Walther PPS 40 Range Report (brief)

[gtmtnbiker98]

Well, took my new PPS .40 out for it's first outing and needless to say, I'm a bit upset. I cleaned the pistol yesterday, and took it out today. Shot 50-rounds of 165gr Speer Law Man (department issue practice rounds) and experienced 6 failures to feed during the first 50-rounds. Then I ran our department carry load, 165gr Speer Gold Dot Hollow Points and it seemed to like those - zero issues.

To date, I've shot 70-rounds in total with 6 FTFs. I'm a bit upset and hopefully this is either a break-in issue and/or a magazine issue. I have since detailed the magazines and once again cleaned the weapon. Hopefully I'll have better results, planning on shooting another 100-rounds down range. If it chokes this time, it's gone. This is going to be a BUG and Off Duty weapon and I simply have zero tolerance for unreliable weapons.

Have others experienced break-in issues with the PPS? My serial # is AB7..., manufactured in June of 2008.

On another note, how are you folks removing the brass dings on the hood and around the ejection port? Just curious, should I choose to keep this weapon.

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

We had a guy bring out the PPS in 9mm. I was ALLOWED to fire it (the guy was sort of a jerk) and became VERY angry when I told him what I thought of it. I informed him (after he asked what I thought) that I wanst impressed with it. His suffered from a FTF on the third round (I thought from me limpwristing) but also happened to one of our resident shooters. It wasnt accurate (consider myself a good shot) at even 7 yards with WWB and recoiled "funny".

For the cost, not impressed at all. I understand Walther has import things to worry about (maybe higher cost) but their latest slew (and even their older guns) arent very impressive. The PPK to me is oversized and heavy for it's American intended purpose (backup or small carry gun) but "okay" to even good for a European concept of a primary gun. I like the P99, but a little over priced for what is recieved. The PPS is no exception. Ill stick to my Keltec PF-9 for my pocket 9x19 needs... IMHO Walter probably is a good to medium sized gun manufacturer in Europe, but their products are not designed for an American audience, even when they change calibers...

Just my 2 cents...

 

[dontshakepandas]

My 9mm hasn't had a single problem yet with FMJ or JHP, but I've heard that some need a few hundred rounds to break in and then they are flawless. As far as accuracy being a problem, mine is dead balls accurate when I do my part. I'm not the most experienced person here with handguns, but at 15 yards I was able to keep 2 straight mags all inside the 8 ring. That is plenty accurate enough for a CCW for me.

 

[Storm]

I acquired my 9mm PPS lightly used so I can't say how the gun is out of the box, but mine has been flawless. I've shot it at a range that due to range rules required me to shoot at 31 yards, and it was consistently giving me fist (big hand fist) sized groups. The range master told me that he has seen the gun perform similarly time and time again. Walther hit a home run with this one. The thinness takes some getting used to, but no more than a PF-9.

Really, the only significant issues I've heard about with the gun has been with the .40.

 

[dontshakepandas]

I have to agree with Storm about the .40 seeming to be more problematic, unless you count the first edition models, and some of the first "black" models. The early teething problems seem to be worked out now, and most the problems with the .40 seemed to fix themselves as more rounds were put through it. The problems that weren't fixed were taken care of by Smith & Wesson.

I previously forgot to mention the one TINY little problem I have with mine. The small backstrap seems to fit a little bit loose when installed. When I squeeze the grip I can feel it move slightly. When I asked S&W about this, they had a new backstrap in the mail to me within 2 hours.

 

[Storm]

I've also heard that some of the special editions had some finish wear issues.

I would have to say that the only aspect of the PPS that I'm not thrilled about is the backstrap design. I'd rather have a decock button on top of the slide as with the P99, but I'm sure that size considerations made this a no-go. This gun is way thin!

The opinion seems to be that .40 has never been as good in the P99C as the 9mm, and I suspect this will come to be the opinion with the PPS as well.

I'd also recommend trying the PPS with the smallest six round mag (is it six rounds with the .40?). I find that a pinky wrapped under the mag lends itself to optimal balance for the gun. Mileage will vary.

 

[dontshakepandas]

The .40 PPS has magazine capacities of 5,6, and 7 while the 9mm is 6,7, and 8.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

To follow up a bit, I shot another 50-rounds today using 180gr Blazer Brass without issue. Perhaps I'm experiencing some wear in issues.