The Walther PPS Classic

American1776 · #1 07-24-2019, 03:44 PM

Lots of folks like their PPS M2s.

I wanted a slim .40 S&W. I also prefer a *heavy* trigger spring for striker fired pistols without thumb safeties.

The one that fit the bill is the Walther PPS Classic gen1 in .40 S&W, with the Massachusetts compliant 10.5 lbs. trigger spring. Plus it’s under $400 new.

Call me crazy or paranoid, I prefer a trigger like a double action revolver on a safety-less striker pistol, especially one that will see pocket holster carry. I learned to shoot on revolvers, so the heavy spring is not a problem.

Looking forward to range time with this one.

153 · #2 07-24-2019, 08:00 PM

You are a tough fellow if you find shooting that pistol enjoyable. I have one in 9 mm and it beats the knuckle on my right thumb sore after a couple of mags. In .40?

That ten pound trigger ... mine came with that. Couldn’t wait to replace it. Nowadays my PPS is a safe queen.

Good luck with your new pistol!

Muley Gil · #3 07-24-2019, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by American1776

Lots of folks like their PPS M2s.

I wanted a slim .40 S&W. I also prefer a *heavy* trigger spring for striker fired pistols without thumb safeties.

The one that fit the bill is the Walther PPS Classic gen1 in .40 S&W, with the Massachusetts compliant 10.5 lbs. trigger spring. Plus it’s under $400 new.

Call me crazy or paranoid, I prefer a trigger like a double action revolver on a safety-less striker pistol, especially one that will see pocket holster carry. I learned to shoot on revolvers, so the heavy spring is not a problem.

Looking forward to range time with this one.

Nothing against you, but that pistol is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen.

ColbyBruce · #4 07-24-2019, 09:45 PM

I bought my son one of those for Christmas last year. It is much lighter and slimmer than his Glock 29sf 10mm, which he carried trout fishing.

Just a heads up, there are a few YouTube videos showing the back-strap popping off, which disables the gun. I bought a sleeve for the frame to prevent that from happening. I also bought him two boxes of Underwood 200 grain hard cast ammo and another seven round magazine.

.40 S&W mags are beginning to be hard to find. If you want spares, get them now.

ColbyBruce · #5 07-24-2019, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

Nothing against you, but that pistol is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen.

You must not have seen the new Steyr pistols.

American1776 · #6 07-24-2019, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColbyBruce

I bought my son one of those for Christmas last year. It is much lighter and slimmer than his Glock 29sf 10mm, which he carried trout fishing.

Just a heads up, there are a few YouTube videos showing the back-strap popping off, which disables the gun. I bought a sleeve for the frame to prevent that from happening. I also bought him two boxes of Underwood 200 grain hard cast ammo and another seven round magazine.

.40 S&W mags are beginning to be hard to find. If you want spares, get them now.

Thanks very much for the information. I was aware of the backstrap issue. My understanding is that if I leave it alone, and don't take it on and off, it won't wear away and fail. I might get that sleeve.
I'll have to get an extra mag or two. thanks.

LVSteve · #7 07-25-2019, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 153

You are a tough fellow if you find shooting that pistol enjoyable. I have one in 9 mm and it beats the knuckle on my right thumb sore after a couple of mags. In .40?

I have a PPS M2 in 9mm and I am wondering why yours beats up on your knuckle. I find the PPS M2 absorbs recoil far better than a Ruger LC9s and almost as well as a Kahr CW9.

URIT · #8 07-25-2019, 08:44 AM

I've owned a Walther PPS40 for years and use it as my carry gun whenever I wear a suit or sports jacket. I use an IWB/OWB holster from Craft Holster and made by Falco.

The backstrap has never been an issue for me. I suspect those that popped off weren't reinstalled correctly.

My PPS40 is a tack driver. I use 6" paper plates, 3X5 cards, and Post-its at 7 yards when at the outdoor range. The European paddle mag release is easy to get used to and feel competent and confident to use.

The PPS40 is not a range gun! It was designed as a self-defense weapon for German police. As such, it can be punishing to the hand after a few mags.

I shoot more than one gun when I go to the range and I've learned to shoot the PPS40 first; then, any other .40 caliber before shooting my 9mm pistols.

I shot S&W revolvers extensively before getting into semi-autos and feel comfortable with the heavier trigger. That may explain why I enjoy shooting my S&W DAO guns and carry my 3953 or my 4053 when dressing casually. Enjoy

ColbyBruce · #9 07-25-2019, 08:46 AM

The original PPS has the paddle style magazine release on the bottom of the trigger guard which may interfere with large fingers. The PPS M2 has a bit of an undercut at the rear of the trigger guard which may be more comfortable to larger fingers.

Here are pics of the two I had.

Erich · #10 07-25-2019, 10:31 AM

My 9mm was a mystery to me: it should have been everything I wanted in a gun of this type (I love the paddle mag releases, for instance, and the trigger was good), but I just never got to love it. When the slide stop spring broke, S&W's customer service was great (sent me a few replacements) but switching it out took a whole lot longer than I'd hoped (I found that the PPS sure wasn't a Glock when it came to parts replacement) - and eventually I traded it away.

I still wonder about the wisdom of that, as I really like everything abou the gun . . . on paper. Yet here I sit, typing about the Walther PPS first generation, with a soulless Glock IWB.