[Sinistr]

Before acquiring my Walther PPS M2 9mm, I did some research.
This included watching videos, and reading reviews. Nothing too in depth, just making sure it wasn't a lemon. I had the PPQ before - a great pistol. In fact, a favorite. It was just too large for everyday carry.

Quite by accident, I realized that if you put your thumb over the rear loaded chamber indicator, you cannot pull the trigger on a loaded chamber without considerable pressure and discomfort.

My biggest gripes with striker fired pistols is reholstering them. I carried a HK P7E for years despite its shortcomings because of the safety of the design.

Is this something that is common knowledge? If it isn't, Walther really dropped the ball on not making this capability front and center.

After over 500 rds, I consider the PPS the finest carry pistol I have ever owned.

 

[WiseguyDS]

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.

 

[alfonse]

That is a feature I really like about the PPS as well.

 

[DamnYankee]

I just picked up the PPS LE version today. One of the reasons was the ability to thumb the striker as I holster it. I carry AIWB so that was a big part of my decision. Not to mention the PPS has the best ergonomics of any single stack out there.


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[PPS1980]

That is one of the pluses of the PPS, along with the P99 BTW, and it is not common knowledge other than here in my experience.

 

[chandler5566]

Quite by accident, I realized that if you put your thumb over the rear loaded chamber indicator, you cannot pull the trigger on a loaded chamber without considerable pressure and discomfort.

It's actually a cocking indicator....nothing to do with the chamber. My concern in using the indicator in that manner is that my forefinger must be extended to place the thumb over that area. That places the finger close to the trigger guard and could result in the finger ending up on the trigger if my attention is diverted for some reason. In any situation involving stress I figure that by the time I sense the cocked indicator is moving outward the damn thing will fire before I can compensate!

 

[LWP]

^^^^this^^^^
Discharge will not be prevented by thumb pressure.

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.

 

[Sinistr]

"It's actually a cocking indicator....nothing to do with the chamber."

Technically you're right, but I doubt many people are concerned about a unloaded , cocked pistol

As far as the pistol firing in a manner you described, I cannot get the pistol to dry fire with the ball of my thumb knuckle pressed against the cocking indicator(in the same manner I would reholster a DA pistol) without extreme pressure and a lot of physical unpleasantness. I index my trigger finger until it is touching the side of the ejection port when reholstering, so it is no where near the trigger.

It could just be a difference in hand size though.

 

[chandler5566]

Actually I would be concerned about it until I verify it's unloaded and the mag is removed. Those are the ones that we read about under the heading of ND.

 

[Sinistr]

Actually I would be concerned about it until I verify it's unloaded and the mag is removed. Those are the ones that we read about under the heading of ND.

No kidding. That's just common sense. The point I was clearly making was that no one is going to care about about whether an unloaded gun is cocked. You feel the bump on the back and you assume the pistol is loaded.( well you always assume any firearm is loaded until proven other wise but I digress). Which is why I referred to it as a loaded chamber indicator. Is it even possible to load the PPS and not cock it? I don't know how to make this any simpler for you. Have a good day.

 

[chandler5566]

Is it even possible to load the PPS and not cock it?

Yes it is possible....the PPS is only half cocked each time the slide is cycled and the cocked indicator remains inside the port. The cocked indicator protrudes externally from the port as the trigger is pulled which first compresses the striker spring to the max just prior to the sear dropping.

 

[Thunderbirdsport302]

I'm in the minority, but for me, the best part is the decock ability of the PPS. Sorry, M2 guys, you're SOL as WA dropped the ball for the newer version..

There's some pissin' and moanin' about broken backstrap this and that....tell ya plain, I've been using mine as intended for 3-some-odd years and not a whimper of trouble. Probably helps that I don't remove the 'strap, just unlock it, let the thing "click", aim in a safe vector and squeeze the trigger in order to bring it fully back (where it stays until the slide is racked again), then slip the strap back up into it's locked position, and store it or put it in my nightstand at night.

Don't be all ham-handed with it, and it'll last longer than a fart in a fan factory, to say the least.

 

[WiseguyDS]

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]

...As far as the pistol firing in a manner you described, I cannot get the pistol to dry fire with the ball of my thumb knuckle pressed against the cocking indicator(in the same manner I would reholster a DA pistol) without extreme pressure and a lot of physical unpleasantness...

That is true, but it is not your trigger finger at fault for a ND. Most of us are smart enough to keep the finger out of the trigger guard when reholstering. Rather, a shirt tail or zipper pull or knife lanyard might get caught on the trigger and the force of your arm pushing the pistol into the holster can easily overcome your thumb on the button. That is why you must practice reholstering until the feel of it is learned. Also, you clear your shirt with your left hand while drawing with your right hand don't you? You must do the same with your left hand while reholstering.

 

[Thunderbirdsport302]

Reholstering? "two eyes, two hands. Too easy to shoot yourself, if you're careless, complacent, or crap-headed".

As an older gent told me a few years ago.

 

[Bassackwards]

Is it even possible to load the PPS and not cock it?

It's certainly possible to have a cocked PPS that isn't loaded. That could be a problem if you need to fire it at incoming hostiles. This feature does not indicate a loaded firearm.

 

[Thunderbirdsport302]

Is it even possible to load the PPS and not cock it? I don't know how to make this any simpler for you. Have a good day.

Yes, read post #12. Of course, this only matters if you have the PPS Classic..as the M2 lost the decock ability. Damn you, Walther.

 

[Aribus]

The striker indicator is the feature that sold me on carrying a striker fired gun.


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[MMA10mm]

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.

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.

 

[LWP]

I do not train for a gunfight, nor should the ordinary citizen. Of the 2 million events per year where a gun is used in self defense, including simply drawing it, a gunfight is not a blip in the statistics. If I thought a gunfight was coming, I would have a rifle in my hand, not a pistol.