this one was made/imported 1968. It is the original 1928 version of the PP series- the PPK coming in two or three years later. It is a very shootable piece of work and has the advantage over several early to mid-20th century pistols in that, with the safety engaged it is reliably drop safe. It will produce near-fist-sized groups rapid fire from 25 yards and when fired two-handed lands a first double action shot in amongst the rest of the magazine
WHB Smith in his book of Pistols and Revovers calls the PP action " complicated but desirable."
Walther PP .32
- Thread starter mec
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usp9
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It's one of my favorite classics.
bannockburn
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I had a Manurhin PP in .32ACP years ago. I actually preferred the longer barrel of the PP over the shorter one on the PPKs as it gave the gun a better balance in my hand.
PRM
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The Walther PP series are some of my favorite guns. I've been carrying them since the 70s. I have also found in this design of pistols, that I prefer the .32 hands down over the .380 with respect to performance, reliability, and shooting pleasure. They are very accurate, and the mild recoil provides for fast follow up shots. I also like the 9 shot (8+1) capability of the PP and PPK/S.
Of the two models, the Manurhin Model PP is my favorite. I like the look of the longer slide better. All other things as far as performance are equal. The SS of the Interarms PPK/S is a plus especially during the Summer months, shows minimal wear and is easily touched up.
They were the gold standard of the pocket semi-auto pistols for well over half a century. Even with its high tech modern competitors, the Walther still has a strong following.
Of the two models, the Manurhin Model PP is my favorite. I like the look of the longer slide better. All other things as far as performance are equal. The SS of the Interarms PPK/S is a plus especially during the Summer months, shows minimal wear and is easily touched up.
They were the gold standard of the pocket semi-auto pistols for well over half a century. Even with its high tech modern competitors, the Walther still has a strong following.
Attachments
same here with the longer barrel. I've had PPKses and PPKs in 380. they tended to bite. I mistrust the ones assembled by Smith as they suffered a recall and several of the early ones that arrived here would not function. It took great skill to monkey with the PPK enough to screw it up.
You are also right about the accurate rapid-fire capabilities of the PP
You are also right about the accurate rapid-fire capabilities of the PP
bannockburn
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I also found I did better, in terms of accuracy, with the longer sight radius of the PP.
I read somewhere that all the later interarms walthers marked Ulm/DE were actually made in the Manhurin so, I googled it and found this on the Walther forum"
A hardened slide cannot be successfully roll-marked. That is why PP-series pistols that were machined by Manurhin (from special forgings specified by Walther and supplied from Germany, it is worth noting) that were to become "German" Walthers were shipped to Ulm with "soft" slides. Ulm marked the slides and differentially heat treated them by oil hardening plus electrical induction hardening in the area of the safety lever; then the slides were polished and blued (which is why the blue on Walther-marked slides is brighter and does not match the frame blue). Magazines for all .32 cal. PP-series pistols were manufactured at Ulm, (and reverse-supplied to Manurhin). Germans (not French) performed final assembly, quality control inspection, test firing and targeting, and finally proofing. The corresponding tasks on guns marked "Manurhin" were performed 100% by the French; those guns never saw a German fitter or inspector.
A hardened slide cannot be successfully roll-marked. That is why PP-series pistols that were machined by Manurhin (from special forgings specified by Walther and supplied from Germany, it is worth noting) that were to become "German" Walthers were shipped to Ulm with "soft" slides. Ulm marked the slides and differentially heat treated them by oil hardening plus electrical induction hardening in the area of the safety lever; then the slides were polished and blued (which is why the blue on Walther-marked slides is brighter and does not match the frame blue). Magazines for all .32 cal. PP-series pistols were manufactured at Ulm, (and reverse-supplied to Manurhin). Germans (not French) performed final assembly, quality control inspection, test firing and targeting, and finally proofing. The corresponding tasks on guns marked "Manurhin" were performed 100% by the French; those guns never saw a German fitter or inspector.
