Walther PPK/S opinions needed

[grinner]

Thanks for starting this thread. I’m also considering a PPK/S, but have been finding so many different reviews, I’ve just about decided to buy one and try it out myself. I can afford to lose half the price if I decide I don’t like it and sell it. This thread has pretty much made up my mind to just do it.

I’ve shot .357 Magnum out of a j-frame and didn’t go crying to my momma, so I think I can handle the recoil of .380 out of a PPK.

One question, though. I have found absolutely no reviews on the new models made in the Ft. Smith, AK factory by Walther-USA, only the older ones made by Interarms and S&W. Does anyone here have one of the new ones? What do you think of it?

 

[ms6852]

"I’ve shot .357 Magnum out of a j-frame and didn’t go crying to my momma, so I think I can handle the recoil of .380 out of a PPK."

This is my belief as well Grinner. I now carry a .357 and man it is stout, but still manageable and I can handle a .357 I can handle a .380.

 

[MoArk Willy]

I too would have suggested the Bersa Thunder .380. I decided that the PPK, although a fine firearm is a little too pricey for me. The Thunder is a dead ringer for the PPK and it is the size I was looking for. You may want to make the comparison and save yourself a few $$$.
I currently have a S&W Bodyguard and the Bersa both in .380. I suppose if I was looking for another .380 it would be either the S&W EZ or the Sig. Both are easy to rack and have features worth considering. For me, arthritic hands help make the decisions for me.

 

[ms6852]

I too would have suggested the Bersa Thunder .380. I decided that the PPK, although a fine firearm is a little too pricey for me. The Thunder is a dead ringer for the PPK and it is the size I was looking for. You may want to make the comparison and save yourself a few $$$.
I currently have a S&W Bodyguard and the Bersa both in .380. I suppose if I was looking for another .380 it would be either the S&W EZ or the Sig. Both are easy to rack and have features worth considering. For me, arthritic hands help make the decisions for me.

Is the Bersa the same size as the PPK/S.?

 

[stephen426]

REALLY???

Yes. As Charlie 98 also mentioned, the recoil on the PPK/S is snappy fo just being a .380 ACP. My mom is a bit older and has some wrist problems (some carpel tunnel). The Sig P320 shoots much softer than the PPK/S. It may have to do with the shorter slide travel so the springs don't have enough room to damp the recoil. If the springs were stiffer, she would have an even harder time to rack the slide.

 

[tarhealcracker]

The Bersa Thunder 380 is a clone of the Walther pp/ppk except it has an alloy frame and a few updated features. A magazine removed safety and decocker feature come to mind. One can be had in the $325 ish price range as well.

I had a Walther pp in 32 cal. back in the day that I foolishly sold because it was too heavy and unsuitable as a carry gun due to weight and caliber. IMHP

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I’ve shot .357 Magnum out of a j-frame and didn’t go crying to my momma, so I think I can handle the recoil of .380 out of a PPK.

This is my belief as well Grinner. I now carry a .357 and man it is stout, but still manageable and I can handle a .357 I can handle a .380.

Recoil is tad subjective but here are some things to consider.

The little .380 offers relatively low recoil but you'll often feel more of it. That's because many pistols in .380 (and .32 acp) are blowback operated. Pistols in 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 acp, etc. generally use other types of action which distribute the recoil energy differently.

Whatever you are shooting, there are techniques to managing recoil that can help. Using an isosceles stance with shoulders forward, head low, and elbows out can work wonders with even the most powerful magnums. Another thing to think about is strength. Working out to get stronger in general can help you manage recoil. Even if you're already a beef cake, you could work on specifically strengthening your hands. Do a video search on grip strength and shooting to find out more.

Speaking of manliness, recoil is a challenge in general. When you have a powerful cartridge in a tiny gun, everyone has to work a little harder to shoot it well. Some people put in a lot of effort and can quite good with an LCR or alloy J-frame in .357 magnum. Chances are, they'll still have an easier time and might be a hair faster with .38 special. Personally, I don't like pushing uphill and I don't recommend it to new shooters. Find something pleasant to shoot and shoot the heck out of it.

 

[JN01]

I wouldn't consider the Bersa a clone of the PPK any more than a Sig 230 is. There is a vague similarity in appearance, and they are all fixed barrel blow backs, but I think the Walther looks a bit more sleek and refined than the Bersa.

Not that there is anything wrong with a Bersa as a shooter or carry gun, but if someone want an example of the classic Walther design, there really aren't any substitutes. The FEG comes close, but not quite.

 

[Ignition Override]

CDR Glock: I have no idea Whether the stock PPK/S' DA trigger can be reliably lightened. Or if so, which spring might be best.

The decision was made to sell it and switch to Makarovs: the actual Maks, which (you might realize) were manufactured ..only.. in Bulgaria, "EG", Russia and the "PRC".

 

[HisSoldier]

I love my PPKs, it's a work of art in the same way a P-08 is, and very few other firearms reach that level. The broomhandle is interesting looking, the 1911 is utilitarian excellence, but very few are aesthetically perfect like those two.
Beyond that they don't make as much sense as a 1911 (IMO) for self defense, they weren't the first successful production auto like the C-96 (the Luger came within a few years) and certainly many handguns fill a particular niche better.

 

[Jeff22]

I bought a well-used West German made PPK in 1995. I'd always wanted one, and around that time there was an article in (I think) HANDGUNS magazine about a custom job that Krebs Gunsmithing in Illinois was offering (www.krebscustom.com). Among other things, the gun was "de-horned" and had an extended grip tang welded onto the frame. (I have big hands and long fingers and an extended tang was an absolute requirement for me)

I had such work done on mine the next year. It's very nice. The sights were replaced, the trigger action smoothed up, the tang extended and the gun refinished.

