Walther/S&W's Updated PPK

[nero45acp]

Does anyone here own, or have handled a Walther/S&W updated version of the PPK in .32acp? I have owned several PP/PPK's in the past and found them to be ammo sensitive, but I've been thinking that I'd like to get an updated stainless steel PPK .32acp. How does the new PPK compare to the older version? Thanks.


http://www.waltheramerica.com/ppk.htm


nero

 

[Johnny Guest]

New, updated version?

How so, Nero? I looked at the Walther site and see nothing of it being different from the ones made off and on for several decades. Oh, except for being offered in stainless steel, of course.

Best,
Johnny

 

[nero45acp]

Larger/longer tang. I don't know what/if any other updates have been made, that's what, in part, I'm trying to find out.

nero

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Haven't seen a .32 stainless Walther PPK in a long time, I wonder if they're really making them or just have them listed. I have a pre-WWII PPK "shooter" in .32 that I really like as opposed to my 1990s vintage Interarms PPK/S that I tolerate. I prefer this design in .32. If I find one in this caliber at a reasonable price I'll get it and give a range report.

 

[IndyChris]

I own a Walter-S&W PPK/s, got it barely used for 360 i think..

Its been a really good gun, with only a minor FTF to speak of. I did take the l;iberty of polishing the feed ramp, and chamber before even trying to shoot it. They are kinda particular about being clean, it seems after a few hundred rounds mine had a slight stick going all the way into battery.

It shoots where I point it, and doesnt bite the hand too bad... It is a blowback 380 so it will never be super soft.

Double action trigger is off the chart, prolly in the low 20s maybe high teens.. Single is very reasonable. For what its worth, I would have no problem carrying it uncocked, and unlocked (no reason for a safety with that kinda pull). The decock feature of the safety is nice..


I dunno, id recomend one cause they are kinda neat, and if you like shiney guns! Mine shoots better than me, so I keep it around and shoot it every other range session or so. Kinda heavy for carry, but they are compact. Try one out, see what you think!

Chris

 

[Johnny Guest]

Ah, now I see - - -

Thanks, nero. Now I see the tang appears a bit longer. I'm just too lazy to go dig my '66 vintage .380 out of the safe for comparison.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Erich]

Another thing that they're doing differently is machining the feed ramp after the barrel has been pinned/pressed into place. This makes for a smoother feed than the previous system, with less hand-fitting required. (IndyChris, I'm surprised you'd have needed to polish the feed ramp - every S&W PPK/S-1 I've seen has been pretty nice in this area.)

Also, I don't know that S&W is actually making their guns in .32 acp/7.65 mm . . . I've only seen them in .380/9mm Kurz. Interarms made a limited run of PPKs in .32 from 1998 . . . they came with thick laminated grips that made them super-comfy to fire and notso-hotso to carry.

 

[nero45acp]

I haven't been able to find any new stainless PPK's in .32acp, though Walther's US website list them. I'm going to check with a local gunshop that's listed as a Walther dealer next week and see if they can find one.


nero

 

[IndyChris]

The ramp area was really in pretty nice condition when I got mine... I just couldnt leave well enough alone, and did it before I even got out!

 

[Erich]

Ha! I did that with an FEG SMC-380 that I had once.

 

[Blueduck]

Bought my dad one for his Birthday last year, only in 380 acp. So far he reports no problems and loves it. I've put about 150 rounds through it both WW Silvertip hollowpoints and FMJ with no issues. Fit and finish were very good. Double action pull is just silly though, my scale goes to 15#'s and it's over that.

Sad to say the new longer tang still cuts my hand after 50 rounds or so just because IT's so sharp. I'm not sure who came up with the idea of building something sharp to protect your hand from something sharp

Oh well not my kinda gun, but I do see the attaction of carrying somthing so slim. Todays gun makers couold learn a lesson or two from it.

 

[Erich]

Should be easy to kiss the tang's sharp edges with an Arkansas stone and take the sharpness away. I had a 940 with a sharp trigger guard that used to cut the heck out of my knuckles - was easily remedied. Stainless frames are pretty great in this department - no refinishing needed (of course you can Flitz the stoned corner as bright as you'd like).

 

[1 old 0311]

S&W Walther

I bought a S&W PPK/S last month. The extra 1/2 inch beavertail S&W added stops the "Walther bite". This feeds and fires everything I put throught it, 350 rounds so far, another 150 tomorrow.I have carried, over the years, Seecamp, Beretta, NNA, Colt, Bersa, S&W, Ruger, Glock, Taurus, and probably a few I forget.This is one gun I will keep.

Kevin

 

[gringolet]

long tang

not a fan of the long tang. for pocket carry of about any sort this thing makes the pistol more awkward to recover. fortunately, it can be removed or whittled down by an enterprising owner or a gunsmith.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Gringolet; If your going to undo S&W work then buy a old one to start with . I carry a Interarms PPK/S in my pocket in a Don Hume pocket holster. Pistol is great feed and fires 100% and Iam not bothered by slide bite. Nothing I want from S&W.

 

[1 old 0311]

The new S&W PPK/S also has a smooth trigger.

Kevin

 

[SouthpawShootr]

The new S&W PPK/S also has a smooth trigger.

This makes a BIG difference in perceived trigger pull. My Interarms PPK/s feels like the pull is about 2x the weight of my pre-war PPK. They're not really all that different, but the PPK/s has a grooved trigger and the PPK is smooth.

 

[denfoote]

Call it a marketing ploy!!

How so, Nero? I looked at the Walther site and see nothing of it being different from the ones made off and on for several decades. Oh, except for being offered in stainless steel, of course.

Johnny,
S&W also tweaked the mags!! I have not had a chance or the inclination to mike them out, but the aftermarket mags, such as the Mec-Gars, that I bought, did not function at all in my PPK/S!! As soon as I went back to the "Walther" bannered mags that came with the gun and that I bought from Walther America, the problem disappeared!!