Summary: Walt Rauch’s review of and rating for the Walther PPQ M2 pistol, including a range report, photos, pricing, specs, user ratings and user comments. (Click here to see all of Rauch’s handgun reviews.)
Editor’s Review
The author’s PPQ M2 from the left.
If the new polymer-frame Walther PPQ M2 (i.e., Police Pistol Quick Defense Model 2) looks familiar, it should. Its form, fit, function and finish is an outgrowth from the also-polymer-frame Walther P99, which is not to be confused with the earlier all-steel, double-action/single-action Walther PP (i.e., Polizei Pistole).
It’s chambered in 9mm with a 4″ or 5″ barrel, 9mm with a 4.6″ threaded barrel or .40 SW with a 4.1″ or 5″ barrel. I obtained a 9mm model with a 4″ barrel, put it through its paces and recorded my impressions and results below.
The Details
The author’s PPQ from the right.
The PPQ M2 differs from the modern PP in trigger function where, after you load the chamber, it features a “constant trigger pull” (Walther’s terminology). Translated, this means its striker is fully cocked. The PPQ M2 lacks a double-action mode.
The slightly ramped and grooved front sight and the square-notch rear sight employ the three white-dot system. The front sight is elevation-adjustable by using replacement sights of varying heights, which are an optional purchase. You adjust for windage on the rear sight via the click-adjustable, slotted right-side-mounted screw in its base. Walther provides removal instructions in the very-thorough instruction manual.
The top of the slide is longitudinally grooved between front and rear sight. Forward-leaning and widely-spaced grasping grooves are front and rear on the slide. The wide spacing helps keep the usually-narrow grooves from abrading clothing and holsters, or collecting debris.
The author points out the extractor.
A spring-loaded and beefy extractor is located at the center right rear of the large ejection port. When the chamber is loaded, the rear of the extractor is depressed into the slide, exposing a red rectangle. These, then, provide visual and tactile notice of the chamber’s status.
Internally, the slide contains the barrel and recoil spring. The latter is captive on a polymer guide rod. The rear end cap is colored blue, and the front end cap is rounded and black. A passive firing pin safety is located just to the rear of the breech face.
The cartridge pick-up rail is stepped, with a narrow rail on the top right side of its larger body. I think this helps prevent the rail tip from striking a live primer when unloading or when clearing malfunctions. This thinner part is also beveled on its top and outboard area. Certainly worthwhile!
The front sight and front grasping grooves.
The polymer frame features finger grooves on its front strap and a rather unique combination of half-circle ridges and raised dots afford a solid but not grabby surface treatment in the normal gripping areas, including the changeable backstrap. Three backstraps come with the gun: small, medium and large. The medium size comes pre-installed. One shooter made mention of how high a grip he could take thanks to the shape of the medium backstrap. The largest backstrap also extends up to the top of the frame.The magazine catch sports a grooved head is located at the left rear of the trigger guard. It’s reversible, with detailed instructions for doing so in the manual. The catch is partially protected from accidental depression by a molded ridge extending rearward on either side of the frame. The ridge can also serve as a thumb rest. This standard magazine catch differs from the paddle type found on the original PPQ.
The PPQ M2’s frontstrap and magazine catch.
To change from one to another, you drive out the roll pin, which is at the lower rear of the grip. (Because this is a roll pin, make sure you use a proper-size roll pin punch.) The backstraps are notched at their bottom rear, which allows the retaining pin to also serve as an attaching point for a lanyard. The base of the backstrap overhangs the magazine, providing an aid to inserting the magazine.
Removing the backstrap insert disclosed an open and raised slot on the inner wall of the frame. Marked on the left side of the slot is “Transponder,” and on the right side is “Kennung”—translated, this means “identifier.” The slot appears designed to hold a computer card that provides location, inventory and loss-prevention identification.
The ample-sized trigger guard has a vertical (i.e., squared off) front face that’s horizontally grooved for those who favor using the guard with their two-handed grip. The curved and smooth-faced trigger has an also-curved center part, which is one of two drop safeties. The other is within the slide and prevents the firing pin from snapping forward if you drop the gun on its forward face. A projection on the trigger bar neutralizes this when you completely pull the trigger.
The PPQ M2 comes with three backstraps, shown here.
The dust cover features a Mil-Std 1913 picatinny rail on which I easily installed and removed SureFire and ITI lights, along with a Lasermax laser.
The long, ambidextrous slide stop lever is grooved for two-thirds of its length, including the projecting portion. Forward of this is the takedown cross bar (more on this in disassembly, below). The pistol is serial numbered on the slide, barrel and at the top rear of the frame. This last number is on the metal body containing the trigger and other parts of the operating system. It’s visible through a window in the frame.
