Walther PPS M2 [Hands-on Review 2022]

If you want to shoot like James Bond does, the Walther PPS M2 is for you. This handgun is a groundbreaking yet practical piece of hardware combining a great concealed carry option with unrivaled accuracy and comfort.

I’ve had plenty of time with it and, the more I shoot it, the more convinced I am that it is one of the best compact handguns available.

The Walther PPS series is designed to exceed all expectations and provide the best shooting experience possible. It’s a single-stack, 9mm handgun, similar to the Glock 43 and Smith & Wesson (S&W) Shield. It’s extremely dependable and simple to use. It also comes at a decent price as it’s usually found for less than $400.

You can either proceed to the reviews or read on for more information on the Walther PPS M2.

Quick History About the Walther PPS M2

The Walther PPS, which stands for Polizei-Pistole Schmal or Police Pistol Slim, is a semi-automatic pistol designed for concealed carry by the German company Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen of Ulm. It comes in either 919mm Parabellum or.40 S&W chamberings. It debuted in 2007 at the IWA & Outdoor Classics and it’s a slim polymer-framed weapon similar in size to the Walther PPK pistol. The PPS, on the other hand, is based on the Walther P99 pistol.

Walther PPS pistols are manufactured in Ulm, Germany, and are imported into the United States by Walther Arms. The PPS pistols are also manufactured in Poland under the license of Fabryka Broni Radom.

Variants

In the U.S., four PPS models are currently available for purchase. Two are chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, part number WAP10001 for the standard model and part number WAP10006 for the Massachusetts compliant model, and two are chambered in.40 S&W, part number WAP10002 for the standard model and part number WAP10007 for the Massachusetts compliant model. 

Previously, a 9mm version with “First Edition” printed on the slide and a blue-tinted frame was available, part number WAWAP10003FC. Models in the U.S. are currently sold in plastic hard cases with both backstraps and two magazines. A seven and eight-round capacity in 9mm and six- and seven-round capacity in .40 S&W.

M2 Series

Walther Arms introduced the PPS M2 in 9x19mm Parabellum in 2016. They later offered it in other chamberings as well, but as of 2018, it has never been available in any other caliber. The general ergonomic design of the PPS M2 is like the Walther PPQ M2 series. The dimensions of the M2 series are similar to those of the original PPS variants.  

The Market for This Gun

The Walther PPS M2 is an excellent choice of weapon for law enforcement and military use. For 130 years, the name “WALTHER” has been strongly linked with police pistols. It keeps selling in this market as the gun keeps delivering impressive performance. 

There are several reasons why subcompact single-stack 9mm pistols are the most popular self-defense handguns on the market today. The top two for me are, they are easy to conceal and comfortable to wear all day. 

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Walther PPS M2 Specifications

Features:

Hands-on Look and Feel

Build

The Walther PPS M2 is crafted with a corrosion-resistant Tenifer matte black coating. This dependable striker-fired platform has a slim, lightweight profile. The handgun has a short, smooth, and consistent trigger pull as well as a tactile reset. All in all, it is simple to operate and a joy to use.

The legendary Walther barrel and an internal steel chassis that provides superior slide-to-frame fit are the keys to the PPS M2’s accuracy.

This subcompact single-stack 9mm pistol appears to be top-heavy, but when you use it, you can tell that it’s not. 

When it was first introduced, the PPS series changed the industry by presenting a polymer single-stack concealed carry pistol establishing a trend that is still popular today. The PPS M2 is an improved version of the original design, measuring only 1-inch thick. 

Grip

The PPS M2 has a completely recontoured grip that feels less blocky and more contoured to the shape of the human hand. I believe that it is more ergonomically sound. The frame could use a more aggressive texture to improve grip, but that could be said about almost any of these small pistols. I have a large collection of used and handled firearms. For me, the PPS M2 is fantastic, and it is one of my favorite pistols.

The Magazine

Magazines are another feature that distinguishes the PPS M2 from its competitors. Walther produces six-round flush-fit magazines as well as seven- and eight-round extended magazines.

The PPS M2 uses a standard, button-magazine release and rounder ergonomics similar to those found in the incredibly comfortable PPQ and other Walther pistols.

The feel of the pistol changes dramatically with grip length, allowing almost any shooter to achieve a comfortable grip.

