i have a poll up now and along with other guns im considering buying the Walther ppk is on it. A lot of people are leaning towards and giving me tons of information on the Gocks (the other poll choices) id like to know in more detail about the Walther ppk. Do they make a good range gun? are the built well? and how reliable are they. id also like to know how available the ammo is in both calibers.
Walther PPK
- Thread starter Madjohn
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usp9
Member
IMHO the PPK is not what most people would call a range gun, a gun you want to shoot hundreds of rounds through at a time. It's more a dedicated carry gun...shot little, carried alot.
The PPK is a well designed, well made, reliable gun. One complaint is that it may be ammo sensitive, meaning it will work reliably with some but not other brands.
Both the .32acp and .380acp ammo is commonly available and produced by many manufacturers.
The PPK is a well designed, well made, reliable gun. One complaint is that it may be ammo sensitive, meaning it will work reliably with some but not other brands.
Both the .32acp and .380acp ammo is commonly available and produced by many manufacturers.
MICHAEL T
Member
Not a range pistol Its a carry pistol . For 1/2 the money you could get a Bersa Thunder same basic looks and design But better trigger and relieabilty . I can shoot a 100+ from my Bersa With the PPK/S I want to stop at 50 max. The bersa is a little thicker in rear and doesn't pound your hand like a PPK/S
http://bersatalk.com
http://bersatalk.com
HuntAndFish
Member
Here are a couple articles that may interest you. They are older articles, but interesting nonetheless. Not specifically about the PPK, but you can get an idea about the PPK from them.
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_LittleSureShot.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_PMKvsBersa.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_LittleSureShot.htm
http://www.gunblast.com/RKCampbell_PMKvsBersa.htm
I've owned a Walther PPK/s for many years. My opinion of the pistol mirrors what usp9 wrote.
I don't shoot my small pistols much, perhaps once a year they get shot. They're used for carry and the PPK/s sometimes goes with me to the ugly teller at night to get cash or deposit a check, to walk the dog, or use a rest stop rest room at night.
Its reliable with the Hydra Shok ammo its loaded with, accurate and IMO powerfull enough for self defense if called upon to do so.
.380 is too expensive to shoot regularly at targets and the pistol isn't a target pistol anyway. I hand load most of my ammo except for pocket pistols which for the limited amount of shooting they get doesn't make it worth while.
I don't shoot my small pistols much, perhaps once a year they get shot. They're used for carry and the PPK/s sometimes goes with me to the ugly teller at night to get cash or deposit a check, to walk the dog, or use a rest stop rest room at night.
Its reliable with the Hydra Shok ammo its loaded with, accurate and IMO powerfull enough for self defense if called upon to do so.
.380 is too expensive to shoot regularly at targets and the pistol isn't a target pistol anyway. I hand load most of my ammo except for pocket pistols which for the limited amount of shooting they get doesn't make it worth while.
Sunray
Member
"...the Walther ppk is on it..." For what purpose? Most assuredly not a target pistol. Very marginal as a CCW choice. Ammo for either is readily available.
The .32 ACP is also known as the 7.65 mm Browning and 7.65x17mm.
The .380 ACP is also known as the 9mm Short, 9mm Browning, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Corto or 9x17mm by assorted manufactuers.
The .32 ACP is also known as the 7.65 mm Browning and 7.65x17mm.
The .380 ACP is also known as the 9mm Short, 9mm Browning, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Corto or 9x17mm by assorted manufactuers.
Mad Magyar
Member
For a good portion of the year, I trust my life & others with it....It does get fired each month (one box) and found it will accept all bullet configurations.
CDH
Member
I love my PPK. I bought it new in 1974 when they were still made in Germany.
They came only in blue then, so for the purpose of preventing rust and wear from concealed carry, I had it done in satin nickle. The company did a great job, and most people who see it think that's it's stainless rather than a finishing job.
It's reliable as can be, and being the rugged little pistol that it is, it's had some range time on it and is a fun shooter.
But... (there's always a "but"); fast forward to over three decades later.
I still love my PPK just as much as when it was knew, but lots of things have happened since the '70s in the gun world.
Where the PPK used to be the best, most reliable pistol for deep conceal carry, there are now other options that are as reliable, but also much lighter and smaller as well.
I've recently bought a Rohrbaugh R9S Stealth, and I have to say that as much as I am fond of my Walther, the Rohrbaugh has totally replaced the PPK for deep conceal carry.
The R9S is significantly smaller, half the weight, and it's a 9mm vs. the .380 of my Walther. Additionally, it's proved to be very reliable.
Yes, the R9S is a "thoroughbred" that requires some extra attention, but it's not a plinker or range gun; it's a specialized carry piece that you can count on when the time comes.
