Walther PPK vs. Colt Commander vs. P226

[k-frame]

This isn't really a question so much as an observation and minor bafflement on my part (now that's a shock).

Went to the range yesterday with a friend and we shot four different weapons:

• Walther PPK .380 (built in the early 1960s, maybe late 1950s?)
• Colt Commander .45 (made in the late 1980s)
• SSP226 9mm (rental)
• SW M&P 9mm (rental)

Of these guns, the PPK seemed to have the most recoil and actually hurt to shoot more than a couple of magazines. I assume it's because the others have more mass to absorb the recoil (a lot more in the case of the Commander)? But do more modern PPKs have more ergonomical grips? If you were to swap the grips, what might work better?

 

[NG VI]

Got very little to do with the grips.

You're right about mass, though the M&P isn't much heavier, and could actually be lighter. Don't the PP/PPK/PPK/s pistols weight about 24 ounces? Mass helps, and mass in the slide helps the most. What also helps, and the real difference between the Walther and the other three, is that the Walther is a blowback operated pistol, while the rest are locked breech or delayed blowback, can't remember if locked only applies to truly locked systems like gas ones or not.

Anyway the lower-powered .380 round is working against the lightest slide in the group, with no mechanical disadvantage introduced other than slide mass and spring weight. The rest of them have the locking systems, usually the chamber hood or breech block which locks into the ejection port, or the lugs on a 1911 or CZ-type pistol.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Pocket gun Vs. Concealable gun Vs. Full Size gun

Full size will naturally have the least amount of recoil because they have a larger to fill the hand and have more weight.

 

[dogtown tom]

NG VI ..the real difference between the Walther and the other three, is that the Walther is a blowback operated pistol...

This.

 

[dfariswheel]

The other guns have bigger grips, and a locked breech design that "pads" the recoil feel.
The PPK has a very small grip and as a blow-back design it has a sharper feel under recoil.
Many people notice the sharper recoil of the .380. It's a matter of getting used to the gun until you no longer notice it so much.

There are no more ergonomic grips available for the PPK.
Several makers make fancy wood grips for the PPK but they're the same design.
There are rubber grips, but they only fit the PPK/S model and won't fit the PPK.
There are several types of slip-on rubber grip covers, some with finger grooves, but these seldom help with felt recoil.

 

[Got_Lead?]

Blowback pistols in calibres such as .380 and 9mm Makarov often have sharp felt recoil because of the speed at which the slide strikes the frame at the rear of the slide travel. The blowback design, is exactly that, blowback, there is no locking mechanism which locks the breech and barrel together at the time of firing. So, when the pistil is fired, the pressure inside the barrel which propels the bullet also acts directly against the slide, accelerating it rearwards with great force and speed. Slide speeds on small blowback pistols can exceed 35 fps, striking the frame pretty hard at the back of the stop. This slap is transmitted to your hand with a vengence, especially if the pistol has square or sharp edges as in the PPK. I have a Polish P-64 which is kind of unpleasent to fire because of this phenomenon. Now, by contrast, I shoot a 120 grain load in my .38 snubby which is very pleasant to shoot because there is no slide slap, the velocity is about 800 fps on this load.

Anyway, you can reduce the sting of the slide slap by employing an extra power recoil spring to slow the slide a bit, or reduce the power of load when handloading. Grips can help a bit too.

Good luck and good shooting.

 

[guyfromohio]

The newer PPKs have an extended beaver tail which protects from some hammer/slide bite. I find most .380s snappier than my larger caliber guns.

 

[k-frame]

Thanks folks, much obliged for the explanations. The PPK shoots well, just hard!

 

[jackpinesavages]

K- another consideration would be differing states of shot-life and maintenance. What was your perception of the 226?

 

[k-frame]

The 226 shot very nicely and I had (for me) good groupings at 7 yards. The recoil was very manageable and seemed consistent with other 9mm handguns that I've shot. The 226 was also relatively heavy, although the Commander seemed to weigh just a bit more.

The PPK does not belong to me but for many years belonged to my friend's FIL.

ETA: I'm sorta/kinda in the marklet for a 9MM and the 226 is on the list.