Walther PPS M2 Review

Walther rolled out the original PPS in 2007. In many ways, it was the epitome of the single stack, polymer compact pistol. It had a standard 6 round 9mm magazine (with options for extended seven or eight round magazines), three dot sights, and it was available in either 9mm or .40 S&W versions. The PPS (or PPS Classic as it is now known) sold well. In 2016, Walther rolled out an updated version, the PPS M2.

Walther PPS vs PPS M2

The PPS M2 differs from the PPS Classic in a number of ways. Aside from the obvious redesign of the outside, the PPS M2 does not require a specialized tool for takedown, nor does it have the PPS Classic’s under-mounted rail section for mounting lights or lasers. Walther also did away with the PPS Classic’s paddle-style magazine release and replaced the interchangeable backstraps with a contoured, textured grip on the M2. In addition to this, the magazines are not compatible between the two guns.

The change from the Classic to the M2 may have changed the gun’s looks, but the M2 still has all the features you expect in a compact polymer single stack pistol. The PPS M2 retains the options for six, seven, or eight round magazines, and is only available in 9mm. The PPS M2 pistol also has three dot sights like the PPS Classic. The rifling inside the barrel is polygonal, versus the traditional lands and grooves in the PPS Classic’s barrel.

First Impressions of the Walther PPS M2

The ergonomics and feel of the Walther PPS M2 really set it apart from the rest of the guns in our test. The gun felt great in my hands, which doesn’t always translate into a gun that feels good on the range. This is not the case with the PPS M2. The gun was very comfortable to hold and shoot. This made keeping the sights on-target a breeze, even when doing rapid fire.

The three sizes of magazines for the PPS M2 are a nice touch, as that allows you to customize the size of your gun in your holster. The six round magazine greatly reduces the pistol’s height. Taller pistols are easier to spot when concealed, so having an option that optimizes concealment over ammunition capacity is a nice touch. If you need a bit more firepower, the pistol ships with a seven round magazine, and an eight round magazine is available from Walther.

Speaking of concealment, the PPS M2 is another one of the guns in our test that is just a bit too large for pocket carry. However, it’s just right for concealed carry on your waistband, and should do well as a home defense pistol as well. The PPS M2 is available in either black or Flat Dark Earth, and also has options for night sights or a factory-mounted laser sight or red dot sight.

Range Impressions

On the range, the PPS M2 was definitely easier to control when using the extended seven or eight round magazine. The little bit of extra length made it easier to get a proper firing grip on the pistol. Unless concealing your pistol is your primary concern, the seven or eight round magazines should be your first choice with this gun.

Taking an average of 5.4 ounces to pull, the trigger on the Walther PPS M2 was one of the heaviest in our tests. However, when it comes to what makes a good trigger, trigger weight is just one factor in the equation. While it did take more effort to engage the trigger on the PPS M2 than other guns in our test, the feel of the trigger was quite nice. The break is crisp, and the reset (the length of travel for the trigger to be ready to shoot again) was quite short. The feel of the trigger, plus the security of the grip and the ergonomics of the gun itself, made for a very easy gun to shoot. There are not many guns in this test that I would consider shooting 500+ rounds through during a multiple-day training class. The Walther PPS M2 is one of them.

Walther PPS M2 Accuracy

From a bench rest at 15 yards, the Walther PPS M2 averaged three inch diameter groups. Those results are about average for a gun of this type, and represent a level of inherent accuracy sufficient for defensive purposes. That only tells half the story, though. Because the gun is comfortable to hold and the trigger easy to work, it was easy to get the pistol back on-target during rapid fire drills.

Ammo Test Results

To test the accuracy of the Walther PPS M2, we fired 20 rounds each of three common types of 9mm ammo, firing four groups of five shots each. The results of our test are as follows:

American Eagle 115 Grain FMJ
Average Group Size: 2.28 inches
Minimum Group Size: 1.4 inches
Maximum Group Size: 2.7 inches

Average Velocity: 1134 fps

Wolf 115 Grain FMJ
Average Group Size: 3.2 inches
Minimum Group Size: 2.7 inches
Maximum Group Size: 3.9 inches
Average Velocity: 1053 fps

Federal 147 Grain HST JHP
Average Group Size: 3.53 inches
Minimum Group Size: 3.1 inches
Maximum Group Size: 4.4 inches
Average Velocity: 975 fps

Overall Average Group Size: 3 inches

Reliability

The Walther PPS M2 fired all 300 rounds in our reliability test with no issues. The gun functioned as designed, with no problems inserting magazines, releasing magazines, or any other mechanical function. As I said before, the ergonomics and the comfortable grip on this gun make it easy to shoot for hours on end.