how good of a concealed carry gun is a Walther PPK?

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Skillet

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I really like the looks of the Walther PPK, and I would like to try it out soon on rental at my favorite gun store. but, I would like THR input. Anybody conceal this at all, and does anybody own it and shoot it? how is this gun?

thanks!
 
It's concealable and at one time probably was one of the best. But most of the micro-9s (PPS, Kahr PM9, MK9, KT PF9, KT P11, Rohrbaugh, and probably many others) are much better choices. The PPK is still viable but just doesn't dominate the small pistol category like it once did. It's a bit heavy for one thing. They tend to need break-in. As much as 500 rounds has been recommended. Sometimes even after break-in, you have to get them worked on for reliability. I had a PPK/s in .380. Took a good bit of shooting to get it to reliability. Also have a pre-war PPK in .32. Never missed a beat but no way of telling how many rounds have been through it before it came to me.

Overall, I'd say if you like it, buy one. Shoot it to make sure it performs and carry it. Just be mindful that, from a purely practical standpoint, there are better choices out there.
 
The pre smith and wesson pp/ppk/ppks that I have handled were very reiiable and accurate shooters. The early ones were not throated for JHPs and preferred ball ammo. This was not much of an issue at the time since there were few if any jhp factory loads though they would generlly choke on handloaded early jhps with exposed lead.
Regardless of current trends toward micro sized pistols and the use of plastic, the pre smith and wesson ppks were well made, well engineered guns and can be concealed comfortably with a modicum of effort. They are generally thinner than the current micro 9mms that are similar in other dimensions.
I am aware of a couple of S&W PPKs in this area and have heard of several more that were non functional but never heard of any problems with the imports or the PPK americans.
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Interarms provided test targets to affirm that the pistols were accurate and actually WORKED. What a concept!
 
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from a purely practical standpoint, there are better choices out there.

I agree. More modern designs are more size efficient... meaning you can get a more powerful round in a similar sized package that is also lighter. Plenty of folks consider the .380 to be sufficient for self-defense. But plenty of other folks don't. I think it's iffy.

OTOH, for many people practicality is not the only consideration. If you're in love with the ppk - and they're certainly beautiful - get it. But if you're looking at several options, a more modern design will afford you some advantages.
 
I carry a PPK 32acp, or it's stepbrother the FEG AP-MBP 32acp as my concealed carry about 25% of the time. I think it's a great carry pistol. Anyone who thinks the 32acp is "Weak" really doesn't know much. The 32acp was one of the best calibers for a very long time. And while there may be more powerful cartridges out there now; the human body has not become tougher over the years. In other words, the 32acp will kill a person and/or stop a threat just as well today as it did 40 years ago. And I've never seen anyone that was "MORE DEAD" because they were shot with a 9mm, 40, or 45acp. Remember, the purpose of a defensive hand gun is NOT to kill people. It's to stop the threat. And 7 rounds of 32acp is very effective at that. And I've yet to see anyone volunteer to stand in front of one and try and prove me wrong.
 
Used to be the gold standard for CC but there are better these days. If you really like the classic steel lines, go for it.
 
I carried my Interarms for a long time. Today their are smaller and lighter pistols in 380. As for the S&W PPK/s I have yet to see one .I would carry home when compared to a Interarms or German made .
For 1/2 the money you can buy a Bersa Thunder in 380 better trigger just as accurate and reliable . Finish isn't as nice but if a carry they will wear and scratch any way .
 
you can get a bersa thunder that looks the same and has a better trigger for half the price. :shrug:
 
I've owned and carried a PPKs for about 8 years now. It was my first ccw gun. I have several others now but continue to carry the Walther when the mood strikes me. Never had an issue with it. Ate every kind of ammo I fed it, very accurate and fun to shoot. I didn't need to break it in. I think the .380 is an adequate SD round if you're familiar with your gun and shoot it on a regular basis to become proficient. One .380 in a BG is better than 5 misses with a .45. I have .38s, .357s, a 9mm and plan to get a compact .45, but I will continue to carry the Walther also cause it's a great gun. JMHO.
 
My Interarms works just fine and carries pretty nicely. I can't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside with my Keltec P3AT, and I've found that I'd rather carry something a little heavier that I shoot well.
 
For all those bad mouthing the S&W PPK and PPK/s:

I've had my S&W PPK/s for 2 years now, and it has yet to see an issue whether FTFeed, FTFire or FTE. It is extremely accurate and feels good in my hand. It points very naturally for me.

Yes it is a bit heavy, but I like a bit of heft. I carry it daily and I never feel like I don't have enough gun. Trigger pull in SA is also heavy, but it's very smooth, with a clean crisp break. I like it that way as I carry round in chamber, hammer down.

This PPK/s is one of my favorite guns, second only to my CZ P-01.
 
Carried one for many years but the Bersa shoots much much better and costs far less.

