The speed and control offered by the CCP are exceptional for a pistol this size.
Walther CCP
I’ve just come off the range with the Walther CCP. I have to say that I’m impressed. There’s a lot about this compact pistol that has me scratching my head. It is small, accurate, and runs incredibly well. At a $469/$489 (black or 2 tone) MSRP, the CCP is priced exceptionally well, and it makes use of some design features rarely used in 9mm pistols.
How does the CCP come in at such a low price point? And how is it that the CCP will out-shoot much of the more expensive competition? Beats me, but Walther’s onto something. If you are in the market for a capable 9mm for concealed carry, I’d put the CCP in your short list, for sure.
This is one of the most ergonomic pistols I’ve held. Almost every detail is right, even for larger hands like mine.
What is the CCP?
The new Walther Concealed Carry Pistol is not your average compact 9mm. To begin with, the 3.54″ barrel is fixed. The spring rides around the barrel. The spring’s tension is very light, too, thanks to a gas system below the barrel that slows down the slide. The expanding gas vents down before the bullet exists the barrel, and pushes a piston (which is hinged to the front of the slide) forward. Walther is calling this the SoftCoil system. It is a new take on an older gas-delayed blow-back design, and it allows the spring tension to be much lighter than you may expect. If you have trouble racking a typical 9mm, this one should be a breeze.
The CCP has a typical muzzle flip, though slightly less than other pistols of similar size. I’d thought the reverse pressure from the gas might help hold down the flip more, but the energy seems to effectively slow the slide. This is not something you could detect without special equipment. It isn’t as if you can feel it moving more slowly, or staying locked longer. But once you feel the slide, and how easy it is to rack, you’ll get it. Without the gas system, the spring would be no match for recoil, and the slide would slap back with way too much force.
The magazine release button is a button and not a European style paddle, which will help with American sales.
The real benefits to the system are that it allows for the lighter slide tension and the fixed barrel. Because the barrel isn’t traveling back, or tilting up, it can stay firmly in place. I’m a big fan of fixed barrels. Many .22LR barrels are fixed, and it helps with repeat accuracy. Yet the CCP isn’t a target pistol. The benefit of repeat accuracy in a defensive pistol is obvious enough, though. If there is more benefit from a fixed barrel over a tilt barrel, I can’t say. The slide still moves, and the sights are on the slide, so they’re moving, too.
But let’s get beyond this for a moment and look at the rest of the gun. I’m enamored with the feel of the CCP, more than anything. This is one ergonomic pistol. It fits in the hand, and has curves like a 50’s movie star. The texture on the grip is aggressive. The CCP points well. The curve of the back-strap is deep, and puts your shooting hand immediately into position high on the grip. Overall, the CCP is small enough to conceal adequately without sacrificing any real estate that would makes similar hard to control and/or hard on the hand.
The CCP is striker fired. It has a reversible mag release button. There is a manual safety on the frame and a drop safety inside. Its dimensions are what you’d expect: close to 6.5″ long, a shade over an inch wide, and 22.33 oz, empty.
Accuracy
You may have noticed that the photos weren’t shot in bright sunlight. It was a cold grey day at the range, and raining sporadically. I live in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where Walther’s American operations are located, and I’d made special arrangements to get the CCP in for this review with the understanding that I’d have it back within a very narrow window of time. How narrow? I picked it up from my FFL at 10 this morning, drove straight to the range, ran 300+ rounds through it, and had it back to Walther after lunch. I’ve never attempted a review in such a short period of time. I’d much prefer to have a gun in for a couple of months before I begin writing about it. There are often nuances I discover only after I’ve carried a gun habitually. Sometimes, thought, you take what you can get.
[one_half]
The front sight comes in three sizes. Each is a simple white dot post.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The back of the rear sight. The notch is wide–good for fast target acquisition.
[/one_half_last]
With my limited test drive, I’m not going to make any pronouncements about long term reliability. My first date with the CCP was way too short. I can talk about how it shoots, though. And I’m impressed. It shoots well. The muzzle flip, as I mentioned, is manageable. The 3.5 inch barrel seems small, but you can get all four fingers on the grip, and the trigger guard is prominent–so control is easy.
[one_half]
Accuracy from 7 yards is spot on. Five shots in two holes. The rain is wrinkling the target.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Two magazines from 7 yards, all shot for speed, not accuracy. Point shooting with a gun like the CCP seems to be a more feasible rule of evaluation, and the CCP passes the test. That’s 16 rounds, and only 5 have drifted wide of the inner ring. I’m pulling left, but I’m really consistent with the CCP.
[/one_half_last]
Almost all of the ammo I shot was Blazer brass 115 grain ball. There were no malfunctions. I ran a few magazines of Tula steel cased 9mm, too. Not a hitch. Hornady’s Critical Defense ran well, too. There was no noticeable shift in point of aim with any of the ammo types, and ejection was clean and consistent. The only malfunction I had with the gun was one slide that didn’t lock back on an empty magazine.
I would like to talk about the trigger, though. While it breaks around six pounds, it is not going to garner much praise. The one on this CCP has a distinct hitch in its giddy-up. It stutters. If you draw the CCP and pull the trigger, you won’t notice it. It rocks back and fires, no problem. If you are trying to stage shots, the pull will be an issue. It is sufficient for its intended purpose, for sure, but there is room for improvement.
