By Kevin Reese
This review is part five(5) of a five(5) part series of new guns or interesting guns for 2016. Follow the Next button at the bottom to read more. Walther PPS M2 Handgun Review.
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Walther Arms, known the world over for ultra-reliable firearm craftsmanship and performance for over 100 years, including the famed P38 carried by German forces during WWII, Walther continues to produce world-class handguns right here in America.
At the 2016 SHOT Show, I was fortunate enough to spend a little time with the PPS M2 and Walther Shooting Team’s own Michelle Waldran.
Not only did I get to watch Michelle double-tap the daylights out of some steel targets with the PPS M2, I had the opportunity to scratch that trigger-finger itch myself.
Walther PPS M2 Handgun in 9mm
The striker-fired Walther PPS M2 sub-compact handgun boasts a comfortable 6.1-lb. trigger pull with both short travel and short reset. The PPS M2 we fired was a 9mm; however, in spring, 2016, Walther PPS M2 is scheduled to satisfy the appetites of .40 S&W fans. A limited edition 9mm also is available with phosphorous sights.
Three sizes of magazines are available from flat, to mid-size, to extended capacity, while the grip itself includes ergonomic finger grooves and a seriously comfortable, cross-directional, non-slip textured surface; extended magazines also feature this new texturing. The Walther PPS M2 features a slim single-stack design, with capacity ranging from 5 to 8 rounds, and short 3.18” barrel for easy, comfortable concealment, even in more restrictive clothing, while the dot-sights and other PPS M2 features are designed to prevent snagging.
The Walther PPS M2 Handgun also comes standard with critical safety components including a tactile, visible cocking indicator and a loaded chamber viewport for quick and easy inspections. Distinctively Walther slide serrations also deliver big on worry-free manipulations while the slide stop and magazine release are both designed for easy, snag-free, ergonomic operation, even with gloves. Although it comes in a sub-compact package, the Walther PPS M2 delivers BIG on Walther’s reputation for the kind of quality warriors and citizens alike have weighed their survival upon for generations.
MSRP for the Walther PPS M2 Handgun in both 9mm and .40 S&W is $469. MSRP for the 9mm LE is $499.
About Kevin Reese:
Kevin is an award-winning outdoor writer, photographer, videographer, speaker, host of Global Outfitters TV Show’s GO Tips and a Marine Corps veteran. He owns and administers www.mainbeammedia.com and Main Beam Blog at blog.mainbeammedia.com. The Main Beam Blog offers great articles, press releases, outdoor industry news and reviews.
I have been shooting a 357 revolver w/short barrel and have not had an automatic in a long time. i just got my M2 and love it except the slide release is EXTREMELY stiff. It is even hard for my husband. Has anyone else had this issue?
I appreciate any comment.
I have no issue with the slid or magazine, just the slide release.
I have the walther PPS M8 and the slide and the release are EXTREMELY stiff, even for my husband. I am so disappointed in it I have not even fired it. I do not want to struggle to enjoy a shoot. I understand new firearms can be stiff but this is beyond stiff. I am a grandmother but aleays had a gun and enjoy the sport of shooting as well as havi ng it for protection.
My wife carries & shoots a 9mm Walther CCP. She loads the 8 rd magazine with her bare hands strictly and will not use a mag loader even when I offer it. She is a 64 yoa GrandMA and started shooting again about a year ago and she’s doing very well with the CCP. As a retired LEO , that was fortunate to survive 2 deadly shootings on duty, I made sure She was familiar with her weapons and has the confidence to pull the trigger if she is faced with a life or death encounter. She really likes her… Read more »
Thank you for the feedback Mike, I’ll look into the CCP!
I’m looking for a handgun similar to the size of the Walther PPS and saw the feedback about it not being a womans gun. What other gun would anyone recommend in place of the PPS for older women with limited hand strength?
If only the last round in the 7 or 8 round magazine is abnormally difficult to load, it is because the mag needs to be adjusted. The spring has a butt plate keeper on the bottom that slides down into a channel in the larger magazine bases. In rare cases, the butt place keeper hangs on the sides of the base. It’s a simple adjustment, and then it will run flawlessly thereafter. And I also recommend the Uplula from Maglula. Awesome product for reloading magazines quickly and saving your thumb.
I recently purchased a Walther PPS M2. I’ve put around 400 rounds through it with the only problem being a few times the magazine released so it didn’t feed another round. This was using the eight round magazines. Has anyone else had any issues with the magazine releasing. I much enjoy reading the comments above about which make of gun is better and why. I’ve been shooting for over forth years and that argument has been around longer than I can remember. The bottom line is if you own a weapon you should train with it. Training should include close… Read more »
Rod, did you find out what the issue was with the mag releasing? I had the same issue several times today at the range with 7 and 8 round mags. First time I have had this issue and have put at least 1000 rounds through it. Love the gun, however not liking this self-release issue.
Rod – I just purchased the PPS M2 LE and have gone thru 600 rds. It came with 6-7& 8 rd. clips. I used the 7 but I like the 8 because it fits my hand better. It has released a couple of times. I found that it was in my grip. I was placing my right hand thumb over the mag release. With a tight right hand grip during recoil the mag would sometimes release (twice in 200 rds.) I have changed my thumb position to the groove below the mag release & have gone thru 400 rds.without any… Read more »
My CCP hates cheap ammo, but is totally reliable with US premium stuff . It really hates that BrassMaxx 115 grain stuff made in Bosnia. That is the dirtiest ammo I have shot in my life. It gums up my Walther like crazy. That bulk box was money totally wasted. I’d advise anyone to avoid it. But the CCP is a fantastically accurate and easy to shoot gun. The disassembly took a little bit of practice, but now it’s a non issue with me. I really like the way the gun fits my hand and the 8+1 capability.
