The Walther PPQM2 .45 ACP

The PPQM2 45, shown left, with a S&W Shield 45.

In one of my contorted horse trades, I accumulated a Walther PPQ M2 45 ACP. Its ergonomics are fantastic. With the large back-strap installed, aligning the sights is effortless- complete autopilot. The trigger has 2 1/2 pounds of take up, breaks crisply at four and has next to no over travel. If you think that makes it easy to shoot well, you are correct. This pistol is also plenty accurate. The next photo shows five shots at 50 yards while zeroing, standing unsupported, in four inches. Unless otherwise noted, ammunition used was Bear Creek’s 230 grain coated flat point over 5.6 grains of W231, for roughly 850 fps from four to five inch 45 Autos. My tattered old copy of Metallic Cartridge Reloading, 3rd Edition places this load just above standard 45 ACP loads just below +P loads. Bear Creek’s proprietary coating includes moly which reduces initial friction and consequently, pressure. So they may require a bit higher charges to attain the same velocity as an identical, uncoated bullet. As I have noted elsewhere , you alone are responsible for using any loads mentioned here.

I didn’t care for the plastic OEM sights so I ordered the Trijcon Fiber sight set, which preserved the factory windage adjustment and proved spot-on for elevation. This is essentially the ‘flash sight picture’ with your nose just clear of slide travel. Vertical alignment isn’t perfect here. I couldn’t capture the image at arm’s length, but the front sight fills the notch with just enough space for precise windage alignment.

I carried the Walther all summer under a sleeveless t-shirt, in a harness shop high-ride open top belt holster. And it carries amazingly well thanks to the slide profile, which is tapered at the top and bottom. In preparation, I ran some fast presentations with double-taps from concealment.

I walked off from the plate nine paces, yanked my shirt up with my left hand and hammered the plate twice shooting strong hand only. This was repeated seven more paces from the plate. When I crossed the 25 yard stake I drew and fired two shots using both hands, the instant the front sight kissed the middle of the plate. Ditto at 50 yards, where I let one off a little quick but still heard the plate ring twice. I believe that is the low hit on the plate.

Eight shots total, all fast from concealment.

Later, I picked up a box of Tula 45 230 FMJ to try through the PPQ 45. This stuff can be had in bulk for $230 per 1000 delivered, which is about $50 more than it costs me to load that amount with quality bullets. And no more picking up brass! These were incentive enough to see how it shot through this pistol.

Tula shot well enough for onehand shooting on 6″ plates at 25-35 yards, so I moved back to 50 and hammering the 14″ gong. Finally, I decided to see if Tula would allow me to indulge my occasional urges to lob 45 slugs into the 24″ diamond plate from 100 yards. I loaded five and cut loose, standing unsupported, holding carefully on the top third of the plate. Apparently this PPQ never got the memo saying Tula is junk, inaccurate ammo that will tear up your guns.

I’ve tried various Glock and S&W 45 autos; all of them are good pistols. But in the PPQ I have finally found what is for me, the perfect ‘hard use’ 45 Auto. The more I shoot this thing, the more I love it. It’s an indestructible plastic 13-shot 45 with a finish as durable as Glocks, better ergos, a fantastic trigger- and it’ll group right along with a tuned 1911. It is sure worth a look if you’re considering a striker fired 45 auto.

Share