Pros and cons of a PPK

[WestKentucky]

I know, it's the stereotype James Bond gun, which may actually have a bit to do with why I am considering one, but I do like the size and feel. I have never shot one nor do I know anybody else that has one I could borrow. Help me out please. It would serve as a carry gun for spring and summer when my pt99 gets put away.

 

[jimbeaux82]

Pros are it is small, flat (easily carried or concealed), and dependable

Cons are you may get hammer bite (probably will) and largest caliber is 380

I highly suggest that you shoot one before buying.

 

[Jim K]

I like the PPK, but actually prefer the PP; the difference in size is not that significant and the longer barrel gives a better sight radius and a bit more accuracy. The gun was originally designed around the .32 ACP and they are more reliable in that caliber than in .380. If size is important, there are smaller guns today in both calibers, and in fact, I prefer my Model 36 3" to any autoloader.

That being said, the use of a gun by a fictional character is not a very good reason to buy one.

Jim

 

[M1key]

Pros: same size as a Glock 42

Cons: It's not a Glock 42

M

 

[WestKentucky]

Correction M1key...pros it's the same size as a glock 42, also it isn't made by glock. I hate polymer for some reason, and I'm one of the guys who thinks a glock is about as comfortable to hold as a flaming charcoal briquette.

I don't think it's as much the bond connection as it is just a desire to own four of everything and it's one of the iconic guns I have never had.

 

[bigfatdave]

I own a PP in .32acp - it is a nice little gun. I enjoy it a lot, as a range toy and as a cool antique.
The newer ones from S&W are not as nice, and only in .380acp at this point, by my understanding. Not machined as nicely, only available in stainless, etc.

Get one as a range toy or collector's piece, and enjoy. But if you want a .380 or .32acp pocket gun, they're honestly obsolete in an age of the KT p32 and p3at.

 

[forindooruseonly]

One of the most unpleasant guns I've ever shot. Hammer bite and nasty sharp recoil. One of two guns I've sold in my entire life because I didn't care for the recoil, the other being a .500 S&W.

Just my experience.

 

[Tobias1900]

I like them (mostly for their history)
That said there are a lot of newer pistols that have a smaller frame than the PPK
If you like it because it's a PPK then go for it
If you are looking for a small frame pistol there are lots of options

 

[silicosys4]

I have small hands so hammer and slide bite is not an issue for me,

Pro's:
relatively small,
accurate
retains value
acceptable SD caliber
hammer drop safety
Nice SA trigger
high build quality
reliable

Cons:
Heavy
Marginal SD caliber
Hard to pull back slide
heavy DA trigger
low capacity
snappy recoil

 

[nwilliams]

I have a PPK/S that was made in 1974 and is like new in the box and the only reason I keep it is because it's so dang purty! Besides that I am a big James Bond fan so I enjoy owning an early German made PPK/S for that reason alone. Also it's what I consider to be one of my long term investment guns, it will only ever go up in value in the condition it's in, I don't plan to shoot it.

That said I have shot a PPK before and it is incredibly unpleasant to shoot. I put a couple mags through a buddy's PPK and that was enough for me. I found it to be pretty accurate despite the not so great trigger but it wouldn't be my pick if I were in the market for a small defensive carry gun, I think there are better options such as the Glock 42 or Sig P238.

Also I wouldn't consider buying one of the newer S&W made PPK's to be honest. If you're gonna buy a Walther PP series gun then get one that was actually made by Walther in Germany. The quality of the German made Walther's is better, or at least they have a better reputation. It sounds snobbish I know but if I'm going to buy a Walther then I want it to be made by Walther.

Here's my 1974 PPK/S

 

[NWCP]

I own two German made PPK/S pistols. One in .22LR and the other in .380. I don't carry either, but do shoot them on occasion.They are for all intents and purposes safe queens. The PPK/S in .22LR is quite accurate and pleasant to shoot. In .380 it has a snappy recoil, but is manageable.I collect German made Walther pistols. One of my favorite being the single stack 9mm P5. For a sub compact concealed carry pistol I use a Kahr PM9. Just my preference. The Walther PP series made in Germany are beautiful weapons and for that reason are worth collecting.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I have owned a number of Walther PP variants in both calibers over the years...I *really* prefer the PP with the longer barrel in .32 as it is reliable to a fault and extremely accurate even in rapid fire. The .380 pistols either in the PP or the PPK are a bit too snappy for me. Hammer bite/slide bite I have never had - mostly this is an issue if you have large meaty hands but it a distinct possibility so one has to be careful about that if ham handed.

