PPQ .40 S&W Range Report

[qcsmitty]

To follow up:
I just purchased my first Walther; a new PPQ .40 S&W last week. Today I went to the range and put 100 rounds of Federal HST .40 cal 180g JHP (#XM40HC) through her without issue. This is my first experience with the .40 S&W caliber and BOY, that snap was even more than expected. The pistol handled it well however with the trigger pull and ergos being outstanding (as advertised). I am happy with this grouping, given that I am not a very experienced marksman. The following is a pic of my target from the indoor range. I decided also to attach the large back strap, which seems to enable me to work the mag release more effectively with my trigger finger.

 

[Fremmer]

Good report. How is the re-set on that trigger?

 

[Trad Archer]

I'm so tired of hearing how the recoil from a 40 S@W is too much. It's embarrassing. This is a man's caliber.

Congrats! You have an awesome firearm.

 

[moundman]

I agree. Plus I dont have a lot of experience with handguns and the experience I do have was with a 9mm. The recoil on my PPQ .40 imo is not that bad. Even watching my youtube video it doesnt look like its recoiling a whole lot.

 

[qcsmitty]

Good report. How is the re-set on that trigger?

1/2'" and very defined. I was a little disappointed though that the trigger pull had a slight "grind" to it, somewhat like a stock M&P. Not bad though.

 

[qcsmitty]

I'm so tired of hearing how the recoil from a 40 S@W is too much. It's embarrassing. This is a man's caliber.

Congrats! You have an awesome firearm.

Good point. If someone is recoil sensitive, they simply should avoid .40 S&W and .357 mags. Period. I get a "kick" out of them.

 

[DAdams]

Not bad shooting for a first time out. Should get better with time. Yours is the first review I have heard with a PPQ and a "gritty" trigger. Hopefully that will smooth out.
That gun in .40 is going to have some recoil as if IIRC it weighs 22 oz empty.
I have the P99AS and like the caliber and number of rounds .40 provides in a significant caliber.

Good picture and Fenix.

Wish Walther would do the PPQ in .45. If they don't do one soon I'm going To try the XDm 3.8.

 

[FMF Doc]

I'm so tired of hearing how the recoil from a 40 S@W is too much. It's embarrassing. This is a man's caliber.

Congrats! You have an awesome firearm.

a .357mag has more recoil than .40, but I still get back on target quicker with a 3" SP101 shooting .357mag than I do with a Glock 22. It isn' so much that it kicks, as the snappy muzzel climb it has. If you like it shoot it. I don't like it, so I don't shoot it.

 

[Fishbed77]

1/2'" and very defined. I was a little disappointed though that the trigger pull had a slight "grind" to it, somewhat like a stock M&P.

That "grittyness" in the trigger WILL go away as the gun breaks in. It will be very smooth in about 250-500 rounds or so.

 

[Chuck R.]

I was a little disappointed though that the trigger pull had a slight "grind" to it, somewhat like a stock M&P. Not bad though.

IF the grind doesn't go away after breaking in, check this out:

http://www.handgunsforum.com/uploads/walther_ppq_gritty_trigger_fix.pdf

I went through my firing pin block and trigger transfer bar where it contacted the the firing pin block with 1000 grit as per the PDF and things smoothed up quite a bit. It probably would have "shot in", but this sped things up quite a bit.

Chuck

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Nice buy, and great shooting! I've fired a P99 in .40 and didn't think there was a "snap." it was quite comfortable to shoot. Then I managed to score an awesome deal on a Gen 4 G22 for $175 LNIB and I felt the "snap" everyone was talking about then. I didn't mind it though, it truly felt comfortable to shoot and I was able to transition from target to target fairly quickly. Next thing on my list? Some steel sights.

 

[ExMachina]

I'm so tired of hearing how the recoil from a 40 S@W is too much. It's embarrassing. This is a man's caliber.

funny because 40S&W was a toned-down 10mm, designed to accommodate the needs of smaller men and of women

 

[wow6599]

I'm so tired of hearing how the recoil from a 40 S@W is too much. It's embarrassing. This is a man's caliber

IMO, a G20 has a more manageable recoil than a G22......and I'm talking about my handloads and Buffalo Bore stuff; never a fan of the type of recoil the 40 gives off. Give me a 9mm or 45 ACP and I'm good.

Oh, congrats on the PPQ. I'm waiting on one in 9mm to arrive this week.

 

[harmon rabb]

eh, .40 never stops sucking. it's just really snappy and sharp. good caliber ballistically though.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

I'm quite fond of .40 in my G22

 

[rdsmith3]

Congrats. I have a Walther PPQ in 9mm. I am a beginner, and my groupings are a little to the left, like yours. I thought it was just my poor technique. I recently went to a basic handgun training class, and one of the instructors (ex-LEO and NRA certified) tried it from the bench, and all three of his rounds were about 1" left at 7 yds.

So, it is possible that your rear sight needs a click or two ccw.