Walther ppx / SDV9/ M & P 9?

wayupnorth said:
i have a couple of the M&P and i really like them.
i have been very interested to try the PPX but just havnt gotten around to it.

its the shame that the Glocks have priced themselves right out of most peoples reach.
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As much as I like firearms, target shooting, and feel a passion towards firearm ownership, its really just a side hobby for me... Can't justify the $900+ pistols, I bought a $800 mountain bike I use almost daily during three seasons, cant imagine spending more on a pistol I will only use twice a month in the winter and probably once the entire summer (indoor range with poor hours) My $200 .22 rifle has got more use than any pistol ever will out camping and in cottage country... of course that is just do to our silly laws. If I ever find myself living closer to a quality, outdoor range with good hours I would be more interested in the $900 pistol lol.

Side note about the PPX is yes, I agree with the point that it looks ugly... but looks can be deceiving sometimes.
 
wayupnorth said:
i have a couple of the M&P and i really like them.
i have been very interested to try the PPX but just havnt gotten around to it.

its the shame that the Glocks have priced themselves right out of most peoples reach.
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You can still find used deals from time to time. I think International was just advertising a used G17gen 3 for $535.
 
Phat Eagle said:
You can still find used deals from time to time. I think International was just advertising a used G17gen 3 for $535.
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One of my brothers has a M and P, the other has a PPX. The PPX is not pretty, but shoots way better. Trigger is great outta the box, which is NOT the case with the M and P!

I prefer the PPX, though it's much easier to find mags, holsters, etc for the Smith.
 
I bought the PPX for my first handgun this year. I bought the range kit as well and I enjoy shooting it. It has a high bore axis and it's not the ###iest firearm but it shoots well.

Only problem I have ever had is I bought a box of 115g Blazer Aluminum to try out in it. Yeah it did NOT like it at all. I had 5/6 failure to ejects out of the entire box of 50 and I have shot over 1K rounds in that gun and never had a problem before so stick to brass.
 
The PPX has an excellent reputation, and you almost never hear anyone say anything bad about it. About the worst you will normally hear is "I like my __________ better." Having said that, have you considered the Sig P250? It is a DA only gun so it has a long trigger pull, but it is also in about the price range that you are looking (maybe a little high).
 
no experience with the m&p, I really wanted to like the SD9VE, but the trigger really ruins the gun, even with an Apex trigger its still horrible, Honestly it feels great in the hand, and its very accurate, well made, reliable, but the trigger is...like dragging a cinder block across asphalt, it makes a Glock feel like a finely tuned target pistol. the Walther PPX is a decent gun, I shot one for a season in IPSC, the trigger feels really good and has a clean break and a positive reset, downsides are the high bore axis makes for a lot of muzzle flip compared to other guns and the stock grip is really slippery, I put a set of Talon grips on mine and it made a world of difference. For what its worth, when I'm introducing a new shooter to handguns they do far better with my PPX than with my Glock 19 which is my go to 9mm
 
So my sd9ve arrived yesterday. Played around a bit last night here is my first impressions. Grip is comfortable, lots of checkering on it. Points well. Mag well is beveled for easy insertion. The stainless mags are slick as snot when inserting them into the pistol. Sights seem good enough, but haven't shot it.
The trigger, like everyone says this is the weak point for several reasons. First problem I find is the shape. There is way too much curve to the trigger and I end up getting lots of pressure on a very small portion of the trigger. After I shoot it I may just cut a little off the bottom to "straighten" it a bit. The alternative is the apex trigger. Trigger pull is a bit heavy but not bad enough at this point to replace springs yet. Trigger travel is long, after picking up the bit of flex in the "folding" trigger there is a measured 1/2" to make the pistol fire. The reset is pretty close to this as well. If you shoot a double action revolver this travel is shorter and probably won't bother you too much. If you're used to a 3lb pull on a single action you may very well have an aneurism.

All in all (considering I haven't been to the range so reliability hasn't been tested yet) based on first impressions if smith had done a better trigger job I personally would not bother buying a glock.

I guess price should be considered as well. This pistol was just under $400 tax in and shipped to my door. The last sale I saw on the g17 was around $775 plus tax, plus ship.
 