Jim

But I should note that I carry a 3 inch PT-140 in 40 S&W and feel that the .380 or 9mm for that mater is not sufficient for protection.
 
Keep it clean and it'll do fine. A friend of mine carried his in an ankle holster. He went for qualification and when he pulled it, it choked. Leg dandruff, dust and hair tied it up. He turned it in for a Smith Model 60.

The one I checked out from the armory HATED ball ammo and loved GoldDot.

Both of those were pre-Smith stainless .380s.
 
There are much better options out there especially for the price your going to pay for a walther.

D/A trigger is horrible
Hammer bite
Horrible recoil (due to it being a blowback)


Frankly your better off carrying a Makarov, or P64.

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P64 v PPK.

9mm makarov vs .380

the makarov will hit harder and recoil softer

the P64 can be had for $164 at aimsurplus
Your lucky to find a PPK even a crappy S&W for under $550.
 
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The Walther has a proven design that works -- and has worked for decades.
It's a terrific choice for concealed carry.

The original German-made guns are expensive these days, but the quality is second-to-none -- and that includes all of the clones that are on the market, IMO. The French-made pistols from Manurhin also are exceptionally well-made, and you can often find these models for less money. If you spot one at a price that's within your budget, grab it -- you absolutely can't go wrong. The Interarms/Ranger pistols, made in the USA, also are worth the time and attention. Most of them are wonderfully rreliable, and they are built to the identical specs of the originals. The S&W guns, IMO, should be passed by (and yes, I own one). For every one that works, you'll find one that does not. The recall (hammer block/safety) was slow to happen, and many of the "repaired" pistols have exhibited the same issue upon their return to the owner. Unless, or until, S&W gets is act together and figures out a way to produce a reliable PPK, stick with the Walther, Manurhin, or Interarms names and you'll be a happy camper.
 
While I like to reminise about the old days, this is not one of them PPK that is. First off it was a 1970 model (Walther), the finish rubbed off, the slide had to be greased all the time otherwise it would bind up, the trigger could only be used single action or you would miss whatever you were shooting at, the finish was so bad it would rust if not kept oiled.

Traded it in on a Browning High Power after less than a year of ownership. Neat looking gun but a POS unless you are a James Bond fan (Q could have given Bond a much better gun to use).

If you must have a small gun then get a decent one in 9mm or better yet in 40 S&W.

Not too well known but the best investment in a good workable gun:

Bersa9.gif

Take a look at one, you will be suprised.
Jim
 
Comparing a Walther to a Bersa is like comparing a Titan P.U. to a Ranger...
This winds up more in my pocket (yeah, a little heavy--hitch up your belt) more so than in a holster; but it's reliable...That's what counts..
P.S. Wore that outfit yesterday-boots to match-in warm Phoenix and had more stares than Britney existing her car....:D
P.S.2 All handmade by me; except the boots...
WaltherOstrich2.jpg
 
I have heard that the PPK doesn't particularly like JHPs as mentioned above. However, it is slim and would conceal easily in a pocket or however you like.

Because it doesn't like hollowpoints (it's an old design that was made when basically all there was to shoot was FMJ rounds) I have heard of people loading a hollowpoint into the chamber, and keeping a magazine in it full of regular ball ammo. .380 doesn't have much power to it compared to 9mm and up, and I guess the thinking is that even a FMJ won't overpenetrate if you have to take a second shot. .380 ball ammo brought down many people back in the day. Maybe not in one shot, but I'm sure they weren't willing to fight as hard after catching the business end of it.
 
A benchmark of pocket .380s for decades, it has been surpassed by several subcompact 9mms - most notably the Kahr PM and MK series - of virtually equal size. I would rent and shoot one first to be sure it doesn't leave "slide tracks" across your hand.
 
My S&W PPK/s feeds hollowpoints just fine. Again, no FTF's or FTE's since I've owned this pistol.

I don't get hammer or slide bite from my gun either. I used to have the skin between my thumb and forefinger rubbed off, but a little work with a stone rounded off the sharp corner at the beavertail, and it hasn't done it since.
 
I had an Interarms PPK/S and hated it. It had to be perfectly clean and oiled to function. It would fail to fully chamber a FMJ round when it had the slightest bit of dirt on it, or after 50 rounds or so. I would take a Keltec P3AT over a PPK/S any day...and the P3AT is much lighter and smaller to boot. My Kahr PM40 weighs much less than a PPK, is about the same size, is more reliable, and shoots .40 S&W. There are so many better choices.
 
but a little work with a stone rounded off the sharp corner at the beavertail, and it hasn't done it since.
Precisely...I used a fine file & emory cloth also to finish off the rear edges of the slide....You can see in the photo the rounded rear-end..
I notice some critique about reliability. I do keep it well maintained, maybe that's the difference...
PPKauto.jpg
 
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