot outdoors. A few times, I've gotten it hot enough that the slide itself was hot (not just warm) to the touch, The last couple of Grants defensive pistol classes I ran it, (missed most of them this year due to work) So far, I've had no problems. I find it's considerably more accurate than my M&P FS9,and a draw between it, and my HK P-2000.. As far as different ammo goes, I reload, so, I've tried a few different bullet configurations. 115gr JHP, 125grLRN, 125 grCN, 125gr plated RN,147gr plated RN, 147grJHP, Powders used were Titegroup, Solo 1000, Win. 231, Loading was done on a Dillon 550. All went in and out without problems. I even tried mixing JHP's and some of the plated RN's in the mag to try to trip it up..That did'nt work.I'm pretty happy with it.

[mizer67]

Originally Posted by Alaskapopo

Was just handling the PPQ I have not had a chance to fire one yet. But the box had a target in it fired at 15 meters that showed a 1.5 inch group or so.
Pat

With my PPQ and reloads, my PPQ can turn in 1.6" 5-round groups as a best case to date at 25 yards. 115 Hornday XTP JHP and 6.2 grains of Power Pistol.

Keeping 45 rounds inside of the 3.89" bull of a 50 yard NRA small bore target at 25 yards is easy from a rest. Just point and click.

[Alaskapopo]

Originally Posted by mizer67

With my PPQ and reloads, my PPQ can turn in 1.6" 5-round groups as a best case to date at 25 yards. 115 Hornday XTP JHP and 6.2 grains of Power Pistol.

Keeping 45 rounds inside of the 3.89" bull of a 50 yard NRA small bore target at 25 yards is easy from a rest. Just point and click.

I am sure its as accurate as most Walthers are. I wish they would lower the bore axis as that is a deal breaker for me.
Pat

[t1tan]

I couldn't care less about a slightly taller bore axis, with practice and conditioning it's something easily overcome. It's the lack of decent sights available for Walthers holding me back from purchasing either the PPQ or the PPS.

[Alaskapopo]

Originally Posted by t1tan

I couldn't care less about a slightly taller bore axis, with practice and conditioning it's something easily overcome. It's the lack of decent sights available for Walthers holding me back from purchasing either the PPQ or the PPS.

I don't like anything that can slow me down and you will always be able to shoot faster with a gun that has less muzzle flip.
Pat

[rotorblade]

Originally Posted by armakraut

Nice to see someone put the Gen 3 glocks back into production.

HAHAHAA



You know its funny, Ten years ago I told people try Glocks. Seven years ago I told people just buy a Glock. Five Years ago I told people just buy yourself a Glock 17 or 19. Two or three years ago I told people to wait and see what this 4th gen stuff is all about and some issues I was hearing about at the time with Late 2009 3rd gen Glocks.

Now I tell people to buy a Walther PPQ or try something other than Glock. Let Glock get their shit wired right and straightened out first. Give them a few more years.

I will be getting a Walther PPQ and maybe a Walther PPQ First Edition (If they are every released) along with getting a suppressor.
I am also very interested in the HK Striker fired P30 or P40 or what every they call it. But it had better be Standard HK quality durability and reliability and not some cheapo POS.