Trooper224
01-10-2016, 07:33 PM
I've been wringing this pistol out for the last couple of months and now feel prepared to offer some observations.
The evolution of my off duty piece.
http://m6.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306616.f9br3tyA.jpg
I'm not a gear head per say. Meaning, I don't jump on the latest greatest bandwagon every week. I tend to prefer devoting my time to solving software problems rather than perceived hardware issues. I typically choose gear that works and then stick with it until a real need arises to change it. Consequently, my equipment changes tend to be rather infrequent. For various reasons I've been forced to step outside that box several times over the last two or three years. For over two decades the 1911 was my carry piece of choice, counting military service that would be a full quarter century. I found no reason to change until the onset of arthritis in my strong hand wrist a bit over two years ago. This made a training session with God's Gun rather uncomfortable and I finally had to admit, a change was needed. Having realized some time previously that a few millimeters in bore size didn't really matter, I decided it was time to switch to a 9mm of some kind.
After working with several options I settled on the Beretta 92. I came to view the big Beretta with a new respect I'd been lacking and found it to be a truly excellent weapon overall. The weight of the gun really damped recoil and helped my arthritic wrist immensely. Having always preferred to view issues as challenges rather than problems, I didn't find the transition to a DA/SA trigger mechanism to pose any problems. I'd been issued a Sig P220 years ago so I quickly reacquired old training habits. For two years I carried the Beretta quite happily and then age once again reared it's ugly head. Having endured one hard landing in a helicopter during military service, rolling a patrol car three times in rapid succession in law enforcement as well as spending twenty four years with forty pounds of gear strapped to my person, I have the stereotypical cop's bad back. These issues have finally become serious enough that I had to admit an all metal pistol was no longer an option for off duty carry. I've always preferred a full size service pistol as a CCW rather than one of the various key fob guns, so a polymer framed pistol was the obvious choice. I have years of experience with Glock pistols and I have no issue with them as a service weapon. However, I find the Glock lacking in certain points of refinement and this has always prevented me from spending my own money on one. Enter the Walther PPQ.
http://m4.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306624.HbUm4NDj.jpg
I had been eyeing this particular pistol for some time at my local range. I prefer a five inch barrel on a service pistol, rather than the near ubiquitous four inch barrel. Having spent so much time with full size 1911's I'm sure this has influenced my choice. I also find the increased sight radius to be a benefit, not necessarily in terms of accuracy but rather that my fifty year old eyes appreciate having the front sight a bit farther away. I also appreciate the added muzzle velocity the longer barrel imparts. The pistol had tempted me for some time but I found the price tag of $700+ a bit off putting for a plastic fantastic. Then, at the first of November the range had a weekend discount of 20% off everything in the store. This knocked the price tag down to under $550 and I decided that was worth a chance.
The PPQ comes with three individual back straps as part of the package. Due to my large hands I immediately installed the large back strap before shooting the gun. I also replaced the plastic sights with a set from Dawson Precision. I did this for several reasons: the factory sights are plastic, the rear notch is far too large, I prefer a plain rear sight, did I mention they were plastic? A few years ago I found that my eyes no longer worked with the plain black sights I'd used for years. I need something on the front sight, whether that be a gold bead, a tritium vial, a fiber optic, or a simple white painted dot, I need something to draw my focus. I chose a tritium front sight to aid in low light shooting, rather than my usually favored gold bead. The second reason for the change lay in the rear sight notch. Most service pistols have rear notches somewhere between .130 and .140 inch. The PPQ's rear notch measured at .178. As a long time bullseye shooter I prefer sights with a healthy balance of speed for acquisition and precision for accuracy. What I don't prefer is a rear sight notch so large I can fly the Spruce Goose through it. I settled on a set from Dawson with a front blade and rear notch both measuring .125 inch. I find this combination works very well for me, allowing me to quickly acquire the sights, yet still providing precision.
