wild cat mccane
New member
Hi all,
I won an amazing deal on a new Walther Q5 SF (steel frame) on gunbroker for 1,100 delivered. Win. Haven't shot it yet, but a huge Walther user.
I purposefully selected the SF non Pro version. The Pro retails for $1,700. However, the only difference between the two Q5 SF versions is a $100 mag well on Walther's website that requires 17rnd mag use. The non Pro is the standard P99/PPQ/PDP "compact" for 15rnd mags. Both SF version come with 3 mags. Otherwise, they are physically the same gun, no upgrades.
The Q5 steel frame began the use of the current grip texture on. The PDP. Q5 SF comes with a "medium" side grip that is replaceable. Interestingly, others have created a flat back for the Q5 SF. This introduces what Walther later used to make the PDP F-Series with a non hump backstrap. The cut grip texture on the trigger guard and front strap are fantastic.
I personally do not care for the PDP because of how large the slide is. To make a red dot "fit" deep in the PDP slide, Walther cheated and raised the slide height of the PPQ. I know lots of people like red dots. I don't. So while the Q5 comes with a mount, I really like the fully adjustable target all black rear. Front optic is small and bright.
What I really like on the PPQ series over the PDP is the slide.
-The PDP went away with the anti glare channels on the top of the slide.
-The Q5 slide cuts are technically deeper and therefore more aggressive than the PDP "Super Terrain" cuts that make the PDP so wide. Was it worth doing this to make the sharp PPQ more by making it one of the wider slides? I do not think so.
-Slide shape. Walther has claimed in the past that the P99/PPQ are triangular in shape to draw your eye to the top of the slide/sights. I think that this might be marketing, but naturally works.
What the Q5 SF does that the PDP enjoys:
-The Q5 grip texture is great. I didn't find the PPQ bad though.
-The clean up of the PPQ area that was really busy where the rail began. I particularly like the look better on the Q5 SF between the PPQ and PDP. It just blends well.
Sight picture is great. If you handgunhero the Walther series, you can see the sight picture on the Walther is longer than a few others. Longer barrel, shorter overall, and longer sight picture. Worth mentioning.
The Q5 poly and steel frames come with a blue trigger. The Walther Germany website, but not American, claims the blue is an "anti-friction coating(AFC)" on the trigger bar that uniquely makes the Q5 have a great pull. However, all Walther P99/PPQ/PDP come with a coating. In one of my crappy pics you can see the blue trigger bar inside the chamber. So it might be true that Walther uses an coating, but it is not uniquely better on the Q5 series.
Having owned PPQs and the Polymer Q5, I do not believe the Q5 blue AFC provides anything different than a standard PPQ trigger.
Steel guide rod. I can take or leave that, but it is there.
Here's where I think it gets exciting. Walther installs their Dynamic Trigger and is under warranty by them. I'll be sending it to Walther shortly to replace the stock PPQ trigger (in my opinion).
All this said, I think the Q5 polymer has a lot going too. With a replaceable backstrap that is weighted, you can gain the weight of the SF version. The polymer Q5 also uses the PPQ/PDP barrels that the SF version is unique. Will that be a problem later if Walther decides to PDP the Q5? I don't know.
Since both the Q5 polymer and the Q5 SF both use the same trigger, both equally will enjoy the Walther Dynamic Trigger equally.
I am happy with this purchase. It feels amazing. This is unique in the only striker fired that I recall that is steel framed. It just feels fantastic.
Thanks all!
I won an amazing deal on a new Walther Q5 SF (steel frame) on gunbroker for 1,100 delivered. Win. Haven't shot it yet, but a huge Walther user.
I purposefully selected the SF non Pro version. The Pro retails for $1,700. However, the only difference between the two Q5 SF versions is a $100 mag well on Walther's website that requires 17rnd mag use. The non Pro is the standard P99/PPQ/PDP "compact" for 15rnd mags. Both SF version come with 3 mags. Otherwise, they are physically the same gun, no upgrades.
The Q5 steel frame began the use of the current grip texture on. The PDP. Q5 SF comes with a "medium" side grip that is replaceable. Interestingly, others have created a flat back for the Q5 SF. This introduces what Walther later used to make the PDP F-Series with a non hump backstrap. The cut grip texture on the trigger guard and front strap are fantastic.
I personally do not care for the PDP because of how large the slide is. To make a red dot "fit" deep in the PDP slide, Walther cheated and raised the slide height of the PPQ. I know lots of people like red dots. I don't. So while the Q5 comes with a mount, I really like the fully adjustable target all black rear. Front optic is small and bright.
What I really like on the PPQ series over the PDP is the slide.
-The PDP went away with the anti glare channels on the top of the slide.
-The Q5 slide cuts are technically deeper and therefore more aggressive than the PDP "Super Terrain" cuts that make the PDP so wide. Was it worth doing this to make the sharp PPQ more by making it one of the wider slides? I do not think so.
-Slide shape. Walther has claimed in the past that the P99/PPQ are triangular in shape to draw your eye to the top of the slide/sights. I think that this might be marketing, but naturally works.
What the Q5 SF does that the PDP enjoys:
-The Q5 grip texture is great. I didn't find the PPQ bad though.
-The clean up of the PPQ area that was really busy where the rail began. I particularly like the look better on the Q5 SF between the PPQ and PDP. It just blends well.
Sight picture is great. If you handgunhero the Walther series, you can see the sight picture on the Walther is longer than a few others. Longer barrel, shorter overall, and longer sight picture. Worth mentioning.
The Q5 poly and steel frames come with a blue trigger. The Walther Germany website, but not American, claims the blue is an "anti-friction coating(AFC)" on the trigger bar that uniquely makes the Q5 have a great pull. However, all Walther P99/PPQ/PDP come with a coating. In one of my crappy pics you can see the blue trigger bar inside the chamber. So it might be true that Walther uses an coating, but it is not uniquely better on the Q5 series.
Having owned PPQs and the Polymer Q5, I do not believe the Q5 blue AFC provides anything different than a standard PPQ trigger.
Steel guide rod. I can take or leave that, but it is there.
Here's where I think it gets exciting. Walther installs their Dynamic Trigger and is under warranty by them. I'll be sending it to Walther shortly to replace the stock PPQ trigger (in my opinion).
All this said, I think the Q5 polymer has a lot going too. With a replaceable backstrap that is weighted, you can gain the weight of the SF version. The polymer Q5 also uses the PPQ/PDP barrels that the SF version is unique. Will that be a problem later if Walther decides to PDP the Q5? I don't know.
Since both the Q5 polymer and the Q5 SF both use the same trigger, both equally will enjoy the Walther Dynamic Trigger equally.
I am happy with this purchase. It feels amazing. This is unique in the only striker fired that I recall that is steel framed. It just feels fantastic.
Thanks all!