Walther PPK or PPK/S

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I am looking to get a Walther PPK or PPK/S in .380 to carry when I can not
carry my HK USP because of what I am wearing. It looks as though the
PPK/S in only a quarter inch taller, 2 oz heaver, and holds 1 more round than
the PPK.

Is there any other difference between the two I should know about?

Also as a CCW and all around semi-auto what are the pros and cons of a
PPK or PPK/S. Any one own one that has been more trouble that it is worth?
I would like to have both good and bad experiences by people who have
owned or just shot them.

Thanks
 
I have seen quite a few PPK/S stories with negative comments, but my PPK/S has been great! One jam in about 500 rounds, and that was probably just a bad slide rack.

It has CLASS. I like that in my carry gun. I put Pachmayr grips on mine, and it's great for grip, the extra width makes it sit higher in the holster (I like that)

It eats Cor-Bon JHP's, Federal Hydrashocks and Mag-Techs with no issues at all. The slide bite I hear of has never happened to me, so I can't comment on that. It hides pretty easy on me, and it's a beautiful gun. Almost art ;)

I love my PPK/S (Interarms). The extra round and extra length are better in my eyes. It fit my hand better than the PPK. Plus, and extra round is and extra round.
 
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I about one a couple of months ago - Its great!! Shoots like a dream!! Added some polished black wood grips from eaglegrips.com and looks even better!! I think you can only get new PPK/S over here - is that correct?
 
The PPK/S that I bought new was a real loser, the worst gravely heavy trigger I've ever experienced. It was extemely fussy about ammo. Yes, more trouble than it was worth. It got traded. I should have gotten a Sig 239.
 
Get the NEW S&W PPK/S. They extended the beavertail grip, no more 'Walther bite', improved the trigger,and they now cut the feed ramp after the barrel in in place. I bought a Tiger Edition. Paid $575.00 and would buy another. You can get the standard version for $450-500 at gun shows. It also has a lifetime warranty, and just oozes with class.


Kevin
 
I had one and traded it. I didn't like the trigger and had numerous failure-to-feeds. I didn't feel like it was reliable enough to carry.

I had to use up the last of my .380 ammo :) so I bought a used Browning BDA. It has a better trigger, has been totally reliable and it holds 13 +1.

EDIT: The one I had was one of the first made by S&W. My local gun shop proprietor knows of the problems with the early ones and raves about the new ones. FWIW
 
I own both the Browning BDA and the Walther PPK/S. I love the Walther but the Browning is my favorite out of all my guns! I would buy either in a heartbeat.
 

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bulbboy said:
I own both the Browning BDA and the Walther PPK/S. I love the Walther but the Browning is my favorite out of all my guns! I would buy either in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

That nickeled BDA is a sharp-looking gun. Mine's blued and I put the Pachmayr Signature grips on it. I have big hands and like the extra bulk. Here's mine:

bda.gif ​
 
I like the PPK more, though I have and shoot both. I feel that in general, PPK's are made better than PPK/S... I've seen some /S's that just were not reliable at all. But the PPK's I've seen (and own) are older German manufacture.

And of course PPK will conceal quite a bit better than an /S.

My opinions. :D

StrikeEagle
 
Ppk..

I've had mine since the 80s. It has never malfunctioned with Federal Hydra Shock or Glassers. Its more accurate in single action mode than it has a right to be. (Maybe its the fixed barrel) Tritium 'night sights' have been added and a bit of metal has been added to the top rear of the frame to prevent the slide from cutting the web of my hand. Its been carried enough for the 'diamonds' on the left grip panel to have worn dang near flat. At that time, if you wanted a small, concealable semi-auto of reasonable power, there weren't very many options. I chose the Walther and was a happy camper.

I don't regret buying and modifying mine, but I wouldn't do it again. As I said, mine hasn't malfunctioned. Thats a good thing because the PPK does not have a slide lock.

There are more options available now. A plastic frame 9X19 (with slide lock)and/or light weight J frames have replaced the Walther.

