Walther PPK or Sig 232 for reliability?

[The Dutchman]

Hey guys, my sister is thinking about getting a handgun for personal defense at her apartment. She is very petite and has small hands and it seems the only guns she can hold comfortably are the walther ppk and sig p232. She did try other guns at the local gun shop but she seemed to like the feel and handling of those most. I have read recently on some posts here that modern smith and wesson owned walther production is not up to par with that of those past and frequently the ppk's jam or have extractor problems. I have not read that many complaints about the sig 232. Could anyone give some advice or experience with the reliability with either of the guns? Thanks guys

 

[slustan83]

My interarms ppk isn't the greatest as far as reliability either, I haven't heard anything bad about the 232. Just my own observations.

 

[VE2RF]

I now have two PPK's made by Smith and Wesson. No problems. My mom puts about 300 rounds a month through one of them.

 

[usp9]

The Sig has a better trigger, better sights, larger capacity mag, slightly simpler take-down and the Sig is available with night sights. The PPK is an OK gun, just not as user friendly. Either way she has a competent gun.

 

[searcher451]

I have German-made Walthers, French-made Walthers, and American-made Walthers (both Interarms and S&W), all of which are frequent visitors to the local range. All of them function 100% reliably all of the time. The Sig is a fine gun. The Walther sets the standard for the design, IMO.

 

[rswartsell]

+1 for searcher451. I own a Walther PPK and even though I have heard some disparaging remarks about them I have never had a complaint. Fine quality gun for me.

 

[357wheelgunner]

I've fired both, with the same crappy ammo. The Sig worked every shot, the Walther didn't.

The guy who owned the Sig told me later that he let the gun get wet in the rain, and it was covered in rust a day later. I'll be getting a stainless P232 one of these years. Not for any real reason, but it would be nice to have something to carry when I don't feel like carrying my P6 or revolvers.

 

[AK103K]

I've owned Walthers, both German and US made guns, I still own SIG P230's.

My SIG's are lighter, more comfortable to shoot with and have a more comfortable grip, have never "bitten" me, have much nicer DA triggers, and have been 100% reliable.

The only commonality above with the Walther's was, the German gun was 100% reliable.

 

[pogo2]

Sig or even Beretta for home defense .380

I have had a PPK for 10 years and it has been reliable for me. I also have a good opinion of Sigs in general, but have not owned the P232. I believe that for carry I might favor the smaller PPK, but for home defense I would go with the Sig, as its larger size and grip would make it easier to handle and shoot. In fact, for home defense with a .380 I would also consider the higher capacity Beretta Cheetah .380.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I made the mistake of purchasing one of the newer Walther (S&W) PPK/S about a year ago. It was unreliable from day one with all types and makes of ammo. I had a gunsmith do a fluff and buff, and that brought it from about 80% reliability up to about 98% reliability. Still I could not trust the gun for the life of me. It still FTF or FTE once or twice in 100 rounds. So, I traded it back to the dealer I bought it from towards a G26 and I have never looked back.

I have heard better things about the SIG, but I have never owned one.

 

[Prepster]

My Smith and Wesson made PPK works wonderfully, it's every bit as reliable as my Glock 19. The Sig does seem like it's made a little better (trigger, overall feel), but I'm fine with the cheaper option.

 

[The Dutchman]

Thank you for all the responses i'll pass on the information to her

 

[denfoote]

More info to consider.

Have her go to a gun shop and do one crucial test.
Have her try to rack the slide on both guns. The recoil spring on the Walther is pretty stout! Fit ain't gonna do her any good if she does not have the hand and arm strength to rack the slide or actuate the DA trigger, which on a PPK or PPK/S is around 22 pounds!! I'm not sure about the Sig as I won't have a Sig in my safe for any reason (I'm a die hard Walther man)!!!

 

[AK103K]

I'm not sure about the Sig

The SIG is very easy to rack, and its DA trigger is something to marvel at. I was a Walther man too, until I felt and shot my first P230. There is no comparison. No bloody mess either.