Out of those choices m&p would be what I get. I used to have one sold it though and bought a fn fns 9L. Love that pistol.

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I looked at a lot of 9mm handguns when considering my first. Sig P250 and P320, M&P9, PPX, SD9VE, Ruger SR9, and the Canik TP9SA.

P250 seemed underwhelming in fit, finish, and trigger. I wouldn't want to use it for +P

P320 is gorgeous. $$$ is the only factor

M&P9 would have won if it had a better trigger. Excellent aftermarket support so this is a good choice if you want to tinker.

PPX was a serious contender, but discontinued and no +P. I'll hold off for a higher end Walther later on.

SD9VE trigger wasn't doing it for me. Again, wouldn't shoot +P with this either. Feels kind of cheap.

Ruger SR9 - shot a few mags thru one. Point of impact was low at 25 yards, trigger is gritty, seems like the design can use some refining.

I really liked the P320 but it's a bit spendy for what you get. My second choice was the Canik TP9SA. I picked a range kit up for $549.99 and it's been a fantastic pistol. Accurate, excellent controls, easy disassembly, mags are available, eats any ammunition.
Construction is solid and rugged. Finish is decent, some machining is visible inside the slide but that is not a deal breaker.
Do not overlook the Caniks.
 
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Owned all three at one time, IMHO I would put them in this order:
PPX (Price and decent trigger and a range kit)
MP9 (Close second only because it'll cost a bit more for range kit)
distant 3rd SDVE
 
doc25 said:
So my sd9ve arrived yesterday. Played around a bit last night here is my first impressions. Grip is comfortable, lots of checkering on it. Points well. Mag well is beveled for easy insertion. The stainless mags are slick as snot when inserting them into the pistol. Sights seem good enough, but haven't shot it.
The trigger, like everyone says this is the weak point for several reasons. First problem I find is the shape. There is way too much curve to the trigger and I end up getting lots of pressure on a very small portion of the trigger. After I shoot it I may just cut a little off the bottom to "straighten" it a bit. The alternative is the apex trigger. Trigger pull is a bit heavy but not bad enough at this point to replace springs yet. Trigger travel is long, after picking up the bit of flex in the "folding" trigger there is a measured 1/2" to make the pistol fire. The reset is pretty close to this as well. If you shoot a double action revolver this travel is shorter and probably won't bother you too much. If you're used to a 3lb pull on a single action you may very well have an aneurism.

All in all (considering I haven't been to the range so reliability hasn't been tested yet) based on first impressions if smith had done a better trigger job I personally would not bother buying a glock.

I guess price should be considered as well. This pistol was just under $400 tax in and shipped to my door. The last sale I saw on the g17 was around $775 plus tax, plus ship.
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It seems like a great pistol in almost every regard (for $400) except the trigger.
 
K-Roc said:
It seems like a great pistol in almost every regard (for $400) except the trigger.
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Well it hasn't been to the range yet lol. It could fail miserably there. I think the trigger issue is one of geometry. Guessing the angles are not conductive to a short pull. When you pull the trigger it cocks the firearm ( pulls the striker all the way back), then it allows the striker to go forward.

I'm sure they did this as a "liability" issue. Otherwise it could should have a light trigger with a long pull or a heavy trigger with a short pull. From what I can tell the trigger is acting as a lever in this pistol and it actually physically does most of the work in firing. Not sure what the apex one looks like and it may have a bit of a cam on the back to make the pull shorter.

Just my opinion on this. I'm not a gunsmith.
 
Have you shot these pistols? Which fits you best, feels best in your hand? This should be the most important, or one of the most important, consideration in your choice.

The SD9VE trigger can be greatly improved with the Apex kit. It will never be incredible but it will be okay.

The M&P would be my suggestion out of the three. It is good pistol right out of the box and has many aftermarket goodies. I have an M&P 40L that I have put a Storm Lake 9mm barrel in, as well as an Apex RAM and forward set sear and aluminum trigger kit in. It is now incredible IMHO. I also have an M&P 9 that I have put the Apex competition action enhancement kit in. This has greatly improved the trigger.

The PPX is also a great pistol. You won't regret this one as well.
 
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