Walther PPK

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Animal

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I've been looking for a small semi-auto pistol that me and my wife would both like. We both like the feel of the Walther PPK and .380 is the smallest I would feel comfortable going. So what is everyones thoughts on this pistol as far as reliability and accuracy are concerned? Also, does it hold up well? BTW this will be a carry gun for my wife (and for me when I don't feel like carrying a .45) thanks for the input guys,
Jake
 
The older Interarms Walthers worked quite well and were extremely reliable. They were a very good CCW gun. I carried for for a few years until the baby Glocks hit the market.

Can't comment on the newer S&W Walthers.
 
I haven't shot a PPK(/S), but have played with one in a gunshop. Overall, it's a really nice gun. It's quite heavy, so keep that in mind. Also, have you tried the DA trigger on them? I didn't like it at all....very heavy, and it "steps" baaad partway through. Hvae you looked at the Bersa Thunder .380? I just got one, and like it so far...the trigger is a lot better on it, and it's less than half the price. :D Not saying to NOT go with the Walther, just make sure you like it before you get it.

Also, I've heard reports that the slide can slice the web of your hand. Not badly necessarily, but leave parallel cut lines. The bersa doesn't have any problem with this for me, and i've got fairly big hands.
 
thanks, I'll check out that Bersa, I'm not set on a walther so I'll definitly look into that.
 
My Interarms Walther PPK is a pretty good little gun, and considerably more accurate than I expected. I think I got lucky with it: lots of other people have had lots of trouble with these pistols.
 
PPK/S

I like the one i have but after seeing what Cyl.&slide did to one i had to do the same to mine. First the edges are too sharp, after 50rds hand hurt,trigger pull sucks on DA, SA ok. took the dremel tool to mine still in process of smoothing out the edges. grind some go to the range come home grind somemore, but its getting there. As far as accuracy goes, it really amazed me, at 25 yds can keep all shots in about 8in group. Tried the bersa still catches the web btwn thumb,and 1st finger. Well good luck in your search!
 
My Interarms is a disaster. It's pretty. But totally unreliable. Was made sometime in March 1992. Jams just about every mag (I have 4 factory mags). There are some surfaces so sharp that you can use them as a knife (I have scars on my hands from being bitten). 3 sets of plastic grips have cracked (it now wears wood) during normal use. Sights are small, nearly useless (In addition, being stainless, they are difficult to pick-up in daylight). Inside is roughly finished. Paid $400 for it new. Nevertheless, I like the design and am in no rush to get rid of it. I just wouldn't carry it unless it was the last gun I had. Even then I wouldn't trust it to fire more than a couple of rounds. I don't want to sink any more money in it. This is really a state of the art 1930s gun that hasn't been appreciably updated in decades. There are more than a few gunsmiths who have made good businesses for themselves by doing expert reliability and dehorning packages on these. Telling, I think.

I think you can do much better. I suggest you buy something like the Beretta 84f or 85f. I had one (foolishly traded it on something else). This thing was accurate and, though I only fired 1000 or so rounds through it, never had a problem. I've even heard good things about the Bersa. Sig makes a nice little .380's also.
 
What is the easiest way to tell if it is american or german? thanks again for the responses, I am definitely going to research this decision some more.....(hmmmm maybe get a walther and a bersa :D )
 
Just an idea, but I tried out a Kahr P9 this weekend and was pleasantly suprised: it was accurate, comfortable, and the recoil wasn't much worse than my CZ75BD--although the muzzle flip was significant. It's about the same size as the PPK/S, if not a little smaller, and was quite a fun little gun. Worth taking a look at. You might also look at the CZ 83.
 
I really like the Sig P230/232 and had little personal experience with the PPK but always kinda wanted one and didn't want a PPK/S. Got a chance to buy a NIB Interarms PPK and wondered if I was wasting my money for a headache given all I had heard and read. Surprise, so far the little pistol has been totally reliable with several types of ammo, both ball and hp and is remarkably accurate. I am very pleased. Seems to have been a lucky find and I got no complaints.
 
I have an Interarms PPK.

I shoot that gun better than my G23, G27 and my S&W snub, and I shoot/carry it the least.

Lots of available accessories for it, too...
 
What I meant was, I hear about the interarms PPK, is the german one something different than interarms?
 
A german PPK will say "Made in Germany". The ones made in America will say "Made in USA". Interarms imported alot of the German guns and stamped then with their logo and then began making them in the USA and also stamped them with their logo. A German PPK will have to be an old gun, pre 1968. (then we get into the French guns that were made in France, assembled in Germany and the French guns that were made in France and labeled as made in France)
 
We have a stainless steel American made (by
Ranger Firearms of Gadsden, AL- under license
of Carl Walther Waffenfabrik of Germany) .380
ACP PPK in our household; and contrary to most
other folk's opinion, this is and has been an
excellent little firearm. This firearm has proved
reliable; even with several types of JHP ammo!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I would love to find a GOOD PPK to go with my TPH.


As for good small reliable 380 autos I love my NAA Guardian 380.
Tough as nails and reliable as all get out, GREAT little gun.
 
Animal, The walther is considered a very good pistol by many, but don't put our money down until you check out the Sig P-232, it only weighs 16 0z in the standard finish,a little more in stainless..good luck...
 
I bought my Walther PPK in the mid-1980's and have always enjoyed shooting it. No problems. I hear the new stuff is not worth looking at.
 
Have an Interarms stainless PPK. It has fed all types of hollowpoints tried, and shot them all accurately. It does have sharp edges on the trigger guard and front strap of grip, and the hammer will bight those with large meaty hands. It requires a tight grip for proper function, tough to do if your hands are larger sized. Judging by the number of negative opinions on various boards, there is just as likely to be some lemons out there.

Once let a friend try it, and it jammed on him each time. By coincedense he has very large hands and not accustomed to shooting small blow back semi-autos.

Was just out trying shooting it this evening, in the process of testing out new batch of Win White box 380's. The new ones appear to be coming with a flat front bullet, kinda a cross between a rnfp bullet and truncated cone style, with a decent little meplat on em. Again the Walther had 100 % reliabilty.
 
Small Semi

Hi Animal,
May I also recommend the Makarov? It's the same size and basically a very similar perforeming round. I've had mine for about 10 years with zero failures of any kind.

The sights need replacing, biut you can pick one up at SOG for $129.00. At that price, you anf the wife can have matching Maks!

regards,

Scarface
 
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