Walther PPK Safety/Decocker Mechanism

[Mr. Mosin]

Can someone please explain to this poor, ignorant soul exactly what the PP safety *does* ? I know that it decocks the hammer and puts a small block between the hammer and rear of the firing pin, but what else does it do ? Is carrying a PP, PPK, etc w/ hammer down, safety off & a live round chambered *safe* to do, or will a sharp impact to the hammer inadvertently fire the chambered round ? And yes, I did search this first.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Can someone please explain to this poor, ignorant soul exactly what the PP safety *does* ? I know that it decocks the hammer and puts a small block between the hammer and rear of the firing pin, but what else does it do ? Is carrying a PP, PPK, etc w/ hammer down, safety off & a live round chambered *safe* to do, or will a sharp impact to the hammer inadvertently fire the chambered round ? And yes, I did search this first.

On mine, it also retains the trigger rearward in the *fired* position.

Also, on mine, the hammer will not rest fully forward but rather in the *half-cock* position and as such, is blocked from engaging the firing pin for what that's worth - as in a 1911.

In theory, yes, a sharp enough blow could cause the hammer to over-ride to the pin but in my opinion it's highly unlikely. Fortunately, it is generally academic as a PP safety is easy enough to manipulate that I never feel a need to carry hammer-down, live round, off safe.

Generally, if I'm to carry it with a round in the chamber - I lower the hammer with the de-cock safety with my left thumb blocking, make certain it is at *half-cock* and then cycle the safety forward to release the trigger and then back to safe.

Todd.

 

[Rudolph31]

If I were to carry one of my PP’s, I’d do it safety off — and try to avoid dropping it on its hammer. However, there are smaller and lighter guns to come along since 1929.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

If I were to carry one of my PP’s, I’d do it safety off — and try to avoid dropping it on its hammer. However, there are smaller and lighter guns to come along since 1929.

No judgement whatsoever here.
Why would you prefer it off? Is it because of the somewhat backwards way it swings to go to fire?
Personally, I wish it was reversed for a more natural *thumb-down* swing to go from safe to fire.

Todd.

 

[Rudolph31]

Digging a pocket pistol out of concealment takes enough time without fumbling with the up-for-off safety. And, I believe safeties are redundant on a double action.

 

[cfullgraf]

My S&W built Walther PPK has a hammer block that prevents the hammer from hitting the inertia firing pin unless the trigger has been pulled. I did not drag out my WWII vintage PP to look at so the internals may be a bit different. I've never seen any differences between the two, but I have never inspected the internals in such detail.

If you look in the hammer cavity at the back of the slide and frame, there is a small "L" shaped piece on the right side of the frame. When the trigger is pulled, this piece raises in the frame and the extension on the hammer block lines up with a cavity on the hammer. This allows the hammer to drop to strike the firing pin. Otherwise, the extension hits the hammer and prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin. Which is why the gun does not go off when dropping the hammer with the safety.

Without the trigger pulled and the hammer down the hammer can be pushed forward a little but it does not contact the firing pin. If you pull the trigger with the hammer down, you can push the hammer farther into the recess in the back of the slide and the hammer then will contact the firing pin.

It does not appear the gun has a firing pin block as we see on most modern pistols.

While I would not want to test it out, I feel my PPK is relatively drop safe.

I hope this makes sense.

P.S., I carry my PPK with the hammer down and the safety off.

 

[dfariswheel]

I suspect that S&W modified the original Walther PP series design to add some sort of transfer bar safety-ignition system.

The original Walther safety designs function as follows...
With the hammer down and the safety Off there's a steel block in the frame that blocks the hammer from moving forward unless the trigger is pulled.
When the trigger is pulled the rotating sear lifts the steel block up, out of the path of the hammer so it's free to strike the firing pin.
The firing pin is not locked, but it would take a drop from a considerable height to cause it to move forward and fire the gun.

With the hammer un-cocked and the safety On, the firing pin is locked, the safety is preventing the hammer from touching the firing pin, and the hammer block is blocking the hammer to prevent it from moving forward to touch the firing pin.
The trigger is blocked from moving to the rear and lifting the hammer.
The hammer can be pulled partially to the rear with the thumb, but it won't cock, and the firing pin is locked so letting go of the hammer won't fire the gun.

With the hammer cocked and the safety is applied the firing pin is locked, the steel safety shaft rolls up in front of the hammer, blocking it from striking the firing pin.
The safety shaft presses the de-cocker lever in the frame down and it presses the rotating sear upward, dropping the hammer and locking the trigger to the rear.

So the only time the gun could possibly fire if dropped is with the safety Off and the gun was dropped from a good height to land on the muzzle.

 

[cfullgraf]

Just compared my S&W built PPK vs a WWII vintage PP vs an Interarms built PPK/s and all three have the same fire control systems and safeties. All three guns function the same.