Nice Walthers guys! I have a PP in .32ACP that my Dad brought back from Germany after WWII. Unfortunately, it was nickel plated, probably by the G.I. selling them to the unsuspecting like my Dad who knew little about guns as he was an Army dentist.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
Gorgeous and beautiful pistols..thank you for sharing. If I could buy a brand new Walther PP in .32 ACP I'd buy one today. Classic design in a caliber I prefer for pocket pistols, SA/DA, drop hammer safety, and enough capacity to give the comfort I like.
Beautiful....desirable.
VooDoo
Beautiful....desirable.
VooDoo
PRM
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Keep checking Gun Broker or Guns America. There are usually some very nice Manurhin PPs and Walther PPs for sale. LNIB or 98-99% are not that uncommon. Look carefully at the pics, ask questions and check the seller's feedback. Both of my current Walther(s) were bought off of Gun Broker.
PRM
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I like the auction sites. And, you do find some bargains. My Interarms PPK/S SS in .32 ACP was like new, the original owner had only fired around 50 rounds through it. He said with his large hands, he just couldn't get around the slide bite??? The pics posted on the auction were not that good and he had removed the original grips and replaced them with a black wood version. The original grips went with the gun but were not shown. I picked that one up for $405.00 No one else was bidding on it.
My Model PP was pretty much the same scenario. I got it for $400.00, no one was bidding.
My Model PP was pretty much the same scenario. I got it for $400.00, no one was bidding.
Seems like folks are beginning to appreciate that the PP/PPK/PPkS really sing in .32. .380 is really pushing the envelope. On Gunbroker .32 caliber pieces are carrying a premium fetching a good bit more than their .380 counterparts. IA Rangers in .32 are regularly getting $700 and above. My two last Walther acquisitions in the past year, a 65 PP and an IA Ranger PPK/S, were both acquired locally in the $450 range. I've pretty much given up on Gunbroker for a .32 PPK at a reasonable price.
PRM
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I'll probably kick myself in the long run. When I bought my IA PPK/S, there was an IA PPK in .32 going for the same price. I went for the PPK/S because all my PP mags would interchange. Oh well, you can only carry one at a time. Someone else also has a nice one in their collection too 
MedWheeler
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Mec, can you expand on the ammo in the image you posted (post 10)? Thanks.
Phantom Captain
Member
It's Buffalo Bore. I carry the Hard Cast Flat Nose .32 in my PPK as I've become more and more convinced that in such a small caliber the HP isn't worth it. I want penetration and the Buffalo Bores certainly deliver. Worth checking out. I also carry the HCFN .380 in my PPK/s for the same reasons.
One caveat though, the .32 Buffalo Bore works fine in my 1938 PPK but my '71 Manurhin PP does not like it at all. In fact the bullet gets almost stuck in the chamber and is very hard to eject by hand.
One caveat though, the .32 Buffalo Bore works fine in my 1938 PPK but my '71 Manurhin PP does not like it at all. In fact the bullet gets almost stuck in the chamber and is very hard to eject by hand.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
I'm a big believer in flat noses and penetration for .32 ACP for SD myself. I'm loading my own 75 gr. hard cast flat noses (just like the ones BB makes...) instead of relying on hollow points. I'm looking very hard at 200 FPE out of my reloads and feel they might be better than an HP.
Soon as I satisfy my 9mm jones (got one more pistol to buy....) I'll be shopping for a Walther in .32 ACP as I *really like shooting and carrying my .32 ACPs. I need a Walther in .32 ACP as well as a Beretta 81 or 82.
I find that .32 ACP pistols have widely variable groove sizes as well as chamber sizes so reloading for a .32 ACP can be very rewarding in that you can cater to the pistol you are loading for.
VooDoo
Soon as I satisfy my 9mm jones (got one more pistol to buy....) I'll be shopping for a Walther in .32 ACP as I *really like shooting and carrying my .32 ACPs. I need a Walther in .32 ACP as well as a Beretta 81 or 82.
