I've got a Walther PPK, in .380 which I want to use as my concealed carry pistol. Taken it to the range and tried various types of ammo with no problems. The question is about the "safety - decocker". I want to have six in the mag and one in the chamber. To do this, put one in the mag and load it into the chamber which, obviously, cocks the pistol. To decock, I flip the safety, which snaps the hammer back to the DA position. So, is the the safe way to do this ? It just 'feels' dangerous. Opinions ?
Walther PPK - CCW
- Thread starter Ken C
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Claude Clay
Member
with the gun empty
look at the clam shell that moves with the safety.
it physically blocks the hammer from coming in contact with the firing pin.
id still aim the gun in a safe direction when moving the safety/decocker
cause like all things made by man, it can fail.
look at the clam shell that moves with the safety.
it physically blocks the hammer from coming in contact with the firing pin.
id still aim the gun in a safe direction when moving the safety/decocker
cause like all things made by man, it can fail.
sirgilligan
Member
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If your Walther PPK is a S&W version, then check this info:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757981_-1_757978_757978_image
The recall is specific to using the decocker to lower the hammer on a live round.
Mine had the recall performed on it and is stamped according to the description on the web site.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757981_-1_757978_757978_image
The recall is specific to using the decocker to lower the hammer on a live round.
Mine had the recall performed on it and is stamped according to the description on the web site.
WardenWolf
member
If the decocker is designed correctly, the firing pin is blocked a couple of degrees of rotation before the hammer falls. This ensures the hammer can never fall on an exposed firing pin when decocking.
SharpsDressedMan
member
FWIW: I decocked and dryfired a Walther PPK enough (I won't say TOO much) that it cracked the safety. It did not fire, but even replacing a Walther part back 35-40 years ago was still expensive. I now "thumb assist" the lowering of the hammer while using the safety/decocker, and don't dry fire as much with the PPK. The PPK is not as sturdy as, say, 3rd gen S&W service type autos, with regard to the durability of the safety.
Thanks, Guys. I'll go with the thumb assist method.
It's a 1986 PPK, stainless, NOT a PPK/s. I think it was made in the US by Ranger for Interarms. I bought it new in 1987. Haven't used it much other than to test ammo. Probably about 1000 rounds total. Had some problems with light reloads, no issues at all with factory ammo.
It's a 1986 PPK, stainless, NOT a PPK/s. I think it was made in the US by Ranger for Interarms. I bought it new in 1987. Haven't used it much other than to test ammo. Probably about 1000 rounds total. Had some problems with light reloads, no issues at all with factory ammo.
KsThumper
Member
Practice this several times without ammo to get the idea.
With the Safety turned to Fire [up], rotate the lever down to Safe with your weak hand and ride the hammer down with you thumb. Doing it this way will re-set the trigger forward.
If you start with the Safety lever on Safe and rack the slide to load a round, the hammer will drop back down on it's own but the trigger will not reset.
With the Safety turned to Fire [up], rotate the lever down to Safe with your weak hand and ride the hammer down with you thumb. Doing it this way will re-set the trigger forward.
If you start with the Safety lever on Safe and rack the slide to load a round, the hammer will drop back down on it's own but the trigger will not reset.
GBExpat
Member
I have a SS PPK that I purchased new in ~1988.
When carrying, I have always carried with a round in the chamber.
My method:
Hammer down, safety ON, insert loaded mag, rack the slide and then turn the safety OFF and back ON to reset the trigger.
I have never had a problem or felt unsafe doing it this way.
For the racking part, I have a 5 gallon bucket of sand in the basement. When my pistols get this treatment, if they are inside the house, they are always pointed at the sand.
FWIW, I have never (and probably never will) trusted a decocker that drops the hammer (SNAP!) ... nope, just cannot bring myself to do it no matter how well-designed the thing appears to be.
Enjoy!
When carrying, I have always carried with a round in the chamber.
My method:
Hammer down, safety ON, insert loaded mag, rack the slide and then turn the safety OFF and back ON to reset the trigger.
I have never had a problem or felt unsafe doing it this way.
For the racking part, I have a 5 gallon bucket of sand in the basement. When my pistols get this treatment, if they are inside the house, they are always pointed at the sand.
FWIW, I have never (and probably never will) trusted a decocker that drops the hammer (SNAP!) ... nope, just cannot bring myself to do it no matter how well-designed the thing appears to be.
Enjoy!
MedWheeler
Member
This is what I did with mine when I had it, and do with my Bersa Thunder, which has an identical mechanism.
"GBExpat
My method:
Hammer down, safety ON, insert loaded mag, rack the slide and then turn the safety OFF and back ON to reset the trigger.
I have never had a problem or felt unsafe doing it this way."
Just returned from the range and found GBExpat's method to work well. Thank you, as I probably would never discovered this procedure myself !
BTW, Hornady Critical Defense ammo is my ammo of choice. Shot thru a box of 20 with no problem and decent groups. Yes, I know, probably should shoot a bunch more but the stuff is expensive ! I practice with HBR 90 gr JHP (much cheaper), also no malfunctions.
Are Hornady CD bullets available to reloaders ?
My method:
Hammer down, safety ON, insert loaded mag, rack the slide and then turn the safety OFF and back ON to reset the trigger.
I have never had a problem or felt unsafe doing it this way."
Just returned from the range and found GBExpat's method to work well. Thank you, as I probably would never discovered this procedure myself !
BTW, Hornady Critical Defense ammo is my ammo of choice. Shot thru a box of 20 with no problem and decent groups. Yes, I know, probably should shoot a bunch more but the stuff is expensive ! I practice with HBR 90 gr JHP (much cheaper), also no malfunctions.
Are Hornady CD bullets available to reloaders ?
I keep my thumb on the hammer and lower it gently, even when using the safety/decocker to lower it. I just feel like it puts less stress on the parts. When I carry my PPK, I have the chamber loaded and a full magazine, the trigger reset, and the safety on. It's no chore to thumb the safety Off when drawing it, and with the safety On, the firing pin is blocked so a blow to the hammer, or dropping the gun, won't cause it to discharge.
bluethunder1962
Member
that is the way I do mine
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