PPK/S Problems?

[The Unknown User]

I'm looking at getting a Walther PPK/S for a concealed carry handgun. I've been hearing some mixed reports on them. Some people say they've never had a problem, and others say they can't find any ammo the PPK/S will feed properly.

What's the story?

Also, is a .380 a bad defensive round? I'm told it's the "lowest" you should go for a pistol round.

 

[isp2605]

Walthers use to be a problem finding one that works 100% of the time with all kinds of ammo. I'm on my 3rd one. The first one would only feed FMJ. The 2nd one would feed FMJ and Silvertips but choke occasionally on Hydrashoks. After 2 I swore off Walthers until I ended up with the current one in a trade. The German made one I have now has been 100% reliable with everything I've put thru it including some reloads.
My dept use to issue stainless PPK to senior command. If a PPK worked OK then it seemed to never have problems. But when we came across a PPK that was having problems then it didn't seem to matter how much tweaking was done or how many rds were run thru it, it was still going to be a problem gun. Generally tho they were all pretty decent guns.
The .380 is an adequate defensive caliber. I've investigated several shootings where the .380 was used and none of those shot with it seemed eager to have the experience repeated. Some definitely weren't going to have to worry about getting shot again or doing anything else ever again.

 

[EHL]

My PPK/S has been a dream!!! .380 is plenty powerful to get the job done. Of course ANYBODY would prefer to have something bigger for a gun fight, however concealment being a priority, a nice concession is .380 since it isn't miniscule like a .22 but is still truly a pocket pistol. You'll no doubt hear from a bunch of guys advocating a 9mm. It is true that a 9mm is more powerful, but you still end up sacrificing ease of concealment. Compare a Keltec or Ruger LCP to a Kahr PM9 or Keltec 9 and you'll see. The advantage the PPK/S has over both the Keltec and Ruger, the recoil is ALOT nicer.

 

[1 old 0311]

I had a S&W PPK/S. They rcommend 500 round break in, and they mean it!!!!!! After 500 rounds it was flawless. Sorry I sold it.

 

[SuperNaut]

I'm sorry I sold mine too. It was an Interarms mid "70's manufacture, and it ate everything. I only had 1 malf in all the years I owned it, a light primer strike. I just pulled the trigger again, and sent the bullet on its way.

Loved the gun, hated the caliber.

At least I'll always have the slide-bite scars.

 

[Farnorthdan]

I have numerous Walthers and like them all, some more than others. The German made ones definitely deliver better craftsmanship but the US made ones are good too. I've also carried them allot and I can honestly say there are lighter .380's out there.

As far as break-in goes, I think most auto's need some level of break-in, of course this is only my opinion but I have had allot of them and even the manufacturers of many recommend some sort of break-in. I really don't consider an auto ready to carry until it has at least 500 rounds threw it, with the last couple hundred ran flawlessly..........just my .02

 

[smirnoff a]

I had an Interarms one, which I sold recently. Mine was unreliable, but got better with more rounds through it. I liked some ammo better than other, but I have not kept track of which kind. I replaced it with Sig P232 stainless and like a feel of it better. Walther PPK/S was my first handgun. It developed some rust dots on the outside of the slide, probably due to being kept in the car overnight on more than one occasion and catching some condensation.

 

[Ala Dan]

My daughters InterArms Walther PPK has run flawlessly, since it was
purchased NIB back in January of 1995~!

 

[GaryP]

I purchased my Interarms SS Walther PPK/s .32acp back in December of 1998. It has never failed to go bang when the trigger is squeezed.
The only mods are Wolff +5% Mag springs, a Wolff recoil spring and a set of Hogue checkered Rosewood grips. I find the PPK/s and a Andy Arratoonian Horseshoe Leather Model ML holster to be an excellent combo for CCW.

 

[MICHAEL T]

my Interarms like most has been flawless in operation It has fed any good factory ball or HP . It even fired the Bear junk ammo. I carry with DPX
For 1/2 the money you can buy a Bersa 380 has the look of the PPK/S way better trigger and also accurate and relieable Less than 300 most places . They also have a slighty smaller 380 CC version
I have both and only place my PPK/S really wins is the Stainless finish is better than the mat finish of Bersa.

 

[Trebor]

I teach about one CCW class a month. I see various Walther PPK/S come through now and then.

I've yet to have a student with a Walther PPK/S go through the entire class, firing 100 to 125 rounds, without at least one stoppage.

The last class a guy had a new Walther/S&W PPK/s. These are new and supposedly "fixed" the problems with the design.

He had malfunctions with every single magazine. Every single one. He got lucky if he could fire three shots without a failure to eject or a failure to feed.

I even tried the gun and I had a stovepipe. That told me it wasn't limp wristing.

The ammo was factory ammo, not reloads too, I checked. (FMJ, but can't recall the brand)

I would not ever recommend a Walther PPK/s for defensive use. Leave it to James Bond.