Which Walther PPK do you guys carry?

[aliasneo07]

Hey guys,

I am not asking an opinion on whether to carry a Walther PPK, why I would carry a .380 instead of a 9mm in the same size gun, etc, etc. This is to people that carry PPKs.

Which PPK do you carry? German made? Interarms? Smith and Wesson? Which do you all find to be more reliable? Do you feed it ball ammo or hollowpoints?

If I ever move out of Maryland (which hopefully will be in the next two years) ill move to a state that allows CCW, and I'm deciding between a Glock 30 SF, Walther PPS in 9mm, or a PPk in .380. Again, i'm not asking which I should carry, I'm simply asking which version of the PPK you guys carry, and which do you think is best?

Thanks!

 

[EHL]

I hope that this thread doesn't get inundated with the 9mm vs .380 bantor. Anyways, to answer your question. I carry a PPK/s made by Smith and Wesson. Alot of guys will tell you that this is nothing more than a piece of pot metal paper weight, and that I should cast mine into the first river or lake that I come across, I happen to love my little gun. Yes, there is that pesky recall to contend with, but after patiently waiting I have my gun again and it is still a joy to shoot and absolutley dependable. Not one hiccup and will feed ANYTHING I feed it. One advantage that I can point out over the other versions previously produced is the grip tang. Although many Walther purists abhor and outright detest this little innovation, I think that if anybody can objectively detach themselves from their nostalogic preferences for a PPk's profile, they would agree that the grip tang is actually kinda nice. Not to say that it couldn't use a smoothing over, but it's relatively easy and inexpensive to finesse it into something really nice. Also, S&W has superb customer service. They will fix anything wrong, should you get a pistol that has something wrong with it, on thier dime. They even pay for shipping both ways, a rare offering in todays world.

 

[aliasneo07]

Thanks for the reply EHL.

I guess you can group me in the category with not liking the lengthened grip tang. But I can live with it. I've also heard that they are more finicky than the german made ones, but again, have not had 1st hand experience with that.

Also, I really wanted one blued. Does s&w make blued ones anymore, or just stainless?

 

[EHL]

last I checked, they did still make blued ones. I like the grip tang because they overcome the infamous "Walther Bite" that so many people have scars from. Although I do think it's not perfect, I did have to smooth it over and take away some material from the frame to get it perfect. Now anybody who handles it says it feels perfect.

 

[lechiffre]

when i want something smaller than my p6 i carry an interarms ppk. mine feeds hollow points just fine.

the german and french guns are the best. the interarms are not quite as good. i will not buy a smith and wesson.

i would not choose a pre-war ppk for carry. the sights are too small.

 

[Steve H]

I carry an older (~20 years old) Interarms. It eats every type of ammo I throw at it.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Mine is a old Interarms I don't carry as much as I used to But it has fed every brand of factory ammo I have tried with out problem I have Corbon DPX in at present . I have replaced the recoil and hammer springs It deserved it after approx 30 years . I still carry a 380 a lot But today its a Colt Mustang or a Kel Tec mostly Slighty smaller and lighter
Use only factory mags and factory ammo and should be fine I hate the new tang I have never been bitten by a PPK/s or a PP Of course I don't choke the gun up high and I never shoot it 2 handed It was made in a time people shot 1 handed and I belive I am more accurate that way with it. But each their own

 

[aliasneo07]

So the verdict is....interarms most reliable?

 

[capttom]

The gun is long gone, but there was a time when I carried a war relic PPK. It was a .32 ACP and had Nazi proofs, an aluminum frame, and not one bit of original finish. Back then, all you could get without reloading was hardball, but I liked the gun because it was deadly accurate and carried easily either in the appendix position or crossdraw. It's one of those guns I miss and probably can never replace.

 

[EHL]

So the verdict is....interarms most reliable?

Bzzzz. Wrong. According to most Walther fans, the original German guns are the best. Followed by the French made ones, at the bottom are the Interarms followed by the S&W at the dead bottom. Be aware though, that they vastly increase in price the further back you go in that order though. So much so that I personally wouldn't even consider using such a pricey antique for SD, it'd just be a safe queen or in a display case. If you don't care at all for the grip tang on the new Walthers, and you don't mind paying extra for a used gun then I think an Interarms would be the best compromise for you. Take it from one owner though, the new Walther's are badly maligned somewhat unfairly, IMHO. Get whatever you will feel comfortable with though.

 

[aliasneo07]

I was afraid someone would say that.

