To make a long story short, my wife is having some major health issues, so my buying and trading days could be postponed for a while. I have been working a lot of overtime recently to pay Dr bills, so I want a good reliable firearm to keep at home for my wife while I'm at work. After doing some research, the Walther PPQ and H&K VP9 are at the top of my list. I have read positive reviews on both and they are close to the same price. The PPQ is $589, and the VP9 is $629. Which one would you choose? Other suggestions are welcome. Please vote in the poll.
I need help choosing a handgun.
- Thread starter GunLuvr01
- Start date
carguychris
New member
^^^Although I really like K frames, I understand why many people like automatics, and it's not that hard to train someone how to use one.
That said, my main concern is that both of the pistols you listed have relatively short and light triggers by striker-fired pistol standards, and have no manual safeties or heavy first-round trigger pulls. Absent these devices, I prefer a heavier trigger to avoid accidental discharges under stress, which is why my personal "go-to" gun is a S&W M&P with the stock trigger.
Yes, it's a matter of personal preference, but if you browse these forums, a number of other folks have stated that they feel uncomfortable with the PPQ and VP9 trigger. FWIW keep in mind that the P99AS is very similar to the PPQ, but has both a heavy first-round DA trigger and the nifty "Anti-Stress" lighter first-round trigger, and myself and many other find its SA trigger to be superior to the PPQ.
That said, my main concern is that both of the pistols you listed have relatively short and light triggers by striker-fired pistol standards, and have no manual safeties or heavy first-round trigger pulls. Absent these devices, I prefer a heavier trigger to avoid accidental discharges under stress, which is why my personal "go-to" gun is a S&W M&P with the stock trigger.
Yes, it's a matter of personal preference, but if you browse these forums, a number of other folks have stated that they feel uncomfortable with the PPQ and VP9 trigger. FWIW keep in mind that the P99AS is very similar to the PPQ, but has both a heavy first-round DA trigger and the nifty "Anti-Stress" lighter first-round trigger, and myself and many other find its SA trigger to be superior to the PPQ.
Brando1992
New member
a third vote for a .38 special. you can find some old smith and wesson model 10 4in models for a round $350-$400 and they shoot great, simple to use and cost effective. If you have to go with a semi auto I would suggest any of the cz variants that have a decocker. I think the long double action pull will help keep her from unintentionally puling the trigger in a stressful moment. Im in the process of replacing my glock with a cz as my bedside gun. Also the CZ p07 is pretty much an incredible all around gun that you could carry and costs about $400. If you have to go with one of the two on your list, my vote is for the ppq, love that gun and would trust it with me carrying it but, lightweight triggers and people who arn't training consistently and stressful situations worry me.
turtlehead
New member
I voted for the greatest polymer framed pistol ever made. PPQ. 
marine6680
New member
The VP9 is easier to adapt to smaller hands, I find it more comfortable. I run the small back strap and medium side panels.
The PPQ is comfortable as well though.
The rack assist tabs on the VP9 are effective for people with lower hand strength.
My fiance likes both, with her favorite of the two being the PPQ.
The PPQ trigger is light, but longer than other striker pulls. The VP9 is a bit heavier pull.
Let her hold them and shoot them if possible, have her manipulate controls and operate the slide. Then let her pick her favorite... but if she has issues with easily pulling back the slide with authority, then it is not a good choice for her.
After, instruct her in its proper use and bring her to the range to practice using it and gaining familiarity.
The PPQ is comfortable as well though.
The rack assist tabs on the VP9 are effective for people with lower hand strength.
My fiance likes both, with her favorite of the two being the PPQ.
The PPQ trigger is light, but longer than other striker pulls. The VP9 is a bit heavier pull.
Let her hold them and shoot them if possible, have her manipulate controls and operate the slide. Then let her pick her favorite... but if she has issues with easily pulling back the slide with authority, then it is not a good choice for her.
After, instruct her in its proper use and bring her to the range to practice using it and gaining familiarity.
tahunua001
New member
between the two I would pick the VP9 just based on features but I do not have any personal experience with the Vp9. I have dry fire experience with a few wlathers as well as live fire experience with the copycats out there (canik TP9, Baby eagle, etc) and I personally hate the living daylights out of their designs. the triggers, for the life of me I cannot fathom why so many people rave about the walther triggers. in my personal, flame retardant opinion, they are garbage, which best only the stock M&P triggers for the worst I've ever felt.
for the OPs price range I might suggest a springfield XDM which can also be adapted to smaller hands if needed. the triggers, are very good as far as polymer triggers go and the guns are dead-nuts reliable. a cheaper alternative to those would be the Ruger SR line of pistols. I'm not a fan of the new american line but the SR9 is a very good and reliable handgun in my experience as well.
for the OPs price range I might suggest a springfield XDM which can also be adapted to smaller hands if needed. the triggers, are very good as far as polymer triggers go and the guns are dead-nuts reliable. a cheaper alternative to those would be the Ruger SR line of pistols. I'm not a fan of the new american line but the SR9 is a very good and reliable handgun in my experience as well.
