[jlf599]

I wandered through a gun show a week or so ago just looking for a new holster and .40S&W ammo for my XD40. I picked up a Taurus 709 and was interested in it but didn't really want to get stuck looking for a 3rd kind of ammo. I mentioned that hesitation to the shop owner. He reached under the table and pulled out a Walther PPS in .40S&W he had set aside for someone who never came back to get it.

I'd done some research on it already and found that I liked it. It followed me home. I cleaned it the other night and if it'll ever stop raining I'll go out to the range and put it through its paces. It is SKINNY...which is good since I'm not.

Here it is disassembled and about to be cleaned...

[Lobo0311]

Not a bad looking piece of hardware. Can't wait for a range report.

[jashoffa]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Lobo0311

Not a bad looking piece of hardware. Can't wait for a range report.

I would like to hear as well. Other than ads for it I haven't heard much about it.

[KW Gary M]

I look forward to a report too. I am very close to buying a 709 "Slim" but like the extra power of as .40 if I can have it. I carry a .40 XD Subcompact now.

[jlf599]

So I finally got to the range today. And it was a beautiful day for it!

I took my Springfield XD .40 Subcompact and the PPS .40 to compare to each other. I actually had the PPS in my small of the back IWB holster going out and it was much more comfortable than the XD in jeans, t-shirt, and light fleece vest.

I only have the 6 shot clip right now. I have a 5 and a 7 on order. The spring in the clip is a thumb buster. Damn my hand hurts from reloading so much today. Anyway...

Before going out, I have it a complete cleaning and lubing. I had read a thread on the PPS Forum about proper setup to avoid a lot of the common issues with the PPS (thread here: PPS Owners Forum - PPS Observations).

I put about 200 rounds of Winchester FMJ through and 20 HydroShoks. On my first few targets, it really wanted to pull down and to the right. I had a bear of a time correcting it. I did have three "last shot misloads" as they talk about on the PPS forum. It only happened in the first 50 or 60 rounds and only when I loaded the mag to capacity. Several members of the PPS forum noted the same thing and also noted that as the magazine got some use it stopped - I found the same thing. It didn't happen again after the first 50 or 60 rounds. I had zero misfires or jams outside of those three last shot hangs.

I switched to my XD and was centering back up. It also has more recoil than my XD, but it's not a dealbreaker by a long shot (no pun intended).

Switching back, recovery between shots took a little longer, but I started getting dialed in to all torso shots.

On the last target, I went for speed...firing as fast as I could get back into position after the previous shot. I had some wild shots to start off with, but I mostly stayed center. The last target is below.

A couple of folks were out at the range today today...nice folks that let me check out their weapons (and vice versa). I also shot a Taurus 100SS (.40S&W), a Ruger P89 9mm, a Taurus Judge .410, and an AR15. Shooting the AR15 was pretty amazing...ZERO recoil. I'm getting sidetracked...

My final summary - I'm very pleased with it and would buy it again. The small size is great for concealed carry. The recoil is more than my XD, but very livable. Once you get used to the recovery time between shots, I could get fairly accurate. The size is comparable to the PT709 (which is the other pistol I considered for summer weight concealed carry) - but for the similar footprint, I liked the punch of the .40 more and also since I already have a .40, it's one less type of ammo to buy. The trigger pull is a little stiffer than the XD, but given that there are no other safeties other than the trigger safety, I'm okay with that. Between snap caps and today's firing, I know how much pressure it needs. It breaks down quickly and easily for cleaning...and it just generally feels well built. I have no reservations about it.

My last target is below - this is about 18 yards distance going for speed.

[mitchr]

I think he's a dead guy for sure.

