WALTHER PPS VS SIG P938
When it comes to single stack concealed carry, I have two pistols that I prefer. First is the Walther PPS 9mm. However, for those times when I need to pocket carry, the PPS is simply too big. So I bought the SIG P938, also a 9mm shooter. For my PPS, I usually carry it in a High Noon pancake style holster. For my SIG and pocket carry, I use a Remora holster, which fits perfectly either in the right front pocket of my jeans or cargo pants. I also bought a Crossbreed OWB for my SIG, which I like a lot. I admit that I'm impressed with the smaller and lighter SIG hanging on my side which is so comfortable that I have literally forgotten that I was carrying it. (Not a good thing, by the way.) But what about where it really counts, that is, how do these two fine guns actually shoot, at least in my hands? I decided to do a back to back shoot-out at the range, and here are some of my findings.
As my students know I believe in, and stress, combat shooting at what I call "reality range". That is ten feet or less. As a city boy, I don't know the last time I ever heard of a bad guy standing 21 feet away and demanding your wallet. That's just not how it happens. So at ten feet or less, I fired both pistols back to back, firing rapid fire double taps. The short version, both were equally accurate. At 15 and 25 yards, both pistols were equally combat accurate, keeping five shot groups well within a 9 inch paper plate. I must add, however, that the somewhat larger size and weight of the PPS made it a bit more accurate at these longer ranges, especially at 25 yards. But apart from accuracy, there were some differences.
As the SIG is lighter and smaller, the recoil was more noticeable. It was, shall I say, a bit snappier than the Walther. With practice, this is quite manageable, although after about 150 rounds, my strong hand needs a break.
So what of the PPS? Well, the converse it true. Recoil was more manageable than the SIG.
Also note that the SIG is basically a 1911 style gun. As such, the SIG is intended to be carried "cocked and locked." That is, it is designed to be carried with a round in the chamber, the hammer in a full cocked position, and the external thumb safety engaged. If you are not familiar with this style of handgun, I cannot stress enough how important it will be for you to spend some quality time practicing your drawstroke, being sure to disengage the external manual safety as you present your firearm. The PPS of course has no such external or manual safety to worry about. The trade off? The SIG has the classic 1911 type trigger with its very clean break. The Walther? Not so much, but not bad either.
Speaking of triggers, the SIG comes with a fairly heavy pull, 7.5 to 8 pounds. The Walther is more in the 5 to 6 pound range. There is a reason for the relatively heavy SIG pull. The heavy pull is effectively an additional safety. Remember cocked and locked?
Last, I would be remiss not to mention sights. The SIG comes with probably the best night sights you can find as standard. Although the Walther's sights are good, the ability to rapidly acquire your front sight with the SIG is outstanding. In a totally dark environment, raise the SIG to eye level and you will see three very clear and very bright sights.
Some of the stats:
SIG weights about 16 ounces unloaded vs PPS at about 20 ounces. And yes, the additional four ounces is noticeable.
SIG Overall Length: 5.90 inches, vs PPS at 6.3.
Capacity with standard mags is 6 rounds for both. Both have extended mags available with the SIG offering a seven round mag and the Walther offering a seven or eight round mag.
Sig Barrel Length: 3 inches vs PPS at 3.2.
Sig Width is 1.1 inch vs the PPS at 1 inch. No, I did not find the one tenth of an inch material between the two guns.
Sig Warranty: forever vs Walther the same.
So what is the verdict as a carry gun? Well, if comfort in carrying, concealability and less chance of printing is a major concern, the SIG wins hands down. If more comfortable shooting is your primary concern, and a less complicated manual of arms is important to you, than go with the Walther. At my "realistic range" distances, both will absolutely do the job. So which is my favorite? Well, because the Sig does well as an outside/inside the waistband holster carry, as well as pocket carry, I give my nod to the Sig 938. I feel well armed and well served by either. If you can, try firing both and then decide what works best for you.