Two metal-body 15-round magazines featuring orange-colored polymer followers and black polymer removable base plates came with my PPQ M2, along with a sturdy magazine loader. Cartridge witness holes numbered “4” to “15” are on the rear wall of the magazine body. Although the instruction manual mentions a +2 base plate, it isn’t listed on the Walther USA website.
The PPQ M2 disassembled.
Disassembly of the PPQ M2 is simple and follows that of similar polymer handguns. After ensuring the pistol is empty, dry fire it, then push or pull down the ample and grooved take-down latch. While holding it in this position, push the slide forward and off of the frame rails. Compress the captive recoil spring and remove it. Then you can lift the barrel out and to the rear of the slide. Re-assemble in reverse order.
Range Report
In my range work, with three other shooters also on the gun, the PPQ M2 was simply a pleasure to shoot. For me it’s a comfortable pistol to hold, manipulate and shoot. Curiously, this time the white dot sights didn’t interfere with my precision shooting. I usually black them out but didn’t have to this time.
The author sends a 9mm round downrange with his PPQ M2.
The Walther PPQ M2 lacks any annoying sharp edges and is simple to operate. And with the gripping area designed as it is, the gun’s feel ranks second to none. In fact, one of the shooters commented, “My hand seems to naturally take a good shooting grip.”
How does the PPQ M2’s trigger pull perform? Walther certainly understates the effect, saying “… make(s) it very easy to shoot accurately.” Trigger movement is short after initial take-up, as is the striker re-set for the next shot. After the initial shot, the press-to-bang movement is really short! Using a Chatillon trigger pull gauge, my sample’s trigger pull weight measures a shade over 5 lbs., close to what the Walther specifications call for (5.6 lbs). In face, the single-action striker trigger is close to—if not the best of—any of the striker-fired triggers I’ve pressed. Two of my helpers, who are top-rated in action shooting competitions, agree.
The PPQ M2 is also one accurate pistol. We all shot great groups. Referring to the trigger pull, one asked, “Is that out of the box?” The other noted, “Great trigger!” and “This gun can shoot!” My first five shots using 147-grain JFP Corbon Performance Match ammo placed three rounds in a 1″ ragged hole, with the last two making it a final +/- 1.5″ five-shot cluster, similar to the factory test-fire target that came with the gun.
The factory’s (top) and author’s (bottom) target results with the PPQ M2.
Using the same ammo, one of the guys shot a fist-sized cluster in the head box of a Warren IDPA Tactical Training Target, one-handed and standing. The other shooter duplicated this using 115-grain JRN Remington training ammo, but used two hands to do so. Bottom line: With the PPQ M2, if you’re not shooting well, you’re not shooting well. It’s not the gun or ammo.
Oh, we also fired three types of ammo over a Pro-Chrony chronograph in five shot groups at 55 degrees F, 300 feet above sea level. The results:
Corbon Performance Match 147-grain FPMC: 905 fps
Remington UMC 115‑grain FMJ: 1,055 fps
Winchester Personal Protection 147‑grain JHP: 973 fps
Note: The PPQ M2 is rated for +P, but not +P+ loads.
Final Thoughts
If the PPQ M2 lies within an organization’s or your personal requirements and limits, with an MSRP ranging from $599–$699, it’s worth a long, hard look. As a new model, albeit developed from the well-tested and accepted P99, it lacks extensive end-user testing and abuse, but from what I experienced, the PPQ M2 will prove more than satisfactory.
Walt Rauch received a BS degree from Carnegie Tech and completed service as a Special Agent in U.S. Army Intelligence. Rauch was a U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and a Philadelphia, Pa., Warrant Unit Investigator. He now operates a consulting company for defense-weapon and tactical training. Rauch & Company services include expert witness testimony on firearms use and tactics. Rauch is also a writer and lecturer in the firearms field. He’s published in national and international publications including InterMedia’s Handguns, several Harris Publications specialty magazines, Police and Security News and Cibles (France). He is the author of a book on self-defense, Real-World Survival! What Has Worked For Me, as well as Practically Speaking, a comprehensive guide to IDPA defensive pistol shooting.
Love the Walther PPQ M2, Have shot it and recommended it to many customers, they are all happy with it!
No votes yet.
Please wait...
Randy
Bought one in 40 S@W for my wife who is small at 5-3 and not very experienced . She found it easy to hold and shoot and it took her little time to get the gun grouping where she wanted it too. Recoil was mild and didn’t bother her and she loves shooting it. I played with it as well , great trigger and it just fits the hand . I did not mind the mag release at all and my wife being new to shooting had no habits to overcome with it . Great little pistol!