Put 100 rounds through my new M2. I had three FtFs. I do plan to clean out the factory grease and lube it properly next. Was a very accurate shooter and grip was on point.
Recently bought a Walther pps 40 cal. Put about 100 rounds through it without a hitch. very impressed
with it’s accuracy. It’s a little difficult to use the magazine release located on the trigger guard, and the slide lock and release is a bit to big and uncomfortable on the hands.
“Walther Arms, known the world over for ultra-reliable firearm craftsmanship and performance for over 100 years, including the famed P38…”
Ah, problems with war issue P38’s are legion. That might not have been the best comparison you could have made.
You do know that many “war issue P38’s” were also made by Mauser and Spreewerk, right? And many were made by Jewish slaves. It’s a famous firearm but the ones that didn’t work were probably intentional.
Nothing but great things to say about my M2. No issues with a hard slide racking or issues with the mag. Accurate as anything I have ever shot and handles recoil great. As far as saying it is like a Glock, that is kind of stupid. Different angle and feel while shooting. I say that as someone who has multiple Glock’s. Also, small pistols will be harder to rack than larger ones, nothing they can do. The recoil has to go somewhere. I have owned Shields, a Glock 43 and 42, along with other smaller pistols, and this beats them… Read more »
Tried this piece at an Industry shoot at Gander Mountain, tried to run 3 different Mags. thru it . Never could get more than 2 consecutive rds. to go. Took it back to the Rep. and said perhaps you need to lube it, he broke it down and it had plenty of lube, so no idea what the problem was.
At least my wife’s seems to work. She bought it when they had a $!00 rebate offer. She received the card with the
rebate but didn’t read the fine print and it had a rather short expiration. She called Walther and they told her to get lost. Questionable Customer service? Yes, it was her fault but a reputable company would try to help the customer.
It will be difficult for me to purchase another Walther.
If your going to build a pistol like that, at least get the name right. Its spelled GLOCK. only difference I see is the cheap looking metal mag, and the shape of the mag release, everything else is a very strikingly resemblance of the glock. I’m sure it will be a great seller with its looks and all, but if you want the performance you need to buy the real thing. I know I’m about to get thrown under the bus for that, but I own five gen four models, and feed them all garbage ammo, to top of the… Read more »
I carry a Gen 4 Glock 26 every day, I love the gun, but it isn’t infallible or more reliable in my opinion. My G26 choked on some Tula ammo as did my PPS Classic, XDs, and my Shield (all 9mm). I bought 500 rounds of this stuff and stopped every one. Well, the Shield technically shot everything I fed it, but it didn’t go into battery after the very last round of this underpowered ammo. In other words, had their been one more shot left, it would not have fired (although I would have only needed to hit the… Read more »
I’ve got Glocks, S&W MP’s, Walther PPQ’s, and HK VP’s. They are all acceptable handguns but the H&K VP 9 and 40 along the M&P Ported Performance Center 9 and 40’s Stand out above the other’s. I would rate the Walther’s also good with the Glocks bringing up the rear unless you spend a lot of extra bucks to bring them up to snuff. Please don’t send me hate mail it’s just a gun I’m talking about not your wife or kids.
Thanks for the feedback on the magazines because I was thinking about getting the PPS M2. I had a Shield with a stiff magazines and I got rid of it. My other two Walthers PPX and CCP are perfect ; no issues on any front. In the past, my Glocks, XDM’s, and M&Ps never had mag issues. Hopefully, Walthers will correct their mags.
Thanks again for the heads up.
A magazine loader like the Maglula Universal Loader makes loading magazines a breeze.
I’d clean the gun and lube the side before shooting it the first time. That should make it easier to rack the slide, and maybe improve the accuracy. Did you really open the box at the range?
I took my new Walther PPS M2 to the range yesterday and was a bit disappointed in what I pulled out of the box. First off the mags are very stiff and hard to load. Sorry but I can’t imagine any woman I know that would be able to not only load these mags but cocking the pistol itself takes more strength than any woman I know has. I’m NOT saying there’s no woman around that couldn’t do it. I’m just saying it’d difficult for them. Of course it’s brand new and will probably loosen up a bit after running… Read more »
On my PPS M2 the slide isn’t that bad, but the magazines are pretty stiff. I have the same problem with my PPQ, but I leave all magazines loaded to capacity minus one for a few weeks, and they loosen right up. I don’t know why you think that a stiff magazine makes it a “man’s gun”, there are plenty of loading aids out there to help load magazines. All new guns need a break in period, the PPS M2 isn’t any different then any other sub-compact single stack 9 that is out there. In my case, I found the… Read more »
Are you kidding me??????????? You can’t adjust your own sights??????????? You are a joke!
For those that are complaining about shooting low etc……that is you and not the gun. I have shot this many times and it is one of the best shooting pistols I own. No it is not as accurate as the PPQ but very good. I would recommend grip tape like Talons
Sounds like someone doesn’t know how to hold the gun properly. Low and left is all you. Adjust your hold and the problem will go away.
All guns are stiff right out of the box. Springs in magazines loosen up after enough reloads, I leave all my mags fully loaded anyway. Even the slide will get easier after about 1000 rounds. That’s normal break-in for any firearm. I can pull the slide back from the front groves (press check) just using my thumb and index finger.
Thought I’d add in the “woman’s perspective” for this gun. I’m a beginner so my experience is limited to my dad’s hunting rifles and the stack of 9mm’s I tried at the gun range while trying to figure out which one was best for me. I LOVE this gun. I can’t say this enough. The mag is a bit tight, but not so much more than any of the others I tried. Sure, the looser ones had me thinking “oooh this is nice” but this gun felt the best in my hand and also in my opinion had the nicest… Read more »