I keep trying to find a PPK/S in stainless and .32 but the price asked for them, even in ridiculously beat up condition, is way too high...this shows they are still in demand and highly prized which is a condition that usually does not happen if a pistols is somewhat less than desirable or has a bad reputation. I think they are classic pistols in either caliber and really somewhat of a "must have" for anyone who really loves pocket pistols and collects shootable examples.

Anyone have an opinion on the Manurhin produced Walther PP's? Are they generally OK or less quality wise than the others? I really want another Walther PP in .32 but they generally elude my at GB over and over again.

VooDoo

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I hate to say this (almost) but the Walther PPK in the movie was played by a Walther PP.

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Dr._No

Internet Movie Database, Dr. No article, with screen shots.

I briefly had a PP in the 1960s and it was just slightly bigger than a PPK but more comfortable to shot accurately.

 

[Starter52]

I agree with the others that the PP-size grip is more comfortable than the shorter PPK.

You might want to look at a PPK/S, which has the longer grip and a PPK-length barrel.

 

[SPW1]

I don't like the PPK much. It is a pretty gun and I like the styling, but I do not like shooting them. Considering it is only a 380, and a large one at that, it has unpleasant recoil. my dad had a ppk/s and a baby glock 29 in 10mm when I was a teen and I could not believe that when shooting them side by side the 10mm was more comfortable for me to shoot with less perceived recoil, even with hot loads. Considering the 10mm's considerable power advantage that really turned me off the ppk/s design. Probably the fault of the ppk/s having a blowback action instead of a lock breach design.

 

[tarosean]

Agree with silicosys. The only thing I really dislike about mine is the DA trigger.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a PPK in 380 ACP and a PP in 32 ACP. Like them both.

The PPK is an S&W version and find it does not like the current batches of designer self defense ammunition as it peens over the locking lever. It makes disassembly difficult. No issues with standard FMJ ammunition.

Just a single data point.

I am not comfortable carrying "cocked and locked" or with a loaded striker fired gun so a DA/SA PPK makes me happy.

If i ever run across a good PPK in 32 ACP, I will probably invest.

 

[burley]

Some more interesting history;
http://www.vincelewis.net/hitlersgun.html

 

[Milkmaster]

Buy a Bersa Thunder and shoot it for a while. It is basically a PPK copy. It doesn't cost as much. If you like it, then buy the more expensive pp or ppk for a keeper. Might be a cheaper way to find out what you want to do.

 

[Coltdriver]

It is a classic previous era pistol. Total cool factor.

But it weighs far too much for its size and because its a blowback design the recoil is very harsh for the round.

Been there, done that, got a much more powerful round in a lighter package. It is one worth saying you once owned.

Still undeniably cool though

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

But it weighs far too much for its size and because its a blowback design the recoil is very harsh for the round.

Been there, done that, got a much more powerful round in a lighter package.

And how is the recoil in a more powerful caliber in a lighter pistol working for you? I'm curious as I'm recoil sensitive and so is my Wife. I'd love to carry a light 9mm pistol like this but cannot imagine controlling the recoil as the PPK in .380 is already too snappy for fast accurate follow ups for me and I'm 6' 3" and weight about 175. In a .32 pistol I find the Walther PP/PPK perfect due to the weight and such...in .380? Not so much.

VooDoo

 

[tommy.duncan]

I have had my PPK for almost 20 years now. I enjoy shooting it, my wife doesn't care for the snappy recoil. I like the size, I can stick it into my pocket and carry.
My biggest problem is that 380 has become a pain in the ass to find. I started buying reloading equipment so I can actually shoot this more.
and...I am a 007 fan too!!

 

[stressed]

I would only own one in .32

S&W makes them? I looked on walthers actual website and it shows the modern .380 one.

 

[guyfromohio]

I'm a big fan of the PPK. I've had much better luck with the S&W stamped guns than the Interarms. Interarms stovepiped more than it didn't. Hammer bite was horrible. Smith have been very comfortable to shoot and far more reliable. Invisible in my Crossbreed Supertuck. Safety is not one that you would want to mess with in an emergency. Once I load the chamber, I drop the hammer with the safety/decocker and then take the safety off. The DA is heavy enough that I don't worry about it. These are astonishingly accurate guns. They do take some breaking in and like to be kept clean and lubed.

 

[gym]

I carried one in the 70's as there were no small carry guns in 9mm. It was not a problem for me to shoot every week at the range, but I was in my 20's. I shot one recently and still put it in the 10 ring, but in my 60's it felt a good deal snappier. Also mine was a German gun with a lot of custom work done by a man on L.I., who specialized in Walthers. I don't recommend one now, and I carry a PM9 also. It has mor pop, and less recoil.
It's a finicky gun, if you carry it fulltime, it can get out of spec easily, "my slide had to be tightened 3 times, back during the almost 20 years I used it for a carry gun in NYC. Get a real German gun, pre 76.