Any Other Walther PPK Lovers?

I had a PPK/S once, and was happy to get rid of it. This is one of the most overrated pistols ever.

I find myself accumulating what I like, when I can, sometimes for specific reason and others because "that's cool". My Interarms PPK was such a purchase. I saw it in a pawn shop and had to have it for $280 in summer of 2017. I don't carry it but it seems reliable enough I probably could after wringing it out. Definitely a conversation piece. With vintage Leatherman.

I had a collection of German, French, and U.S. made PPKs, PPs, and a PP Super. They became more valuable to others than me, but I kept a PP and German PPK .22s along with a Nazi marked PPK and a suplus PP in .32. The S&W made PPKs were awful IMO. I've not tried one of the current production models, but in .380 I'd rather have a Bersa Thunder or a Makarov.

I have a Smith PPK that I carry occasionally and it’s never had any problems. While the extended tang offends many, I appreciate how it helps with shooting. I also use a Walther TPH as a pocket EDC/BUG. The PPK’s little brother is reliable with Mini-Mags and actually fun to shoot.

Nope.

Gone through a couple. Like most here, it was the cachet of being the "Bond gun" that first caught my attention. Then the Gun and Ammo article back in the late '70s when the PPK/S came into the country.

I'd rather carry a Makarov in .380 -- at least they work all the time. And with the advent of the SIG P-230/232, there came an option for those that desired a beautifully-crafted and engineered German .380 that actually worked and had excellent ergonomics (something the Walther sorely lacks).

I've owned various incarnations.

The one that points the best and is the most accurate is my Hungarian FEG PP clone in 32acp. It has an aluminum frame. It's truly a joy to shoot.

They are maybe not better for CC than more modern pistols in the same calibers/sizes, but mine have been reliable and accurate, and it's fun to handle and shoot a classic.

I like the PP series of guns but have not accumulated very many. I have one of each size, a WWII vintage Walther PP, a late 1990's Interarms PPK/s, and a late 2000 vintage S&W PPK. The first two are 32 ACP's and the S&W is a 380 ACP.

My S&W has been as reliable as a light switch with round nose ammunition, not so much with designer hollow points. But, I do not feel hollow points expand reliably from a 380 ACP so I'll take the extra penetrating of round nose bullets to get through extra clothing.

I'd like to find a PPK in 32 ACP but have not really looking hard for one.

Its crazy how these guns are so hit-or-miss. My experience was terrible, but others have never had a problem and love them. Crazy.......

druryj said:

... I do not like the new Ft. Smith guns, as that humongous beavertail offends my eye. If it weren't for that, I might buy one....

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I got a chuckle out of reading that. That statement would mark you as a true purist.

I kind of favor the PP myself. Mine is a 1965 W. German Walther made. I'd love to get a Manurhin made to keep it company. But nice ones are few and far between and command rather exorbitant prices.

I have two, a S&W PPKs and an Interarms PPK. fit and finish are comparable in my opinion, and even with the extended tang on the S&W it did tend to leave bloody red streaks on my shooting hand until I doctored the bottom rear edges of the slide using gentle persuasion on my gray wheel. I have to wonder how bad it would have been without the extended tang!

My Interarms PPK is a safe queen so I haven't shot it, and besides I like the PPKs better because it has regular grip panels.

The guns need to be carried and shot a lot to personalize the manual of arms if you are used to other types of autos which have safeties, as they can be carried like a snub nosed revolver, hammer down, loaded chamber, pull it out, aim squeeze and fire.

But if at times you carry a single action only pistol with safety that's a different drill. Nothing wrong with that but it would possibly be confusing during that first 1/2 second of an unexpected firefight if one carried one type 3 days a week and the other 4 days a week.

The appearance of these guns is similar to many others including the HSC, several Spanish pistols (Astra Constable) and German pistols seldom ever seen but which look similar (Sauer & Sons M38) and eastern satellite state P64 and P63.

