I got the Walther PPS M2 back in 2019 blindly after watching & reading a handful of different reviews. The idea was to take those reviews and see what things I could do to improve my reviews so you, the reader, had a better idea of what to expect when purchasing a firearm I review, or when going out and testing one. At the end of the review process for this pistol (remember, I picked this up pre-JustPews so the review process was…less scientific) I went back through and read or watched all of the reviews that I used for purchasing this firearm.
General Details
In the box with the Walther PPS M2 you’re going to receive: Typial paperwork, obligatory gun lock, the firearm, a 6rd & 7rd magazine (an 8rd magazine too if you get an LE model), and some cleaning utensils I’ve since lost.
Despite the magazines making it seem like the magazine release is reversible, the PPS M2 was designed for right handed shooters only; none of the controls are ambidextrous or reversible.
You’re also stuck with the backstrap that comes from the factory since it’s not changeable; for the $260 I paid I’m not terribly upset.
Specs:
Frame Material: Polymer
Caliber: 9mm
Size Category: Subcompact
Magazine Type: Single Stack
Flush Capacity: 6 rounds
Overall Length: 6.3 inches
Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 4.4 inches
Weight: 19.4 ounces
Trigger Weight: ~6lbs
The PPS M2 comes from the factory with 3-dot white plastic sights with a windage adjustable rear; if you get an LE model you get metal night sights. It also has a telescopic dual spring recoil assembly, it appears that the small part of the guide rod is metal, and the larger part appears to be polymer (kinda quirky). The frame itself has two unique things going on with it.
The first being an all steel chassis that provides an almost full length slide rail on the right hand side of the gun. This chassis adds some weight to the firearm and absorbs some of the recoil as it makes it’s way into your hand.
The second is a weird frame mounted feed ramp (yellow circle)… not sure what the purpose of it is though. It doesn’t line-up with the barrel’s feed ramp as far as, the bottom of this integral feed ramp also doesn’t line-up with the magazine; the middle of it does.
The Review
The Walther PPS M2 is a weird descendent of a prior pistol from Walther, the PPS M1. The PPS M1 had an accessory rail, Walther made the PPS M2 so that the TLR-6 couldn’t even be made to work. The PPS M1 had an ambidextrous magazine release, the PPS M2 does not (the magazines look like Walther intended to do it…but backed out last minute). The PPS M1 had changeable backstraps, the PPS M2 does not.
You get it, the PPS M2 seems like a devolution of a firearm.
To add insult to injury here, the grip texturing isn’t nearly as grippy as the PPS M1’s; it’s a Slip-N-Slide when it’s too humid and God forbid it starts raining.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics with the PPS M2 are a love/hate relationship with me. I love how incredibly thin it is at the backstrap; it allows me to get a really tight grip around the pistol which helps me with recoil control. The magazine release is easy to hit but recessed and the slide release actually locks back for me a solid 80% of the time (I run a high thumbs forward grip).
The major knock to the ergonomics is the grip texturing; more the lack of. Appearances are deceiving as it’s not like the CCP’s or PPQ’s grip texturing at all. It’s very slick and does nothing to aid in controlling the firearm; especially if it’s too humid outside.
The slide serrations on the pistol leave no room for any real complaints. They aren’t sharp but they’re grippy enough even on hot summer days. You would think that the logo cutout on the front would cause slickness…but I actually think it helps with traction oddly enough.
The cool thing with the PPS’ ergos is the striker indicator. The striker indicator protrudes from the back of the firearm when the trigger starts to get pulled. This acts as a striker control device, meaning, when you put your thumb over the hole the gun cannot fire since the striker can’t go all the way back.
How It Shoots
When you get nice weather the PPS M2 handles recoil phenomenally well when considering it’s size. This is because of the steel chassis that’s on the inside of the firearm. The added weight from it absorbs some of that recoil as it flows back into your hand.
When it’s humid or wet outside it’s not as pleasant to shoot. I found myself constantly fighting to keep it stable in my hand due and non-stop grip adjustments because of how slick the grip would get. If you end up with a PPS M2 you’re definitely going to want to purchase some grip tape for it.
The trigger on the PPS M2 isn’t terrible, but it’s not as great as the PPQ. It’s heavier and a little grittier… it’s akin to comparing Clover Valley Coke to Coka-Cola. The taste is…kind of there, but you’re left wanting something better.
Reliability
The Walther PPS M2 has been completely reliable for ~2,000 rounds. It’s had an assortment of 115gr factory ammunition as well as reloads, several different brands of 124gr FMJ, as well as 124r & 147gr Federal HST.
How It Carries
Off and on for the last year and a half I’ve carried the Walther PPS M2 in a Legacy Firearms Hyperion holster, for the first half of that time I carried it conjoined with the mag caddy, for the second half I carried it without the mag caddy attached.
The mag caddy attached & a Tier 1 Concealed Medium Wedge was definitely the better experience with carrying the PPS M2. It kept it more stable on the belt line and was far more comfortable than carrying it with the mag caddy unattached.
As with all subcompact handguns it takes practice to get a good draw off due to the small grip length but it was easier to draw than the FN FNS-9c which was a double stack subcompact.
If you carry this firearm in a sidecar, I would definitely recommend rocking the 6rd or 7rd magazine in the firearm and an 8rd magazine in the mag caddy. The 6rd magazine is substantially hard to get to as your back-up magazine and the 8rd magazine sits just right while not sacrificing concealability.
It is worth noting that the baseplates on the 7rd & 8rd magazine did not want to play well with the NeoMag for those that use one for their spare magazine.
My measurements:
Height:6’1
Weight: 230-240lbs
Pant Size: 38×32 (can shift +/-2 depending on brand)
Conclusion
Walther’s PPS M2 is a gun that had a lot of greatness going for it at the drawing board… then someone must of gotten drunk and thrown the plans in the toilet. You can see this with the magazines having catch cuts on both sides, or even the fact that it’s rocking an all-steel chassis on the inside to tighten the slide/frame fit.
At $250-$290 the PPS M2 is a fantastic concealed carry, deep carry or regular carry, pistol. It shoots soft, magazines are relatively cheap ($25-$30), and holsters actually exist for it! At any price higher than $250-$260 though it’s too expensive; especially when you’re able to get a Smith & Wesson Shield for $300.
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TacCat
Michael AKA TacCat got his start on Facebook as a meme lord while his original website took a backseat. After getting the zucc he decided it was time to get a new project started...