The CCP’s slide is made of stainless steel which is then Cerakoted. That’s oil and grime on the rail after a hard three hours on the range.
Disassembling the CCP
Did I mention it shoots great? I mean it. This gun shoots exceptionally well. And it feels great, too. Taking it apart, though, is monstrous. To begin this part of the review, I’ll go back to my limited time with the CCP. I expect this would be easier if I hadn’t tried to field strip the CCP in the field. That said, I’ve taken apart Ruger Mark III’s that were easier to get apart and together than the CCP.
There’s a catch at the back of the slide. What looks like it might be part of a hammer, or maybe the striker is actually a hook and a catch. To remove the slide, you decock the gun and push the catch up off of the hook, and then push it in until it is free. Then the slide lifts up and rocks forward. There’s a tool included with the gun. It is polymer. I couldn’t get the tool to accomplish the first step–pushing in the steel latch. Instead, I used an allen wrench. Once in, I used the tool to push the catch into the frame. Several times I lost my grip on the tool trying to lift the slide. This is why one wears eye protection. The tool, once out of my grip, went for my eye like a BB from a Daisy Red Ryder.
Getting this rod back into position was hellish. If I had three hands, it would have been more realistic.
Once you get it apart, which is easier if you have three hands, you can clean it well. You’ll need to. Gas systems are notoriously dirty. This one is no exception. But cleaning should be easy enough. Getting the gun back together could be easier. Guiding the piston into the frame is the issue. Again, I had to brace the frame (which is angled awkwardly because of the fixed barrel) against the tension of the spring, and then use the allen wrench to poke at the piston until it lined up correctly. The end of the piston is flat, and it fits snugly, so it is cumbersome. The rest is easy. Or maybe the rest seems easy by comparison. Make sure your finger isn’t between the frame and the slide, as mine was, when the connection is made as it slaps down and can pinch up a nice blood blister.
A note on the price tag
At the end of this short review, I’ve still got a lot of questions. I want to know more about long term reliability. I’d also like to understand more about the design of the internals, especially the locking catch. The gas system seems to answer a question I’m often asked–which is “which pistol for shooters with limited hand strength?” And I’m duly impressed with the CCP’s accuracy. I wouldn’t hesitate to take a surgical shot with this pistol. It gets the job done. Yet I’m really dubious of the locking catch. It isn’t a safety measure. Even if the catch or hook were to fail, the slide would still be traveling rearward around the barrel, but I’d like to see a CCP that’s come through high round count testing and see how the hook and catch have held up.
I’m curious as to why it is a single stack. There seems to be enough room in the grip to hold a double stack mag with minimal engineering. The grip isn’t as pancake thin as most single stacks, and I respect Walther’s decision to keep the ergonomic curves of the grip. I’ve seen the CCP at two trade shows now, and at both I watched people approach the gun and take it in hand and smile. It is a knowing smile. The CCP is very concealable, and yet isn’t anorexic.
Walther has crafted a pistol that is exceptionally capable, ergonomic, and comes in with an MSRP of $469 (in the black) and $489 (stainless). This puts it on par with some of the imported competition, and below others. There are very few single stack 9s that come in below the CCP’s price point, and fewer that are worth a damn. In this market, after initial demand shakes out, the CCP settle in closer to $400. I talked to an FFL today that has the CCP for sale for $379. For $500, you can leave the shop with a gun, a holster, and a box or two of ammo. That’s not bad. For a gun that shoots this well, I’d say that was a steal–and for that price, I’m willing to live with some of the CCP’s personality quirks.
[one_half]
While the gun is compact, the frame is robust where it counts.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The inside of the mag well has ribs that guide the mag into place. The question is why not have a wider magazine and increase capacity? Perhaps the contours farther up the handle restrict the width.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
Detail from the manual. You will become familiar with the manual, like it or not.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Detail on how disassembly is supposed to happen. Walther has left out the part where the polymer tool shoots back at you. Or maybe that was just my dumb luck.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The CCP’s magazine follower is flat, and it feeds reliably.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The mag is not welded, like some, but pressed together in this ladder pattern along the spine. It is still very strong.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
Warning! Its a gun!
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The grip extension on the magazine helps with the full feeling of the grip.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
This extension on the back of the grip helps keep the mag from catching on your hand when you drop it. This is a functional extra, and should be on every small gun.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Mags dropped free with no problem. The CCP will fire with no mag in the gun.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
Fresh form the box, the CCP was well oiled.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Blazer Brass 115 grain was putting up speeds above 1,000 FPS. This is about average for a 3.5 inch barrel. Blazer advertises 1,145 from a 4 inch test barrel. Hornady’s 115 Critical Defense averaged 40 FPS higher than the Blazer.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The fixed barrel should make the CCP more accurate than most pistols in this class.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Lights or lasers, no problem.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The safety isn’t robust. It works well, but feels like a bit of an after-thought.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The safety, engaged.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
This is a picture of the slide catch. Ignore the sights and look at the shiny steel nubbin. That’s what’s holding the catch that keeps the slide in place.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
This is the catch that holds everything in place.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
There is a lot of text to decode on the CCP.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The inside shows just how easy it would be to clean if it were easier to get apart.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The barrel is pinned into the frame, but easily removed for a more detailed cleaning.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The spring rides on the fixed barrel.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
From 50 yards, the CCP still performs. I missed high with the first shot, but got the next three. That last one, the one to the right, was my fault.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
Five shots from 25 yards.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
Five from 10 yards. I was shooting a stick-on dot that was shot off.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The trigger on this CCP breaks at 6 pounds.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The grip fills the hand, making the overall small size feel somewhat odd.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
This is the tool used to disassemble the slide.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half]
The CCP comes with three front sights in different heights.
