PPK/s question

[stormcaller111]

Wife wants a ppk, what variety do you all prefer.....S&W or Interarms and why?

 

[Matt Sutton]

I think the beavertail on the S&W ruins the classic lines of the design, but if you get a lemon the S&W warranty will be worth the trade off. I personally never had a problem with slide bite. I owned an Interarms PPK/s .380 for a couple of years and it was an OK gun. It's recoil was much more harsh than the SIG P239 9mm that I replaced it with and they are comparable in size and weight.

If I were to buy another it would be the S&W PPK (not PPK/s) in 32ACP. I have heard that S&W is going to have their $50 rebate or two free magazine deal soon, so it's a good time to buy one.

 

[420Stainless]

Can't say which one is better - I've never used the S&W. I have had an Interarms for a dozen years and it is one fine pistol. Supposedly the S&W is slightly more refined and less prone to the hammer bite that is associated with this model. I've not encountered the hammer bite, but I have semi-retired my PPK/s now that there are some more effective calibers available in polymer that are lighter. None have the class and character though. None of the smaller polymers have the safety either, which I always utilize with the PPK/s.

 

[Prepster]

I have a S+W PPK, it runs great but I agree with Matt Sutton that the older ones are sexier. The warranty makes me feel better about owning the less pretty one.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have a Interarms Years of trouble free service and relieability I don't like the S&W tang or the unfinished way they ship pistol. A few min cleaning up sharp edges would be nice as with the lasor writing.
I am very happy with the Interarms and want to thank S&W for increasing the value of them More people are finding the Interarms a better choice.

 

[WhisperFan]

If you have a C&R, the Manhurin is mentioned specifically in the C&R list.
The WWII Walthers are C&R too .... then you can have it shipped to you without going through a dealer for a transfer.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Can't say which one is better - I've never used the S&W. I have had an Interarms for a dozen years and it is one fine pistol.

Same here...I'm satisfied with my InterArms....

 

[MMCSRET]

My wife had an Interarms for several years but with the advent of arthritis in her hand she couldn't rack the slide and traded it for 38 special revolvers. Also I had to replace the standing ejector, as it broke after approx. 3000 rounds.

 

[Steven Proshop]

i have an FEG clone that i really like. I've fired a real Walther PPK and found it to be a little nicer, but then mine only cost me $100. the additional safety features of the FEG version are also nice.

 

[searcher451]

If a German-made Walther is out of the question (because the German-made guns are the best of the lot), for one reason or another, then ...

The S&W model is a good choice (the added tang does make for a more comfortable shooter); so is the Interarms model.

But ... you can pick up the Manuhrin versions of these guns for under $450 these days, and they were wonderfully machined and perform to the same tolerances as the German-made guns. I'd start looking there, but only if she already has tried a PPK and is convinced that it's the right gun for her.

 

[EHL]

I have the S&W Walther and she's a great gun! I know there's a lot of haters out there who prefer the older versions of the gun. I've tried out both, I prefer the newer version with the grip tang. My only complaint is that the tang is not very comfortable out of the box. Not a huge deal considering that it is a fairly easy job for any competent smithie to smooth those edges out. Trigger pull is a little stiff too, but that's what Wolff springs are for and you can change that too real cheap. Don't know about you, but all of the common complaints about the new Walther's seem rather trivial. I'm sure there are some bad S&W walthers out there, but S&W is great about sending prepaid postage for you to let them make it right. That gets an A in my book.

 

[searcher451]

Good point, EHL. S&W's customer service is generally always exceptional. If it isn't right, they take care of it -- and you -- without hesitation or complaint. I have never had a problem with S&W's customer service, and I've dealt with them for a long time now.

 

[stormcaller111]

thanks for all the replies. going to look at a few on Friday night

 

[Ala Dan]

We have a '95 InterArms Walther PPK .380ACP that
has been flawless from day one (31 January '95)~!
Have not owned any other since the S&W-Walther
"sweetheart agreement"~!

 

[HisSoldier]

Love my S&W! So accurate and nice!