So while I'm keeping the PPK, it's the Rohrbaugh that goes with me these days.
Bottom line for the OP is that you'll love the PPK as a range gun because it's all steel (or stainless if you wish) and will hold up to extensive shooting over a long period of time. It's a joy to shoot with the caveat that some people complain of the "PPK bite" if they hold the grip wrong when firing, but I have personally never been bit by mine. Maybe because I like it, it likes me.
Just don't think of it as a target pistol, because it's not. It's just a small, fun pistol that will hold up well because it was designed in the days when "ruggedness" was one of the very first priorities of pistol design, and damn the weight, because real men don't care about weight.
They came only in blue then, so for the purpose of preventing rust and wear from concealed carry, I had it done in satin nickle. The company did a great job, and most people who see it think that's it's stainless rather than a finishing job.
It's reliable as can be, and being the rugged little pistol that it is, it's had some range time on it and is a fun shooter.
But... (there's always a "but"); fast forward to over three decades later.
I still love my PPK just as much as when it was knew, but lots of things have happened since the '70s in the gun world.
Where the PPK used to be the best, most reliable pistol for deep conceal carry, there are now other options that are as reliable, but also much lighter and smaller as well.
I've recently bought a Rohrbaugh R9S Stealth, and I have to say that as much as I am fond of my Walther, the Rohrbaugh has totally replaced the PPK for deep conceal carry.
The R9S is significantly smaller, half the weight, and it's a 9mm vs. the .380 of my Walther. Additionally, it's proved to be very reliable.
Yes, the R9S is a "thoroughbred" that requires some extra attention, but it's not a plinker or range gun; it's a specialized carry piece that you can count on when the time comes.
So while I'm keeping the PPK, it's the Rohrbaugh that goes with me these days.
Bottom line for the OP is that you'll love the PPK as a range gun because it's all steel (or stainless if you wish) and will hold up to extensive shooting over a long period of time. It's a joy to shoot with the caveat that some people complain of the "PPK bite" if they hold the grip wrong when firing, but I have personally never been bit by mine. Maybe because I like it, it likes me.
Just don't think of it as a target pistol, because it's not. It's just a small, fun pistol that will hold up well because it was designed in the days when "ruggedness" was one of the very first priorities of pistol design, and damn the weight, because real men don't care about weight.
The Wiry Irishman
Member
I disagree with previous poster's opinions that the PPK doesn't make a good range gun. They are right in pointing out that recoil is very sharp and the slide with abrade or lacerate you if your hands aren't slim enough, but both these problems can be solved by wearing a glove while you're at the range. Once you don't have to worry about those two issues, the PPK is fantastic fun. I shoot it almost every time I go to the range, and I can even hold ~8" groups with it at 25 yards. I'm not qualified to tell you whether or not its good for carry, but I can tell you its a hoot to shoot.
IMTHDUKE
Member
I agree and have done the same thing as this poster. Although I will never get rid of my classic PPK....I carry my R9. If you wanna get the PPK to settle down a bit for range use, get yourself some improved grips as on the one below and you will be amazed that it morphs into a different shootin gun. BTW, the German made PPKs are a different animal from the interarms made ones. Ask James Bond...just kiddin on that
benderx4
Member
The PPK is a sexy gun. The 380 is an expensive round. Since the PPK was first made, weapons have progressed in weight, size, capacity, and ergonomics.
My PPK was American made and very finicky with ammo. I held it strong enough to avoid the infamous hand "bite" but it got my son twice. (But the blood looked good on the stainless finish.)
There are some other great weapons out there with lower weight and higher capacity and caliber. Take a look at the Kahr PM-9, the Rohrbaugh R-9, the Seecamp LWS380, Ruger LCP, Sig Sauer P232, CZ 83, Walther PPS, and the Bersa 380. Personally, I think they are all excellent alternatives to the PPK. Good luck!
My PPK was American made and very finicky with ammo. I held it strong enough to avoid the infamous hand "bite" but it got my son twice. (But the blood looked good on the stainless finish.)
There are some other great weapons out there with lower weight and higher capacity and caliber. Take a look at the Kahr PM-9, the Rohrbaugh R-9, the Seecamp LWS380, Ruger LCP, Sig Sauer P232, CZ 83, Walther PPS, and the Bersa 380. Personally, I think they are all excellent alternatives to the PPK. Good luck!
Grizzly Adams
Member
I carry my son's PPK with light clothing and have shot a number of different brands of ammo thru it without any problems. Maybe the exception?
PRM
Member
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I have over the years owned 1 Walther PPKS and 3 Walther PP(s).
The PPKS was in .380 (German), 1 of the PP(s) was a .380 (Manurhin Walther)and the other 2 were .32(s) (Maunrhin Walther).