[/one_half][one_half_last]
The CCP is hardly a pocket pistol, but it is small.
[/one_half_last]
[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]
[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]
[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]
[one_half][/one_half][one_half_last][/one_half_last]
For having it for such a short time, this is a good review. After reading, I easily decided, no thanks!-:) Not hating on Hi-points, but it looks like one when broken down. Prices are way down now.
I’m usually to blogging and i really admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and hold checking for brand spanking new information.
I just wanted to say the person that wrote the review on the CCP must have had the pick of the litter. I purchased A Walther CCP 9mm two Days ago. I purchased it on the note that Walther makes quality firearms and has been in business for a long time. I have to say the Walther CCP that I purchased is the worst handgun I have ever fired hands down. I am not knocking anyone’s review and I am not trying to upset anyone just let me put that out there. I bought the CCP for conceal carry and I realize that when using a firearm for that purpose that it a close quarters weapon, but this firearm is the worst firearm I have purchased. The firearm I purchased I would be lucky if I could hit the bullseye at all. The rear sight moves around on its own. The adjustment for the sight is a screw and the screw on it you cant tell if the wrench is on it or not. Most sights I have adjusted has some kind of a notched system that when you turn the screw it clicks to let you know it’s being adjusted and also to move it a step at a time not on this firearm when you turn the screw you cant tell how far the sight has moved. There is nothing to let you know hoe for the sight moved and it is so loose that it moves on its own while shooting. it is the hardest sight to adjust for side to side accuracy. Not only that the rear sight moves back and forth so easy just touch the sight and it throws it off. The slide on the firearm is so sloppy that it literally throw the aim off on the weapon. The front sight comes with three different heights for elevation settings. I changed to front sight to help with that and the sight made of plastic I was afraid to tighten too tight being afraid to strip out the hole well I had to keep tighten the screw because while shooting the sight loosen its self so I kept tightening the sight and sure enough the screw strips out the hole. The weapon has such a poor design. I know your spending $300 to $400 on the gun but I would have thought to be a Walther that it may have some quality to it I was sadly mistaken. Now I know what everyone is thinking of me I don’t have a clue on what the hell I am doing or talking about. I own 15 different handguns. I go to the range two times a week I love to shoot all different style of firearm it is my passion. I also competition shoot. I must say that this has to be the poorest design for a conceal carry the firearm I had come across. I honestly feel like a wasted my money on a gun that I purchased on the Walther Reputation. Please take a good look at the firearm if you plan on buying one and see if you don’t think twice about this firearm before you buy it. I wish I would have been able to return it and purchased a quality firearm to carry. I would have paid a little more for something a whole lot better. Oh yeah, and the plastic on the firearms I would be lucky if it holds up for any length of time. I just wanted people to beware of buying this firearm because I guess I got what I paid for and I don’t want people to make the mistake I did by buying the firearm on a company reputation instead of the quality of the firearm they produced. I hope this little bit of insight and my review of the firearm helps people make a better choice than I did!!!!
I have read several comments regarding the Walther 9mm CCP. I love the size and the feel, but find I don’t shoot it as much due to the trouble I have with take down. I have some issues with my hands and the tool seems small to me. Is anyone aware of another tool that can be used instead of the small plastic one they give? Thank you.
My wife couldn’t rack the slide on our shield because of arthritis, so went looking for another semi auto,(she has a revolver). We tried the CCP and immediately bought the stainless model. After shooting it, I went back the next day and got the black model (they had no more stainless ones). I traded in the shield. This thing shoots wonderfully, and feels great in the hand. I’ve read and heard complaints about taking it down and reassembly, but if you read the instsructions and watch some utube videos it really isn’t any big deal. Even with my old, arthritic hands, I had no trouble. I HIGHLY recommend the CCP to anyone, especially those with old, weak hands.
I am having a little trouble with the take down tool for the CCP, the arthritis in my hands makes it hard to use the small tool while doing all the other steps. I have no problem shooting or racking. I have a 40 I can shoot and take down with no issues. It seems to be the little plastic tool. Do you have any suggestions? I tried to post a question earlier, but it seems to have disappeared. Thank you.
