What was old is new again — metal pistol frames. Walther, which has focused on polymer-framed pistols in recent decades, has come out with a metal-framed version of its flagship Q5 model, chambered in 9x19mm (9mm Luger). We like this pistol, official called the Walther PPQ Q5 Match Steel Frame (SF). The metal frame adds mass to the gun, and lowers the center of gravity. That reduces muzzle flip somewhat, as you can see in the comparison video below. Ergonomics are very good, reports early tester Graham Baates, who tested the “optics ready” Q5 SF pistol with red dot sights.
It’s puzzling though — we wonder why Walther didn’t increase the slide weight too, by simply doing away with all the superfluous ports in the slide. That would increase gun weight, reduce muzzle flip (and perceived recoil) even more, and presumably the gun would be cheaper to produce. But maybe Walther thinks the slide cuts are a defining Q5 styling feature that needs to remain, like the Q5’s distinctive Blue Trigger. We guess styling trumps logic…
The Q5 Match SF features an optics ready slide that comes with a Trijicon RMR, Leupold Delta Point, and Docter Optics compatible mounting plate in addition to the standard competition iron sights. Along with a ported slide and the Carl Walther signature ergonomics, and a blue quick defense trigger, the Q5 SF is the flattest shooting model to date.
TECHNICAL DATA Walther PPQ Q5 Steel Frame Mod. 283001
All Steel Construction
Optics Mounting Plate
Extended Frame Rails
Ported Slide
Model: 2830001
Caliber: 9x19mm
Finish: Tenifer
Magazines Included: 3
Last week a close friend called and said he was looking for a good, affordable pistol for personal defense — not for daily carry, but for something to keep in the car and sometimes carry on wilderness trips. He said a local gun shop was steering him to a Glock 19 for around $570.00. I told him: “How’d you like to get a better handgun for less than half that?” I explained that, compared to a Glock, the Walther Creed has better ergonomics, better controls, better trigger pull, and better standard sights. Plus it is safer to field strip, and also has a much better warranty. And right now you can get this gun for under $300. In fact, CDNN Sports has it on sale for $269.99. That’s a steal.
The Walther Creed offers excellent ergonomics, good accuracy, and well-designed controls at a killer price — $269.99 at CDNN Sports. This gun, designed to be a value-leader, emulates Walther’s more expensive PPQ model (MSRP $649.00) at a much lower price. The Creed’s frame size and shape is the same as the PPQ, but the Creed lacks interchangeable backstraps. Slide and trigger are very similar. The Creed features a snag-free bobbed hammer. Trigger pull is 6.5 pounds. That’s a little heavier than we’d prefer, but not bad for a defense gun. Testers have praised the new Creed, saying that, despite the bargain price, it “sacrifices little to nothing in… ergonomics, accuracy, and reliability.”
Testers Praise the Walther Creed
Cheaper Than Dirt (CTD), a major online vendor, recently conducted an extensive field test of the Walther Creed, shooting a variety of 9x19mm ammo. CTD’s tester came away very impressed:
“After testing, it is now my perspective that this might be the best value in a home defense/full-sized handgun [for] a first-time buyer… if price is a primary consideration. The Creed delivers top-quality customer expect from Walther. For under $400 the Creed is arguably one of the best gun values on the market. It delivers superb quality and features well above many standard firearms lines with proven Walther reliability and accuracy. The Creed was a significant makeover from the legacy PPX improving look and ergonomics while preserving all the great aspects of the original design.”
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
1. Amazon.com — Rock Chucker Supreme Reloading Kit, $279.99
Everything you see above can be yours for just $229.99, after manufacturer’s rebate. Right now, Amazon is selling the Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit for $279.99. That’s a great deal considering all the hardware you get. Heck, the Rock Chucker press alone is worth $150.00+. But here’s the real incentive — this Rock Chucker Supreme Kit qualifies for a Buck$ or Bullets Rebate — choose either $50 or 500 Speer bullets. If you take the fifty bucks ($50), that reduces your net cost to just $229.00 for the entire RCBS Reloading Kit. That’s a total steal.
Match photo courtesy Varide Cicognati, Sightron dealer in Italy.
This 10-50x60mm Sightron recently faired very well in recent tests when compared to high-magnification scopes costing twice as much. It displayed excellent repeatability and click precision. It may not have the fancy name, but this 10-50X optic is definitely good enough to win long-range benchrest and F-Class matches. It is available with MOA grid, Mildot, Fine Cross Hair, or Target Dot reticles, for under $1020.00. At that price, the Sightron is over $1300 cheaper than the 15-55X Nightforce. It is even $400+ cheaper than the old 12-42x56mm NF Benchrest scope. On a value-for-money basis, then, the Sightron 10-50x60mm makes sense for competitors on a budget. The money you save (vs. 15-55X NF) will pay for a nice BAT, Borden, or Kelbly custom action.
3. Amazon — PRS Practical Shooting Book — $19.99
Thinking of getting started in the Practical/Tactical shooting game? Looking for ways to be more stable when shooting from unconventional positions? Then you may want to read Marcus Blanchard’s Practical Shooter’s Guide (A How-To Approach for Unconventional Firing Positions and Training). Unlike almost every “how to shoot” book on the market, Blanchard’s work focuses on the shooting skills and positions you need to succeed in PRS matches and similar tactical competitions. Blanchard provides clear advice on shooting from barricades, from roof-tops, from steep angles. Blanchard says you need to train for these types of challenges: “I believe the largest factor in the improvement of the average shooter isn’t necessarily the gear; it’s the way the shooter approaches obstacles and how they properly train for them.”