I find that .32 ACP pistols have widely variable groove sizes as well as chamber sizes so reloading for a .32 ACP can be very rewarding in that you can cater to the pistol you are loading for.
VooDoo
Different walthers!!!!!!!
I had an interesting experience the other day at my local gun shop.
I have been interested in getting a WALTHER PPK in .380ACP. The gun shop had 2 used PPK'S. Both were stainless steel and had better sights than my old pre-war model. The less expensive, but almost $200.00 was an INTERARMS made gun. I checked it out and was shocked at how awful the double action trigger was. It was almost TOO HEAVY to shoot.
The other was a SMITHH & WESSON produced model and it had the longer tang on the grip backstrap to avoid slide bite. It was like night and day. The trigger was smooth and fully usable, about the same or a little lighter than my PPK. The S&W however was going for $679.00!
I paid $399.00 about 2 years ago, when I bought a blued WALTHER PPK at the same store. It looked used and had a corrosion wart on the side of the slide which I suspect is from being left in a holster when kept in a draw or glove box. DUMB!
The gun turned out to be a 1937 pre-war model in .32ACP. It has the short tang and small sights. The trigger was heavy, but smooth. I was surprised at the good groups it would shoot. I had originally planned to practice on the short course I use for 5 shot revolvers and mini pistols like my BERETTA Tomcat and NAA Guardian.
Instead, I shot well enough to use the 30 round qualification course my agency uses for our .40 S&W pistols. Fine by me.
As an added bonus, it feeds nearly everything except FEDERAL Hydro Shok and there is no slide bite on my shooting hand. I think the problem of slide bite is related to the size of the shooter's hand. Mine are average and the PPK works fine for me. I carry it on a regular basis.
I have found my old PPK to be very concealable and easier to shoot than the 5 shot .38 Specials I carried before it.
Jim
I had an interesting experience the other day at my local gun shop.
I have been interested in getting a WALTHER PPK in .380ACP. The gun shop had 2 used PPK'S. Both were stainless steel and had better sights than my old pre-war model. The less expensive, but almost $200.00 was an INTERARMS made gun. I checked it out and was shocked at how awful the double action trigger was. It was almost TOO HEAVY to shoot.
The other was a SMITHH & WESSON produced model and it had the longer tang on the grip backstrap to avoid slide bite. It was like night and day. The trigger was smooth and fully usable, about the same or a little lighter than my PPK. The S&W however was going for $679.00!
I paid $399.00 about 2 years ago, when I bought a blued WALTHER PPK at the same store. It looked used and had a corrosion wart on the side of the slide which I suspect is from being left in a holster when kept in a draw or glove box. DUMB!
The gun turned out to be a 1937 pre-war model in .32ACP. It has the short tang and small sights. The trigger was heavy, but smooth. I was surprised at the good groups it would shoot. I had originally planned to practice on the short course I use for 5 shot revolvers and mini pistols like my BERETTA Tomcat and NAA Guardian.
Instead, I shot well enough to use the 30 round qualification course my agency uses for our .40 S&W pistols. Fine by me.
As an added bonus, it feeds nearly everything except FEDERAL Hydro Shok and there is no slide bite on my shooting hand. I think the problem of slide bite is related to the size of the shooter's hand. Mine are average and the PPK works fine for me. I carry it on a regular basis.
I have found my old PPK to be very concealable and easier to shoot than the 5 shot .38 Specials I carried before it.
Jim
Last edited:
usp9
Member
Two great, classic .32 acp pistols. The Walther is a bit more slim. The Sig is lighter, (alloy frame) and has better sights. Both are beautiful, reliable and accurate. Other similarities; heavy DA, light short SA, lanyard loop, decocker, safety, 8 round mag, loaded chamber indicator, and great ergonomics.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
Wow...that Sig and the Walther are beautiful. Thank you for sharing them!
