Walther PP/PPK

[Jaco]

The Walther PPK is seen as heavy, an aenemic caliber pistol, and big. It has apparently a horrible double action trigger, and is more expensive than other compact pistols of even better calibers. It is a 1930’s design in the polymer 2003.

But why is it still being made? Why does a firm like S&W still produce it, and why is it still being bought? Surely the hype cannot be because of a film character of a decade ago? On most forums it is trashed, but on the same forums it is still on the Christmas list of many a grown man.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Dunno about other people, but I like it because it's a classic and very good-looking design, and it's very flat and carries well IWB.

Oh, and it offers ballistics "like a brick through a plate glass window".

 

[FPrice]

Jaco...

lendringser said it quite well. Classic design, nice and flat makes for easy IWB carry. I personally like the DA/SA trigger option and the safety position and operation. I have a Manurhin PPK/S (and NO! I am NOT going to let the latest wave of French idiocy and complicity make me give up this fine firearm) which shoots STHPs quite well. It works for me.

 

[cslinger]

People just don't buy guns for their raw capabilities.

I am sure many if not all of us have our firearms designated for "SERIOUS SOCIAL USE" These are our high capacity, big bullet, tactical light, folding whatzit etc. and so forth guns. They are fun to shoot and very capable should we need to use them.

Then there are those of us who buy some guns just because they fullfill an intangible need. The Walther PP/PPK is a classic, beautiful design that many of us grew up seeing used by Bond, James Bond. Wouldn't it be cool to own James Bond's Gun?

Why buy Colt Single Action Armys? Why buy beat up surplus military rifles from 50 or 100 or 150 years ago? Why buy guns in obsolete or almost non-existent calibers?

The answer is because they scratch an itch that runs deeper than just having an uber-tactical gun to train and shoot. Sometimes you can have as much or more fun just by shooting. Not being accurate, not using the best gun made....but just pulling the trigger and felling the rush of history or fantasy.

Why would anybody buy a Porsche 356 Roadster. It is slow, un-refined and doesn't have any of the amenities of even the most basic econobox today. But she sure is a beautiful classic and I would take one in a heartbeat.

Chris

 

[Tamara]

Bravo!

Somebody give cslinger a beer!

 

[seeker_two]

I've always thought of the PPK, the Colt 1903/08, and the Mausers as relics of a time when people went "well-heeled" and elegance was as important to design as functionality.

When you look at a PPK, it's curves & smooth surfaces, unlike the blockiness of the Glocks & Kahrs. It's too bad we can't get 9mmP in a PPK-style package (I know about the P5, but it's more P-38 than PPK).

They look cool. And they make Bond look cool. That's why I like the design.

 

[Trisha]

My old, near-mint German-made Walther PPK/s is a personal treasure! It's manufacturing reminds both Susan and me of a finely made watch. There are no tooling marks, everything is polished to perfection - and with a new main spring a couple years ago (a little lighter) still serves daily as her BUG.

I'd dispute any perceptions of the original ones having an unpleasant da trigger - mine is even, silky-smooth, with no stacking; and when cleaning it, one look at the polished surfaces explains everything.

The bluing is close to being black pearl, it is much more compact to my eye than a Sig P232, it disappears in a number of holsters under even dress attire (shoulder, SOB, thigh, ankle, soft IWB clip), is under an inch 5-shot group accurate at 10 yards (H-S, and +p handloads). . . and we both just love it!

Sure, I/we have a sampling of 'the polymer age' firearms (and love them!), but the old Walther speaks to us of a time when personal firearms were a reflection of the owner. They were made with acute attention to detail, as deadly works of art.

I take scrupulous care in maintaining it, and I'm rewarded with simple perfection every time it gets used at the range. Yes, it's a mousegun, but we both can and do hit hand-drawn eyes in tactical drills consistently!

I happen to know of another one available (within 400 s/n) in +99%, and trust me, if I had the funds available, I'd go out and buy it today!

I'm with seeker_two and cslinger on this one!

Trisha

 

[Blackhawk]

Had two here -- both in stainless and both .380 -- one a PPK and one a PPK/S.

They are classic beauties, and they're much better for looking at, fondling, and bragging about than using, just like classic roadsters.

My P-11 is smaller, lighter, more potent, has higher capacity, and is a much better CCW than a PPK could ever be.

But the PPK is a classic beauty that commands the eyes and hands.

The only way you can understand their allure is to get one. While you're at it, get a '63 XKE to carry it in. Things do not get better than that...!

 

[pogo2]

As others have said, the Walther PPK is a beautiful little gun. It is also extremely flat, and easy to conceal IWB and elsewhere. And the weight of this all steel gun is only about 20 ounces, which is less than most Glocks. I think the weight makes it easier to control when firing than some very lightweight guns.

 

[David S]

Trisha, you know of a ppks or a PPK? i would be most interested in a PPK............

 

[Standing Wolf]

My PPK is the only gun I've ever bought because it was irresistibly cute. It has turned out to be surprisingly accurate, and for those times when my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 60 in an IWB holster isn't practical—an hour and a half in a dentist's chair, for example—the PPK is quite pocketable.

The .380 A.C.P. isn't my idea of enough cartridge, but it trumps fists and pocket knives.

 

[Kahr carrier]

I like the design of the PPK/PPks It was ahead of its time and it being James Bonds gun adds to the coolness factor.

 

[Trisha]

Check your PM, David. . .



Trisha

 

[telewinz]

It's a classic

Why do they still publish and perform Shakespear's plays, they are 400 years old? Because they are classics, they still define the meaning of the word "excellence" as does the Walther PPK & PP auto pistols.

 

[kalibear45]

I've got one of those P.O.S. American made Interarms .380 PPKs

I even went as far as sending it to Tripp Research for a hard chrome job. Changed the recoil spring to a heavier one, bought more factory mags. Why do I dare to invest on something that is basically an old design and is less practical than concealable semi-autos currently produced in the market today?

Simple...

I smile everytime I peek at that big gaping hole that was once the 10 ring

 

[Ala Dan]

The Walther PP and PPK series was developed during
an era when West German firearms were considered
to be top-of-the line. This tradition was held over with the introduction of SIG-Sauer and Heckler and Koch handgun's. I agree, these weapons are very expensive;
but are among some of the finest weaponary ever made!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[gumshoe4]

I don't have a reason for you.

I just know I've lusted after a PP for a long time and I just bought one (actually a Manurhin ex-police gun) in .32 ACP.

I can't wait to shoot it. I think it'll be worth the wait.

Beautiful, well-designed and excellently executed.

Bob
TFL# 8032

 

[SteveA]

Best way to answer that is - shoot one. That will answer all your questions about "why".

 

[denfoote]

I have a PPK/S that is part of my Walther collection. I carry it very little, but trust it implicitly. The workmanship is surpurb, even though it is a S&W made pistol!! If I do my part, the PPk will do it's!!