No votes yet.
Please wait...
r.allen
Just picked up my Walther ppq-M2 in S&W.40. Great pistol with a FANTASTIC trigger. Put 50 rounds of federal down range and was hitting shotgun shells at 15 yards hand held and 16oz.bottles at 35 yards, again hand held. The way it fits my hand and that wonderful trigger has relegated my Baretta 96-m2 to second place in fun,accuracy and less recoil in just one outing. Better get one now,before the word gets out and the price goes up.
No votes yet.
Please wait...
BigMac
The Walther PPQ has been an absolute joy to buy, hold and most importantly, shoot. With large amounts of training I do in my private time, I try to stick with the 9mm for cost reasons and availability. After deciding I wanted to replace my Sig Sauer P229 9mm I debated, researched and fired the Walther PPQ 9mm, Walther P99 9mm, Beretta M9A1 9mm, Beretta PX4 9mm, Heckler and Koch P30L 9mm, Smith and Wesson M&P Pro 9mm, Springfield XM Tactical 9mm, Glock 17 9mm, Glock 34 9mm and Sig Sauer P226 9mm. All of these pistols were put on trial by me at a local gun range over the course of approximately a month and all pistols had the same manufactured 200 rounds of full metal jacket put through them. The Walther PPQ was the second to the last pistol I tried and it was fantastic. The ergonomics, the recoil, the handling, the superb trigger and the extremely good accuracy. Undoubtedly the Walther PPQ wasn’t at the top of my list for a possible replacement at first but after firing it this pistol is definitely what we call, “On time and on target”. To give a little more weight to my opinion I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001-2005, worked for private contractors through the D.o.D. in the Middle East from 2005-2008, and now I am a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida. In all that time I have shot and qualified and been an expert with numerous pistols and by far the Walther PPQ is the best weapon for me. Today, I put 1,000 rounds of Fiocchi 115 grain full metal jacket through my Walther PPQ without any cleaning during the course and it did spectacular. During the firing I didn’t experience one failure to feed, failure to fire, stovepipe, magazine problem or anything. My Walther PPQ now has 1,500 rounds fired through it without a single issue. This is something I cant even say about my duty issue Glock 22. 40S&W. With my brand new duty issued Glock 22 in September 2013 I fired 1,000 rounds through the same course with Federal 180 grain full metal jacket and experienced 1 stovepipe, 1 failure to feed and 1 failure to eject properly. This pistol is so good I have decided to assist my fiancé and family in getting their hands on one and I would never recommend something to them I didn’t absolutely trust with their lives and mine. If your considering getting a pistol, do yourself a favor and at least look and try one of these wonderful pistols.
No votes yet.
Please wait...
Matt
What cam be said about this gun that has not already been stated previously? This is a flawless piece of art. It feels and shoots flawlessly. It’s craftsmanship is a hybrid of Italian design and German ingenuity After purchasing and shooting a plethora of handguns this is the ultimate resolve If one had to purchase one 9mm semiautomatic, then search no more, this is the answer.
No votes yet.
Please wait...
david paul
Outstanding gun; reliable, accurate, well made, and feels so good in hand.
No votes yet.
Please wait...
Bill Hall
Bought one yesterday after reading many reviews. For almost half the price of a Sig or H&K it is a wonderful weapon! A gun has to fit in your hand like it belongs there, this one does. A gun has to shoot straight, this one does. The only thing I have found that is better is my P08. That is a gun for the ages!
No votes yet.
Please wait...
Neal
Good enough I got rid of my Glock 23 G4 & Sig P250! My PPQ M2 40 has a better trigger, more accurate and has a great feel in the hand. A true sleeper in polymer pistols, the secret is out!
No votes yet.
Please wait...
Denny Palmer
March 24, 2015 10; pm
Had ppq 40 eight months. Fired 20 rounds 6 inches high and 2 inches left. replaced No. 4 post with No.6. Have not shot it yet. It’s a work of art. I just sit and look at it.
No votes yet.
Please wait...
DrRJP
Wow! We have two reviews on Gunsgunsguns from the House of Walther that justr happen to have the two best triggers that I have ever used out of the two dozen polymer guns that I have testest, and that also sold for under $600.
The undisputed King is the Walther PPQ, but his heir to the throne has some royal blood of its own to showcase. I’m talkng about Prince PPX.
When it first case out, out came all the detractors with the same ballistics BS we’ve come to loathe and lose.
“It looks like a ‘frikken’ Hipoint’ was the most common and the most “thought provoking” gruop of Australian Idol fans. Y’know, the “Glockodiles” who call everything “Schlock” that is not a Glock.”
