Unsung PPS capability?

Sinistr, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to replace my M&P Shield with because the Shield, as great of a gun as it is, had the thumb safety. My other carry pieces were hammer guns with decockers. I really wanted to get away from having to make that split decision of flipping the safety off or just draw and squeeze.

However, the Shield's safety gave me a measure of comfort. Even though some chose to carry the Shield with the safety off, I would never do that because I replaced the trigger with an APEX trigger which, though a beautiful trigger, was waaayyy to light for comfort.

I began reading about the PPS, casually at first because I was more interested in a PPKS replacing the Shield, but more seriously as time went by. I shoot SIGs too so the P365 was the alternate consideration. One of the factors that finally made up my mind to jump on to the PPS wagon was that striker indicator and how, when holstering, you should get your thumb over it to make sure that the trigger isn't snagged on anything when holstering. It was genius and pretty much capped my decision.

I’m fairly practiced with draw, shoot, reholster and repeat and I set myself up with a Clinger holster paired to my M2. I treat my rigs pretty gingerly until I’m dead sure I can anticipate when something’s wrong which was something I couldn’t do easily with my SW Shield/Apex & Crossbreed. That’s just trouble waiting to happen but I managed to be careful enough since my arse is still here.

The current M2/Clinger pairing allows a clean entry and tactile click when its seated. All the while with my thumb covering the cocking indicator, I’m indexing along the slide with a 3-finger grip on the gun. It’s a natural movement for me and no matter what gun I’m holstering, I’ll not ram it in. That cocking indicator was a nice touch. Not a fail safe, just the gun talking to me. Something about any barrel pointing near my flesh just makes me slow and deliberate.

LWP said:

I only practice thus: "draw, shoot two, holster, repeat".
The repeat is many thousands of times with my PPS9-M1, and no accidental discharge. No thumb required. Practice is required so that the reholster muscle memory is as ingrained as the draw and shoot memory, and a mind set that the weapon is not safe until returned to the holster. ANY deviation in the feel of the gun returning to the holster causes an instinctual muscle freeze.

Click to expand...

I admire your dedication and safety-mindedness, but what you describe as your training regimen is what trainers call: "training to fail." By always training to draw, shoot two, and reholster" you are building in the concept (I hate the term 'muscle memory') to only shoot two rounds. In a real gunfight, you may need 1, 2, 3, 4, or more rounds.

There was a documented real-life shooting years ago where the officer involved had his brass in his front pocket. It was determined by having the guys unload their revolvers into their off hand and pocketing the brass, so it didn't have to be picked up later, they had built in this behavior. So, when the officer should have been doing a speed load, he was pocketing his brass... It was "training to fail."

You should always vary the number of rounds, and sometimes shoot to lock-back and do a speed reload. You don't know how many rounds you might need in real life...

Practicing drawing and holstering can be done with an empty weapon at home.