[KW Gary M]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jlf599

So I finally got to the range today. And it was a beautiful day for it! I took my Springfield XD .40 Subcompact and the PPS .40 to compare to each other. I actually had the PPS in my small of the back IWB holster going out and it was much more comfortable than the XD in jeans, t-shirt, and light fleece vest. I only have the 6 shot clip right now. I have a 5 and a 7 on order. The spring in the clip is a thumb buster. Damn my hand hurts from reloading so much today. Anyway... Before going out, I have it a complete cleaning and lubing. I had read a thread on the PPS Forum about proper setup to avoid a lot of the common issues with the PPS (thread here: PPS Owners Forum - PPS Observations). I put about 200 rounds of Winchester FMJ through and 20 HydroShoks. On my first few targets, it really wanted to pull down and to the right. I had a bear of a time correcting it. I did have three "last shot misloads" as they talk about on the PPS forum. It only happened in the first 50 or 60 rounds and only when I loaded the mag to capacity. Several members of the PPS forum noted the same thing and also noted that as the magazine got some use it stopped - I found the same thing. It didn't happen again after the first 50 or 60 rounds. I had zero misfires or jams outside of those three last shot hangs. I switched to my XD and was centering back up. It also has more recoil than my XD, but it's not a dealbreaker by a long shot (no pun intended). Switching back, recovery between shots took a little longer, but I started getting dialed in to all torso shots. On the last target, I went for speed...firing as fast as I could get back into position after the previous shot. I had some wild shots to start off with, but I mostly stayed center. The last target is below. A couple of folks were out at the range today today...nice folks that let me check out their weapons (and vice versa). I also shot a Taurus 100SS (.40S&W), a Ruger P89 9mm, a Taurus Judge .410, and an AR15. Shooting the AR15 was pretty amazing...ZERO recoil. I'm getting sidetracked... My final summary - I'm very pleased with it and would buy it again. The small size is great for concealed carry. The recoil is more than my XD, but very livable. Once you get used to the recovery time between shots, I could get fairly accurate. The size is comparable to the PT709 (which is the other pistol I considered for summer weight concealed carry) - but for the similar footprint, I liked the punch of the .40 more and also since I already have a .40, it's one less type of ammo to buy. The trigger pull is a little stiffer than the XD, but given that there are no other safeties other than the trigger safety, I'm okay with that. Between snap caps and today's firing, I know how much pressure it needs. It breaks down quickly and easily for cleaning...and it just generally feels well built. I have no reservations about it. My last target is below - this is about 18 yards distance going for speed.

My big question, if you had it to do over again, considering the price, would you buy that PPS or go the cheap rout with the slim? Then throw in another option at $150ish more, Para Warthog? I want to buy one of them in the next day or two.

Thanks,
G

[jlf599]

Quote:       Originally Posted by KW Gary M

My big question, if you had it to do over again, considering the price, would you buy that PPS or go the cheap rout with the slim? Then throw in another option at $150ish more, Para Warthog? I want to buy one of them in the next day or two. Thanks, G

I'd buy the PPS again. A big factor in that is that it's .40S&W. The Taurus was a fine feeling pistol (never shot one), but the Walther just felt better to me.

I've not seen a Para Warthog in person, though I did look at them online as I was searching for small concealed carry guns. I almost like the Springfield EMP more just from specs. Part of my thing is actually holding the gun in my hand, even if I don't get to fire it. It's actually how I ended up with the XD Subcompact instead of a PT140 or Glock.

I'm not ruling out buying a 709 Slim at some future point anyway, but I'd still want the PPS, too.

[KW Gary M]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jlf599

I'd buy the PPS again. A big factor in that is that it's .40S&W. The Taurus was a fine feeling pistol (never shot one), but the Walther just felt better to me. I've not seen a Para Warthog in person, though I did look at them online as I was searching for small concealed carry guns. I almost like the Springfield EMP more just from specs. Part of my thing is actually holding the gun in my hand, even if I don't get to fire it. It's actually how I ended up with the XD Subcompact instead of a PT140 or Glock. I'm not ruling out buying a 709 Slim at some future point anyway, but I'd still want the PPS, too.

I'll have to look into the PPS more. We agree on the XD vrs Glock for sure. When I bought my XD Subcompact I rented the XD Sub, Glock and M&P. It took about 10 rounds to decide I didn't like Glock at all. Then it was XD or M&P which was a tough decision but I just liked the feel of the XD better. I am very happy with my choice.