The one I am currently carrying is a .32. Not arguing which cartridge is better - that has been done enough on THR. But, in my Walthers, the .32(s) have been 100% reliable. The .32 is milder in recoil and quicker for followup shots.
My .380(s) were a little more particular about ammo during break-in, but malfunctions afterward was rare. Not as good as the .32 versions which have digested everything I have run through them.
Nine shots from the .32 is a pretty impressive package. I have not shot or owned one of the new S&W Walthers - but if they are anything like the European models, they are a well made classic.
The PPKS was in .380 (German), 1 of the PP(s) was a .380 (Manurhin Walther)and the other 2 were .32(s) (Maunrhin Walther).
The one I am currently carrying is a .32. Not arguing which cartridge is better - that has been done enough on THR. But, in my Walthers, the .32(s) have been 100% reliable. The .32 is milder in recoil and quicker for followup shots.
My .380(s) were a little more particular about ammo during break-in, but malfunctions afterward was rare. Not as good as the .32 versions which have digested everything I have run through them.
Nine shots from the .32 is a pretty impressive package. I have not shot or owned one of the new S&W Walthers - but if they are anything like the European models, they are a well made classic.
Mad Magyar
Member
To the above, Yes....
I agree with MICHAEL T. The Bersa Thunder 380 is a much better than the PPK in every aspect save two: history and cosmetics. Neither of those matter in a carry gun. The Bersa is a great carry gun at an inexpensive price. Same goes for the CZ-83, but those aren't quite as well suited for deep cover carry as they are a bit thicker.
The CZ and Bersa are also decent range guns as long as you keep the round count down. The low weight and heavier recoiling fixed breech design make for snappy recoil. Another thing to note is that most fixed breech guns are both dirtier than their locked breech counterparts and less tolerant of dirtiness. High round counts between cleanings will cause malfunctions. Keep 'em clean and they'll run fine.
While there certainly more powerful carry guns in much smaller and lighter form factors, they generally suffer from a shootabililty perspective. Microguns like the Rohrbaugh R9, Keltec P3AT/P32, Ruger LCP, and Seecamp 380 are particularly nasty offenders. They kick hard, have rudimentary sights, and are quite a bit less tolerant to grip imperfections. It isn't until you get into the PPK-sized locked breech 9mm guns (Walther PPS, Kahr P9) that shootability returns to the PPK level.
The CZ and Bersa are also decent range guns as long as you keep the round count down. The low weight and heavier recoiling fixed breech design make for snappy recoil. Another thing to note is that most fixed breech guns are both dirtier than their locked breech counterparts and less tolerant of dirtiness. High round counts between cleanings will cause malfunctions. Keep 'em clean and they'll run fine.
While there certainly more powerful carry guns in much smaller and lighter form factors, they generally suffer from a shootabililty perspective. Microguns like the Rohrbaugh R9, Keltec P3AT/P32, Ruger LCP, and Seecamp 380 are particularly nasty offenders. They kick hard, have rudimentary sights, and are quite a bit less tolerant to grip imperfections. It isn't until you get into the PPK-sized locked breech 9mm guns (Walther PPS, Kahr P9) that shootability returns to the PPK level.
RX-178
Member
The Bersa has many guaranteed advantages over the Walther PPK as a carry gun, as a lot of people have already mentioned. But in the end, you should pick whatever feels right to you.
Now, I can't really imagine someone finding a Walther PPK more comfortable than a Bersa. But I also can't imagine someone finding a Glock grip to be natural, and I know those people are out there!
Now, I can't really imagine someone finding a Walther PPK more comfortable than a Bersa. But I also can't imagine someone finding a Glock grip to be natural, and I know those people are out there!
As a 007 fan, I purchased a used PPK/s a few years ago based solely on the selling price and nostalgia. It's a great firearm to carry and is very accurate/precise considering the barrel length.
I have gotten a "ppk bite" once and it can be particular with what ammo it is fed. It shoots Winchester FMJ all day without skipping a beat. I have not found a JHP yet that will function 100% in multiple "magazine" shooting.
My father owned a PPKs as well and noted the Winchester Silvertip HP fed extremely well without any problems. I just found a box at a out-of-town store. I am anxious to try them out. Anyone else find a specific ammo the PPK liked best? I've heard CORBON's feed well for HP too?
I have gotten a "ppk bite" once and it can be particular with what ammo it is fed. It shoots Winchester FMJ all day without skipping a beat. I have not found a JHP yet that will function 100% in multiple "magazine" shooting.
My father owned a PPKs as well and noted the Winchester Silvertip HP fed extremely well without any problems. I just found a box at a out-of-town store. I am anxious to try them out. Anyone else find a specific ammo the PPK liked best? I've heard CORBON's feed well for HP too?
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