4. Cabelas — Walther PPS-M2, $329.00 after $100 Rebate
Walther PPS and PPQ on sale with Rebate. This week, Cabela’s is offering special sale pricing on the Walther PPS M2 and Walther PPQ M2 pistols. Get $50 off regular retail price. Combine that with Walther’s new $100 manufacturer rebate, and you can get the PPS M2 for just $329.99. We like that PPS M2 pistol. It is the carry choice of our System Administrator. READ PPS M2 Review.
MidwayUSA’s Lightweight Lightweight Tactical Shooting Mat is ultra-handy. It rolls up into a compact 15″ x 8″ size that fits the included MOLLE-compatible pouch. This 2.8-pound mat features a data card pocket, 5mm foam padding, sturdy corner grommets, and water resistant non-skid bottom. The exterior is constructed of 400D PVC coated polyester fabric on top, and 1200D PVC coated polyester on part of the bottom, making this mat highly abrasion resistant. When not in use, the mat conveniently stores in the zippered storage pouch. This is a good choice for varmint hunts, or any application where you need to move around with all your gear. Three colors are offered: Coyote Tan, Olive Drab, and Black.
Unrolled Dimensions: 69″ Long x 30 1/4” Wide | Rolled Dimensions: 15″ x 8″ (Storage pouch included)
If you shoot long range, you need a scope level. This Discovery scope level is fully CNC-machined to close tolerances for a good fit. It is available with inner diameters to fit scopes with either 1″ or 30mm main tubes. The 1″ version is just $12.99 while the 30mm model is $13.95. You could easily pay $35.00 or more for a 30mm scope level. Purchasers have praised this product: 89% of verified buyers rated this five stars. NOTE: On mobile devices click “Size” tab to see low price.
You don’t need to spend big bucks for an effective spotting scope to view mirage. You can get the Kowa TSN-601 Angled Body for just $269.00 from B&H Photo. An eyepiece will run another $275.00 or so. Though relatively inexpensive, the TSN-601 is used by many top marksmen. This doesn’t have the resolution of the $1500+ spotters but this is fine for viewing mirage and spotters.
8. CDNN Sports –$1.50 Safety Eyewear and $10.00 Muffs
CDNN is selling off all its remaining inventory of Safety Eyewear and Hearing Protection. Accordingly, you can purchase ANSI-Z87.1-Rated Eyewear for $1.50, and a set of NRR25 Muffs for just $10.00. At these prices, you can outfit the whole family, or donate a few sets to your local youth program. We’ve learned it’s always good to have spare eye and ear protection — keep extra sets in your range bags and vehicle glove boxes.
This versatile, low-cost funnel system works with nearly all cartridge types, from 17 Remington up to 500 S&W. Even if you have a fancy metal funnel, it’s worth having one of these RCBS Kits on your reloading bench. The RCBS Quick Change Powder Funnel Kit features five (5) adapters that match case mouth diameter for specific cartridge ranges: 17-20 caliber, 22-264 caliber, 27-284 caliber, 30-375 caliber, 40 caliber and higher. The Funnel Kit includes a handy 4-inch drop tube. Price is $11.49 at Amazon with free shipping.
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If you’ve been interested in getting a compact Walther handgun, now’s the time to buy. Walther Arms just announced $100 Cash Back Rebate for PPQ and PPS series pistols. Saving one hundred bucks is a powerful incentive — this is one of the best rebates in the gun industry. The $100 rebate drops the price of a PPS M2 to just $329.99 at Cabelas. That’s a great value compared to a similar HK or Glock. The rebate is delivered as a $100 Pre-Paid Visa Card — give that to the spouse for a shopping spree and keep everyone happy.
Eligible Walther handguns include the PPQ M1, PPQ M2, PPQ Navy, PPQ 45, PPS M2, PPS M2 LE, PPS M2 Laser Set, or color variations that are purchased NEW at retail in the U.S. between June 1st, 2017 and September 15th, 2017. Promotion excludes the Walther Q5 Match, .22 rimfires, and any other models not listed. Please allow 8-12 weeks for fulfillment of rebate requests.
“Walther is excited to announce such an aggressive rebate program. Customers love our grip and trigger, and will enjoy the limited time promotional price.” says Cyndi Flannigan, Walther VP of Sales.
Featured Guns of the Week at Cabelas.com
This week, Cabela’s is offering special sale pricing on the Walther PPS M2 and Walther PPQ M2 pistols. Get $50 off regular retail price. Combine that with the $100 manufacturer rebate, and you can get the PPS M2 for just $329.99. We like that PPS M2 pistol. It is the carry choice of our System Administrator. READ PPS M2 Review.
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Believe it or not, legendary German gun-maker Walther Arms has never produced a .45 ACP pistol. Until now that is. You see Walther just announced that it will (finally) build a handgun, the .45 ACP PPQ, chambered for the classic .45 ACP cartridge. John Moses Browning would approve.
The striker-fired, polymer-framed .45 ACP PPQ boasts a smooth, 5.6-lb trigger with a 0.4″ normal travel and a 0.1″ reset. The 4.25-inch barrel features polygonal rifling (like HK barrels). Both slide and barrel have a hard Tenifer finish (like Glocks). The new .45 ACP PPQ includes ambidextrous controls, slide serrations, and front Picatinny rail for mounting accessories. The pistol holds 12 rounds and is equipped with three internal safeties. Overall length is 7.4 inches, and width is 1.3 inches.
Walther Arms’ VP of Sales and Marketing, Cyndi Flannigan, states: “This new caliber and product offering is a benchmark for Walther and the PPQ. We have built it to the same exacting German standards that deliver the ultimate home defense and personal protection firearm.” The new M2 .45 ACP PPQ pistol is expected to ship to dealers in early October, 2015.
Click photo for full-screen version:
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