VooDoo
VooDoo
Decades ago I had a PPK in 7.65 with an aluminum frame. The pistol looked like a chewed up alley tomcat. It shot great, though. I carried it sometimes (illegally that time in Texas, I admit) crossdraw just to left of the belt buckle. As thin and as light as it was (I was thinner and lighter, too), it was a welcome friend for many years.
Info on Walther PP 7.,65
Would like if anyone could provide info on my Walther PP 7.65 cal.
Curious that it is not stamped "Made In Wet Germany"?
Right Side:
Interarms/VA stamped small and "sloppy" with larger NW 300 on the slide.
Has Eagle N and 64 Antler stamp on the exposed barrel area
S/N stamped 332300 on side behind the trigger with Eagle N stamp and Flower stamped above it.
Left Side:
Has Walther in the banner stamped and Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do.
Under that is Model PP Cal. 7.65 then an Eagle mark stamp.
Magazines:
Finger Rest mag on the Right side has Made in France stamped at the bottom near the finger rest.
on the Left side there is the number 736 stamped above Manurhin with circle then below that PP 7.65
Flat Bottom mag on the Right has no stamps and on the left side the number 300 above the Walther banner then below that is PP. 7.65
Box:
Manurhin logo in the upper right, a label on the upper right which also folds over the right side of the box cover has the Manurhin logo vertically then horizontally next to that; PPK "underlined" and under that cal.7,65 mm(.32) then under that in very small type is AR 17283…on the part of the label that is folded over the right side of the cover it is worn away but shows cal. Xxxx with the numbers in bold 118222.
The middle of the box has printed PISTOLET Walther PPK. Under that line is LIC. EXC.
At the bottom of the box cover is Babr. MANUFACTURE DE MACHINES DU HAUT-RHIN
MULHOUSE - BOURTZWILLER (France)
Gun is nice blue with high polish 90% or so. The original grips are missing and it has the Patchmrur rubber grips in place, action feels like new.
Any info on the age or history would be appreciated.
Would like if anyone could provide info on my Walther PP 7.65 cal.
Curious that it is not stamped "Made In Wet Germany"?
Right Side:
Interarms/VA stamped small and "sloppy" with larger NW 300 on the slide.
Has Eagle N and 64 Antler stamp on the exposed barrel area
S/N stamped 332300 on side behind the trigger with Eagle N stamp and Flower stamped above it.
Left Side:
Has Walther in the banner stamped and Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do.
Under that is Model PP Cal. 7.65 then an Eagle mark stamp.
Magazines:
Finger Rest mag on the Right side has Made in France stamped at the bottom near the finger rest.
on the Left side there is the number 736 stamped above Manurhin with circle then below that PP 7.65
Flat Bottom mag on the Right has no stamps and on the left side the number 300 above the Walther banner then below that is PP. 7.65
Box:
Manurhin logo in the upper right, a label on the upper right which also folds over the right side of the box cover has the Manurhin logo vertically then horizontally next to that; PPK "underlined" and under that cal.7,65 mm(.32) then under that in very small type is AR 17283…on the part of the label that is folded over the right side of the cover it is worn away but shows cal. Xxxx with the numbers in bold 118222.
The middle of the box has printed PISTOLET Walther PPK. Under that line is LIC. EXC.
At the bottom of the box cover is Babr. MANUFACTURE DE MACHINES DU HAUT-RHIN
MULHOUSE - BOURTZWILLER (France)
Gun is nice blue with high polish 90% or so. The original grips are missing and it has the Patchmrur rubber grips in place, action feels like new.
Any info on the age or history would be appreciated.
Your barrel was proofed in 1964. This would be considered a German made gun, although like all PP series guns post war to mid-80's, the parts were made in France and the gun finished, proofed, and stamped in Germany.
Manurhin made all the pp and ppk guns at this time, but also some under their own name. Whether stamped Manurhin or Walther, the source and quality was the same for 40 years.
Manurhin made all the pp and ppk guns at this time, but also some under their own name. Whether stamped Manurhin or Walther, the source and quality was the same for 40 years.
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