Umarex Walther PPQ .43 Caliber Training Pistol

The operation and function of the marker is high quality as CO2 weapons go. This item will be used for both training and as less-than-lethal personal protection device when loaded with pepper balls. (I recommend an OC+PAVA pepper ball load with additional purchase of the fast-piercing co2 magazine for self defense purposes.)
My product only shipped with one mag which was disappointing as I did read the questions and answers section because the number of mags was not listed in the product description. I saw in the answers that other buyers received 2 mags.
Overall I like the blowback and function of the pistol to a point.

Dislikes:
The gun will discharge co2 on a trigger pull without being racked even with no paint/rubber load as well as when the slide is locked back. I’m sure this is just a function of c02 markers in general but it would be nice if there were a more accurate operation as a firearm will not fire with no rounds in the mag and certainly not with the slide locked.

There are many sharp edges. When removing the back strap from the grip to access the Allen key, it is very easy to cut yourself (or painlessly tear into a callus in my case) when you remove the back strap. I find that for users with softer hands that it could be a minor injury waiting to happen.

The included mag loads and drops rather intuitively. However, the somewhat costly (for a marker) fast puncture mag is less smooth. There are a few issues with the design here:
It doesn’t load smoothly and gets tight/snags halfway into the grip. A bit more force is needed to load this mag. And before anyone thinks that it might not be the correct magazine for the model, it absolutely is and functions well aside from loading. But loading is a bit of an issue as it is not as smooth as a firearm mag would be and it is rather easy to pinch yourself (or have a spouse pinch themselves) when loading as you’re trying to give it that slight extra force to load.
If you’re wondering how one might pinch themselves if they’re loafing the mag from the base, it is because you can not slap the mag in from the bottom of the mag because you don’t want to also engage the fast pierce button if you’re loading the mag for personal defense use. There is a very small surface to work with from the bottom of the fast pierce mag without piercing the co2 cartridge.

Likes:
Just about everything else.
The eight-shot mag provides that same welcome disappointment you get at the range with when having so much fun plinking that you’d go for some ridiculous mag capacity if not for training for a real-life usage and marksmanship scenario.
It does feel pretty accurate to holding a .40 or .45 Walter PPQ subtracting the realistic recoil that an air gun just cannot replicate. (You’d have some unrealistic recoil issues when training with 9mm but carrying .40 cal on duty though so it’s best to always shoot your true ammunition as much as possible.)

But the extremely low cost of using paint rounds for tactical training as well as being able to accurately mark live simulated aggressors is something you simply can’t do in any other format with such an accurate feel as carrying an exact replica of your carry pistol.

The additional benefit of this air gun is that it can reliably be used as a less-than-lethal option for civilians who either don’t want to carry a firearm or want an additional option for stopping an attacker with less chance of ending a life.

I have not and do not plan on “testing” the damage on a live person or myself as it’s not a toy and so many others have already documented the self-same experiments online.

Suffice it to say that the power is adequate and from my own experience having just run the marker through its paces; it is a defense weapon as well as a training tool. About 60% of the paintballs penetrated multiple layers of cardboard target without bursting until meeting harder material.
I would absolutely not want to be shot with this marker/pepper ball launcher.

I think it’s safe to say any product can be improved upon and I am aware that there are newer generations of this very PPQ already available and some of my concerns may have already been addressed, however I can only review the device I received.

Overall, though, I have to say that Umarex has made an exceptional product here.

You could go for the incredibly pricey TCP, Salt, or Berna devices that don’t have as realistic a feel for training and essential are just pepper ball launchers, or you could go with the reasonably priced markers from Unamex that are multifunctional with the same ft/s as the afore mentioned alternatives.
I think the choice is pretty clear.

Umarex, thank you for making a fine product, and I hope the newer models have already adjusted for the concerns I have personally. I will recommend you to whomever will listen but I absolutely hope to have an even higher quality product at similar price points in the future.

This is a very nice pistol. Doesn’t feel cheap like some other less lethal type pistols. Good solid feel and has a good punch to it. Using mags with C02 punch button makes for quick mag changes when you want to use multiple type projectiles.

Excellent

Mimics very well the weight, feel, and action of a real firearm with good accuracy to 50 feet. The slow projectile speed tends to drop after that. Hard ammo has reasonable penetration. Generally each co2 cylinder is good for up to 60 rounds, after that penetration reduces. Paint balls work well, however, occasionally one will prematurely rupture in the barrel and make a mess. The pepper balls are pretty worthless. They don’t produce hardly any dust cloud that can be inhaled or act as an eye irratant.

The weight and feel is outstanding! Magazine release works perfect not too quick. Weight , balance along with the walther grip make this a really nice marker. 10/10 shoots extremely well . I am not disappointed . In fact I am very much impressed by the overall sale . I would buy it again let me tell you . A plus . Guaranteed satisfaction. Shipping was faster than they said ! Great service!