[Jack19]

I saw one of the "new" Walthers the other day....says Smith and Wesson on the side....and was wondering if anyone had tried one of these.

Are they reliable, do they still bite those with large hands? And, looking at it, it looks like the grip has changed somehow.

Anyone have an opinion? Good or bad?

[David S]

it has a longer (uglier) beaver tail to cut down on slide bite...

[Jeff Timm]

I had one of the old ppk/s models new back in the 1980's.
I didn't like it, my .45 Colt Commander Light Weight was easier to shoot.

Jeff
Who notes some guns just don't fit my hands.:)

[Nick96]

Don't know anything about the new ones. I had a new one (actually two) in the late 1980's. Both American made - don't recall the manufacturer - .380 ACP. Absolute crap. First one was a "jam-O-matic". Sent it back to the factory and they sent me a new one. Magazine kept falling out. Got rid of it. The reason I got one in the first place was I had earlier picked up a "police trade" .32 cal. PP made in France by Manurhine (sp). All Walthers from around 1945 to 1980 were actually made by them. Though a 1950's vintage - it was great (until I finally just wore it out).

Too bad the PPK/S didn't work out. It was very size efficient (though a bit heavy for a pocket pistol). Keep in mind these are 1920's vintage designs. I never had a problem with "slide bite" - but some do.

The best modern equivalent is the SIG P232. Really a Walther PP size pistol - but lighter in the blue alloy frame version. A cheaper but still reliable alternative in size and weight wise to the Walther PPK/S is the Bersa Thunder .380 (at about half the price.

If you are looking for a "pocketable" handgun in a significant caliber though - save yourself a lot of aggrivation and expense - and get yourself a light weight S&W J frame revolver with a concealed/enclosed hammer. Not as "sexy" as a PPK/S - but much more functional and reliable.

[denfoote]

Are they reliable, do they still bite those with large hands? And, looking at it, it looks like the grip has changed somehow.

Mine is. Provided, you use the "Walther USA" magazines!! I bought 4 Mec-Gar mags and it would not feed for anything!! I switched back to the mags that came with the pistol: perfection!! I then bought 4 "Walther" bannered mags from S&W and have not had one problem!!

I have small hands, so getting bit is not a problem. :neener:

[HadEmAll]

No, they're not. Pretty, but that's about it.

[HerbG]

I don't know anything about S&W marked PPK's, but I have a German made PPK/S .22 that I'll never sell. It works flawlessly with any high speed ammo, and is a really nice handgun.

[Blackhawk]

Had a stainless PPK/S. Pretty, heavy, .380, pretty. There are MUCH better CCWs in 9mm.

S&W? No way, but that's a political judgment....

[Ala Dan]

My daughter has one of the "American" made Walther
PPK's, as made under contract of Carl Walther Waffenbrik
in Gadsden, AL. It's the stainless steel version; and thus
far has proved very reliable with all types of ammo!:)
So, I guess they did make a few good ones?:uhoh:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[cocojo]

The new PPK/s are still not up to par they are still using cast parts. They were suppose to go Mim but havn't yet.
If you buy a new gun buy the 32, if you want a 380 look for German made.

[Handy]

You ever get the feeling Walther is cutting its own throat?


Or is HK about to get Colt to produce P7s?

[HadEmAll]

It scares me when I think back to the fact that I actually used to carry that finnicky thing. I thought if the gun magazines said it was good and it was featured in the movies it must be good. I think it was the weak US ammo more than anything, while it was sprung for the European stuff, but I didn't know too much about such things back then.

[Standing Wolf]

I bought 4 Mec-Gar mags and it would not feed for anything!! I switched back to the mags that came with the pistol: perfection!!

I've heard the same thing. I don't know why so many third party magazines are scrap iron.

I've heard the PPK has been significantly changed internally since Smith & Wesson took it over. My Interarms PPK is a dandy little gun.