There is a lot of differences to nit pick at if one wishes, like some with heel mag releases (Why?), some chambered for cartridges arguably better but somewhat rare, aluminum frames I wouldn't give a nickle for, and the Sig 230 and 232.

I'm very glad Walther started up the Fort Smith factory because that means this design will be around for a long time. The fact that they didn't bother to dovetail the rear sight kept me from buying one though.

Like many, I had one of the Manhurin PPK/s .380 pistols to fulfill the 007 mystique, but it just didn't put water under my keel so off it went. I also bought one of the Hungarian FEG PPK/s knock-offs in the 1990's and their SMK-380 has been a keeper.

I still love the look, and will probably take the plunge again and buy one someday.

Stay safe.

druryj said:

I do not like the new Ft. Smith guns, as that humongous beavertail offends my eye. If it weren't for that, I might buy one.

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Grinder!

druryj said:

So who else besides me still trusts and carries these iconic pistols?

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Me, and it is a new Ft. Smith build. The craftsmanship is everything one would expect from something flying the Walther banner.

I'm more of a PPK liker instead of lover. I have one in real nice shape but have other .380s that I like more.

I have a FEG PMK, which I think is very similar to yer PPK, at least most holster makers consider them the same sizes....I think it is a well made, very accurate gun,,,,,

I have a Manurhin PPK/s in 22lr and it is a fun litgle pistol to shoot. Kick myself, I had an Astra Constable, PPK clone, in 380 and traded it away several years ago. Keeping my eye out for a .32. They are just neat pistols, old school cool.

Yes- A great carry gun platform. I prefer the PPK to the PPK/S.

I currently have two .32/7.65 examples:

- 1961 Blued James Bond Special.

- Very end production S&W Stainless.

Both have been 100% reliable, excluding one hard primer in the '61 with some S&B ball. A quick second strike fixed that problem.

Not a high-capacity 9mm polystriker, so will run afoul of some on the forum.

PPK is the smallest gun I would trust my life with.

US made can be hit or miss, rarely a Franco-German one will be a dud. Some PPK's can tend to shoot high, so I learned to compensate.

The mag realase is well shrouded by the slide against acidental release, manual safety for those who use those ( I do not), and a round indicator is a nice touch. They are great for CCW, and no I do not think there are many better....some lighter, some with more plastic, but better for the size? I have shot Kel Tec's P-32, small, and difficult to shoot quickly, as well as having a mucked up chaimber! ( factory sent a replacement barrel to their credit).

I do like the Khar pistols, but they are a bit more bulky...being 9mm you expect that...

Had a police trade PP from AIM that was superbly accurate, sold to an FFL when I needed funds.

I actually like the beavertail on the SW version, especailly in .380, in .32 you dont need it, but .380 is the upper end for a blowback. 7.65mm / .32 A.C.P. is an underated round when you have a PPK sized barrel or larger, especailly with europen brand ammo...it passes the FBI gel test with flying colors.

Both the PP and PPK were service pistols, and they were (in)famous before Flemming wrote, and Alfred Broccoli made films with the "B" grade spy.

I have yet to find a pistol that I would rather carry than a ZM or Ulm PPK. Either my .22 or 7.65 PPK will be in the box with me when they cover me with dirt. I guess you can count me in as a PPK lover.

Apparently people like em enough that Walther went through all the effort to build a factory Stateside, simply to build a PPK. I like em so much, I'm set on buying one.

I just wish they’d start making a new .32 version,

Yes, I'd like a new production 32 ACP PPK as well.

Over the last 25 or so years, I've owned a boat load of Walther & Clone PPK's/PPK/s"/PP's and all were fine shooters and while I only have three right now (yeah I got talked out of more than one of them) they still fill a need for a pistol small enough to fit in the back pocket of my Jeans, yet be powerful enough to finish a job once started.

My current Fort Smith is one from the toy company in Germany. Shoot's way better than I can hold and (at least mine) doesn't seem to be finiky. My other .22 is a 70's version that has lead a really hard life but still shoots like a house afire with Thunderbolts.

I want a new production PP in .32/.380