http://m1.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306631.k2UvtPkI.jpg
When shooting started I was immediately impressed with the PPQ's accuracy. I found it to be the most accurate polymer framed, striker fired pistol I've ever shot. This is with the caveat of not yet having the opportunity to shoot the Sig P320. Other than that as of yet unknown, it easily beat out the competition in accuracy. With my hand loads the pistol will consistently group in the 2 to 2.5 inch range when fired off hand at twenty five yards. It seems to love the Speer 124 grain Gold Dot, either standard pressure or +P form. When shot from a rest at twenty five yards the PPQ consistently gave ten shot groupings of 1.5 to two inches with the Gold Dots. This greatly impressed the bullseye shooter in me, especially coming from a plastic fantastic. The PPQ is more than sufficiently adequate for a service pistol. My personal accuracy requirements in a carry piece are somewhat high, admittedly perhaps even a bit unrealistic. The PPQ is the first polymer framed pistol I've encountered that pleases me in this category.
http://m1.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306621.7cZEtRqY.jpg
While shooting the pistol, I found the feel of the larger back strap to be rather strange. It provided a good fit and control, but I found the highly contoured shape of the grip a bit strange in it's feel. In spite of my large hands, I found the smallest back strap to feel the best, yet during actual use didn't provide good control. With both the small and medium straps I found the initial comfort level to be superior, but with inferior recoil control. In the end I returned to the larger back strap, which I have since become accustomed to. This is a good example of how something may feel best initially, but winds up being inferior in actual use. Just because it feels great that doesn't mean it will preform at the same level.
I've read much about the PPQ being snappier during recoil than similar pistols made by competing brands. I have not encountered this. This may be due to my personal experience. As I previously stated, I've been issued Glock pistols for years, but these have been the G21 and G22. I've never been issued a polymer wonder in 9mm, nor have I owned one except for a brief flirtation with an FNS-9. Most of my plastic shooting experience has been with the heavier recoil impulses provided by calibers begining in 4, so in that since my perception may be limited. In the end, all I can add on this point is that I don't find the PPQ's recoil to be an issue at all. The gun tracks quickly and easily during recoil and follow up shots are extremely fast. I don't own a timer so I have no idea as to split times, but I will say this is the first pistol that has made me want to use one out of curiosity, it's that fast.
Lack of traction also seems to be a common complaint with the PPQ's grip. Again, I haven't found this to be the case. I tend to get a death grip on my handguns so that may have something to do with it and I'm not discounting another's experience at all, but it simply hasn't been an issue for me and I have shot it with sweaty hands. Early on I considered installing a Talon Grip due to these issues mentioned by others, but in the end decided it wasn't necessary. Since the PPQ will serve as my CCW I'll often be carrying it against my bare skin during the summer. This would make the abrasive Talon grip uncomfortable, whereas the more comfortable rubberlike grip might cause an outer garment to snag. Since the factory grip doesn't cause me any control issues I've left it as is. The grip is rather short in length for a service pistol. Any shorter and it would be a problem for me. As it is, the grip is "right there" for me in length with the standard fifteen round magazine in place.
Now we come to the PPQ's trigger, seen by many as either the best thing since sliced bread or the guns Achilles heel. The trigger is truly excellent for a polymer framed, striker fired handgun. Walther lists the factory spec at 5.6 pounds, my example came out of the box at 4.5 pounds. After close to three thousand rounds that has settled in at an even four pounds. The triggers take up is light and smooth. Once the trigger is engaged it's travel is very short, as is it's reset. This allows for very fast follow up shots and extremely fast rapid fire strings. Some might consider it too fast and I've read a few reports of shooters inadvertently bump firing the PPQ because of this. I haven't experienced this but have actually seen it. This involved an inexperienced shooter on a public range. The PPQ was his first handgun and he was shooting it for the first time. I watched him take an insufficient tea cup like grip in best Angie Dickinson fashion and proceed to burp off three rounds due to bump firing the pistol. It was quite dramatic and shocking to the shooter. I then stepped in, which I don't normally do, and gave some instruction on a firm and proper way to grip the pistol. Everything then proceeded normally. Some concern has also been voiced about possible dangers involved in holstering, due to the pistol's light trigger. I don't utilize appendix carry so I won't comment on that. However, after living with the PPQ for more than two months now and having carried it and holstered it hundreds if not thousands of times during that period, I can say it isn't a concern for me personally. As I see it, careless behavior that will result in a negligent discharge with the PPQ will yield the same result with any other polymer framed, striker fired pistol. In that regard I don't see the difference to be decisive. Quite a few people whom I consider to be very competent and highly experienced shooters have no worries about dropping 3.5 pound connectors in their Glock pistols, yet balk at the PPQ's trigger. I think the issue may be one of perception rather than reality. These are the kind of things that have caused people to form the opinion that the PPQ ins't suited as a carry weapon.
