Question About PPK & PPK/S - Model Availability & Trigger Pull Weight

[D-Man]

Looking at the Walther site at the PPK & PPK/S models, and I have 2 questions:

1) Can you still actually get a PPK? For some reason I thought they were all PPK/S these days (yes, the website shows both).

2) It lists the trigger weights as follows: Trigger Weight: 13.4 lbs./6 lbs. Could the DA trigger really be that heavy? I can't imagine how bad of a pull that would be if true.

 

[rdaines]

I have not measured the the DA trigger pull but it is indeed stout, once racked it is much better. Too bad it can't be cocked and locked, the safety acts as a decocker.

 

[dfariswheel]

The PP series has a heavy DA trigger pull, and there's not much you can do about it.
Attempts to install lighter springs "usually" cause reliability problems.

The PP series heavy DA pull is a result of leverage, not springs, and this is a cause of the small space that was available to work with in such a small pistol.
Happily, most PP series owners quickly get used to the heavy DA pull and no longer even notice it.

The PPK and PPK/s are starting to be overtaken by events like the Kahr Arms pistols.
These are guns even smaller than the PPK, but chambered in full-power rounds like the 9mm and .40 S&W.

 

[sfmittels]

I think the PPK and PPK/S are designs that are a true paradox in today's gun market. On the one hand, their design is old (from the 1930s) and outdated. Their calibers (.32 and .380 ACP) generally are considered marginal at best for self-defense. Their DA trigger pulls suck - a function of their old design. Capacity is small, yet they are relatively large and heavy. They are expensive. The .380 isn't very comfortable to shoot because of the straight blowback action.

The paradox: they're still available. They have a mystique few other firearms can match (thanks in no small part to Ian Fleming, I'm sure). I love shooting mine just for fun. Mine is 100% reliable, so I could use it for self-defense if I had to. It's like shooting a Luger, a P-38 or a vintage 1911 - you're experiencing history. I've owned three and let two of them go - the one I still own isn't getting away. Just because.

 

[dao]

Good gunsmith can reduce trigger pull. I've seen a smooth 10lb DA trigger pull on a PPK/S.
But this need competent gunsmith, time and money.

12lb is heavy, but is manageable with training and considering that this gun is for short range self-defense. A choice to think about.

Otherwise, I do really like the grip of the Walther PP family.

 

[Flame Red]

I have a S&W PPK/S and did a lot of minor work with it myself. I relaced the main spring with a 16lb (or whatever the lightest spring Wolff has in the kit) and it goes bang every time. Makes the DA trigger pull a lot better. Never a reliability problem for me. Eats any ammo I feed it. It is VERY accurate. It is very small and make a good pocket peice.

I did have a problem with poor grip fit (wood grips supplied with the particular model I got) that causes a lot of problems. Properly fit grips and all those problems went away. I also dehorned the sharp edges so the bit is not as bad as it used to be. It was a SS gun so no refinish necessary.

It is not the type of gun I would go to the range with and shhot 500 rounds. But for a pocket carry it is VERY nice.

 

[billybob]

I'd put 500 rds thru my PPK. Coors it's a .22 LR.

 

[wrangler5]

1) Can you still actually get a PPK? For some reason I thought they were all PPK/S these days (yes, the website shows both).

As I understand the history, under one of our genius former-presidents a law was passed (or a regulation allowed to be issued) banning the importation of "cheap foreign guns," which were defined by the genius regulators on the exclusive basis of physical size measurements, with no regard for price or value. The PPK failed to be "big enough" to be imported under these rules, so Walther took the short PPK barrel and slide and stuck them on a PP frame. The longer grip frame of the PP (together, I believe, with a slight thumb rest on one of the now-wider grips) brought the measurements up to the importable level, and the model was designated PPK/S for something like "sport." (Remember the government mindset - "sporting" gun = good gun, or at least as good as a gun can get, while "defensive" gun = bad gun, only purpose is to kill people, etc. etc.)

When Walther got together with S&W, it became (economically) feasible to manufacture the smaller PPK frames in the US, so the PPK again returned to the shelves. I believe it is still illegal to import a German manufactured PPK, but it is perfectly OK for S&W to make and sell one.

There now, aren't you glad your government has been keeping you safe for lo these many years?

 

[Gila Jorge]

I just bought a PPKS and am delighted with it...it was used...but looked new
BUT the trigger on it was far superior to one that was new in the box..so
I got that one...I also picked up a Bersa 9mm Ultra Compact...and in comparison shooting the 380 has more perceived recoil than the 9mm or my
45acps for that matter...thank goodness its only a 380 is all I can say...but
the mystique is there and I am glad to have it...will carry it with some CorBon
or Gold Dot...and think or rather hope that it makes a good dog stopper...thinking of a particular Rotweiler as I write this...I ahve been attacked twice...and I promised the owner it would never happen again...
but I am 61 and wrestling with aggressive dogs is for the young...not heart patients like me...Blessings..

 

[GaryP]

My SS PPK/s .32acp manufactured by Interarms in 1998 has functioned flawlessly through several thousand rounds during the last nine years. The only issue I have had to make an adjustment for is the "Walther Bite" and that is just a matter of conditioning. The fix for me is to place my hand a tad lower on the grip! I added a set of Hogue Rosewood grips early on and replaced several springs with Wolff springs, but not the hammer spring. I have adapted to the heavy double action trigger pull but it sure would be nice if it were much lighter. I am going to try a lighter hammer spring as suggested by another poster here but do not want to go too light due to the possibility of light hammer strikes. I noticed that Wolff offers 14, 16, 17, 18 & 19 lb. hammer springs. A 20 lb. spring is standard in these pistols. I carry my PPK/s for CCW on occasion when attire requires something less revealing and do not feel under-armed.

 

[Southern Raider]

I replaced the main spring with a 16lb (or whatever the lightest spring Wolff has in the kit) and it goes bang every time. Makes the DA trigger pull a lot better. Never a reliability problem for me. Eats any ammo I feed it. It is VERY accurate. It is very small and make a good pocket peice.

I did the same thing and find the DA pull to be no different from the Sig232 that I had. However, realize that the hammer spring is a component of the forces that slow down the slide during recoil. I added an XP recoil spring to offset this, but Wolf 380 cases land some 20' from the gun. I do wonder if I am abusing the pistol somewhat...

Reliabilty has been perfect. No misfires.

 

[Tom M]

Flame Red - What did you use to dehorn the edges? I've got to do the same, but don't know how to go about it. Thanks.

 

[MT GUNNY]

Yes their availble
Yes it is a heavy pull

 

[MICHAEL T]

Ive used the 16lb spring for years. Works fine in my PPK/S with stock recoil spring.