Replacing PPK - What To Buy?

[BluesBear]

Why not consider a Colt Defender or Officers ACP? Or similar compact.
Same manual of arms. Same cartridge. Similar or same holsters.
Smaller grip. All of your training on the full size can be used with the compact

 

[Zeke Menuar]

Colt Officers frame and Commander slide. Another nice CCW combination.



ZM

 

[BluesBear]

Colt Officers frame and Commander slide. Another nice CCW combination.

Yeah, Colt called theirs the CCO (Concealed Carry Officers)

 

[mattx109]

Colt pistols have been somewhat difficult to find lately, but I'll certainly look into it. Kimber makes similar pistols, but they're just too expensive for me at the moment.

 

[jc2]

Once you go below Commander size, reliability issues go up in any 1911 (regardless of make).

 

[Gunz]

I have been struggling with summer carry choices, also. I recently turned myself in the SMith direction. A lot of fantastic pre-owned (not shot a lot) 3913, 4013 with single stack mags and safeties are appearing for $350-450 depending on condition and spare mags. I am remarkably thrilled to have these options. I own K9/40, and various makes, but those little Smiths are becoming a huge favorite. Their liability and accuracy are first rate for me. Try them out.

 

[mattx109]

Anyone have any experience with the Springfield XD Sub-Compact (specifically in 9mm)? I just stumbled across it.

I'm usually not a big fan of strikers, but the size seems right and caliber has a little more punch than a .380.

Link:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl-sub-compact.shtml

 

[Dionysusigma]

If you're going to replace a PPK...

Do it with a P99.

 

[mattx109]

But of course, my good man.

I suppose I should also start practicing my "muzzle-up, finger-on-trigger" ready.

"Hey, it worked for James Bond!" That's an affirmative defense, right?

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I just completed a deal to send my hated M686 down south for a CZ-83. Should work fine for summer carry.

ZM

 

[mattx109]

I've only had experience with CZ rifles. How do their pistols hold up to everyday carry?

The 83 is SA/DA. Is the safety also a decocker? If not, is the 83 safe to cary cocked and locked, or should one remain in DA for carry?

 

[Mr Jody Hudson]

Although, the Makarov is basically a Walther that works and shoots straight.

You said inexpensive and your reason is that you want something reliable instead of the Walther.

The Keltec P-11 was mentioned much earlier here. I have 4 of them and they get more accurate the more you shoot them. They are VERY accurate for me, for the size. They are very reliable. And with 11 rounds of 9mm they are in a class by themselves. They are small, light, reliable, fairly accurate and very inexpensive. They also have the integral clip, like a folding knife, that some people really like.

I have shot mine a lot with dozens of different kinds of ammo, including the Ranger +P+ HP and lots of WWB. It feeds these two and likes the law enforcement returns of Lawman and Speer +P Gold Dot HPs which mine shoot most accurately and reliably.

Personally I'd stay away from all of the .45s mentioned as they are far larger, not usually reliable (.45 lovers, like Harley lovers, tend to love to tinker on things as both of these things need a lot of continuous TLC in my experience) and the .45s are expensive - you asked for inexpensive.

YMMV but If I were to carry daily, as much as I love the Makarov and have several, I'm sure I'd end up with the P-11 Keltec every day.

 

[lee n. field]

The Makarov is now made by Baikal, right? Are they the only people producing these pistols, or are there clones of lower/higher quality?

Arsenal, Baikal, Norinco, Simson-Suhl. I dunno who all else. They're all real Makarovs.

My only real concern, I suppose, would be the price and availability of 9x18 ammunition. I shoot my carry gun weekly, which is expensive enough with common .45 ACP. How might the 9x18 Makarov treat my wallet?

How's 55FRNs for a box of 500, shipped, sound?

 

[MICHAEL T]

380 Bersa best $200 pistol made.

 

[Plinkerton]

Anyone have any experience with the Springfield XD Sub-Compact (specifically in 9mm)?