In my opinion, is the PPQ's suitable as a carry weapon? Yes, but with an asterisk. I don't think this is a pistol for a tyro. I think spending decades with the 1911, with it's light and short trigger, has helped me acclimate to the PPQ. Working so long with a trigger that has no fudge factor has ingrained good trigger discipline into my psyche. I don't practice tactical ninja speed holstering and I can honestly say I've never once caught anything in the trigger guard while holstering in over thirty years, on the square range or off, under stress or not. I'm not claiming it can't or never will happen, or that I can't make a mistake. What I am saying is that, due to my collective experience, I'm comfortable with carrying the PPQ. The asterisk applies to the PPQ's use by beginning shooters, or as an issue weapon at the department or unit level. In my opinion, an inexperienced shooter should give the thought of carrying the PPQ a lot of pause. I don't believe in dumbing the individual down to the lowest common denominator and I think the PPQ can be a highly capable weapon for most people. However, if it's to be your weapon of choice and your experience is limited, you're best advised to spent a lot of time on the range practicing your gun handling fundamentals before you strap it on for a trip to the Piggly Wiggly. Is the PPQ suitable for issue in a law enforcement context? I hate to say it but probably not, at least in the current training environment. I've always considered the state of training in my chosen profession to be inadequate at best and pathetic at worst. Given that, I couldn't see issuing the PPQ to people who only shoot during qualification and give more thought to their computer than they do to their weapon. I did mention I don't think the difference in the PPQ's trigger compared to something like a box stock Glock is a defining difference in terms of safety and I stand by that. Then again, that raises the issue of whether striker fired pistols are the best choice for law enforcement period, but that's another issue. Ultimately, I'm comfortable in making the individual decision to carry the PPQ. Your mileage may vary and you need to be honest with yourself as to your abilities when making that choice.
One of the interesting features of the PPQ is it's stepped chamber. For those not familiar, a stepped chamber features a tighter tolerance at it's forward end, ie., the chamber is "stepped" down at the front, like a bottle neck but not as severe. Walther claims this does several things: supposedly it aids in accuracy. I can't confirm that's true as I haven't shot a PPQ without a stepped chamber. I can attest to its high level of accuracy though, so maybe the Germans are onto something there. They also claims it increases muzzle velocity. Again, I can't confirm that since I have yet to do a comparative test with a chronograph, but I will when the weather improves. Finally, Walther states the stepped chamber aids in sealing the barrel so that less blowback is sent into the gun's innards. I can confirm this as the PPQ stayed remarkably clean after more than two thousand rounds, most of which were cast lead handloads.