My experience with the CCP is not a happy one. I bought one a few months ago (Sr # in the 46000 range) & I’ve had nothing but serious trouble with it from the beginning. I’ve returned it to Walther by FedEx twice. The first time, they replaced the slide; the second time, all springs save the main recoil spring. But the gun seems to only get worse as time goes on. Today at the range was the last straw; I’ve finally lost all patience with the thing. This morning I fired 50 124gr followed by 50 115gr rounds. There were major problems with every magazine load but one, most having several issues. There were stovepipes, failures to return completely to battery, failures to feed, failures to cock the striker (twice after stripping & chambering a round), and failures to eject. In fact, with one entire magazine, I had to manually eject all eight rounds!!
The CCP is not well designed and not well executed. Many have experienced the same problems I’ve encountered (just check the Walther forum for confirmation of this). No amount of tinkering will fix this fundamentally flawed weapon. Under no circumstance should anyone consider using it for its primary purpose, viz. concealed carry. If you’ve had luck with yours to date, my guess is you’ve simply been lucky and it will fail sooner or later, probably seriously.
It’s a shame that Walther is allowing this firearm to destroy their brand name. (I’m told it’s manufactured not by Walther at all, but rather by Umarex, the air gun people!) If the company is smart, it will decide to reverse this mistake now. It should offer to take the CCP back and give present owners credit toward the purchase of a real Walther firearm, one that actually works and works well. The resulting good-will and the chance to wipe this blot from the company’s record would be well worth the cost involved.
Never a FTF, nor FTFeed. Walther excellence.
I just got my walther ccp. I love it. I have carried many side arms as a contractor and have tested many, many different small arms and have to say I love it. I carried a taurus pt140 pro for a while as well as my rock island 1911. but this is my new edition had 5 boxes fired of winchester rounds and not one issue. it took less time to readjust to my target Anda lighter recoil than any other cc weapon I have shot. take down and reassemble was not bad at all. I love it. thanks walther for this nice piece to add to my collection.
I rented one and shot 100rds .. several fa8ilure to feeds .. will stick with my nazi pp in 7.65 that always works
My husband just got me a Walther CCP and I love it. My question…What laser sight is best for this gun? There are about a bizzillion different ones how do you know which is best?
Practical article ! For my two cents , if others is requiring to merge PDF or PNG files , my family used a tool here http://goo.gl/6qlQxe
I was with you on this pistol and considered buying one till you mentioned the field strip/take down. If it’s worse than a Ruger 22/45 than I don’t want it. For me it has to be a fairly easy gun to take apart for cleaning or it won’t get cleaned much. My 22/45 has been apart once and that was a P.I.T.A. to re assemble.
Sorry but also, Thanks for the review.
There a YouTube video on the Ccp disassembly and re assembly by a gentleman that is quite clearly handicapped. A paralyzed upper limb. He demonstrates how he handles his Ccp. One handed. It’s rather humbling but stresses the point.
It’s not that hard to do WITH PRACTISE.
Bought one last weekend, took it to the range last Thursday. Easy to load, rack, change magazines. Very accurate, very little recoil – extremely easy and quick to reacquire target. This is definitely a nice CCW for someone with medium to small hands and dexterity issues. it’s easy to rack. I have large hands and found after 3 or 4 rounds my pinkie finger was putting so much pressure on the magazine base that I worked the magazine loose. I had to tap/rack every time after 3/4 rounds. I finally began practicing with my pinkie under the magazine base plate in my grip. Still as accurate but as with anything new, I’ll have to get used to letting my pinkie float off and under the grip. I’ll keep it but I will be looking at possibly a USP or SIG compact for actual CCW carry.
Think that I am gonna!
First, the long trigger travel turned me off, but I have been a double action shooter most of my life, so should not be a problem at all.
Love my Steyr, (the gun glock should have been), but that trigger safety gives me fits, butterflies in the belly, every time I put it inside the waist band, even with a good holster.
Dont need any Steyr leg either!
Please comment. With the spray cleaners and compressed air sprays, can you conceive not ever taking it apart to clean ? What problems would there be? (you don’t need to take it apart to clean the barrel) Thank you.
carbon buildup on the gas piston and in the gas cylinder. I suspect that is where the majority of cleaning will be necessary.
I bought this for my step daughter, after shooting it I went and bought one for me what a shooting gun.
The CCP is a piece of s**t! I currently own a PPS, a P99 and a PPQ, all awesome pistols. The CCP is no where near in the same category. I took it out for the first time on the range and had 3 FTF, lost the magazine 4 X and lost the manual safety. Took it home cleaned it and sent it to walther for warranty. They are now charging me $45 to repair a brand new pistol because it “has too much grease!” Will never buy another Walther pistol again!
