Walther Arms announced its latest pistol: the Walther PPQ SubCompact. This new 9mm handgun takes all of the popular features of the PPQ M2 and puts them into a more concealable platform. This announcement was made at the 2018 SHOT Show where the guns were on display at the Industry Day at the Range event.
The Basics
In many ways the Walther PPQ SSC is just a chopped PPQ M2. However, that description diminishes how good this pistol could be. Nevertheless, it shares many of the iconic features of the larger gun just in a smaller package.
The PPQ Sub Compact has a 3.5″ barrel with a 1:10″ twist. This is 0.5″ shorter than the standard PPQ M2. One of the key measurements of a concealable handgun is the grip length. While Walther doesn’t give a measurement for the grip alone, the height of the gun is listed as 4.4″. This is a drop of 0.9″ from the full size pistol.
In more concrete terms, this means that the subcompact version of the gun is not long enough for the pinky to wrap around the grip. With the gun chambered in 9mm, 10 rounds fit into a flush seating magazine.
What is very nice is full compatibility with the larger 15-round magazines of the larger PPQ guns. These mags use a spacer sleeve to provide a full grip on the gun. Also, the spacer sleeve prevents the magazine from striking the ejector when inserted into the pistol.
There is no immediate word if a .40 S&W chambered gun will be offered in the future. I doubt that adding the .40 S&W is a priority for Walther Arms since the 9mm is the most popular self-defense cartridge in existence. However, I could see them introducing it as it could be used as a backup gun for law enforcement agencies in a manner similar to how Glock positions the G17/G22 and G26/G27 pistols.
Walther continues the use of a push button style magazine release on this pistol. While I prefer this, I know there are many Walther fans who like the lever style release. While not truly ambidextrous, the button can be moved to the right side of the gun if you prefer.
Keeping with the idea of matching the gun to the shooter, Walther Arms retains the ambidextrous slide stop lever. Additionally, the grip has backstrap panels that are swappable.
Specifications
| caliber | 9mm |
| capacity | 10 rounds, 15 rounds in extended magazine |
| action | Quick Defense trigger |
| barrel length | 3.5" |
| overall length | 5.4" |
| weight | 21.2 ounces unloaded |
| height | 4.4" |
| width | 1.3" |
| grip | polymer |
| finish | black |
| MSRP | $649 |
Price and Shipping
The PPQ SC has a suggested retail price of $649.
Walther Arms states the PPQ Sub Compact is shipping now. You should be able to slide by your local gun shop and order one up today. I would expect demand to be heavy for these initially, so you may have a delay depending on how many your dealer can get.
While I will likely keep my Walther PPS M2 as my daily carry gun, I am very interested in this gun. Having additional rounds on tap is certainly a good thing. The ability to use larger magazines in the PPQ SubCompact is also very interesting to me.
I look forward to trying one of these out in the near future.
Special thanks to Paul Carlson of the Safety Solutions Academy. Carlson is a top notch defensive firearms instructor and an honorable man. If you ever have a chance to shoot with Carlson, jump at the opportunity. You won’t regret it.
While I haven’t yet had a chance to shoot this pistol, Carlson did and was able to provide these photos. Later today, he will have a video that I will post here.
This is a really late entry to this market. The VP9SC was released a year before, while the VP9 came out after the PPQ. Walther could have rolled out this gun years ago. Now it’s overshadowed by the P365, and possibly rightly so. Also not real happy there is no paddle offering. I have the M1, and my magazines won’t be compatible.
Cut the price in half and then I will wait for it to go on sale plus some kind of rebate. Not many people gonna pay $650 for a compact 9mm.
Hi Jim,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. The $649 price tag is just the suggested retail price – a number that is almost always inflated by manufacturers in all industries. Actual pricing is set by dealers, and I suspect this will sell for around the same price as the Glock 26, et al.
Best,
Richard
Are u 100% sure that the mags are compatible? So my PPQ M2 mags will fit in the new sub compact ? I hope so but there are mixed options out there so far .
I worked with Walther for my review and can tall you that although the magazines will fit, the springs can not keep up with the quicker cyclic rate of the SC. They will have spring kits available.
I’ll keep my Springfied .40 sub-compact Mod2 tricked out w/ laser sights and 12 rounds of 60gr. Liberty ammo, Sweetest little rig, I’ve ever owned in my 88 years on this earth.
ppq m2 4″ is what I decided. Lots of choices in that market including the all popular g19. Shot Sig, S&W Shield etc etc. I kept coming back to the m2. It’s so easy for me to shoot well with this firearm. I can’t wait to pick this SC up. Only concern is that it won’t come with the pinky extension. I don’t need 15 rds for conceal with the large capacity mag. 10 is more then enough…however, stock mag I held, I can’t put pinky anywhere! But Walther is selling complete mags w pinky rest….2nd Walther, and definitely NOT regretting the m2 4″. Already went through about 500 FLAWLESS rounds! Can’t wait for my SC
!
Umm… “more THAN” enough… NOT then… and you’ll change your mind once you spend those ten and wish you had more… what a dumb assertion
FYI…few of the major holster manufacturers make holsters for the PPQ SC. Plenty for the PPQ M2, but not the SC. Shouldn’t be a major reason to buy or not buy the gun, but it is a factor.