Input Smith & Wesson Built PPK

[Raden71]

I am in the market to buy a PPK to fill an niche in my gun collection. Its not going to be a CCW or anything. I have just always wanted a PPK and I am looking for some peoples input that have had experience with the Smith & Wesson built PPK as far as reliablity etc.

 

[Al Thompson]

We will stick this one in autochuckers for better visibility.

Welcome to THR by the way!

 

[PRM]

For a lot of great reading on the Walther(s) try here

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/

http://www.p38forum.com/


S&W did have some QC issues with their early guns which led to a number of dissatisfied owners and bad comments on the forums. They even had a recall. Upside, S&W's Customer Service is really good about addressing issues and their recent offerings seem to have the bugs worked out.

Most on the Walther Forums like the .32 in this series of pistols over the .380. But there are a lot of happy .380 owners. Suggest you go to the forums and read up.

 

[cocojo]

I have owned numerous walther ppk's in my life. I still own three a german 380, an interarms 32 ppk stainless and an S&W made ppk in 380. I have to say that when I first saw that long tanged smith, I hated the tang. Then I bought this gun and shot it, "wow" what a difference it made. No more slide bite. The feed ramp is outstanding much better the both my other guns and don't let anyone tell you the german guns are more reliable because their not, my gun jams all the time but no so for the 32 or the S&W 380. Love it and carry it as my all the time gun. There is no reason this gun should not be used for carry with confidence.

 

[Gary A]

My experience is not as extensive as cocojo's but I have an S&W PPK/S that is probably not nearly two years old and so far it has been flawless save for it shooting very slightly to the left. I'll probably drift the rear sight slightly but I think it is more my technique than anything. It is, however, very accurate and, so far, completely reliable. I like it a lot.

 

[AFDavis11]

I've had mine for a few months. A little stout on recoil and a tad heavy, but I love mine and carry it daily. I've got a few hundred rounds through mine without a hiccup.

 

[hardluk1]

S&W is , or was only the importer for walther. Now walther with will suport there own handguns here.

If you want a PPK atleast give bersa thunder series a good look unless your handgun just has to say walther as the bersa can be lighter with the CC or higher double stack capacity up to 15+1 rounds at a far reduced price and work atleast as good.

 

[Gary A]

I have a Bersa cc and had a regular Thunder 380 and both Bersas are indeed lighter than the PPK/S at least and the cc is certainly lighter than the PPK also. However, even the larger PPK/S is ever so slightly smaller than even the cc version off the Bersa, though thicker through the grip. One could say the smallest Bersa is neck and neck in size with the larger PPK/S model though considerably lighter. My Bersa cc is a very slick little pistol and, as a bonus, holds 8+1 versus the 6 and 7+1 of most .380s.