Size

This PPS M2 is small and fits in my pocket. It’s 4.4 inches by 4.91 inches and has a seven-round magazine. It’s one of the most comfortable handguns to carry anywhere. But it’s still preferable to have a holster for your safety and to keep the gun safe as well. 

Trigger

The PPS M2 has been given a consistent boost over the predecessor. The M2’s pull weight is listed as 6.1 pounds, and it has a short, audible, and tactile reset, which is very nice. This new PPS M2 also has front cocking serrations and as mentioned a quick-response trigger.

The Striker

Walther dropped the original PPS’s unusual “QuickSafe” striker-disconnect feature. As a result, this design now included an interchangeable backstrap. It’ll serve as a safety, decocking and blocking the striker when the backstrap is removed. That is why it provides so much benefit and usage.

I am pleased to see that my favorite feature from the original PPS, the striker indicator, is still on the M2. When the trigger is pulled, a small rod-like piece protrudes from the slide’s backplate. 

Maintenance 

Field Stripping

It couldn’t be easier to field-strip the PPS M2. Clear the weapon, dry-fire the empty gun, and pull the ambidextrous takedown lever down. The slide advances by a quarter inch. Remove the slide, wash it, rinse it, and replace it as outlined below. A 3/4-length steel slide rail on the right side of the polymer pistol is a good sign for long-term reliability and quality. The left side has two smaller rail sections that help keep the slide in place.

Cleaning Tools

Here are the cleaning supplies you’ll need for your Walther PPS pistol. There are numerous cleaning products available, so I’ll list the ones I’ve used for years without any problems:

Unload the Gun

This is the most important step. Press the magazine release button to eject any magazines that are still in the gun, and then remove the round in the chamber. Don’t forget to do it in that order. First, magazine, then empty the chamber. Remove all ammo from the area.

Clean the Parts With Hoppes No. 9 Solvent

Clean the Gun Frame

Lubricate the Walther PPS

Using a quality lubricant, such as FrogLube, Slip 2000 (my preference as this is thicker than most and stays on the gun a long time), or Tri-Flow Superior Lubricant, apply just a drop to the frame, rails, and trigger control area:

Walther PPS M2 Accessories

What else should you add to your gun to make it more efficient and awesome? Accessories of course! You can purchase the holsters, grips, sights, and magazines, and other optional extras separately. 

A good holster and gun grip allow you to draw quickly and easily at all times and conditions.

My go-to upgrade for any weapon is a good set of sights or optics.

Another good accessory that you can invest in is a magazine, which will improve your preparedness. It also provides you with an extra sense of security in the form of more rounds for your target. 

Shooting the Walther PPS M2

The more I worked with the M2, the more I liked it. I completed approximately 150 rounds with no failures of any kind. The recoil was controlled easily and follow-up shots were quick and simple to retarget.

For me, the extension that comes with the larger magazines gave me more control. It was a pretty awkward grip for my pinky when using the flush magazine. 

The factory sights worked fine, but they are an area of the gun I’m definitely looking to upgrade.

As I said before, the trigger is one of the strong points of this gun. The pull was smooth and had just the right resistance.

Competition

The Walther PPS M2 is well-known and has a solid presence in the market today. Take a look at our article covering the 5 Best Compact 9mm Pistols for a more extensive look at the competing guns.

Worth mentioning here is the SIG Sauer P365. The P365 is crafted with a stainless-steel frame, carbon-steel barrel and weighs 17.8 ounces. It has a patented modified double-stack magazine with full-size capacities of 10+1, 12+1, or 15+1. Because of its ergonomic design, it is easier to shoot with than typical pocket-sized pistols, with a clean, crisp trigger pull. The P365 is quickly becoming one of the industry’s most desired firearms.  

If you compare it with the PPS M2 you see that they’re both stylish, compact, and easy to use. They’re both accurate and when it comes to concealment, these two are at the top of the list. However, you can usually find the PPS M2 for less than the P365.

Final Thoughts

The M2 is well-suited to concealed carry. It is large enough to shoot accurately while remaining compact and thin enough to conceal easily. That’s why this type of pistol is so popular. It also comes at a reasonable price. This gun didn’t disappoint, and I had a great time shooting it. You can also try to compare it to other pistols to see how impressive the Walther PPS M2 is. Stay safe out there and have fun shooting.

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