[Clutchkickers]

This is only my opinion, so no hating please. I tried to cover all of the things I thought were worth mentioning after spending the afternoon with my two pistols: Walther PPQ 5 Inch and the Steyr L9-A1. The list shows where I think one model is slightly better than the other, in my opinion? I paid: Walther PPQ 5 Inch $629.99 Steyr L9-A1 $460.85 Price--L9 Blade Runner Cool--L9 Sexy Design/Weapon Art--PPQ Slide Construction--L9 Barrel Construction--L9 Recoil Spring Quality--L9 Guide Rod Quality--L9 Take Down/Disassembly--L9 Maintenance/Lube--L9 Grip--PPQ Grip Comfort--PPQ Grip Fit--PPQ Grip Angle--L9 Bore Axis--L9 Sights--L9 Magazine Quality--PPQ Magazine Well/Insert--PPQ Thumb Forward Rest--L9 Recoil Management--L9 Accuracy--PPQ Polymer Quality--L9 Internal Components--L9 Balance Over Hand--L9 Slide Serrations--PPQ Trigger--PPQ Trigger Guard--PPQ Slide Release--PPQ Magazine Release--PPQ They are both great guns in their own way. The PPQ 5 inch gets tighter groups through full magazines for me, but I can keep them both really tight in 5 shot groups. It may be that trigger in the Walther that makes the difference over a full magazine. The Steyr trigger is also really nice, just different. The L9 trigger has some meat to it and it is really short pull, so you can "press" more rather than "pull." Different, but not better. That PPQ trigger is great, but I think the Steyr is really close. The PPQ seems very refined and elegant compared to the Steyr. The Steyr has a more utilitarian design that is combat cool. It has a sturdy feel to it like a combat pistol should. I am very happy to own two of the best polymer pistols available. The Walther PPQ has been getting most of the fanfare and magazine love, but I think the Steyr L9-A1 is also a great pistol with great value for performance. Some may think the PPQ is the best striker out there, but the Steyr is really close for a lot less. Below are targets from the range. I shoot for fun, so this is all pistol, not the shooter. All ammo was Freedom Munitions 115 Grain 9 mm round nose reloaded ammo. http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_1569.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_1567.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_1563.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_1560.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/IMG_1564.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab298/Clutchkickers/Steyr%20L9%20A1/IMG_1551.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab298/Clutchkickers/Steyr%20L9%20A1/IMG_1549.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab298/Clutchkickers/Steyr%20L9%20A1/IMG_1547.jpg http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab298/Clutchkickers/Steyr%20L9%20A1/IMG_1544.jpg

 

[misterlarry]

Thanks for the comparison. Sounds and looks like you had fun.

 

[silentheart]

Hi Clutchkickers,

Good comparison. Thank you for the work. I do also have both M9 and PPQ. Minor difference, I have the M9-A1 older batch (just picked up last week and actually shot side by side) and PPQ-M1 (4 in, same as M9) with flipper release. I agree with most of your assessments.
1) Steyr M9 is by far the easiest semi auto pistol to maintain so far in my experience. I have done more than 50 detail strip down and clean from Beretta to Walther. I just want to mention this.
Here is my difference.
2) Recoil Management - I would give it to the PPQ. I fired 90 rd straight through M9 and my web is hurting after 60 rd. I had to use a shooting glove after 65rd. PPQ was fine all the way through 90 rd. I do not shoot more than 200 rd in each outing.

 

[Clutchkickers]

When I am think recoil management, I am thinking more about the muzzle flipping around. I gave the PPQ the higher mark in grip performance in several ways. If your hand is uncomfortable, I would relate that to the grip, not the flip.

Your guns are unusual in that they are earlier versions of both pistols that were only produced for a short time period. Hang on to them because I think they will both be sought after years from now.

Stay frosty.

 

[silentheart]

thank you for clarification. you have a good weekend.
sh

 

[Clutchkickers]

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab298/Clutchkickers/Steyr L9 A1/IMG_4776.jpg



The groups are getting better. 17 Rounds at 30 feet.

 

[Clutchkickers]

Steyr L9-A1 15 Rounds at 30 Feet -2 off paper



Walther PPQ M2 5" 17 Rounds at 30 Feet

 

[Pea-Shooter]

Thanks CK for the comparison. Just a comment re: grouping. I found that some pistols prefer certain ammos... be it heavier projectiles or different brand of powder, etc.,

 

[Aetrox]

Nice comparison, I have to agree the grips on the PPQ's are fantastic! I have smallish hands and the steyr seems to want a hand just a little bit bigger than mine so I have to "tuck it in" a little more than I am used to, whereas with the adjustable PPQ it can be made to fit, as much as I like the steyr the PPQ actually works a little better for me, for that one reason.

 

[ihatecars]

... I shot 220 rounds of S40-A1 and my web says "shoot more I'm bored" ..... (I'm very small and skinny)

Interesting comparison. I almost considered PPQ if it wasn't for Steyr's looks

 

[MattHelm]

Nice write-up, thanks!

I measured the trigger pull on a 4" PPQ with a Lyman digital scale, and I was getting a fairly consistent 4.75# on a new one at my local gun shop. I might have picked the long slide PPQ if one had been available, but I bought an FNS9-LS. It measured 6.25# when it was new, but I am getting closer to 5.75# now that it has 400 rounds through it. Its trigger safety rotates rather than pulls straight back as on my Steyr C9-A1. My C9 breaks between 5 and 5.5

From the looks of your photos, the PPQ has a trigger safety that rotates. On my FNS, the trigger pull decreases if my finger presses from the bottom; on the C9, the trigger pull gets crunchy unless I press straight back from the center.

My groups are tighter with the C9's 3.6" barrel than with the FNS9-LS's 5" barrel. I attribute that to the heavier trigger pull on the FNS.

It is apparent in your photos that the slide on the Steyr is more narrow (and the dust cover of the frame taller) than the Walther. Both my Steyr and FNH have very stiff recoil springs that prompted me to change how I charge the slide.

I have six pistols, but the Steyr is the only one with trapezoidal sights. With my three dot pistols, I have to cover the center of the target with the front dot. But with the trapezoidal sights, I have been lining up the top of the front triangle with the top of the rear sights and then placing the top point of the front triangle so that it touches the center of the target. I am curious to know how you are aiming your five inch Steyr.