It wasn't cheap, but it sure is neat. I got a stylish shoulder holster from Mitch Rosen to go with it, along with a leather belt holster, and later on a kydex holster from Ky-Tac.

I'm not sure if Krebs still offers that package.(It isn't listed on their website)

However, Cylinder & Slide does (www.cylinder-slide.com) and they have a link on their website to a review in the May 2003 issue of COMBAT HANDGUNS.

There are better choices to be made for small concealment guns these days, but the PPK is still elegant and appealing. (And it's neat because of the connection with the older James Bond movies. That's why I bought one . . . )

I may have to put a slightly heavier hammer spring in my PPK -- if I shoot European 9 x 17 ammo with hard primers, sometimes I get a failure to fire on the first strike. It's 100% with Federal Hydro-Shock HPs and Silvertips, however . . . .

I have found that both my PPK and Sig 230 are ammo sensitive -- the critical dimension seems to be the overall length of the round being employed. Both guns seem to run better with rounds that have a slightly longer OAL. I've had good luck in both guns with Winchester Silvertips and Federal Hydra-shock, and any generic ball that does not have a stubby round nose bullet.

In January 2010 I bought a .22 cal Walther PPK/S, which I use as a sub-caliber practice gun for both of my .380 pistols. It's a splendid little gun, fun to shoot, and not at all ammo sensitive. I've been shooting that gun on a regular basis to keep my skills up, BUT the tiny issue sights are beginning to be a real challenge for my old eyes if I'm shooting on an indoor range that has spooky lighting.

I don't shoot the PPK all that much BUT I have broken firing pins twice. Apparently this is a common problem. The last time (2012) I had to ship the gun back to Walther to have a new firing pin of a new design installed.

 

[great scot]

Just took my newly acquired Smith PPK to the range yesterday. Despite all the negative press I’ve seen on the Smith version of PPK, I like it quite a bit. Reliable with fmjs and hollow points, very accurate, and mild recoil. In fact,it’s easier to shoot and more reliable than a previously owned Interarms PPK.

 

[223 shooter]

In January 2010 I bought a .22 cal Walther PPK/S, which I use as a sub-caliber practice gun for both of my .380 pistols. It's a splendid little gun, fun to shoot, and not at all ammo sensitive. I've been shooting that gun on a regular basis to keep my skills up, BUT the tiny issue sights are beginning to be a real challenge for my old eyes if I'm shooting on an indoor range that has spooky lighting.

Tell me about the tiny sights and old eyes! I noticed the last few times out really having difficulty achieving a sight picture with my PPK/S 22. But like you stated it is a great practice gun for the 380 PPK/S.

 

[HisSoldier]

Despite all the negative press I’ve seen on the Smith version of PPK, I like it quite a bit.

Agreed, I should note that the MIM ejector on mine did break, but S&W sent another right away.
No matter what one chooses eventually someone will say bad things about it. After reading many comments about how bad the S&W is compared to the Interarms I recently found a bunch of unfavorable comments about that brand too. Reading the history of the PP series there have been many changes in the design, little things. So it never was perfect and no gun is I think.

 

[wnycollector]

Another vote for the FEG AP 7.62. I picked mine up two months ago and just can't believe this is a $200 gun. I swapped out the 20lb hammer spring for a 9lb PA63 Wolff recoil spring dropping the DA trigger pull from 12+ lbs to 8lbs with zero issues in 250 rounds of Geco and S&B 32acp ammo.

32acp from a 20oz Walther PP sized pistol is very pleasant, so much so that my wife has decided to swap her Beretta 950bs for the FEG as her CCW.

 

[JERRYS.]

if you have to get a .380 in this style of gun, get the Sig P232 it has a superior trigger, or... the lower cost but surprisingly well made Bersa.

 

[BobWalters]

I’ve got an old model, like 1920’s old. It’s 7.65mm (32acp). Sights are nothing special and the DA trigger pull is awful! Kinda a pain to breakdown and clean compared to modern semi autos.

 

[ms6852]

if you have to get a .380 in this style of gun, get the Sig P232 it has a superior trigger, or... the lower cost but surprisingly well made Bersa.

I do not have to get a .380 it can be a 32 as well. I just want a PPK/Walther, for no other reason that I might want to buy a tuxedo.

 

[sirgilligan]

I have the PPK/S in .380. I love it. It is the S&W version, so the beaver tail has protected me from slide bite.

Walther is making them again here in the US, and it also has the improved beaver tail.

I had a Sig P238 and it is long gone. The PPK/S is still here. It does impact my hand more than my 9mm's, but it is nothing to worry about. I will have to take it out and run some rounds and measure the g-forces via my Apple Watch and see how it compares.

It is flat and easily carried in your pocket. Yes it weighs more than many, but does it weigh too much? I don't think so. Besides, when you are out of ammo you can use it like a hammer.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I do not have to get a .380 it can be a 32 as well. I just want a PPK/Walther, for no other reason that I might want to buy a tuxedo.

It has long been acknowledged that in addition to their obvious utility; knives, watches, and lighters can also be expressions of style or even tokens of masculinity. Despite some cultural and legal complications in their history, concealed carry guns can fall under that same umbrella. (Some guys might balk at this but it's totally a thing.) If you routinely carry a firearm and you want the right one to go with a tux at formal events, you'd certainly get style points. Even with "just" a PPK in .32 acp, you'd still be better prepared to defend yourself than a lot of people in a lot of possible crowds.