PIECE OF S–T CUT IT UP AND THREW IT AWAY .THEY SHOULD STICK TO MAKING TOYS
I just bought a CCP.I am getting rid of it.I had it back to the factory twice.Besides needing 4 hands to reassemble it keeps malfunctioning.I have not ever had this problem with any other pistol I have ever owned..I have tried Winchester,Remington and Federal.The problem never goes away.And to add insult to injury the second time I sent it back I had to pay the freight which was $87.00.The company says it keeps test firing it without any problem. What is with that? Can anyone enlighten me&
I have a PK380. I was excited about it so I took it to the range and fired 2-3 rounds. I realized it would not eject. I sent it into Walther. they replaced the ejector and sent it back. It still could not fire more than 2-3 rounds without failing to eject. I sent it back to Walther and received a note in early August that they had a “load of faulty Ejectors that they really could not fix the gun until the new ejectors arrived. I was notified in mid August that the new ejectors had arrived. I asked that they get the pistol fixed and sent to me quickly because I was moving to another state soon. In late September they stated the gun was fixed and ready to go. I let them know that I had moved and had to get a new FLL. They said “No problem we will store it for you until you get your FFL. Early December they sent me an e-mail demanding I get some FFL owner to send the gun to. I did but it took the company 3 weeks to act on the FFL. They threatened to “Dispose of the gun” if I did not get the FFL license sent to them before the end of December. I contacted the FFL owner and he noted he had sent the FFL, Called Walther, and sent it again, but they stated it never arrived. I finally got my gun back the week before Christmas. Unfortuantely, my magazine was somehow gone. After I called them one last time they sent me a new magazine. I have not yet had an opportunity to get to the gun range to test the gun. A friend in a similar situation mentioned many of the parts are made by a local “Air Soft” company. I have always loved Walther but I am not too happy with them right now. Perhaps the same problem is with your gun.
Just finished shooting Winchester 115 gr. HP, Hornady American Gunner 115gr. HP and Remington HP. 150 rounds total. Not a hitch or jam with any of the ammo. Best accuracy of any concealed carry I have shot including revolvers. Shot low, so I had to go to the lowest of the three front sights furnished. This meant that I tore the pistol down three different times. Very poor instructions and illustrations. No jams and very low recoil. Trigger is very gritty until travel is complete but very light when breaking. Do not lose tools provided, it is a bitch to attempt with a screw driver. Reassembly does not go as smooth as disassembly. Walther made a mistake with this design idea! Except for this, great gun with excellent feel and rides nice and tight with De-Santis holster purchased for $49.95.
Cheap imitation of the h&k p7s. Still carry and shoot mine,it has a 4 inch barrel , flat for concealment and easier to take down and the heat problem is not much of an issue unless you want to play cowboy. Getting tired of all these new pistols made of plastic like a toys you throw away 2 weeks after Christmas. People that say they are fantastic plastic never enjoyed the finer things in life and could be satisfied with one or two pistols and have to buy 10 of the same
I have nerve damage and arthritis in both hands, which has forced me to give up my preferred 357mag and 10mm. I have carried a glock 32 and loved it but recoil and racking the slide has become an issue. I still have the hand strength now but not always unless really concentrating . This could be the solution to my problem but I am concerned about the disassembly. I also would like a larger capacity mag if it didn’t make the grip larger.
Try the walther Pps. I have shot both… the Pps feels better to me and has an easy disassbly
I am 73 and have small hands with arthritis. I bought a CCP yesterday and went to the range with it. Fired about 100 rounds with no problem at all. Shoots very good and accurate. I went to another gun store to look for a carry purse and asked a young salesman if they had a CCP. He immediately started to warn me about the the field stripping and said it is almost impossible. I went home and looked at some videos and it worried me a lot. Cleaned it this morning field stripping it first time. Piece of cake. I called my husband down to see it because I was so excited. He said reassemble and try again. I put the slide back on worked the slide several times. Dry fired and field stripped again.
It was easy to clean and reassemble. It is a lot easier to rack the slide back and field strip than my Sig Sauer P238. I love the feel and it is accurate. A lot easier to shoot a 9mm than my husband’s SDx.
I got one , it is great, safety is useable, unlike the PPK built here in USA, and is like a German gun should be, full grip in the hand, shoots great for me, reliable, but the system to take it down and clean it, or change the front sight, and the tool, it will never make it into the German industrial museum…This tool should come in the box, in the for m of a screwdriver handle, and have something holdable, togive you a third hand so as to say….
Like it much, and will carry in my old age, scaling down, it is not a 9short, it is a 9X19, and a great design otherwise.
Saw the Walther CCP today and loved how it felt !!Had to ck it out , thanks for the input. Just may stick with the Sig and CZ ,s Thanks .
Why would Walther include a manual safety that works the opposite of the other 2 guns in this size? (P22 and PK380) I love the ergonomics of these Walthers but no way I’m going to CC this, then when the chips are down try and remember which way the safety should be flipped. I know many will say CCW’s should not have a safety, but when carrying IWB with one in the chamber, sure gives some extra peace of mind. Just wish Walther would have kept things consistent. The button mag release I could live with, if I haven’t hit anything with 9 rounds I’m not sure the extra half second it takes vs. the paddle is going to make a difference.
Because this pistol is CONCEAL CARRY! So let’s put this to rest once and for all. The PPQ is a fine pistol, awesome even, BUT NOT IWB! Taking a pistol out of a duty holster is one thing, the PPQ with its trigger safety and drop safety will be easily engaged via a holster that is easy to get to, now when your reaching through a pair of dockers or jeans, with a shirt on (we all aren’t at the beach) pulling a weapon out of concealment and being 100% sure there will never be a rider or snag on the trigger by a finger or clothing isn’t possible in a situation. This is why CONCEAL pistols should have a safety.
