PPK vs 442/642

[Ex-MA Hole]

I have a PPK that I use for my winter carry, but and considering swapping it for a 442/ 642, as I can use it for summer usage as well (front pocket of shorts). Any input?

I love the PPK, but it is the weight equivalent of a brick when put in your front pocket. I use it now (K&D holser which is GREAT) (when not in the IWB, which is not always practical), put it is still a brick. I like this as when I shoot it, I know that there is something in my hand.

I'm trying to keep the PPK and add the 642/442, but I need to convinence the pregnant/ VERY HORMONAL wife first.

Any thoughts?

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I carry a Taurus 605 in my front pocket. It fits extremely well, doesn't drag my shorts down, and I like the idea of having a .357 Magnum. I enjoy shooting the gun with .357 loads and find it surprisingly accurate at 20-30 feet.

I also have a Bersa .380 Thunder, which I also like, but like your Walther it is a brick, weighing down my shorts if I try to carry it in my pocket. And even though I carry some strong defensive rounds in the Bersa, it still ain't no .357.

I would recommend going with a hammerless example if you are going to carry in your pocket.

 

[Harbinger]

Used to carry my PPK/S everywhere.
Purchased a Smith M-38 a couple of months ago.
Me and that little airweight are now inseparable.
Will never sell the PPK/S, though.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

But honey, 642's are being sold at great prices. Heck, even those poor guys in California can get them new for as low as $359. They'll never be this inexpensive again! (until the next deal comes along... )

Good luck with this one...

 

[bubbygator]

My experience exactly! You will love the 442/642. (Get some Crimson Trace lasergrips - they're great.)

You will probably miss the SA 2nd shot & excellent accuracy of the PPK, but for SD, the gun that you have WITH you will always be the best gun.

 

[popeye]

I never let the wife's opinion influence my gun buyin habit. 'Course she's the ex-wife now. I prefer the 442 over the 642. I never had a PPK however I' ve had and sold several PPK/S pistols. All the Inerterarms? versions. I had jam probs. with every one of them.

 

[shep854]

I had a Hungarian clone, but it locked up on a live round (boy, did I have a go-round with a "gunsmith" over that one!), and it bit. If(when) I get aother one, I plan to have the hammer ground to prevent biting.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

About the wife...

...she's actually cool about the whole thing.

It started out as my hobby, and she was anti. She is SLOWLY coming around (2 range trips to date, now shooting YET though). Actually, found out she was on some Air gun team at some summer camp!

The orginal deal was one or 2 guns. I sort of, well, have 5 or six. Somehow, and I have NO idea, they keep multiping. I'm not sure how it happens, But it did. Strange, eh?

I'm getting a 642/442 regardless. In this case, she is being the voice of reason- we are putting in a pool. We now need a retaining wall for said pool, at about an extra $800.00. My Toy car (68 Impala) went to get "just an inspection sticker and an oil change". $1,500 later...get the point? Oh yeah, did I mention we have a child on the way?

Why do you like the 442 over the 642? I was looking at the 442, then saw the stainless, and like the looks better. Everyone (well, the few that responded) said that the finish lasts longer on the 642. This will be primarily a pocket gun.

I can keep the PPK and get the 642/442 if I really want. I love the PPK, but have been bit twice, and have various jams along the way. It's also a brick in my pocket. I think that I will miss it?!?!? Is this normal to fall in love with a gun?

 

[Dienekes]

I always have the 442, and it has always worked.

I believe that those are the two most critical elements for a CCW. Even a crew-served, belt-fed weapon is insufficient if you don't have those issues resolved.

The 442 suits me just fine, and I am awfully particular.

 

[Deuce]

Three things:

- My wife has a 642ls (fine for her) and I've had a 337PD, 360, and 340 (note that with extended pocket carry without a holster, when attempting practice, the 340 failed due to lint getting into the works ... make sure you get a pocket-holster) ... I've never been able to hit anything with those J-frames (even my 3" 60) ... it's all about the grip size (and the size of my hands XXL) for me ... I just got a Taurus 405 .45lc 20oz and I can hit pretty well out to 10yds with cowboy loads ... bottom-line, if you've got large hands, I strongly advise against J-frames ... look at the Taurus 405 or 445 or S&W 386 ... but then, of course, these don't fit in a pocket real well ...


