Updated 10/27/14 - Comparison - Walther PPQ vs. HK VP9 vs. Sphinx SDP Compact

[ruddogg]

UPDATED ON POST #89 - 10/27/14

UPDATED ON POST #70

* THIS IS STRICTLY MY OPINION*

I currently CCW/EDC a Walther PPQ M2 9mm, LOVE this gun. I bought a second PPQ as a back up, so I won't risk not having one next year after SSE goes away. I also own a Sphinx SDP Alpha 9mm. I just DROS'd my HK VP9 yesterday at OC Armory with my second PPQ there also waiting to be DROS'd. I compared it side by side, dry fired.

My initial impression (may change after I get the VP9 in 10 days) is that I still prefer the PPQ. The trigger which is what everyone talks about, is about the same between the PPQ & Sphinx (granted Sphinx is about $300-400 more otd than the PPQ, it better have a dream trigger), about 3-4 lbs pull, with a short reset on both. The VP9 pull is a tad heavier, and the reset is longer than the PPQ. The ergos are great on both. End of the day, I'd still choose the PPQ, with the Sphinx 2nd, and VP9 last between the 3 of them.

I will update this thread once I get the VP9 out of jail next week & shoot all 3 side by side at the range.

Here are some pics... sorry for the blurry ones, was trying to do it quick at OC Armory yesterday with 20 guys in line at lunch.

[neomedic]

Awesome...can't wait to sell how you feel about them after shooting them all.

On a side note, I'm having a hard time deciding if I should use one of the precious SSE spot for a 2nd VP9 or 1st PPQ M1???? Thoughts???

[ruddogg]

Awesome...can't wait to sell how you feel about them after shooting them all.

On a side note, I'm having a hard time deciding if I should use one of the precious SSE spot for a 2nd VP9 or 1st PPQ M1???? Thoughts???

I'd go PPQ if you don't have one already...there's a reason I bought a second one . I've got all my slots filled except for one in late Nov, I'm sorta leaning towards the Sig P320 Carry just so I can have variety next year.

[JDW67]

Look like HK copied the PPQ :P

[jb octane]

Look like HK copied the PPQ :P

Let's not start this again...

[PandaBear]

Thanks to King Kong and JackRydden for letting me try out their Sphinx and CZ's last night.

I got to shoot the P-01 and SP-01 (SA only) with trigger jobs from CGW and both had awesome triggers.

The Sphinx's double action is really smooth, but a tad on the heavy side. It doesn't stack towards the end which is nice and with some practice I could become efficient and live with it. The SA is awesome and the reset is really short. I don't see a need to do anything to the SA, but would consider sending it off to CGW to drop the DA pull by 2-4lbs.

I much preferred the ergos on the Sphinx over the P-01 and SP-01. The SP-01 had the least felt recoil followed by the Sphinx and the P-01.

My #1 gun is my PPQ and I love being able to drop the slide release with my thumb and I couldn't do this with the Sphinx.

As far as felt recoil vs the PPQ, I felt like the Sphinx maybe had slightly more, but that could be because I have way more rounds down range with the PPQ. I think that changing the backstraps on the Sphinx could definitely change my opinion though. I will say that I don't find the PPQ to be as flippy or harsh as some make it out to be. I think that some people with smaller hands or short index fingers may have trouble reaching the Sphinx's trigger in DA.

The Sphinx is a really sweet gun and I've decided that I plan on getting one.

[ruddogg]

The Sphinx is a really sweet gun and I've decided that I plan on getting one.

you won't be disappointed

I'm adding it to my ccw along with a Walther PPS.

[static2126]

I kinda want a Sphinx too.

Last weekend I decided for fun to shoot my PPQ vs VP9 vs Shield (just screwing around at the range)

1) Small dot picture: 10 yards, 3 shots per dot, stop whenever dot is hit

2) Larger dots: 10 yards, 10 shots

I find slow fire I'm more accurate with the VP9, PPQ, then Shield, but at speed the PPQ still wins for me.

I wil say imo the sights for both the VP9 and Shield are much better than a stock PPQ sight.

[static2126]

Thanks to King Kong and JackRydden for letting me try out their Sphinx and CZ's last night.

I got to shoot the P-01 and SP-01 (SA only) with trigger jobs from CGW and both had awesome triggers.

The Sphinx's double action is really smooth, but a tad on the heavy side. It doesn't stack towards the end which is nice and with some practice I could become efficient and live with it. The SA is awesome and the reset is really short. I don't see a need to do anything to the SA, but would consider sending it off to CGW to drop the DA pull by 2-4lbs.