GR
When it comes to single stack concealed carry, I have two pistols that I prefer. First is the Walther PPS 9mm. However, for those times when I need to pocket carry, the PPS is simply too big. So I bought the SIG P938, also a 9mm shooter. For my PPS, I usually carry it in a High Noon pancake style holster. For my SIG and pocket carry, I use a Remora holster, which fits perfectly either in the right front pocket of my jeans or cargo pants. I also bought a Crossbreed OWB for my SIG, which I like a lot. I admit that I'm impressed with the smaller and lighter SIG hanging on my side which is so comfortable that I have literally forgotten that I was carrying it. (Not a good thing, by the way.) But what about where it really counts, that is, how do these two fine guns actually shoot, at least in my hands? I decided to do a back to back shoot-out at the range, and here are some of my findings.
As my students know I believe in, and stress, combat shooting at what I call "reality range". That is ten feet or less. As a city boy, I don't know the last time I ever heard of a bad guy standing 21 feet away and demanding your wallet. That's just not how it happens. So at ten feet or less, I fired both pistols back to back, firing rapid fire double taps. The short version, both were equally accurate. At 15 and 25 yards, both pistols were equally combat accurate, keeping five shot groups well within a 9 inch paper plate. I must add, however, that the somewhat larger size and weight of the PPS made it a bit more accurate at these longer ranges, especially at 25 yards. But apart from accuracy, there were some differences.
As the SIG is lighter and smaller, the recoil was more noticeable. It was, shall I say, a bit snappier than the Walther. With practice, this is quite manageable, although after about 150 rounds, my strong hand needs a break.
So what of the PPS? Well, the converse it true. Recoil was more manageable than the SIG.
Also note that the SIG is basically a 1911 style gun. As such, the SIG is intended to be carried "cocked and locked." That is, it is designed to be carried with a round in the chamber, the hammer in a full cocked position, and the external thumb safety engaged. If you are not familiar with this style of handgun, I cannot stress enough how important it will be for you to spend some quality time practicing your drawstroke, being sure to disengage the external manual safety as you present your firearm. The PPS of course has no such external or manual safety to worry about. The trade off? The SIG has the classic 1911 type trigger with its very clean break. The Walther? Not so much, but not bad either.
Speaking of triggers, the SIG comes with a fairly heavy pull, 7.5 to 8 pounds. The Walther is more in the 5 to 6 pound range. There is a reason for the relatively heavy SIG pull. The heavy pull is effectively an additional safety. Remember cocked and locked?
Last, I would be remiss not to mention sights. The SIG comes with probably the best night sights you can find as standard. Although the Walther's sights are good, the ability to rapidly acquire your front sight with the SIG is outstanding. In a totally dark environment, raise the SIG to eye level and you will see three very clear and very bright sights.
Some of the stats:
SIG weights about 16 ounces unloaded vs PPS at about 20 ounces. And yes, the additional four ounces is noticeable.
SIG Overall Length: 5.90 inches, vs PPS at 6.3.
Capacity with standard mags is 6 rounds for both. Both have extended mags available with the SIG offering a seven round mag and the Walther offering a seven or eight round mag.
Sig Barrel Length: 3 inches vs PPS at 3.2.
Sig Width is 1.1 inch vs the PPS at 1 inch. No, I did not find the one tenth of an inch material between the two guns.
Sig Warranty: forever vs Walther the same.
So what is the verdict as a carry gun? Well, if comfort in carrying, concealability and less chance of printing is a major concern, the SIG wins hands down. If more comfortable shooting is your primary concern, and a less complicated manual of arms is important to you, than go with the Walther. At my "realistic range" distances, both will absolutely do the job. So which is my favorite? Well, because the Sig does well as an outside/inside the waistband holster carry, as well as pocket carry, I give my nod to the Sig 938. I feel well armed and well served by either. If you can, try firing both and then decide what works best for you.
GR
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