- I had a Sig P232 that tore the he11 outta my hand (which leads me to believe, if you've been bit by your PPK, you've got the same problem I do) ... I got rid of that ... and, last summer when S&W started producing the PPK/S with the "bigger beavertail" (specifically designed to eliminate the "bite"), I bought one and went straight to the range and proceeded to produce a decent 6" group at 25yds ... granted, CCW isn't about accuracy at a great distance ... but, it's still pretty nice and offers a LOT more confidence than not hitting 12" at 5yds


- I took a chance on the Kahr PM9 and it is now my primary CCW ... in a Mitch Rosen #18 in my front strong-side pocket ... I shot 200rds of white-box followed by 40rds of Hydrashoks ... NOT ONE FAILURE of any kind ... cleaned it, and shot another 200rds fo white-box and 40rds of Golden Sabres ... NOT ONE FAILURE of any kind ... at that point, I started carrying it ... it's never failed ... the weight and size are great for pocket-carry ... I strongly advise seriously considering this gun ... and 9mm to boot

Good luck.

 

[DMK]

have a PPK that I use for my winter carry, but and considering swapping it for a 442/ 642, as I can use it for summer usage as well (front pocket of shorts). Any input?

The lighter 442/642 will be much more enjoyable to carry. The PPK will be more enjoyable to shoot.

I'd give the little j-frame the nod for being a slightly better manstopper assuming that you can hit your target with it.

 

[Morgan]

I love my 642, and I think the .38, even from a snubbie, has better terminal ballistics than a .380.

That said, the Kahr PM9 is better in every regard (capacity, shootability, caliber) except cost.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

PM9-

Hadn't though of it. I'll take a peek, thanks. "and it's 9mm to boot"- dumb question- better than the .38+?

My knowledge of guns is somewhat limited, and I spend a lot of time here reading and trying to learn. I grew up with a .22 Marlin lever action. Dad said aim this way (found it from y'all that is was the wrong way, but hey, the world's imperfect!). He felt that anything larger was a waste. He shoots killer squirels. Sometimes, an occasional rat. When he did some P.I. photo work, bought a Makarov .380, thought it was a bit much, but his best friend (an FFL) told him that it was the way to go. My Marlin 30-30 that I bought REALLY confused him.

My big thing, and thanks to most of you, was trying to convince the wife (ok, maybe the voices of reason in my head, too) that I should keep the PPK and that the 642/442 this was a worthy add-on to my ever growing collection.

Most of you did. Thanks.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

oh yeah-

I haven't bought anything yet, so feel free to keep offering input. I'll take a peek that the PM9- what is the price range? I like the sub-400 area.

M

 

[jc2]

The lighter 442/642 will be much more enjoyable to carry. The PPK will be more enjoyable to shoot.

To a certain extent that depends on what you carry in the 442. I think overall the 442 is a considerably more enjoyable to shoot (of course, I shoot and carry wadcutters in it).

The blowback recoil of the PPK is not exactly pleasant--and the top of my hand is bleeding from slide bite after a magazine or two.

In my book, the big advantage of the 442 is that it is more reliable than any PPK or PPK/S I have ever shot. Every Walther I;ve owned (four) has had reliability issues with FMJ where the 442 has just kept on trucking.

 

[JNewell]

A couple of responses. The only major part of the 642 that is stainless is the cylinder. The frames of the 442 and 642 are aluminum, just finished differently.

All other things being equal, 9x19 is likely to be "better" than .38 Special because the velocity is higher. If that sounds stupid, consider that that's all the difference between standard pressure and +P ammo, and many people think that velocity improves the odds. However, that's all it does. No handgun is a sure thing in a defensive situation. There's nothing at all wrong with a good .38 Special load, and I wouldn't hesitate for a second to carry them.

Do some research on the PM pistols here and at TFL. My impression is that there have been a lot of issues. (By contrast, the K and MK pistols are generally really superior.) Pay attention to dates. Kahr is very resonsive and they may have worked out the wrinkles on the polymer pistols by now.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

Actually...