Wel,, listen up meinen Herren. The PPQ makes the Glock 19 seem like a airsoft by comparison. The PPQ M2 has captured the crown of “King of Trigger Hill” as they sport the world’s best trigger for a polymer pistol at any price. Now, more amazine to me is not that the PPQ took the top spot in my trigger favs, it’s that the heir apparent to King Walther is Prince PPX.
The most amazing thing about the PPX – besides having a fantastic trigger is that, since the day that CDNN Sports placed them on sale back in Septermber 2014, they have never taken them off of sale. Their price on the PPX is an astounding $279. You want a chrome dome instead of all-black? Another 20 bills will get you there as will a 4.6 threaded barrel suppressor ready. $299? The trigger is worth the price of adminission.
Call it ugly, if it makes you feel better, but that oversized slide makes racking it child’s play. Literally, it is one of the easiest semis this side of a .22 to rack this quick. Alas, it only needs one thing. Despite its three internal safeties that Glock – yes Clock – stole from Walther’s drawing boards, the PPX has no external safeties, decockers, or any way to fully uncock the gun and send the trigger back to its one and only DA position is also like a Glock: drop the mag; unchamber the +1 round; dry fire the trigger, and Bob’s your uncle. The gun is now fully safe to store. The hammer is decocked and the trigger is back at Square One.
When you want to ready it for action, have a full mag in the well, rack the slide to load up a round, The hammer is half-cocked and a puyll on the now DA trigger will complete the cocking action and firfe the round. from then on, every subsequent shot will be done in single action mode with the trigger sitting right in the middle of the guard waiting for 4.5lbs of pressure to trip the hammer, hit the firing pin, and fire the bullet. The trigger will reset itself after only .33 millimeters of return movement, ready to rapid fire the rest of the mag.
The PPX will fire justr about everything. With its uniq
No votes yet.
Please wait...
Comments are closed.
var astra = {"break_point":"921","isRtl":"","is_scroll_to_id":"","is_scroll_to_top":"","is_header_footer_builder_active":""};
var gdrts_rating_data = {"url":"https:\/\/reloadyourgear.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","nonce":"971629d392","rtl":"","user":"0","handler":"gdrts_live_handler","ajax_error":"console","wp_version":"64"};
Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10
Walt Rauch received a BS degree from Carnegie Tech and completed service as a Special Agent in U.S. Army Intelligence. Rauch was a U.S. Secret Service Special Agent and a Philadelphia, Pa., Warrant Unit Investigator. He now operates a consulting company for defense-weapon and tactical training. Rauch & Company services include expert witness testimony on firearms use and tactics.
Pingback: Walther PPQ M2 - Mish Arms - Tampa Firearms Guns
Love the Walther PPQ M2, Have shot it and recommended it to many customers, they are all happy with it!
Bought one in 40 S@W for my wife who is small at 5-3 and not very experienced . She found it easy to hold and shoot and it took her little time to get the gun grouping where she wanted it too. Recoil was mild and didn’t bother her and she loves shooting it. I played with it as well , great trigger and it just fits the hand . I did not mind the mag release at all and my wife being new to shooting had no habits to overcome with it . Great little pistol!
Just picked up my Walther ppq-M2 in S&W.40. Great pistol with a FANTASTIC trigger. Put 50 rounds of federal down range and was hitting shotgun shells at 15 yards hand held and 16oz.bottles at 35 yards, again hand held. The way it fits my hand and that wonderful trigger has relegated my Baretta 96-m2 to second place in fun,accuracy and less recoil in just one outing. Better get one now,before the word gets out and the price goes up.