http://m4.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306634.b5VeFqn5.jpg
http://m5.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306635.B3hZLe8B.jpg
http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/64/521964/1/162306636.KLWn2gJW.DSCN2008.JPG
http://m7.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306637.cQn2CAxV.jpg
http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/64/521964/1/162306638.Z1IK1evA.DSCN2012.JPG
My last comment concerns the PPQ's reliability. The Walther passed Pistol-Forum's two thousand round challenge without incident. It was only when it neared the 2.5k mark where I encountered any issues with six malfunctions, all were fails to fire. These were caused by two things: my hand loads and lack of lubrication. I've been putting little to no crimp on my 9mm loads and this has worked fine in the Beretta 92's I've been shooting, However, after acquiring 2.5k rounds worth of gunk, the PPQ's stepped chamber wasn't so happy with it. During the feed cycle the action wound up far enough out of battery that the diagnosis was obvious. This happened three times. The other three malfunctions were caused by something that appears to be a common complaint with some owners, that in which the gun seems to return to full battery, but winds up with a dead trigger. If the pistol is even slightly out of battery it won't fire, but it will trip the sear mechanism without actuating the striker. When this happens the action will move forward into full battery, with a dead trigger. Consequently, the shooter assumes the weapon fed normally and doesn't realize it was out of battery to begin with. Their only obvious feedback is a dead trigger. I found the cause to be excessive friction in the guns firing pin plunger/block due to a lack of lubrication. The trigger bar contacts the FBP just prior to the action going into battery. If there's excessive friction in the FBP's movement it can prevent the action from returning fully into battery. I had originally put a few drops of oil on the frame rails and called it good. I didn't lube it further due to the criteria of the 2k challenge. I've never been adverse to lubing my guns and have repeatedly found a lack of it to be a very common cause of malfunctions in weapons owned by others. I can't recall how many times a malfunctioning 1911 was handed to me and the only culprit was lack of lubrication. I simply didn't think to put a couple of drops of oil on the FBP. Once I increased the taper crimp on my loads and added some lube to the FBP these problems disappeared and have remained in the ether for the last seven hundred rounds. These were operator induced issues and I don't blame the weapon for them. I only offer them here for full disclosure.
In conclusion, I find the PPQ to be a pretty darned good pistol. It's made with that typical Germanic manufacturing precision I appreciate. It's simply a more refined pistol than a Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, etc. I consider it an equal competitor to the H&K VP9, with a few differences that appeal to my personal preferences. I won't call it outstanding yet as I've only been living with it for a couple of months, but it has impressed me. It's accuracy is outstanding, it's reliability has been excellent and I find it to be a highly capable defensive weapon (with that asterisk). I just wish my good holster would hurry up and arrive so I can throw the craptastic Alien Gear holster-like object I've been using back in the holster drawer. Oh, and my back feels a lot better :)
The evolution of my off duty piece.
http://m6.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306616.f9br3tyA.jpg
I'm not a gear head per say. Meaning, I don't jump on the latest greatest bandwagon every week. I tend to prefer devoting my time to solving software problems rather than perceived hardware issues. I typically choose gear that works and then stick with it until a real need arises to change it. Consequently, my equipment changes tend to be rather infrequent. For various reasons I've been forced to step outside that box several times over the last two or three years. For over two decades the 1911 was my carry piece of choice, counting military service that would be a full quarter century. I found no reason to change until the onset of arthritis in my strong hand wrist a bit over two years ago. This made a training session with God's Gun rather uncomfortable and I finally had to admit, a change was needed. Having realized some time previously that a few millimeters in bore size didn't really matter, I decided it was time to switch to a 9mm of some kind.
After working with several options I settled on the Beretta 92. I came to view the big Beretta with a new respect I'd been lacking and found it to be a truly excellent weapon overall. The weight of the gun really damped recoil and helped my arthritic wrist immensely. Having always preferred to view issues as challenges rather than problems, I didn't find the transition to a DA/SA trigger mechanism to pose any problems. I'd been issued a Sig P220 years ago so I quickly reacquired old training habits. For two years I carried the Beretta quite happily and then age once again reared it's ugly head. Having endured one hard landing in a helicopter during military service, rolling a patrol car three times in rapid succession in law enforcement as well as spending twenty four years with forty pounds of gear strapped to my person, I have the stereotypical cop's bad back. These issues have finally become serious enough that I had to admit an all metal pistol was no longer an option for off duty carry. I've always preferred a full size service pistol as a CCW rather than one of the various key fob guns, so a polymer framed pistol was the obvious choice. I have years of experience with Glock pistols and I have no issue with them as a service weapon. However, I find the Glock lacking in certain points of refinement and this has always prevented me from spending my own money on one. Enter the Walther PPQ.