...that's why I'm leaning towards the 442/642- reliability. I have an old .38 that goes bang each and every time I pull the trigger.

My PPK doesn't, with varing degrees of jams.
My P22 does probably 99% of the time, but I want a tad more that a .22.

I have always heard that a semi gives you more, but a revolver ALWAYS fires.

That's what I want.

Yes, the Kahr is a nice gun, and Kahr repairs them 100% with 100% cust satisfaction. Same with Kel-Tec (the thing that started my quest for a pocket gun), I want something that works 100% out of the box.

Plus, I have two semi's, and want a revolver (the other .38 I shoot every few years as a memorial to my cousin that was killed- his gun, my Dad and I "share" it.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

*** Important Update ***

Wife just asked what I was typing- I told her. She said, you really want it don't you. I just smiled...she asked if I want to go shopping!!!

Keep fingers crossed for me- wife is finally giving into peer pressure!!!

The hell with rational thought!

It stinks having a wife that likes to make you happy!!!

 

[popeye]

I've got two auto's that I fully trust for reliablity. One is a blue Browning BDA the other a 3914 S&W. I've also got a Colt 1991 Compact, but it "burps" occasionally so it's not a candidate for carry till I get some work done on it. I've had a couple steel Kahr's and just can't warm up to them. Though many think they're the cat's pajamas. But I digress with my boring pistol comments. As far as my preference of 442 over 642 it's just I think finish is better, even though Smith will redo pealing 642 finish, who needs the grief . A couple of my J's attached.

 

[P7]

Hello: I really like the looks and handling of the PPK. I've owned a bunch of German made models as well as two American made ones. I was never able to get one that didn't jam regularly. Stovepipe james were the rule with frequent failures to feed. It was unusual to make it through a full magazine without a jam. I tried every imaginable type of ammo. In contrast, I have total confidence in the J-frames. If you want a cool, reliable auto in .380, look at the Sig P230 or 232.

Jeff

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

Tried to buy 642 or 442 today

Drove to Kittery Trading Post as I heard that they are cheaper than most- they were over $50 more than Riley's or Lewis arms!!!

Riley's was closed for the Holiday, and Lewis's is closed on Mondays.

Oh well...

 

[JNewell]

<click> Ahh, so KTP will sell to NH residents via their NH storefront? Never thought of that!

 

[had]

i have a 642 i got for my wife. it was prob the best gun i have bought for the price 399 here in az. i am very happy with it. it was $50 cheaper than the taurus. if you can try to keep the ppk. i feel you'll be happy you kept it later. but if it bites i would get rid of it for the right deal.

had

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

Darnedest thing happened last night. I haven't been to the range for a couple of weeks, and the last time I went I only shot my then-new Taurus 605. I hadn't shot my other guns for close to a month (busy at work). As could be expected, I was rusty as all get out and my shooting sucked, with one exception. I shot that little 1-7/8-inch barrel Taurus like some sort of race gun. Shooting double action I put most of a box of WWB through the 10 ring at 25 feet. Shooting single action, not my strong suit, was rough at first, but after some practice I was shooting double action almost as accurately as I was shooting the other guns I brought along (Blackhawk--usually my most accurate gun--and CZ75B). Of course I was shooting those other guns like a steaming pile of dookie, but still, I was really impressed with the little snub nose. Had I been defending myself with it, I would have been well-defended.

 

[mini14jac]

My wife has a 642.
I love to hold the gun, and look at it, but neither of us like shooting it.
If you reload, you could load up light practice rounds, but white box range ammo is pretty brutal in this gun.

I'll also add my $.02 for a PM9.
Just crossed the 1000rd mark with no failures.
It is not painful to shoot, (actually quite fun), is reliable, accurate, and easy to pocket carry.

I finally added some large grips to the 642. It's not quite as painful to shoot.
We've started using a shooting glove.
And, the new grip has turned an elegant, beautiful gun into an ugly thing.

But, if the wife tells you to buy a gun, you should buy a gun!