Test: Walther PPS M2 - the performance of the pistol after the technical and optical facelift

The technical modifications of the Walther PPS pistol in detail

Walther PPS M2 pistol disassembled
It always goes apart: slide, barrel with modified Browning locking system, telescopic recoil unit with double spring, grip and one of three corresponding magazines, here the L-sized one with a eight round capacity.

One of the big differences to the predecessor is immediately recognizable: in the course of this operation, the PPS also received serrations on the front of the slide. Then the Picatinny rail on the dust cover was omitted to save space. Instead, this section now tapers downwards from both sides. The magazine release lever on both sides of the trigger guard has also been removed. There is now a classic magazine button on the left-hand side of the grip (which is why the beautified PPS was given the additional designation M2). The option to remove the backstrap to decock was also deleted. In general, the grip is completely new, so that the fans of the original PPS discussing in the relevant Internet forums missed the unmistakable original design. However, Walther’s relaunch was about what the advertising world knows as corporate Identity. In other words, a consciously chosen design to emphasize the recognizability within a model series, in this case the relationship to the PPQ model series. After all, the characteristic oblique contour of the ejection port and the useful loaded chamber indicator have been retained.

Walther PPS M2 compact: technical data and price

Model:

Walther PPS M2

Price:

749 euro (Price may vary in your country due to VAT and import duty)

Caliber: 9 mm Luger
Capacity:6/7/8 + 1 cartridges
Barrel length:3.2”/ 81 mm
Dimensions (L x W x H):6.33 x 1.02 x 4.33* in (161 x 26 x 110* mm)
Trigger pull weight:97 oz / 2750 g
Weight:21.23*, 21.62**, 21.76*** oz (602*, 613**, 617*** g)
Design:Polymer-framed pistol with striker-fired action and modified Browning locking system. *with S-magazine, **with M-magazine, ***with L-magazine
The rear sight of the Walther PPS M2
The sights come with a luminous three dot system. The rear sight has a 4.6 mm notch and is drift-adjustable.

Walther PPS M2: results of our firing test

The testers were excited to visit the shooting range. Because all the PPS versions tested so far, whether generation one or two, had performed brilliantly in terms of accuracy. To cut a long story short: it was the same with the PPS M2. An excellent group of 1.41”/ 36 mm in diameter (-3 points) was proof of this. When it came to cycling/safety, the small single-stack model would also have collected full points, if it hadn't been for the fact that you have to pull the trigger to disassemble the gun, which is annoying. The tester team considers this a safety risk (-1 P.). As for the trigger itself, it was the real drawback in the whole thing: it creeps, it feels spongy and 2 out of 3 testers felt it to be clearly too heavy (-3 p.) even before the actual measurement of the trigger pull weight (97 oz / 2750 g).

The front sigh of the Walther PPS M2
The front sight is screwed from the inside. On the PPS slide there are also front serrations now. The dust cover rail is gone.

The new grip looked great. But one examiner was disturbed by the surface, which felt too smooth to him, and the grip was simply too narrow (-2 p.). There was no criticism of the shortness of the part however - on the contrary: Walther provides 3 different magazines with the designations S, M and L meaning that they not only increase capacity, but also extend the grip and can adapt to the respective hand size. Unfortunately, the magazines produced in Italy came with a blued body and not with a coated one. This, together with the noticeable slide play, made itself felt in the balance of fit and finish (-3 p.). The sights, on the other hand, were first-class: drift adjustable, clear sight picture (front sight width: 0.14”/ 3.7 mm, rear sight notch: 0.18”/ 4.6 mm), plus the luminous 3 dots – all great (-0 P.). And also the easily accessible and usable controls were excellent, the disassembly lever can be grasped from both sides, the magazine button is reversible. The slide stop lever is only on one side, but that isn't a disadvantage for compact and subcompact guns (-0 P.).

Walther PPS M2 -  our test results in points:

Rating 
Points
Accuracy (max. 50 points) 47 points
Cycling/safety (max. 10 P.) 9 points
Trigger characteristics (max. 10 P.) 7 points
Grip design (max. 5 p.) 3 points
Controls (max. 10 P.) 10 points
Sights (max. 5 P.) 5 points
Fit and finish (max. 10 p.) 7 points
Total points (max. 100 P.) 88 points
Test result 
Very good
Rating 
5 of 6

Walther PPS M2: wrap-up of the facelift in our opinion

Bottom line: even after its "cosmetic operation", the PPS is undoubtedly one of the best polymer guns in its class. It is outstanding for its shooting accuracy and sights. The Walther PPS M2 comes in the generally accepted plastic case. In addition to the three magazines mentioned, the case also contains a multilingual operating manual and a test target.


For more information about the slim Walther pistol please visit the manufacturer’s website.

all4shooters.com already published tests of the following pistol:

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