I need help choosing a handgun
You do not have to pay a higher price for your wife's protection. I'd recommend a Ruger LC9S in 9mm, around $350, compact with safety, and reliable. It is compact and holds 7 +1. Use Hornady Critical Duty rounds for the best stop power, and have her practice with full jacketed target rounds to become familiar with it. Get her to try it and feel comfortable before she buys. It's not about your comfort level, but for her hands!
You do not have to pay a higher price for your wife's protection. I'd recommend a Ruger LC9S in 9mm, around $350, compact with safety, and reliable. It is compact and holds 7 +1. Use Hornady Critical Duty rounds for the best stop power, and have her practice with full jacketed target rounds to become familiar with it. Get her to try it and feel comfortable before she buys. It's not about your comfort level, but for her hands!
There are too many variables involved for us to recommend a gun for her....what fits her hands the best /which grip feels the best in terms of thickness, etc / what grip angle does she like .../ how does the trigger feel as it breaks and probably more importantly as it resets...weight of gun, length of sight plane...can she reach the mag release without moving her grip.../ which set of controls does she like the best...type of trigger ( DA/SA, SAO, DAK, Stryker ....)...
What gun can she rapid fire with sucessfully ...at 5 or 6 yards...what caliber...
...has she fired some J or K frame sized revolvers in .38 spl or .357 mag...
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personally, I don't like either gun on your list ...and it sounds to me like price is where you're focused, not function...which I think is a mistake. Take her to the range...let her rent and shoot a bunch of different guns...ask her to make some notes on what she likes or doesn't like about each...
What gun can she rapid fire with sucessfully ...at 5 or 6 yards...what caliber...
...has she fired some J or K frame sized revolvers in .38 spl or .357 mag...
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personally, I don't like either gun on your list ...and it sounds to me like price is where you're focused, not function...which I think is a mistake. Take her to the range...let her rent and shoot a bunch of different guns...ask her to make some notes on what she likes or doesn't like about each...
For a home gun (that is not carried) I'd opt for an AR-15 or an AK47.
A rifle is far easier to use than a handgun. That's why ALL armies of ALL the worlds nations issue them instead of handguns. Because for fighting, rifles are better than handguns.
The mission of a handgun in a fight is immediate reaction, when you don't get to choose the place or the time. If you get to choose either the place or the time you have an advantage of being able to use a rifle (or a shotgun is recoil is not important)
But if I were forced to make the choice between the 2 handguns listed here, I prefer the Walther.
A rifle is far easier to use than a handgun. That's why ALL armies of ALL the worlds nations issue them instead of handguns. Because for fighting, rifles are better than handguns.
The mission of a handgun in a fight is immediate reaction, when you don't get to choose the place or the time. If you get to choose either the place or the time you have an advantage of being able to use a rifle (or a shotgun is recoil is not important)
But if I were forced to make the choice between the 2 handguns listed here, I prefer the Walther.
I voted PPQ because i had one in .40, and my brother has a vp9 which i have shot. To me the walther seems built a little bit better, and i was able to achieve better accuracy with the .40 PPQ. I have also seen reliability testing done and the vp9 failed miserably with a little mud/dirt. Not to say a ppq will do much better, but i believe it would do better. I also think the walthers grip is a little more ergonomic, especially for small hands. Also the PPQ trigger is much nicer in every aspect.
I recommend the PPQ to anyone and everyone considering a striker fired pistol. I have owned an M&P, a glock, a PPQ, and a few others. Of all the striker fired guns, i think the Walther is the finest.
I recommend the PPQ to anyone and everyone considering a striker fired pistol. I have owned an M&P, a glock, a PPQ, and a few others. Of all the striker fired guns, i think the Walther is the finest.
I am sorry for what you and your wife are going through. I hope she has a speedy recovery. I can relate a bit to how much expense is involved to medical issues. I guess I would be looking at a bit cheaper but still reliable handgun. You could save yourself at least a couple of hundred dollars by going with a S&W SD9VE, Ruger SR9e, Canick, Tristar, etc.
MarkGlazer
New member
I don't mean to be smug, but considering the circumstances, the first thing that came to my mind when I read the post is a protective dog and not a gun, (well, maybe both). Since your bride is ailing, I think I might feel better knowing that a well trained dog is watching over her, taking the burden of self defense off her shoulders. If you wanted to think of a gun as a back-up plan, a revolver would be preferred due to simplicity. You did not say how capable she is, whether she might be physically limited in say a jam situation, etc.
I wish you and your bride well and a quick recovery.
I wish you and your bride well and a quick recovery.
357 Python
New member
I voted other because since it will be her gun let her decide what she wants. Take her to a range that rents many different guns or borrow that guns from trusted friends and let her try as many as possible. Like many men I though a small nice .22, .25 or .38 Special J frame would be good for my wife. On the range she tried my 2 1/2" S&W 66 and that became her gun. I was a little surprise but very pleased as I knew she chose a great gun. Let your wife do the same if possible.