If the Walther is on your 'wish list', by all means get one. I was able to find other stuff that suited my perceived notions just a bit better. Your needs or circumstances may differ.:)

salty.
 
Get a Makarov. But seriously, the newer ones with the bigger tang seem promising. Also I believe PPKs need to be carried on safe to be drop safe. Also I do not like PPK/S because I don't like the reason they came to be, just because of the 1968 GCA.

Also, 007 did not pack a PPK/S!
 
I've carried my PPK/S and my old, old German made PPK (it's pre-WWII, but some imbecile refinished it so now it's a shooter). I prefer the PPK since I'm looking for small when I resort to these guns. They tend to need some breaking in (my PPK/S needed somewhere over 400 but less than 600 rounds before it smoothed out and became completely reliable). Only thing I've found that I don't like about them is the fact that the gun will bite you (S&W supposedly fixed this by lengthening the frame in the back).

Honestly, for the same size/price (ok, maybe a little more) you could go 9mm (Kahr PM9/MK9) or .40 (Kahr PM40/MK40). That's what I carry these days when I need a small handgun.
 
I've had a PPK since the '60s. I carried it for many years. Mine was finnicky with ammo. Wimpy ammo caused stovepipes. Never a problem with hot ammo. That being said I carried it because it was the best available when I bought it. Now I'd buy a Kahr and forget about the PPK. In fact my PPK is shot only occasionally for nostalgic reasons. I have plenty of ammo on hand "just in case" but my other compact autos are my defensive guns.:)
 
I have owned several PP's and PPK/S's in .380. They were alright. Pretty reliable. I own several PP's and PPK's in .32, all German. Outstanding little guns. I have found the .32 is much more reliable than the .380 and miles ahead of an American .380. I love the looks and feel of the PP series. Very cool guns. But, I CARRY a Kahr PM9 or a Smith 642 for deep concealment/hot weather carry. Theres no way around the fact that the PP is a 70 year old design. Buy and enjoy a Walther for the pleasure of owning a classic gun, but, don't limit yourself to that platform if you want the best for self defense. Theres no getting around the fact that a Kahr PM9 or even MK9 is about the same size and weighs the same, or in the PM9's case, less than a PPK and shoots a full 9mm. Ammo is cheaper and alot more choices in bullet styles.

Granted, a DC-3 is a very good airplane, but, if I travel, I would rather travel in a 757.
 
StrikeEagle, I prefer any hand gun I have to have a hammer.
That being said I like the style and feel of the Walther and would not mind
checking out the S&W version of it.

I would like to shoot them both before I make a decision.

Edit: I also prefer all steel in a small firearm.
 
Try a Bersa Thunder 380 while you are test driving. I wanted a PPK myself and I shot the Bersa once and I was sold. It's been solid reliable since day one.

But, the argument is strong that a Kahr in 9 is the same size. I think about trying one of those now and then.

But, the Bersa was less than $250 so.... that helped too.
 
EddieCoyle said:
That nickeled BDA is a sharp-looking gun. Mine's blued and I put the Pachmayr Signature grips on it. I have big hands and like the extra bulk. Here's mine:

bda.gif ​
Click to expand...

People don't realize how nice these guns are until they shoot them!! That's a nice one!!
 
Have you looked at the stainless Sig 232? Nice guns. I bought one used (nearly new) for $400. New ones tend to be about $100 more expensive than the PPK(/s), but well worth the premium in my opinion. Of course, 007 never carried the 232.:D
 
PP with class.

Find one of these!!!

FrenchPP.jpg


It ain't 9mm kurz, but it certainly has class!!
 
SouthpawShootr said:
Have you looked at the stainless Sig 232? Nice guns. I bought one used (nearly new) for $400. New ones tend to be about $100 more expensive than the PPK(/s), but well worth the premium in my opinion. Of course, 007 never carried the 232.:D
Click to expand...

I too prefer the SIG to the Walther.It doesn't have the James Bond factor but IME is a better firearm.I like my alloy framed one as it's significantly lighter but the SL is one fine looking pistol.
 
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