So I was on another forum last night killing time and I ran across a thread where the OP was asking for opinions on wether he should invest in a Walther PPS 9mm or a Glock 26 for his EDC gun.
So I am thinking, oh boy, here comes yet another Glock love fest which I was more than happy to oblige…but
Almost every friggin reply on a 2 page thread was for the PPS. To say I was kind of shocked is an understatement. The biggest thing for folks on this board was the difference in thickness between the two. For my build, thickness has very little to do with selecting a CCW piece. I carry either a Glock 19 or 26 every day, all day with no issues and I am not a big guy; 5’-7" and 170 lbs.
So I thought I would bring the question over here to this group of guys “in the know” and ask, whats the scoop on the PPS? Is it really a proven, reliable, tier 1 platform like the Glock?
I don’t know that the PPS has much of a track record or reputation one way or another, at least nothing that stands out from what I have seen or heard.
The Glock 26 (and all 9mm Glocks) have a long and proven track record of reliable service.
Seems like an easy decision to me unless you’re into being the guinea pig.
I dumped my G26 for the PPS, primarily because the PPS was pocket-carryable due to it’s extra thinness.
My PPS 9mm has been an absolutely reliable tier-1 piece. The big surprise was my PPS is also more accurate than my G26 was (though my G26 was certainly no slouch in this regard).
The one thing you’ll hear people whine about the most in re: the PPS is a failure-to-reset issue that’s caused by failing to lubricate the disconnector area thoroughly. Keeping that at least decently lubed cures all FTR issues for most owners.
Note: I’ve heard, generically, of much more serious problems problems with the .40 iterations of the PPS, but haven’t paid much attention since I bought in 9mm, just as God intended
I have both. The PPS is a little bit thinner due to a thinner slide and single stack magazine. The backstrap of the PPS is interchangeable - with two options: hump or flat. Those of us that like the Glock trigger will tolerate the PPS one, because it is longer, grittier and has a sluggish reset. The PPS magazine release is odd - a lever that is located underneath the trigger guard. The PPS magazines are expensive, come in 6, 7 and 8 round capacity. They have two sharp little projections behind them, that if you don’t shave them off, they will probably cut you during rapid mag changes someday.
That being said, I like the PPS because it is an excellent carry gun if you want something very flat and concealable. I managed to improve the trigger by polishing the contact surfaces and shoot the hell out of it. It is reliable - with no FTF/FTE so far after almost 1500 rnds. I also plan to get night sights for it someday.
Walther makes holsters for it, but many holsters that fit G26 will also fit the PPS.
I must admit the PPS looks like a very appealing gun, given how thin it is. I lump it in the same class as the Kahr PM9, Kel-tec PF-9 and the Taurus 709 Slim (from a size perspective only). The last time I looked at the PPS, I physically could not work the mag release while holding the gun. I’m willing to give it another shot though in my quest for a CCW and if it doesn’t work out the G26 will be my next choice.
FWIW, looks like Raven doesn’t make a holster for the PPS.
Have a PPS, probably won’t keep it. It runs great, but as I posted in a thread a bit ago, it is almost too small to run well if you have larger than average hands.
Its narrowness is actually its failing in my experience. With the flush bottom magazine in the pistol, there isn’t enough area for my paws to get a solid grip on it.
If you have average or smaller sized hands it is a nice piece, the slight difference in its overall width compared to a a Glock really make carrying it much simpler.
My Lt bought the Walther PPS sight unseen and is his EDC, yet he’s never fired a rd in it yet. :rolleyes: I offered to walk him to our range to fire the weapon. I have not fired the weapon myself but did handle the weapon at the SHOT last year. Very thin compared with the G26. I haven’t heard too much about the PPS. Tough call, proven
weapon system or new wiz bang ?
I must admit that I have been interested in them and fondled a few in my local shop, way thin compared to my Glocks…
Problem for me is that I can hide my Glocks, even with a tucked in shirt with the right holster. I think I would rather deal with a bit thicker pistol that has more capacity then the opposite.
Lots of issues in the first run and for many, if you have to ask the serial number range, then it’s hands off for a carry weapon IMO. Many of the problems as noted on other forums were cleared in the AC serial prefix range. If it were me, I’d stick with the tried and true G26.
The strength of the PPS is as a large pocket carry gun or as IWB under thin clothing. If you can already do this w/a G26, no real ‘need’ to acquire a PPS. I can’t hide my M&P9c under a t-shirt adequately so the PPS fills this role. No doubt the PPS definitely needs to be lubed and will be less tolerant to neglect than a Glock. It also is tight and gritty at first. However, the PPS retains a definite concealment advantage for those that need it.
Pic shamelessly lifted from a forum or Gunblast long ago comparing PPS to a J-frame:
I think I’d have a hard time coming to grips with a 6-7 rounds primary CCW. I think it would be great as a secondary or something like a quick trip to the grocery store gun.
I guess I need to shoot one before I make any judgement calls or develop an opinion.
Have a PPS, probably won’t keep it. It runs great, but as I posted in a thread a bit ago, it is almost too small to run well if you have larger than average hands.
I have quite large hands (A 92FS doesn’t entirely fill them) and am able to run my PPS better than I could my G26.