http://m4.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306624.HbUm4NDj.jpg
I had been eyeing this particular pistol for some time at my local range. I prefer a five inch barrel on a service pistol, rather than the near ubiquitous four inch barrel. Having spent so much time with full size 1911's I'm sure this has influenced my choice. I also find the increased sight radius to be a benefit, not necessarily in terms of accuracy but rather that my fifty year old eyes appreciate having the front sight a bit farther away. I also appreciate the added muzzle velocity the longer barrel imparts. The pistol had tempted me for some time but I found the price tag of $700+ a bit off putting for a plastic fantastic. Then, at the first of November the range had a weekend discount of 20% off everything in the store. This knocked the price tag down to under $550 and I decided that was worth a chance.
The PPQ comes with three individual back straps as part of the package. Due to my large hands I immediately installed the large back strap before shooting the gun. I also replaced the plastic sights with a set from Dawson Precision. I did this for several reasons: the factory sights are plastic, the rear notch is far too large, I prefer a plain rear sight, did I mention they were plastic? A few years ago I found that my eyes no longer worked with the plain black sights I'd used for years. I need something on the front sight, whether that be a gold bead, a tritium vial, a fiber optic, or a simple white painted dot, I need something to draw my focus. I chose a tritium front sight to aid in low light shooting, rather than my usually favored gold bead. The second reason for the change lay in the rear sight notch. Most service pistols have rear notches somewhere between .130 and .140 inch. The PPQ's rear notch measured at .178. As a long time bullseye shooter I prefer sights with a healthy balance of speed for acquisition and precision for accuracy. What I don't prefer is a rear sight notch so large I can fly the Spruce Goose through it. I settled on a set from Dawson with a front blade and rear notch both measuring .125 inch. I find this combination works very well for me, allowing me to quickly acquire the sights, yet still providing precision.
http://m1.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306631.k2UvtPkI.jpg
When shooting started I was immediately impressed with the PPQ's accuracy. I found it to be the most accurate polymer framed, striker fired pistol I've ever shot. This is with the caveat of not yet having the opportunity to shoot the Sig P320. Other than that as of yet unknown, it easily beat out the competition in accuracy. With my hand loads the pistol will consistently group in the 2 to 2.5 inch range when fired off hand at twenty five yards. It seems to love the Speer 124 grain Gold Dot, either standard pressure or +P form. When shot from a rest at twenty five yards the PPQ consistently gave ten shot groupings of 1.5 to two inches with the Gold Dots. This greatly impressed the bullseye shooter in me, especially coming from a plastic fantastic. The PPQ is more than sufficiently adequate for a service pistol. My personal accuracy requirements in a carry piece are somewhat high, admittedly perhaps even a bit unrealistic. The PPQ is the first polymer framed pistol I've encountered that pleases me in this category.
http://m1.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306621.7cZEtRqY.jpg
While shooting the pistol, I found the feel of the larger back strap to be rather strange. It provided a good fit and control, but I found the highly contoured shape of the grip a bit strange in it's feel. In spite of my large hands, I found the smallest back strap to feel the best, yet during actual use didn't provide good control. With both the small and medium straps I found the initial comfort level to be superior, but with inferior recoil control. In the end I returned to the larger back strap, which I have since become accustomed to. This is a good example of how something may feel best initially, but winds up being inferior in actual use. Just because it feels great that doesn't mean it will preform at the same level.
I've read much about the PPQ being snappier during recoil than similar pistols made by competing brands. I have not encountered this. This may be due to my personal experience. As I previously stated, I've been issued Glock pistols for years, but these have been the G21 and G22. I've never been issued a polymer wonder in 9mm, nor have I owned one except for a brief flirtation with an FNS-9. Most of my plastic shooting experience has been with the heavier recoil impulses provided by calibers begining in 4, so in that since my perception may be limited. In the end, all I can add on this point is that I don't find the PPQ's recoil to be an issue at all. The gun tracks quickly and easily during recoil and follow up shots are extremely fast. I don't own a timer so I have no idea as to split times, but I will say this is the first pistol that has made me want to use one out of curiosity, it's that fast.
