Walther PPQ Review [2024]: 9mm 5in Variant

Walther doesn’t get the respect they deserve. They are one of those underrated companies that I can’t help but love. Part of that love comes from guns like the PPQ, specifically the five-inch model. Today, I’m going to dive in this Walther PPQ review and examine why it blows Glock out of the water.

I reviewed the Walther PPQ a couple of years ago, but recently, I had the opportunity to spend more time with it. After firing a few hundred rounds, my perspective on the PPQ has shifted slightly. Let’s explore this updated review and see what’s changed!

The World of Walther 

As a former Marine, I can attest to the precision and reliability that firearms like the Walther PPQ bring to the table. Walther, or more properly Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen, has been around since 1886 and has always been a bit of a pioneer. They are a household name due to their association with super-spy James Bond, a history buff’s best friend, and a refined option for someone who wants the best striker-fired, polymer-frame pistol on the market. 

The Walther PPQ, a descendant of previous Walther pistols like the P99, stands out as a single-action-only striker-fired gun, unlike its predecessor. The PPQ originally came with a four-inch barrel, but Walther introduced the M2 variant with a five-inch barrel in response to requests from law enforcement for a better police pistol.

Since law enforcement doesn’t have a concealed carry requirement, the extra inch is nothing but a benefit. That benefit is a longer sight radius that improves accuracy, more weight, less recoil and muzzle rise, and even a little extra velocity. 

From that perspective, it was made for the law enforcement market but fits well in the home defense and even competition realm. Those use cases don’t require concealment, and the extra size can be a major benefit to the end-user. 

The PPQ series offers shooters a modern pistol. Walther has released it in 9mm, 40 S&W, and even 45 ACP. However, the 5-inch model is limited to 9mm. The double-stack magazine tosses you 15 rounds of 9mm. Predictably the gun’s outfitted with a rail for adding lights, lasers, and even cupholders. 

It’s a perfectly capable pistol ready out of the box for various roles. 

Walther PPQ Review – Our Take

Let’s start by talking about accuracy. Of all the stock polymer frame pistols on the market, the Walther PPQ M2 5 inch seems to be built from the ground up for accuracy. The 5-inch barrel and accommodating sight radius push the weapon to a different level of duty pistols. Combine that long sight radius with the famed PPQ trigger, and you get something magical. 

I had a drink of very nice scotch a long time ago, and ever since then, I’ve never been able to go back to the swill I can afford. The PPQ trigger is like that. Once you’ve felt the crispness, short trigger pull, positive reset, and overall awesomeness of the quick defense trigger, going back to a standard trigger just isn’t the same.

The PPQ has a terrific trigger blows away every striker-fired trigger on the market. It takes the most refined SAO triggers on. If I could add a red dot to this handgun, I would be able to split hairs. The trigger travel is .4 inches, and that’s it. At ten yards in the off-hand, I can land four rounds into one ragged, four-leaf clover-looking hole. At 20 yards, I’m putting a round between the eyes of my Sage Dynamics targets. At 50 yards, I’m ringing a ten-inch gong pretty dang consistently.

Getting Groovy 

Walther seems to understand how the human hand works because they designed the grip with comfort in mind. It’s very nice and fits in the hand just right. You can swap the backstraps, but I found the standard to be quite nice. The little humps aren’t Glock Gen 3 bad and conform to the hand. 

The trigger guard has a very solid undercut that allows for a high grip on the gun, and the rear of the frame curves upward to protect your hand with a high grip. This helps you control the weapon and gives you a comfy grip on the gun. 

Walther installed a massive slide release on the gun, providing no challenge to dropping the slide. This speeds up your reloads, and the ambidextrous design makes it lefty friendly. The magazine release is a big ole button that’s easy to hit with just a thumb shift. 

The only downside I had was the texture is comfy but not very aggressive. Shooting the gun is also super comfortable, and the big PPQ with its 5-inch barrel tames recoil. Keeping complete control of your gun as you shoot quickly and purposefully is easy. 

Combative or competition shooting means speed, and shooting quickly and accurately requires control, and you get that control with the PPQ M2 5-inch model. Running drills showed the strength of the design and just how easy you can engage with it. 

Click or Pow? 

In terms of reliability, we live in the golden age of firearms. Most are reliable, and the PPQ M2 5-inch is no different. It sucks up ammo and spits out empty cases without complaint. If it’s factory-loaded ammo that’s loaded at least close to spec, then it will work through the PPQ. 

Price-wise, the PPQ M2 5 does a lot for not a lot of money. It’s not a gun I’d put into the budget category, but it’s priced right along with every other modern striker-fired pistols in the market. I think you get a lot of great features for a relatively solid price.

So, as you can see from this Walther PPQ review, I think it is incredibly accurate and comes with an excellent trigger. Furthermore, it is very ergonomic, although can feel a bit soft. But regardless of this, I still decided to add it to the list of best 9mms. As you will see, it didn’t take the #1 spot on the list – and not even in its class. However, it was definitely worth being list. So, be sure to check out which one(s) beat it.

Walther PPQ M2 5 Pros and Cons 

Shootability	9mm in a full-sized gun is never too tough to control. In the Walther PPQ M2 with a 5-inch barrel, it’s a kitten that just wants to be pet.	A+
Reliability	Not a single malfunction in my time with the PPQ M2 5, and that time involved lots of trigger pulls and spent brass!	A+
Ergonomics	The weapon is very ergonomic, from the gun’s undercut to its slide serrations. The controls are placed for easy use and are quite large. The lack of an aggressive grip texture keeps it from being an A.	B
Accuracy	This weapon will make you cocky and leave you feeling disappointed when you go back to another gun. The long sight radius and excellent trigger make it a naturally accurate shooter.	A+
Value	It’s not a budget gun by any means, but it offers you a lot more gun for the money than most common, striker-fired, polymer-frame guns.	A

Our Grade

A-

Reviewed by Travis Pike

Reader’s Grade

A-

Based on 31 Reviews

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Walther PPQ Review – FAQs

What type of firing mechanism does the Walther PPQ use?

The Walther PPQ is renowned for its striker-fired pistol mechanism. This design ensures a consistent trigger pull, enhancing both reliability and user experience.

What aftermarket accessories are available for the Walther PPQ?

The Walther PPQ has a variety of aftermarket accessories available, including weapon lights, custom grips, and red dot sights. Visit your local gun store to explore options that enhance performance and customization.

Does the Walther PPQ have a firing pin block safety?

Yes, the Walther PPQ is equipped with a firing pin block safety, ensuring safe handling and preventing accidental discharges.

What type of rear sights does the Walther PPQ have?

The Walther PPQ comes standard with 3-dot sights, providing a clear sight picture for accurate shooting in various lighting conditions.

Walther PPQ Ammo

Walther PPQ Starter Pack

So what’s next? Well, if you decide to get the Walther PPQ, you’re going to need to pick up some must-have basics. Here’s our recommendation for what you need to get started.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check our our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
• Targets – If you want a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

With the basics outta the way, let’s jump into some cool accessories you might want to consider when purchasing your Walther PPQ.

Walther PPQ Upgrades and Accessories

There are a bunch of different options available to accessorize the Walther PPQ. However, if we had to choose only a few options… Here are our picks.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR Walther PPQ

Not only do you need to keep your firearms safe and secure, you’re also going to need to know how to take care of it. While scouring the internet, we came across this excellent video;

Important Links And Manuals For Your Walther PPQ

For more info regarding the Walther PPQ, check out the following resources: