I've been wondering about the 'new Walther' PPK/S .22LR. Walther admits that the slide is made of 'Zinc Alloy' (i.e. 'Pot Metal') but I'm wondering it this gun is worth the ~$400. price tag (Nickel vs. Blue). I don't know what the frame is constructed of. I have a' real Walther PP .22LR', approximately 25 years old, 'Made in Germany' and imported by Interarms. Just wanted another pocket .22LR. My S&W 17, 34, 63, 41, High Standard Supermatic Trophy Military and Browning Challenger I are a little cumbersome. Anybody with experience with the 'new Walther PPK/S 22LR' out there with an opinion, good or bad?
Walther PPK/S 22LR
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MedWheeler
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I like pocket guns in .22LR, but didn't know the slides on the "new" Walthers aren't steel. I, too, would be curious.
Late last year, I picked up an FEG AP-22, pretty much a knock-off of the Walther. It's actually a rimfire version of their PA-63 pistol. Very nicely-built, solid and deep-blued, and a fun shooter. Little heavy for pocket-totin' though, as it's all-steel.
Late last year, I picked up an FEG AP-22, pretty much a knock-off of the Walther. It's actually a rimfire version of their PA-63 pistol. Very nicely-built, solid and deep-blued, and a fun shooter. Little heavy for pocket-totin' though, as it's all-steel.
usp9
Member
The Walther Arms new PPK/s so far has, by online reports, proven to be a nice gun. Few complaints. Umarex is known for quality products. Some folks can't get past the zinc thing, but the metallurgy used has been improved compared to old Saturday night special days of old. I want one too and will probably do it sooner rather than later.
If you already have a PP in 22 I think you might end up disappointed in the new ppk/s. I have held both and you can tell a difference in quality. I have nothing against zinc guns but I wouldn't pay $400 for one. If you want a 22 pocket gun look at the beretta bobcat (or maybe a snub nose revolver )
There's nothing inherently wrong with a Zinc based alloy slide. There was a time when I almost gagged at the thought of owning a gun with plastic parts. Well, I got over that and I'm glad I did. Zinc has its place.
My only "beef" with the Walther PPK in .22LR is the value. For the price, there are better guns out there. We own a Walther PPK/S in 380 ACP and it's a fine shooter and we enjoy it. But the .22LR version we looked at just had a somewhat crude, unfinished look and feel. More of an aesthetic judgement, but that was our assessment.
My only "beef" with the Walther PPK in .22LR is the value. For the price, there are better guns out there. We own a Walther PPK/S in 380 ACP and it's a fine shooter and we enjoy it. But the .22LR version we looked at just had a somewhat crude, unfinished look and feel. More of an aesthetic judgement, but that was our assessment.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Zinc Alloy such as Zamak is formulated to purity standards above "pot metal".
Pot metal is basically whatever scrap gets thrown together and melted (mostly zinc) as used in the 1950s cap pistols or cheap imported "saturday night specials" no standards, slag in the middle, air or corrosion gaps, etc. prone to crack as it aged. Lead in a zinc alloy is a corrosive element over time, and just throwing scrap in a melting pot to make toys, ornaments, etc. gives you alloys that may or may not rot from the inside out.
I would not dismiss all zinc alloy or Zamak as "pot metal". (You can make iron or steel badly for that matter.)
That said, if they made a steel Walter PP or PPK in .22 LR, I would be interested if I didn't already have a .22 Ruger. I just like the old school art deco look (used to have a .32ACP PP almost 50 years ago but couldn't afford to plink centerfire ammo as a teenager).
OK, added: my son has a Walther-made M4 replica with Zamak internal parts (which made part of me go "boo hiss") but with Winchester SuperX it shoots well, is reliable and accurate, and the zamak parts show no signs of wear or stress when I clean it for him every 500 to 1,000 rounds. The chamber must be European match ammo tight, since some "fat" .22 brands won't chamber.
Pot metal is basically whatever scrap gets thrown together and melted (mostly zinc) as used in the 1950s cap pistols or cheap imported "saturday night specials" no standards, slag in the middle, air or corrosion gaps, etc. prone to crack as it aged. Lead in a zinc alloy is a corrosive element over time, and just throwing scrap in a melting pot to make toys, ornaments, etc. gives you alloys that may or may not rot from the inside out.
I would not dismiss all zinc alloy or Zamak as "pot metal". (You can make iron or steel badly for that matter.)
That said, if they made a steel Walter PP or PPK in .22 LR, I would be interested if I didn't already have a .22 Ruger. I just like the old school art deco look (used to have a .32ACP PP almost 50 years ago but couldn't afford to plink centerfire ammo as a teenager).
OK, added: my son has a Walther-made M4 replica with Zamak internal parts (which made part of me go "boo hiss") but with Winchester SuperX it shoots well, is reliable and accurate, and the zamak parts show no signs of wear or stress when I clean it for him every 500 to 1,000 rounds. The chamber must be European match ammo tight, since some "fat" .22 brands won't chamber.
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I must add that being something of a fanboy of Walther pistols, I bought a P22 when they came on the market, complete kit, both barrel length slide assemblies, all kinds of goodies, in a pouch that carried everything.
It was a great disappointment, second only to a Jennings J22 I owned for a very brief period of time.
The P22 Walther didn't stay around much longer, I dumped that abomination fast.
It was a great disappointment, second only to a Jennings J22 I owned for a very brief period of time.
The P22 Walther didn't stay around much longer, I dumped that abomination fast.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
My understanding of the 'new' .22 PPK/s is that the slide in in fact made of steel.
The frame is made of Zymac zinc alloy.
rc
The frame is made of Zymac zinc alloy.
rc
Slide in Zinc Alloy:
A Mr. Dallas Polk, Gun Technician, from Walther Arms, Inc. in Fort Smith, AR replied to my inquiry about construction of the slide on the new PPK/S .22LR and he stated that the slide 'is made in Germany and out of zinc alloy". Where does one find a Manuhrin P22 in .22LR for $400.00? He did not state what the frame was constructed of as I did not inquire about that but I have read that it is steel, stainless or carbon I know not which but am sending another inquiry to Mr.Polk to find out. Thanks for your replies.
A Mr. Dallas Polk, Gun Technician, from Walther Arms, Inc. in Fort Smith, AR replied to my inquiry about construction of the slide on the new PPK/S .22LR and he stated that the slide 'is made in Germany and out of zinc alloy". Where does one find a Manuhrin P22 in .22LR for $400.00? He did not state what the frame was constructed of as I did not inquire about that but I have read that it is steel, stainless or carbon I know not which but am sending another inquiry to Mr.Polk to find out. Thanks for your replies.
Update: Walther PPK/S .22LR
I received another answer regardomg composition of the Walther PPK/S .22LR. re: my inquiry to Walther, USA (Fort Smith, AR). Firearms Tech states that "both the slide and frame are constructed of zinc alloy and Walther USA has experienced no trouble with this firearm to date".
I received another answer regardomg composition of the Walther PPK/S .22LR. re: my inquiry to Walther, USA (Fort Smith, AR). Firearms Tech states that "both the slide and frame are constructed of zinc alloy and Walther USA has experienced no trouble with this firearm to date".
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