I picked up a Walther PPS last week and had my first chance to take it to the range today. The pistol was cleaned and lubed before firing. I put 350 rounds of Blazer 115 gr FMJ (brass cased) and about 40 rounds Remington Golden Sabre 124 gr +p. My overall impression is that is is a soft shooting pistol for how thin it is and more accurate than I am. I did however have 3 FTF with the 8 round magazine. In each case I loaded the pistol and topped off the magazine so I had 9 rounds in the gun. The FTF was always on the second round. These all happened within the first 150 rounds and I could not get it to happen after that. Has anyone else had problems with the 8 rounders? I may just have to stick with the seven rounders until I can prove to myself that it was just a break in issue.
At any rate, I’m pretty impressed with this pistol so far. I usually carry a Glock 19, but wanted a pistol for deep concealment in a smart carry. The Glock 26 was just a bit too thick for that role.
I used to own one. In about 5k rounds not one hiccup with any ammo or mags. My problem was I kept hitting the mag eject lever just enough for the mag to drop a little and not feed the next round. This was a problem due to the size of the grip and my hands. I traded it for a Kahr CW9. Idont have this problem with the wider grips of the H&K P30 or the PPQ.
I actually traded a Kahr CM9 for the Walther. I just couldn’t get used to the trigger as compared to my Glocks. The trigger on the Kahr was super smooth but just too long. Also, the lack a pronounced reset on the Kahr bothered me.
I was looking for something smaller and thin for carry at work and I really liked the PPS just wish I didn’t have the mag release problem. If itI wasnt for thatthe i wouldhave have kept it. The Kahr trigger is a bit long but it has been 100% reliable for me, fed all ammo with no problems on the +p and after a few hundred rounds I got used to the trigger.
vaglocker, I bought some Aguilar<sp> 9mm at a gun show for $10 a box.
I had a real problem with that ammo not feeding properly but I could never figure what the deal was. Didn’t matter which mag. I personally don’t like the 8 round mag.
I also -do- like the small Limbsaver sleeve. I took it off for a while but have decided I certainly want it back on. that makes shooting even softer. quite a bit softer actually.
I have shot everthing Georgia Arms makes I think. 115, 124 and 147. Not a hickup. dummy rounds function properly in combination with all those as well. I reloaded 147 lead truncated cone and it is a very soft load but not as accurate so I need to change that but it functioned just fine. Lots of WWB from WalMart works great, never an issue.
Froglube for lube and clean.
Only thing I really want now is one of those Vanguard2 deals from Raven. I think I’m in for a long wait on that one though.
If you are ever at Blackcreek, I’m the guy with Stainless 1911 and PPS on the bench.
Oh, and I meant to ask… I didn’t do any scientific test but I thought 124g shot more accurate than 115g. Or 147 / 124 more accurate than 115. Do you notice this at all?
That is exactly where I was today. I’ll keep my eyes out for you, but with 3 small kids its tough to make it out there regularly. As far as holsters go I got an email from Dale Frickesaying that he should have some AIWB holsters shortly for the PPS and the PPQ.
Thanks for the report. I shot my dads for the first time last weekend. Never experienced the 8 round mag issue. It would be interesting if you tried another 8 round mag. I love this gun and I am looking forward to purchasing one in the future.
Slightly off-topic, but I have been trying to find out the height of a PPS with the 8 round magazine inserted. I can’t find the specs anywhere. I’m sure the PPS with the 8-round magazine is taller than a G26, but how much taller? I’ve purchased a Kahr CM9 for times when the G26 is too thick, but I prefer the Glock trigger, and my understanding is that a PPS has a more Glock-like trigger.
The thing is much more accurate than I would have expected it to be. It’s easy to start to compare it to your full size duty guns due to the way it shoots.
I recently started carrying it as my BUG while at work, using a vest holster.
IF the PPQ is as accurate and easy to shoot, I’m real interested in trying one out.
I have a PPS and a G19. What I didn’t 'realize before I purchased the PPS is that the back (i.e. palm side) of the grip is just as long as a G19. The bottom of the grip is angled upward to where you have full palm contact, but on the front side, your pinky would be under the 6-round magazine.
I’ve got about 300-400 rounds through my PPS thus far and I’ve had about 3 FTEs that probably happened within the first 150 rounds. Haven’t had a problem since then and I don’t recall which magazine was in the gun when I had the FTEs.
The slim profile of the gun makes it much more carry friendly to me and I’ve been carrying a lot more since I got it. Still need to put more rounds down range before I get fully comfortable with its reliability, but its accuracy is better than mine, I don’t mind the mag release and it carries well. Range time with the PPS isn’t the most fun, as it feels like I’m constantly stuffing mags. At least it is comfortable to shoot.
So sounds like this is a known issue then with the 8 rounders. Don’t really see the point in carrying one as a spare if they would be dicey in an admin reload situation.
Also, comparing the PPS with the 8 round mag to my G19 the grips were pretty much the same length.
At the moment, it is looking like the PPS will be part of the “Second Wave” of VanGuard 2’s available. We intend to support a number of popular pistols with this product and roll them out in waves. The PPS should be in Wave 2, which we are getting closer to every day.