I don't have any personal experience with XD's, but from what I have heard, MANY people love the XD's in general, and are very impressed with many things about them. They might be worth a look.

 

[Mr Jody Hudson]

I think one thing that may have been missed is the part about inexpensive!

 

[W Turner]

I would recomend that you look into the CZ 83 as someone here mentioned earlier.

You get Beretta/Sig/Glock quality for about $100 less, the ability to carry cocked and locked and 10 rounds. They can also be had in either blued or satin nickle.

I have a CZ 75B that I have owned for about 9 months and I have run about a thousand rounds thru it with absolutely no problems. These are issued to many police depts. in Europe and are a high quality weapon.

Another option is the Beretta 84. These are also available in blued or nickle finishes and can be carried cocked n locked. I bought one of these for my wife a few years ago and it was the most accurate centerfire semi-auto I have ever shot. The only reason I got rid of it was because my wife wanted a Glock 19.

Mino

 

[BowStreetRunner]

i think a makarov would be a good choice for something smaller than your 1911 and in the cheap price range
mine is very reliable, they are a great buy and ammo is cheap at gunshows and mail order
cheap magazines ~5-10 bucks and 5 bucks/box of ammo...... premium defensive ammo is rarer than with american calibers, but i just found some Georgia Arms Gold Dot at a gunshow, im going to try it out and see how it works
BSR

 

[mattx109]

Just wanted to update anyone interested.

I ended up trading my PPK for a refurbished SIG P230SL. In the end it only cost me $75 with some ammo and cleaning supplies, which seems like a pretty decent deal to me, considering the unreliability of the Walther and the quality of the SIG. I gave it a run yesterday afternoon and loved every shot. A little more time at the range and I think it'll become my primary carry piece.

 

[Ivy Mike]

I'll add another vote for the Makarov. I carry a commercial Bulgarian chambered in .380 every day of the week. The Makawrap grips make carry and shooting very comfortable. She rides (most of the time) in a Falco IWB holster I ordered from Makarov.com. For the price difference between a Mak and a Sig 232, you can get the Makarov, new grips, practice ammo and a clean-up by a gunsmith.
The trigger was a little heavy and slightly gritty on mine, A day spent with Dremel took care of that.

This is my favorite gun out of the collection. She had some teething issues when new, but as with all semi-auto's, you must test them before you carry them. Break-in bugs are common and usually go away with use...just ask Kel-Tec owners about break-in bugs.

 

[Pilot]

Great suggestions so far. I typically carry two guns (not at the same time) in the summer depending on clothing and mood. Interestingly enough, the both fit in the same holster and are pretty close in size. They are:

HK P7 PSP (recent BMI German import, (bought for around $675)

Bulgarian Makarov, (bought for $150)

I use an inexpensive Mil-Tech IWB holster, designed for the Mak and purchased from Makarov.com. As I indicated, the P7 PSP fit perfectly in this holster also. The Mak is slightly thinner and lighter, but only marginally so. I feel well protected with both.

 

[MaterDei]

Since you've already purchased your new gun I'll refrain from seconding the RAMI suggestion.

Now that I've seen your new SIG, I think you've done well. That's one nice looking piston, IMHO.

Good luck with it,

Michael

 

[tex_n_cal]

Those small SIG's do have a good reputation..

I was goingt o mention that Mauser HSc's can be found, and seem to a be a reliable small auto.

A Colt Government .380 would fill the bill, so would an original Colt Model M, in .380, though good ones can get pricey.

I am pleased with my Colt Defender, though it does prefer certain types of ammo above others.

But what I think might really suit your fancy would be a Colt Commander with Bobtail conversion. Go to www.edbrown.com for details.

 

[BluesBear]

I believe Ed Brown has stopped working on customer provided guns. You can only get a genuine Brown Bobtail on his guns. Brown will sell you mainspring housing though. And there are others now doing the conversions. In fact Brownell's sells the jigs to round the butt yoursalf.