I out shot everyone at my CC class with my PPQ M2, but just could not put a locked and loaded weapon inside my waistband and be 100% sure there wouldn’t be a problem some day when conditions aren’t ideal and I’m in a hurry, way too easy to engage trigger systems like the PPQ and Glocks (ugh) for concealing.
Regrettably I didn’t know enough and was new to CC to “learn” this quality in a pistol.
I love technology, so the ole’ 1911 wasn’t on my short list at all, went to a Sig P239 so I could unrack and use the DA/SA trigger to get around the no safety on that gun.
Way way too heavy! Like I said, I love hi tech, welcome the Alloy framed 1911! Sure, my STI Escort cost three times as much as a $400 pistol, but it’s better then perfect, better then superb, then I bought a Kimber Crimson Carry Pro and put another $300 into it with recoil reduction guide rod and backstrap (mainspring housing for you purist) with tritium night sights and Wilson Combat sear spring and a few other finess details to make it a favorite among anyone who has shot it. The STI doesn’t need any internal changes as it’s basically hand made, the Kimber didn’t NEED anything either, I just wanted it to be perfect for me, with 14,000 parts for 1911s at Midway you can make any 1911 into your own personalized weapon period, and with new technologys they are just getting better, not being outpaced or surpassed. You don’t hear of people accidentally shooting their leg off with 1911s either , like the mentioned “Glock leg “
Hello everyone, I have a question for anyone who has fired this pistol and the Walther 9mm PPS. Other than it being easier to rack the slide on the CCP, is there any reason to buy a CCP if you already have a PPS? Thank you, in advance, for your reply.
I have carried a PPS for over a year now, probably my sixth attempt at finding the ideal CC gun, and probably the final one. No, I have not fired a CCP, but there are several things about it that will keep me from trading for it. 1. It’s wider and slightly heavier. One of the great things about the PPS is that it’s only .9″ wide and pretty dang light for a non-pocket gun. Helps tremendously with concealability, and yes, .3″ is a lot, especially if you’re a fairly thin guy like I am. 2. It has an external safety. As much as I love my 1911’s, I am from the camp that believes that an external safety may get you killed. Not an absolute, but it’s in the realm of possibility. 3. It’s a pretty unorthodox operational system, at least in the current realm, so time is needed to shake out the potential issues. 4. The PPS is already plenty accurate and comfortable to shoot, so not sure how much I’d gain there. Although I’ll admit that the grip looks fantastic. I know it would feel that way, too, because I’ve also got a PPQ M1 and a P22, which have the same grip design and to me, it’s the best on the market. 5. It has a traditional mag-release button. I understand the trigger-guard blade release may seem strange to some folks, but I grew to love it pretty quickly on the PPQ and it just feels natural to me on the PPS. I use my middle finger to release it and can do so without changing my grip one bit. I hate that Walther feels like they’re being forced to give up on a superior type of control to cater to us hard-headed gun nuts.
Having said all this, if the CCP had the awesome trigger of the PPQ, then there is the possibility that I might still try it. The PPS trigger is not bad, and it improves considerably after a couple-hundred rounds, but it still ain’t as good as the PPQ.
Hey Uncle Nat,
Sticking with Ruger can’t be a bad thing, Ruger is a very great company.
I own a few real nice rugers.
But you should check out the history of Walther, it’s very interesting to a firearm enthusiest.
Walther Arms has been a leader in the firearms industry for almost 130 years. Walther has been renowned throughout the world for its innovation since Carl Walther and his son, Fritz, created the first semiautomatic pistol in 1908. Today, the innovative spirit of its founders lives on as Walther celebrates 125 years as one of the world’s leading premium manufacturers of sporting, defense, and law enforcement firearms. For more information, visit Carl Walther and in the United States Walther Arms, Inc.
In June of 2012, Arnsberg, Germany based PW Group, owners of shooting sports companies, CARL WALTHER Sportwaffen and UMAREX Sportwaffen, announced the formation of Walther Arms, Inc. to handle all the importation, sales, marketing, distribution, and servicing of Walther products in the United States early in 2012. The transition occurred in two phases in 2013. Previously, Smith & Wesson held responsibility for the distribution of Walther firearms and accessories in the United States. On January 1, 2013, that responsibility was transferred to the newly formed Walther Arms, Inc.
Walther and Smith & Wesson will maintain their strategic alliance on several fronts—Smith & Wesson will continue to manufacture the PPK for Walther Arms, Inc. and CARL WALTHER will continue to manufacture the M&P22 handgun for S&W. Additionally, UMAREX will continue to license the Smith & Wesson brand for airgun products.
Walther is known throughout the world as a leader in handgun innovation and quality. The new U.S. based Walther Arms allows a more direct influence from the U.S. consumer’s wants and needs into their product development.
Walther puts Americans to work. Be sure of that.
Thanks for the honest review! I’ll stick with my Ruger-Prescott-Arizona-USA. My money goes to American workers, not just American salesmen.
For concealed carry, I loved the feel of the Walther PPS… until I engaged their convoluted mag release! Sounds like they almost came up with another winner, but missed the boat on this one too.
That’s funny Dan.
The paddle style mag release is the opposite of “convoluted “.
It’s extremely simplistic, ergonomic and effortless to operate.