The Walther PPQ has been an absolute joy to buy, hold and most importantly, shoot. With large amounts of training I do in my private time, I try to stick with the 9mm for cost reasons and availability. After deciding I wanted to replace my Sig Sauer P229 9mm I debated, researched and fired the Walther PPQ 9mm, Walther P99 9mm, Beretta M9A1 9mm, Beretta PX4 9mm, Heckler and Koch P30L 9mm, Smith and Wesson M&P Pro 9mm, Springfield XM Tactical 9mm, Glock 17 9mm, Glock 34 9mm and Sig Sauer P226 9mm. All of these pistols were put on trial by me at a local gun range over the course of approximately a month and all pistols had the same manufactured 200 rounds of full metal jacket put through them. The Walther PPQ was the second to the last pistol I tried and it was fantastic. The ergonomics, the recoil, the handling, the superb trigger and the extremely good accuracy. Undoubtedly the Walther PPQ wasn’t at the top of my list for a possible replacement at first but after firing it this pistol is definitely what we call, “On time and on target”. To give a little more weight to my opinion I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2001-2005, worked for private contractors through the D.o.D. in the Middle East from 2005-2008, and now I am a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida. In all that time I have shot and qualified and been an expert with numerous pistols and by far the Walther PPQ is the best weapon for me. Today, I put 1,000 rounds of Fiocchi 115 grain full metal jacket through my Walther PPQ without any cleaning during the course and it did spectacular. During the firing I didn’t experience one failure to feed, failure to fire, stovepipe, magazine problem or anything. My Walther PPQ now has 1,500 rounds fired through it without a single issue. This is something I cant even say about my duty issue Glock 22. 40S&W. With my brand new duty issued Glock 22 in September 2013 I fired 1,000 rounds through the same course with Federal 180 grain full metal jacket and experienced 1 stovepipe, 1 failure to feed and 1 failure to eject properly. This pistol is so good I have decided to assist my fiancé and family in getting their hands on one and I would never recommend something to them I didn’t absolutely trust with their lives and mine. If your considering getting a pistol, do yourself a favor and at least look and try one of these wonderful pistols.
What cam be said about this gun that has not already been stated previously? This is a flawless piece of art. It feels and shoots flawlessly. It’s craftsmanship is a hybrid of Italian design and German ingenuity After purchasing and shooting a plethora of handguns this is the ultimate resolve If one had to purchase one 9mm semiautomatic, then search no more, this is the answer.
Outstanding gun; reliable, accurate, well made, and feels so good in hand.
Bought one yesterday after reading many reviews. For almost half the price of a Sig or H&K it is a wonderful weapon! A gun has to fit in your hand like it belongs there, this one does. A gun has to shoot straight, this one does. The only thing I have found that is better is my P08. That is a gun for the ages!
Good enough I got rid of my Glock 23 G4 & Sig P250! My PPQ M2 40 has a better trigger, more accurate and has a great feel in the hand. A true sleeper in polymer pistols, the secret is out!
March 24, 2015 10; pm
Had ppq 40 eight months. Fired 20 rounds 6 inches high and 2 inches left. replaced No. 4 post with No.6. Have not shot it yet. It’s a work of art. I just sit and look at it.
Wow! We have two reviews on Gunsgunsguns from the House of Walther that justr happen to have the two best triggers that I have ever used out of the two dozen polymer guns that I have testest, and that also sold for under $600.
The undisputed King is the Walther PPQ, but his heir to the throne has some royal blood of its own to showcase. I’m talkng about Prince PPX.
When it first case out, out came all the detractors with the same ballistics BS we’ve come to loathe and lose.
“It looks like a ‘frikken’ Hipoint’ was the most common and the most “thought provoking” gruop of Australian Idol fans. Y’know, the “Glockodiles” who call everything “Schlock” that is not a Glock.”
Wel,, listen up meinen Herren. The PPQ makes the Glock 19 seem like a airsoft by comparison. The PPQ M2 has captured the crown of “King of Trigger Hill” as they sport the world’s best trigger for a polymer pistol at any price. Now, more amazine to me is not that the PPQ took the top spot in my trigger favs, it’s that the heir apparent to King Walther is Prince PPX.
The most amazing thing about the PPX – besides having a fantastic trigger is that, since the day that CDNN Sports placed them on sale back in Septermber 2014, they have never taken them off of sale. Their price on the PPX is an astounding $279. You want a chrome dome instead of all-black? Another 20 bills will get you there as will a 4.6 threaded barrel suppressor ready. $299? The trigger is worth the price of adminission.
Call it ugly, if it makes you feel better, but that oversized slide makes racking it child’s play. Literally, it is one of the easiest semis this side of a .22 to rack this quick. Alas, it only needs one thing. Despite its three internal safeties that Glock – yes Clock – stole from Walther’s drawing boards, the PPX has no external safeties, decockers, or any way to fully uncock the gun and send the trigger back to its one and only DA position is also like a Glock: drop the mag; unchamber the +1 round; dry fire the trigger, and Bob’s your uncle. The gun is now fully safe to store. The hammer is decocked and the trigger is back at Square One.
When you want to ready it for action, have a full mag in the well, rack the slide to load up a round, The hammer is half-cocked and a puyll on the now DA trigger will complete the cocking action and firfe the round. from then on, every subsequent shot will be done in single action mode with the trigger sitting right in the middle of the guard waiting for 4.5lbs of pressure to trip the hammer, hit the firing pin, and fire the bullet. The trigger will reset itself after only .33 millimeters of return movement, ready to rapid fire the rest of the mag.
The PPX will fire justr about everything. With its uniq