How to Field Strip, Clean and Lubricate a Walther PPS or PPS M2 9mm or .40 Pistol

How to Easily Field Strip (Disassemble), Clean and Lubricate a Walther PPS or PPS M2 Pistol

This article will provide step-by-step instructions on how to clean your Walther PPS or PPS M2 9mm or .40 S&W pistol. This includes how to field strip (disassemble), clean, lubricate and reassemble the gun. The steps are the same for the Walther PPS in 9mm or 40 S&W.

From taking it apart (field stripping) to complete reassembly, this tutorial will have you quickly and confidently performing this task in 10-15 minutes.

The disassembly steps to field strip this gun are not as straight forward as most striker-fired guns. The Walther is very well-made but if you do not know how they are designed to come apart, you are in for a difficult time!. After doing this once, you will be able to do it even quicker the next time without instructions.

The Walther PPS (Not the PPS M2, see notes in the next section) is also designed to come apart without having to press the trigger. Some striker-fired guns, like Glock, require the trigger to be pulled in order to release the slide, which has resulted in some negligent discharges in the past. This is mostly the result of the failure to unload the gun prior to cleaning, however, it also helps to avoid pulling the trigger when you are not on the range!

Having said that, you CAN pull the trigger instead of removing the backstrap, however you may not be able to get the slide back on until the backstrap is removed.

Walther PPS M2 Disassembly

The Walther PPS used in this article is the original version, but the PPS M2 (newer version) comes apart in a similar way, EXCEPT that it does not have a removable back strap. The PPS M2 requires that the trigger be pulled (or pressed, depending on your preferred terminology) before you can remove the slide.

If you have field stripped other guns such a Springfield XD or a Smith & Wesson Shield, you will find the Walther PPS slightly different. This is because you need to remove the back strap (or press the trigger) before you can remove the slide.

Walther PPS Cleaning Supplies

Here are the supplies you will need to clean the Walther PPS pistol. There are lots of different cleaning products, so I will list the ones I have used for years of trouble free results:

• Hoppes Boresnake or equivalent (this will save you time and effort)
• Real Avid Bore Boss (New Style Bore Snake)
• Hoppes No. 9 Solvent
• Rod and patches (if you do not have a Boresnake)
• Slip 2000 EWL or Veteran-Owned Original Gun Oil (use code SAVEWITHDAVE to save 10%)
• Gun Scrubber Synthetic Safe cleaning solvent aerosol spray
• Cotton swabs or lint-free swabs
• Micro fiber cloth or paper towels

Brownells also carries all the products you need to clean your handgun. Check them out here: Handgun Cleaning supplies.

Here are the steps to Field Strip, Clean and Lubricate the Walther PPS or walther PPS M2 pistol:

Unload the gun

This is the most important step. Eject any magazine that is in the gun by pressing the magazine release button, and then remove the round in the chamber. Be sure to do it in that order! Magazine first, then empty the chamber! Remove any and all ammo from the area.

Remove the magazine.

Be sure the chamber is empty

Verify the gun is completely unloaded

This step is in case you skipped step number one.

Remove the Back Strap from the Grip on PPS, press the trigger on PPS M2

Press the latch on the bottom as shown to remove the back strap. This will unlock the mechanism and allow you to easily remove the slide.

Remove the slide from the frame

Locate the Take Down Lever on both sides of the frame.

Using your fingertips, press both take down levers downward.

While pressing down on the take down levers, push the slide forward with your thumb

Continue to remove the slide off the front of the frame.

Remove the slide from the frame.

Turn the slide upside down.

Apply Pressure on the recoil spring toward the front of the slide.

Remove the recoil spring assembly from the slide.

Remove the barrel from the slide in a similar way.

Your Walther PPS is now Field Stripped.

Cleaning the Walther PPS or PPS M2

Clean barrel and guide rod

Clean the feed ramp and the chamber of the barrel with HoppesNo. 9 Solvent

You can clean the inside of the barrel in one of two ways:

1. Run a Boresnake through the barrel several times. For extremely dirty barrels, apply some Hoppes No. 9 solvent to the inside of the barrel with Q-tips and let it sit for a few minutes before running the boresnake through.

2. Using a pistol rod and cloth patches. Wet the patches with Hoppes solvent and using the rod, push wet patches through the barrel until they come out clean. Depending on how dirty the barrel is, you may need a lot of patches.

Be sure the barrel and feed ramp are nice and clean.

Wipe the recoil spring assembly with a cloth or you can spray it down with Gun Scrubber.

Clean the gun frame

Use Hoppes #9 solvent and a paper towel or cotton swabs to clean all surfaces of the frame, especially the rails where the slide contacts the frame. On the Walther PPS and other guns that have a polymer (plastic) frame, do not get Hoppes No. 9 solvent on parts that are not metal.

The best way to clean a polymer frame is to spray it down with Birchwood Casey Synthetic-Safe Gun Scrubber or equivalent. After using either cleaner, use a micro fiber cloth or rag to wipe any excess solvent off of the frame.

Clean the Slide

Use Hoppes No. 9 solvent and a cotton swab or paper towel to clean all surfaces on the inside of the slide, especially the areas that contact the frame rails during operation.

Be sure to get the breech face and extractor.

Lubricate the Walther PPS

Using a quality lubricant such as Frog Lube, Slip 2000 (my preference as this is thicker than most and stays on the gun a long time) or Tri-flow superior Lubricant, apply just a drop to the following areas:

Frame:

• Rails
• Trigger control area

Slide:

Lubricate the slide with one drop of oil in the indicated locations.

No need for more than a couple drops. The oil will move around on its own and coat the necessary surfaces.

Reassemble the gun

This part is very simple once you do it a few times. Set the slide upside down and put the barrel into the slide. Then place the recoil spring assembly on top and press on the end so it fits in the groove on the barrel as shown in the picture.

Then line up the slide with the frame and slide it on.

Move the slide all the way to the rear. The take down lever will automatically reset..

Allow the slide to came forward to the home position

Work the slide back and forth several times to be sure it operates properly, and to allow the lube to spread into all the areas that move.

After working the slide, some oil may seep out between the slide and the frame. This is just some excess you can simply wipe away.

Lastly, you can test the functionality of the gun by taking some dummy rounds and loading the gun with them. Now make sure a round is ejected every time you rack the slide to the rear.

The gun is now clean, fully assembled and ready for another day at the gun range!

Thanks for reading my tutorial on cleaning a Walther PPS or PPS M2 pistol! I hope this has helped you out.

Also, see my tutorial on Cleaning a Kimber 1911 Pro Carry II.

Please leave a comment below if you have any improvements I could make, or to share your experience with this gun.