Your the exact type of guy I mentioned above “old timers” that can’t change their muscle memory to get off the less efficient button mag release, and enjoy innovative design.
So you cry to WALTHER for a button, and they cave to make a sale.
I’m going to take a guess here…You own 1911’s (ask them to design a 2015, lol)
Sorry, and I’m old , but still willing to learn new tricks.
The paddle mag release is superior to the button, adjust to it.
Your missing out.
Right.
The paddles for mag release are great. I like it better than the button in some guns. Yea, – some people are just not able to leran something new. Once trained, what took a long time, they are unable to change. Haha… See ya around.
Whichever (button or paddle) type of mag release you prefer, it would make sense to own only one type for all your carry guns. The last thing anyone needs is to have to remember which gun you are carrying should you ever have to switch mags for real. I know, highly unlikely, but still a valid concern. All I own now are button release and I’m not selling all my guns and changing over to the paddle design – doesn’t make sense to me. So it’s not just “old timers not wanting to learn new tricks” – I’m not an old timer, just practical.
“There seems to be enough room in the grip to hold a double stack mag with minimal engineering.”
That is what I’d prefer to spend my money on, a P99AS with this gas system.
(PPQ is/was an unnecessary solution to a lack of marketing for the P99; the 99’s SA and reset are just as great; AS trigger = HK LEM trigger with a de-cocker button)
If/when Walther wakes up and makes it, only then will they have made a worthy successor to the P7M13.
Imagine: semi-compact, double-stacked, gas-retarded, fixed-barrel goodness without the boat anchor sensation on your hip (P7s are all steel, for those not familiar).
The P7 that you mentioned, isn’t that the squeeze cocking pistol made by HK?
it doesn’t have the good trigger…what a disapointment …was looking forward to buying one …(whenever it actually does get released) but without the fine PPQ trigger its not so interesting to me….the ole 27 stays.
There are plenty of this size guns out there. With more features. Fat as a double stack but only single !.
This new gun is TOO long TOO fat and TOO Tall and the safety is not AMBI.
Probably not DA/SA either.
The engineers name must be Asleep At The Wheel.
Question for the reviewer: Did the gun have any heat buildup like the HK P7 guns? Does the heat dissipate quicker in the polymer frame?
H&K used the same system on their P7 series of pistols. I owned a P7M8 that was phenomenally-accurate. Back in the distant days when we shot for accuracy “off the bags” at 25yds, it regularly put a whole magazine of its favorite ammo into a 2″ group.
The problem was the heat. H&K added a heat shield to protect the trigger finger, but after as little as 20 shots, the pistol was too hot to operate properly. Gloves helped reduce burns, but it was darned inconvenient.
All that hot gas has to be vented somewhere. If I understand correctly most simply goes back into the barrel, but I suspect that a lot of energy in the form of heat winds up right above the shooter’s trigger finger.
I’d like to see an exhaustive test of this pistol, to see if this “gas-retarded blowback” offering has conquered the problem.
No question the fixed barrel and spring work-I’ve carried a Makarov for over 20 years for CC and it shoots as well as my Sigs, Kimbers, CZ and Glock. It is hard to rack-so that would be a benefit.I tried the SCCY and was initially impressed, but it did fail to feed, which the mfr repaired quickly-no complaint on service.I own 2 Makarovs,Russian and Bulgarian, and for $250, can’t beat them.Would like to try the CCP since the Walther PPK and Makarov are so close, and Walther has a good rep.Might be the answer for my wife and my arthritic hands as they get worse.
Say hello to Ft Smith, my family’s hometown for me-and home of some of the best Vietnamese restaurants anywhere in the US.
Mr. Taylor, I have often thought that I should purchase a Makarov; I have heard good things about them. You mentioned having arthritic hands…I am sorry to hear that. I really wish that somebody would make a 9mm version of a pistol that was made by Beretta, and sold by both Beretta and Browning. It was a really nice .380 pistol with a full-size grip and barrel length. I read that Beretta had discontinued that model. I saw a used one at a gunshow and I was really impressed with how nice that grip fit my hand. One feature that made it perfect for someone suffering with arthritis was its tip up barrel feature. With that, you would never need to ever rack the slide to chamber a round. I kind of wish that I had bought that pistol, but I have always worried about buying a used gun, I have no idea if it has been abused or shot too much with reloaded ammunition that was loaded too-hot. Several years ago, a couple that I have knows for 25 plus years, suggested that I try something called Turmeric for pain issues that I suffer from. Turmeric is an herb from India that is still used today in Mustard. The people in India have been using Turmeric for things such as arthritis pain and inflammation for more than a thousand years. You can find it in all sorts of places; I buy mine at Walmart. They sell it in the area where they sell vitamins and supplements. It is $6.99 for a bottle that will last you for a month. It has helped me and it has helped at least ten other people that I have told about it. Good luck to you.
So no Quick Action/PPQ M2 trigger? Is the trigger like a Kahr K9 with a long take up? Can you ride the reset, or do you have to release the trigger like a Browning/FN Hi Power?
