{"id":422757,"date":"2024-05-06T15:00:14","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T20:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=422757"},"modified":"2025-12-17T15:39:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T21:39:51","slug":"the-walther-pps-m2-still-a-good-choice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/the-walther-pps-m2-still-a-good-choice\/","title":{"rendered":"The Walther PPS M2: Still a Good Choice?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Walther PPS helped create the single stack subcompact concealed carry pistol trend. The PPS hit the market in 2007 and, despite less-than-stellar looks, was an immediate success. True to the Walther reputation, the PPS combined accuracy, reliability, and concealability to provide a superior concealed carry experience. The PPS M2 arrived nine years later with improved ergonomics, an easier takedown process, and sexier lines. The PPS M2 is perhaps the slim single stack 9mm by which all others are judged, but its reign was fleeting thanks to the double stack Sig P365\u2019s arrival in 2018.<\/p>\n

\"Walther
Does the Walther PPS M2 deserve a place in your system? (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sig Sauer P365<\/a> and P365XL offered considerably more rounds in a comparably sized frame and slide, prompting many concealed carriers, including me, to change. So, is the single-stack PPS M2 still a viable concealed carry choice, or has its usefulness fallen by the wayside? The answer is obviously subjective, but let\u2019s look at the Walther, see what it offers, and I\u2019ll tell you how I\u2019ve kept it in my system.<\/p>\n

The Police Pistol Slim (PPS)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Walther Police Pistol line goes all the way back to the original 1929 Polizeipistole<\/em> (PP) designed by Fritz Walther. It continues today with Walther\u2019s Police Duty Pistol (PDP). The PPS is sometimes portrayed as a modern PP or PPK. It\u2019s a fair comparison, though the PPS won\u2019t likely achieve its ancestors\u2019 iconic status.<\/p>\n

But the roles are certainly similar. Small, concealable duty pistols for policemen or detectives, as well as convenient civilian carry guns. The PPS M2\u2019s frame even hints at the PP and PPK\u2019s distinctive taper forward of the trigger guard. But the operation is very different, which is a topic for another day.<\/p>\n

The Walther PPS M2<\/a> is a polymer-framed, striker-fired semiautomatic pistol chambered for 9mm Luger. Walther also offered the original PPS in .40 S&W, but the M2 ditched the larger caliber. The original, now called the PPS M1, also had the ambidextrous trigger guard-mounted paddle mag release, a feature I love, but the M2 is only available with the familiar push button release. The button is not ambidextrous, nor is it reversible. That mag release is the one thing I like less about the M2 compared to the M1. I expect most of you will disagree with me there.<\/p>\n

The M2 also didn’t keep the original\u2019s one-slot rail section under the barrel. I can\u2019t say how useful that rail was, but at least you had an option. The tapered-frame aesthetic replaced it. Judge that how you will.<\/p>\n

PPS M2 Improvements
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

But the M2 is an overall better gun. First, The M2\u2019s grip is light years ahead of its predecessor\u2019s. The PPQ-style stippling is exactly how I like it, though many folks prefer something more aggressive. Either way, it beats the M1\u2019s dimpled grip. The thin, blocky shape is gone, replaced by nice contours, a generous palm swell, and shallow finger grooves.<\/p>\n

\"Walther
The PPS M2 features improved ergonomics, a better slide, a new mag release, and optional extended mags. The 8 and 6-round mags are pictured here. (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The M2 also dumped the \u201cQuicksafe\u201d striker disconnect function, which simplified the newer pistol\u2019s takedown process. The M2 disassembles like most other polymer striker-fired guns. Another addition was the easily visible rear cocking indicator. Yes, I agree that shooters should know whether their gun is cocked. But I don\u2019t mind an extra way to be certain. The indicator can be verified by touch in the dark, but it\u2019s not prominent, so you\u2019ll need to practice it in the light to get the proper feel. The PPS also has a top chamber viewport, which I like.<\/p>\n

The M2\u2019s slide is also better, with front cocking serrations added for more positive operation. The trigger still has the blade safety, but its face is a little wider, making it more comfortable and easier to run. The trigger itself is fine if nothing special. It breaks at about 6 lbs. after a little more take-up than I like, being used to the PPQ. The reset is also noticeably longer than the PPQ, but the break on follow-up shots is pretty good. I\u2019m probably being a little harder on the trigger than I should, but the PPQ spoiled me.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll also add that the M2 is much more aesthetically pleasing than the M1. I know it doesn\u2019t matter, but everything else being equal, I like my guns to look good. The PPS M2 looks good. I suppose I should include the button mag release as an improvement since most American shooters see it that way. Fine, I did it. I still like the paddle better, if only for its ambidexterity.<\/p>\n

The PPS M2 at the Range<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The PPS was my first subcompact pistol, and I was a bit skeptical of how it would shoot. I needn\u2019t have worried. The grip locks naturally in my hand, and the recoil is lighter than I anticipated. There was certainly some muzzle flip, but the superior grip made it very manageable. My only issue there is that my pinky finger won\u2019t fit on the flush 6-round mag. But it\u2019s a subcompact, and firearms always have trade-offs. I get my full grip on the extended 7 and 8-round mags.<\/p>\n

\"Walther
The PPS M2 offers full grips on both extended mags but not the 6-rounder (left). (Author’s Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The gun is more accurate than I am, which is the norm with quality modern handguns. I don\u2019t practice with the PPS as much as I did, but I could regularly hold two-inch groups at 7 yards when it was my primary carry gun. Not Jerry Miculek, but it works for me. I\u2019m still not far off that mark now. As I said before, the trigger is comfortable and pretty good, though I think my P365XL\u2019s flat-faced trigger is a little better. But to be fair, a carry gun shouldn\u2019t have a competition trigger.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hit the PPS M2\u2019s specs before getting into how it carries and how I use it now.<\/p>\n

Walther PPS M2 Specifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n