I'll have a hell of a time finding an original german ppk. Plus werent they only chambered in .32 ACP? Need at LEAST a .380.

Maybe I'll try to find an interarms one... :-/

 

[Dr_2_B]

They're so sharp looking. Don't know what minor design changes make it so appealing to the eye.

 

[420Stainless]

I have an Interarms PPK/s that always works and is very well made. I stopped carrying it in favor of a lightweight polymer, but never had any problems whatsoever. Don't have any experience with those manufactured by others.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Stainless Interarms PPK/S 1998/99 production

function has been flawless

 

[6x6pinz]

Interarms PPK/S 380 for me, never fails and always at the ready.

 

[MedWheeler]

Carried as a BU/OD gun as a cop an Interarms PPK/S back in the early nineties.. liked it a lot, had no problems with it, and well fit together. Let it go during some tough times a few years later...

 

[sidheshooter]

Here's one I *don't* carry anymore...

Because nobody can tell me what it is, or what the value is. All we know is that it is old. Note the lack of proof marks; the serial dates to end of the war, so it might be a "cigarette gun", but I have not yet met anyone who knows for sure.

It has the miniature sights of the old ppk, but it is a bit of a tack driver, considering. Nice piece, but a mystery to all whom I have asked about it.

 

[EHL]

I'll have a hell of a time finding an original german ppk.

No, you can find them quite often on Gunbroker, you will just have to pay more money for it. (quite a bit more usually)

Plus werent they only chambered in .32 ACP? Need at LEAST a .380.

No. There are plenty of .380 German Walthers that were manufactured. It is true that the .32 was the much more common caliber, but the .380's were made. They'll say 9mm Kurz. You will find more .32 caliber German Walthers though. So if you are intent on that caliber, (I know I would be) and you are set on a German Walther, then you will have to look long and hard for one. Good luck!

 

[gbelleh]

I used to have a German Interarms PPK/S that was a good, reliable gun. I carried it occasionally. I ended up having to sell that PPK to pay some urgent bills.

I later replaced it with a US Interarms that has been a horrible jam-o-matic. I did get a set of new springs for it, but haven't gotten around to function testing it yet. I'd like to have the option of carrying the PPK. It's such a cool little gun.

 

[Mark in California]

Interarms PPK

Over the last thirty years I have carried an INTERARMS PPK as my CCW weapon. When I worked for a amoured car service it was my backup and I still carry it today. Works great. The only jams I have ever had were from loading the first round into the chamber. Never on firing. The only mags needing replacement were the ones I lost. I purchased my current PPK in 1991.

I have put over 2000 rounds through this weapon just to maintain my state qualifications. The recoil is somewhat stiff because of its size and weight. I find a full size 45 easier in the recoil department. Easy to conseal in all weather conditions. If you have any clothing on you can find a place to conseal it.

This is my carry gun. If I needed to replace it, I would buy another whatever the cost.

 

[rcellis]

I have an Interarms stainless which has never failed to feed and is accurate to the limits of it's size (and MORE limited by my aim). I carry it when I have to dress business casual - with a Desante pocket holster it fits in my slacks pocket quite well.

 

[PRM]

My Favorite Walther

You asked what Walther I carry? I have a Manurhin Walther PP in .32 ACP that I carry most of the time. Conceals easy, light recoil, fast follow-up shots, tack-driving accuracy, and it has a 9 shot capacity (8+1). One last reason, over the years it has functioned flawlessly through countless rounds, and trips to the range.

 

[searcher451]

I've carried a German-made PPK/S, a French-made PPK/S, an Interarms/Ranger-made PPK/S, and am currently carrying an S&W PPK/S model. All I can tell you with certainty is that all of them have been superb carry guns for me through the years, once you wring them out and make sure that they will handle specific types of ammo (as is true with all models of Walthers, it's my belief that some accommodate specific types of ammunition better than others will accommodate the same brand). The S&W-made PPK/S has been a dependable and highly accurate carry pistol for me for the past three years. I've retired the others to the safe as an reward for their much-appreciated service.

 

[EHL]

The S&W-made PPK/S has been a dependable and highly accurate carry pistol for me for the past three years. I've retired the others to the safe as an reward for their much-appreciated service.

I'd like to echo that sentiment. My PPK/s has been spot on reliable since day one. Not one hiccup, not one problem. She's been inspected by at least three very knowledgeable gunsmiths who have all complimented me on how well built this little pistol is. She may not be a German made gun, but she's got it where it counts. Don't discount them merely because "the internet told you so".