This is where I’m hung up on placing my order also! I LOVE my PPQ, the trigger being one of the reasons why, but as a woman, concealing the PPQ M2 during the summer months is a bear. Has anyone who loves the PPQ, or at least shot it, done a review of the CCP? By the way, I also carry a Glock 36, Glock 26, and Baretta 92FS depending on the day and situation, but the PPQ M2 is hands down my go to firearm. Further, I detest the XDS and Sheild because of the XD’s trigger and Sheilds extremely narrow grip. The thicker grip of the CCP is extreamly desireable, but like mentioned I question the lack of double stack given the grip width. I’m wondering if a CCP M2 may be on the drawing board? Hint hint Walther…
I don’t see how you can say “priced exceptionally well” when this pistol is double the price of a SCCY CPX-2 and nearly double the price of a SIG P290RS. In my opinion, nothing beats the value of the SCCY. It’s made in USA, good ergonomics, never jams or misfires with any ammo, and truly “priced exceptionally well”.
And its a double stack.
I want one call me at 352-397- 5520
Looks good, I could live with the quirks, I’ve put up with my ruger std auto for 36 years and can disassemble/assemble blind folded, always the number one gripe. As soon as they double stack it I’ll get my wallet out.
Looks good, I could live with the quirks, I’ve put up with my ruger std auto for 36 years and can disassemble/assemble blind folded, always the number one gripe. As soon as they double stack it I’ll get my wallet out.
Another example of a company giving “us” what we do not want or need…sorta like when GM tells us what kind of vehicle we “should” drive. I will continue to say as long as I am able…why would you buy this pistol when you can purchase a Glock?? just does not make sense to me
Why not purchase a Glock? Because I do not like the grip angle as it is very unnatural for me.
Practice makes perfect, my dad didn’t like the grip angle, but now he shoots it like a champ. I don’t understand why so many people disregard Glocks because of simple things like that? No matter what gun you shoot you line up the sights anyway.
Glocks were designed for LE, and open carry, not for Conceal Carry. Ever hear of Glock-Leg? I have, many many times.. But, I’ve never heard of Walther leg, or berretta leg….etc etc,
Why would you buy a gun that needs new sights, new dual spring guide rod, and a trigger modification, just to correct the problems or simple improvements that should have been done at the factory before selling it? Especially one with a long history of shooting it’s owners in the leg? No thanks, I’ll stay with my American made weapon! but this is America, If you want to send your money to Austria, that is your freedom of choice. I would carry a SCCY before any glock.
Cocked & Locked is the way to go.! switching from stryker fired to a 1911 is the best gun choice I have made, just wish I had done it sooner. I shoot just as quickly and with better accuracy than I ever did with a glock or the xds I sold to get the 1911.
Because not all of us like to carry an ugly pistol that stands out in virtually zero areas. I’ll stick to my STI Escort 1911, no weight, famous reliability, and doesn’t look like a dog turd “block”
I’ll just stay with my most reliable and easy-cleanable and deadly accurate CZ P-01 – thank you
I think I will stay with my Springfield 9mm. This pistol has too many weird “features” and I don’t have the three hands needed to disassemble it.
I’ll stick with my PPQ M1
Walther is going backwards in design by listening to old timers and the safety police.
I love WALTHER, and own it’s; PPK, P99C, PPS, and my favorite above.
But you can take those other pieces and toss them in the trash.
Nothing special about them.
It looks like Walther may have just improved on the H&K P7 and its gas system and fixed barrel (explains the accuracy). I wonder if the plastic or polymer used in this iteration of the P7 will have the same heating problems as the original P7. The difficulty of the tack down sounds like the P7 and I wonder if the bore of the piston needs to be scraped out as well.
Every Walther I own, or have owned, have performed without fail. My 1943 p-38 performs as crisp now as it did in occupied France. I look forward to the ease of slide operation as my hands don’t seem to age as well as my Walthers. The heat issue , as on the HK P-8, should be diminished with the polymer frame. I’m looking forward to my new CCP.
Hi Kevin, I’m wondering, if you’ve received your CCP? Have you had an issue with the slide not locking back after the last round has ejected?
I went to my gun guy and he said it has to do with the shooter not gripping the weapon tight enough that, the weapon is being tilted forward or back far enough that the pressure difference is slowing the slide just enough that the slide doesn’t get to the lock lever?! I told him, I’ve never heard of gripping the weapon having to do with the slide lever lock not engaging.
(was a range instructor twenty years ago, mostly 38’s, some 9mm, never had or heard of this issue), If it is gas operated, what does gripping the weapon tightly, have to do with the slide operating properly? Am I making any sense here? I hope so, looking forward to your response.
Annoyed and confused in fort worth.
Thank you for your time.
Hey Jeff,
I got the CCP for my wife. We don’t have a problem with the slide not locking back after the last round has been fired.
However, I so know about another person that has had that problem, and also contributed it to his grip. Not because of soft-coil blowback though. It had to do with where the slide stop lever is located, and his strong hand thumb was holding down the level just enough so the slide did not catch it on its way back. After he changed his grip to ensure he was not holding in the slide stop lever, he did not have that problem anymore. He also has large hands. Again, we have not had that issue. Hope this helps!
//Small Arms Readiness Group Trainer/Range Instructor//.