Lack of traction also seems to be a common complaint with the PPQ's grip. Again, I haven't found this to be the case. I tend to get a death grip on my handguns so that may have something to do with it and I'm not discounting another's experience at all, but it simply hasn't been an issue for me and I have shot it with sweaty hands. Early on I considered installing a Talon Grip due to these issues mentioned by others, but in the end decided it wasn't necessary. Since the PPQ will serve as my CCW I'll often be carrying it against my bare skin during the summer. This would make the abrasive Talon grip uncomfortable, whereas the more comfortable rubberlike grip might cause an outer garment to snag. Since the factory grip doesn't cause me any control issues I've left it as is. The grip is rather short in length for a service pistol. Any shorter and it would be a problem for me. As it is, the grip is "right there" for me in length with the standard fifteen round magazine in place.
Now we come to the PPQ's trigger, seen by many as either the best thing since sliced bread or the guns Achilles heel. The trigger is truly excellent for a polymer framed, striker fired handgun. Walther lists the factory spec at 5.6 pounds, my example came out of the box at 4.5 pounds. After close to three thousand rounds that has settled in at an even four pounds. The triggers take up is light and smooth. Once the trigger is engaged it's travel is very short, as is it's reset. This allows for very fast follow up shots and extremely fast rapid fire strings. Some might consider it too fast and I've read a few reports of shooters inadvertently bump firing the PPQ because of this. I haven't experienced this but have actually seen it. This involved an inexperienced shooter on a public range. The PPQ was his first handgun and he was shooting it for the first time. I watched him take an insufficient tea cup like grip in best Angie Dickinson fashion and proceed to burp off three rounds due to bump firing the pistol. It was quite dramatic and shocking to the shooter. I then stepped in, which I don't normally do, and gave some instruction on a firm and proper way to grip the pistol. Everything then proceeded normally. Some concern has also been voiced about possible dangers involved in holstering, due to the pistol's light trigger. I don't utilize appendix carry so I won't comment on that. However, after living with the PPQ for more than two months now and having carried it and holstered it hundreds if not thousands of times during that period, I can say it isn't a concern for me personally. As I see it, careless behavior that will result in a negligent discharge with the PPQ will yield the same result with any other polymer framed, striker fired pistol. In that regard I don't see the difference to be decisive. Quite a few people whom I consider to be very competent and highly experienced shooters have no worries about dropping 3.5 pound connectors in their Glock pistols, yet balk at the PPQ's trigger. I think the issue may be one of perception rather than reality. These are the kind of things that have caused people to form the opinion that the PPQ ins't suited as a carry weapon.
In my opinion, is the PPQ's suitable as a carry weapon? Yes, but with an asterisk. I don't think this is a pistol for a tyro. I think spending decades with the 1911, with it's light and short trigger, has helped me acclimate to the PPQ. Working so long with a trigger that has no fudge factor has ingrained good trigger discipline into my psyche. I don't practice tactical ninja speed holstering and I can honestly say I've never once caught anything in the trigger guard while holstering in over thirty years, on the square range or off, under stress or not. I'm not claiming it can't or never will happen, or that I can't make a mistake. What I am saying is that, due to my collective experience, I'm comfortable with carrying the PPQ. The asterisk applies to the PPQ's use by beginning shooters, or as an issue weapon at the department or unit level. In my opinion, an inexperienced shooter should give the thought of carrying the PPQ a lot of pause. I don't believe in dumbing the individual down to the lowest common denominator and I think the PPQ can be a highly capable weapon for most people. However, if it's to be your weapon of choice and your experience is limited, you're best advised to spent a lot of time on the range practicing your gun handling fundamentals before you strap it on for a trip to the Piggly Wiggly. Is the PPQ suitable for issue in a law enforcement context? I hate to say it but probably not, at least in the current training environment. I've always considered the state of training in my chosen profession to be inadequate at best and pathetic at worst. Given that, I couldn't see issuing the PPQ to people who only shoot during qualification and give more thought to their computer than they do to their weapon. I did mention I don't think the difference in the PPQ's trigger compared to something like a box stock Glock is a defining difference in terms of safety and I stand by that. Then again, that raises the issue of whether striker fired pistols are the best choice for law enforcement period, but that's another issue. Ultimately, I'm comfortable in making the individual decision to carry the PPQ. Your mileage may vary and you need to be honest with yourself as to your abilities when making that choice.
