New Gun Purchase

[mwpslp]

I am considering buying a new handgun at the Dallas show this weekend and wanted to get opinions. I am looking at a Walther PPK .380. Pros, Cons, Reliability? Also can you tell me what the difference is between the PPK and the PPK/S and is one better than the other ? (if so why?) Thanks.

 

[SIOP]

I have a PPK/S in .32, nice shooting gun but a little heavy for the size. But, because of the weight it handles real nice. Can still slip it into the front pocket of my jeans. A PPK/S is a PPK slide on a PP frame. Designed to get around the import size restrictions from a few years back.

 

[ball3006]

NIce pistol.

I have looked at them but cannot afford one. If you are looking for a small carry pistol, I suggest you give a serious look at a Kel Tec 3AT. Slim, light weight, accurate, and half the price. I would like to go to the show but SWMBO says I am broke........chris3

 

[Reed1911]

There are several very well made pistols that fall into the same catagory as the PPK and are much less expensive. The Bersa and Astra both come to mind right off the top of my head. The PPK is a little smaller and longer than the PPK/S.

Pros - reliable, good looking, "The James Bond Gun", accurate (w/adj sights), small, light weight
Cons - .380 caliber, fairly expensive, heavy only compared to guns like the aformentioned P3AT

 

[Father Knows Best]

I had a PPK/s that I traded away last week for a Swedish M38 Mauser. Why? Because I hated the trigger. I liked the fact that the PPK was compact and slim (so easy to conceal and comfortable to carry), and undeniably cool. Mine was also reliable with defensive ammo, though some reportedly have had problems with hollowpoints. I just couldn't get used to the trigger, though. The DA/SA action, and the design of the PPK lockwork, result in an extremely heavy first shot trigger pull. My Lyman trigger pull gauge maxes out at 12 pounds, and the trigger was nowhere near even starting to move at that point. It felt like about 20 pounds to me. My wife wasn't strong enough to shoot it, and she has no problems with a DA revolver.

 

[kbheiner7]

I'd go with the Beretta/Browning in .380. I've thought about getting one for my wife.

 

[osteodoc08]

I've been pretty happy with my wife's Sig P230SL which is now replaced by the P232 (pretty much same gun except model #).

Very accurate for its size and has been pretty reliable now that it has a few hundred rounds through it. (Had a few stovepipes using inferior ammo). It is her nightstand gun.

 

[HD]

the bersa 380's have been getting good reviews for very little $$$...

check them out...

 

[MICHAEL T]

A PPK/S is in my pocket at present. I think a great pocket pistol Big enough to hold onto and to use all the 380 power unlike the little plastic 380 that cost the 380 some serious FPS . 380 not a power house why give up any power. just because of a few oz of weight. 10years from now what will your PPK/S be worth compaired to a Bersa or Keltec.
Bersa a fine Pistol but doesn't fit my pocket where PPK/S does. Beretta way to big and Sig is also slighty larger and cost more. Get a PPK/S or the smaller 1 round less PPK. Be advised aftermarket for PPK harder to fine items, than PPK/S Trigger not all that bad as pistol breaks in. Even new I rate it lighter than trigger on little 32 Beretta tom cat.

 

[Moonclip]

I refuse to own a PPK/s as it is a frankenstien cobbled together design that only exists due to idiotic gun laws. After all, 007 did not have a PPK/s! I have passed nice ones at $250-300 though I admit I was tempted. I still want a PPK in 380acp but they tend to be pricey and I prefer the Makarov and my Llama 380 though it is a single action.

If you have fleshy hands, most PPK guns except some of the newer ones with a redesigned grip tang are known for hammer bite. If you can get a decent price on a PPK and want one I'd go for it. I also believe these guns are not drop safe if not carried with the safety on.

 

[hogship]

If you have fleshy hands, most PPK guns except some of the newer ones with a redesigned grip tang are known for hammer bite. If you can get a decent price on a PPK and want one I'd go for it. I also believe these guns are not drop safe if not carried with the safety on.

Do you mean the ppk/s isn't drop safe when the hammer is forward? I think they are, because the hammer is blocked from hitting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. It would be unwise to carry it at full cock.....in that condition, it's impossible to put the safety on without dropping the hammer.

The best way to carry the ppk/s is one in the chamber, safety off.

hog

 

[Kentak]

I had a PPK/S .380 for quite a few years for use as a pocket gun should the need arise.

I got it because it was a classic, cool design. Other than that, I'm afraid I can't say I was that pleased with it. This was my experience:

1. Very *sharp* felt recoil. Not comfy at all.

2. *Very* heavy DA trigger pull. Never could hit anything more than a good spit away with DA. Fortunately, you can cock the hammer to get to SA mode.

3. I always walked away from a shooting session with the web of my hand bleeding.

4. Worst of all, something about the shape of hollow point bullets allowed the tip of the bullet to push on the mag holding gizmo (techinical term) and release the mag during recoil. Happened often enough for me to consider the piece unreliable for serious social situation.

I eventually sold it at a gun show. Later I got a Sig 230 in .380. Another great classic design. That, however, eventually gave way to a Kahr P9 in 9mm. I wish I could have afforded to keep the Walther and Sig in my collection.

K