I much preferred the ergos on the Sphinx over the P-01 and SP-01. The SP-01 had the least felt recoil followed by the Sphinx and the P-01.

My #1 gun is my PPQ and I love being able to drop the slide release with my thumb and I couldn't do this with the Sphinx.

As far as felt recoil vs the PPQ, I felt like the Sphinx maybe had slightly more, but that could be because I have way more rounds down range with the PPQ. I think that changing the backstraps on the Sphinx could definitely change my opinion though. I will say that I don't find the PPQ to be as flippy or harsh as some make it out to be. I think that some people with smaller hands or short index fingers may have trouble reaching the Sphinx's trigger in DA.

The Sphinx is a really sweet gun and I've decided that I plan on getting one.

This makes me really really want a Sphinx and then send it into CGW. Agreed PPQ is not anywhere as flippy as people make it out to be.

[jb octane]

I kinda want a Sphinx too.

Last weekend I decided for fun to shoot my PPQ vs VP9 vs Shield (just screwing around at the range)

1) Small dot picture: 10 yards, 3 shots per dot, stop whenever dot is hit

2) Larger dots: 10 yards, 10 shots

I find slow fire I'm more accurate with the VP9, PPQ, then Shield, but at speed the PPQ still wins for me.

I wil say imo the sights for both the VP9 and Shield are much better than a stock PPQ sight.

Although I haven't shot a VP9 I'll agree with your last two statements. I find I am more accurate with a few other guns than the PPQ with slow fire but nothing has come close at speed. Which brings up the second statement, I blame the sights for not being as accurate with the PPQ at slow fire. I just don't know what I want to replace the sights with.

[static2126]

Although I haven't shot a VP9 I'll agree with your last two statements. I find I am more accurate with a few other guns than the PPQ with slow fire but nothing has come close at speed. Which brings up the second statement, I blame the sights for not being as accurate with the PPQ at slow fire. I just don't know what I want to replace the sights with.

At speed nothing has come remotely close to the PPQ for me (accuracy and speed). VP9 vs PPQ slow fire the VP9 is much better for me accuracy wise...

Either 10-8 performance or dawson precision makes awesome PPQ sights.

[SoGetThis]

What makes the PPQ better when firing at speed? Is it the short reset? On paper that would seem to be the only advantage.

[Justintoxicated]

What makes the PPQ better when firing at speed? Is it the short reset? On paper that would seem to be the only advantage.

I think it's because they have been shooting it much longer.

The SDP really should be #1 otherwise it's not worth double the price of the PPQ. This is kind of a let down for me since I don't have much interest in having both a VP9 and PPQ, but would rather get an SDP since it is completely different.

Granted I want the steel framed SDP not the plastic one, which should have less felt recoil than the alpha version the OP is testing.

[JackRydden224]

What makes the PPQ better when firing at speed? Is it the short reset? On paper that would seem to be the only advantage.

The PPQ has a really short reset. I was shooting Panda's PPQ relatively quickly yesterday and I had one accidental double tap. Usually striker fired guns has a longer reset so you'd have to really try to double tap in order for it to happen. With the sphinx most people who shot it doubled tapped by accident a few times. It hasn't happened to me for a while now that I'm used to the trigger.

After 30 rounds through the PPQ yesterday I just want more. I've email OC Armory to see if Mike can get one for my last SSE. I usually don't like striker fired pistols but the PPQ is pretty darn nice.

If you are running out of money or 1 in 30 then you don't miss too much by going with the PPQ over the Sphinx. For me the Sphinx is smoother and more polished but the PPQ is definitely worth the money.

YMMV

[static2126]

The PPQ has a really short reset. I was shooting Panda's PPQ relatively quickly yesterday and I had one accidental double tap. Usually striker fired guns has a longer reset so you'd have to really try to double tap in order for it to happen. With the sphinx most people who shot it doubled tapped by accident a few times. It hasn't happened to me for a while now that I'm used to the trigger.

After 30 rounds through the PPQ yesterday I just want more. I've email OC Armory to see if Mike can get one for my last SSE. I usually don't like striker fired pistols but the PPQ is pretty darn nice.

If you are running out of money or 1 in 30 then you don't miss too much by going with the PPQ over the Sphinx. For me the Sphinx is smoother and more polished but the PPQ is definitely worth the money.

YMMV

Can't agree more...i would still choose PPQ over VP9. In fact I'm actively trying to trade a Vp9 for a PPQM2 so norcal guys if interested maybe we can talk.