One of the interesting features of the PPQ is it's stepped chamber. For those not familiar, a stepped chamber features a tighter tolerance at it's forward end, ie., the chamber is "stepped" down at the front, like a bottle neck but not as severe. Walther claims this does several things: supposedly it aids in accuracy. I can't confirm that's true as I haven't shot a PPQ without a stepped chamber. I can attest to its high level of accuracy though, so maybe the Germans are onto something there. They also claims it increases muzzle velocity. Again, I can't confirm that since I have yet to do a comparative test with a chronograph, but I will when the weather improves. Finally, Walther states the stepped chamber aids in sealing the barrel so that less blowback is sent into the gun's innards. I can confirm this as the PPQ stayed remarkably clean after more than two thousand rounds, most of which were cast lead handloads.
http://m4.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306634.b5VeFqn5.jpg
http://m5.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306635.B3hZLe8B.jpg
http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/64/521964/1/162306636.KLWn2gJW.DSCN2008.JPG
http://m7.i.pbase.com/g9/64/521964/2/162306637.cQn2CAxV.jpg
http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/64/521964/1/162306638.Z1IK1evA.DSCN2012.JPG
My last comment concerns the PPQ's reliability. The Walther passed Pistol-Forum's two thousand round challenge without incident. It was only when it neared the 2.5k mark where I encountered any issues with six malfunctions, all were fails to fire. These were caused by two things: my hand loads and lack of lubrication. I've been putting little to no crimp on my 9mm loads and this has worked fine in the Beretta 92's I've been shooting, However, after acquiring 2.5k rounds worth of gunk, the PPQ's stepped chamber wasn't so happy with it. During the feed cycle the action wound up far enough out of battery that the diagnosis was obvious. This happened three times. The other three malfunctions were caused by something that appears to be a common complaint with some owners, that in which the gun seems to return to full battery, but winds up with a dead trigger. If the pistol is even slightly out of battery it won't fire, but it will trip the sear mechanism without actuating the striker. When this happens the action will move forward into full battery, with a dead trigger. Consequently, the shooter assumes the weapon fed normally and doesn't realize it was out of battery to begin with. Their only obvious feedback is a dead trigger. I found the cause to be excessive friction in the guns firing pin plunger/block due to a lack of lubrication. The trigger bar contacts the FBP just prior to the action going into battery. If there's excessive friction in the FBP's movement it can prevent the action from returning fully into battery. I had originally put a few drops of oil on the frame rails and called it good. I didn't lube it further due to the criteria of the 2k challenge. I've never been adverse to lubing my guns and have repeatedly found a lack of it to be a very common cause of malfunctions in weapons owned by others. I can't recall how many times a malfunctioning 1911 was handed to me and the only culprit was lack of lubrication. I simply didn't think to put a couple of drops of oil on the FBP. Once I increased the taper crimp on my loads and added some lube to the FBP these problems disappeared and have remained in the ether for the last seven hundred rounds. These were operator induced issues and I don't blame the weapon for them. I only offer them here for full disclosure.
In conclusion, I find the PPQ to be a pretty darned good pistol. It's made with that typical Germanic manufacturing precision I appreciate. It's simply a more refined pistol than a Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, etc. I consider it an equal competitor to the H&K VP9, with a few differences that appeal to my personal preferences. I won't call it outstanding yet as I've only been living with it for a couple of months, but it has impressed me. It's accuracy is outstanding, it's reliability has been excellent and I find it to be a highly capable defensive weapon (with that asterisk). I just wish my good holster would hurry up and arrive so I can throw the craptastic Alien Gear holster-like object I've been using back in the holster drawer. Oh, and my back feels a lot better :)