May I please ask for some suggestions from those in the know? I am selling my Glock 23 and want to buy a PPK/S to replace it. I’ve been reading where people complain about the PPK/S being less than reliable. As I recall, some say it’s an issue with the kind of ammo being fired, some say it has to do with the slide. I don’t know what the truth is. Your help please. Thanks! Bill

I have, and have owned several of the PPK/s, PP, PPK. Most of German post war mfg. I have only one US porduced PPK/s, pre-S&W in .32ACP. All that I own or have owned have been 100% reliable. The only S&W specimen I've held and fired was barely reliable with ball ammo much less HP's. This was a friends of mines gun and it made the trip to S&W three different times for the same issues of FTF/FTE, he finally sold it. I've heard both good and bad on the S&W line of PPK/s, but then again I've heard the same on the pre-S&W US made ones too!

I used to own one, and had access to several others. All of my experience has been with the "Interarms" models.

VERY poor not one of at least half a dozen could make it through a pistol qualification without multiple jams!!!

If you are serious about this class of pistol, consider a Makarov. I have found these to be cheap, reliable, and accurate.

The only down side at this point is that ammo comes in "fits and starts", sometime all over and cheap, sometimes it can be difficult to locate. Answer= buy in bulk when it is available.

I've got a US made interarms version of the PPK/S in .380 caliber. Has been perfectly reliable with ball ammo and at least 2 different hollowpoint loads. I can't recall a jam ever from the little gun.

I did witness an episode at the range some years back. A gentleman and his lady friend were practicing with a PPK/S .380 pistol. While the little Walther preformed well for the man, was a "Jam-o-matic" for the lady! A couple other folks fired the pistol too, with no problems. Either the Walther just didn't like the woman, or she was limp-wristing the pistol.

I too have heard several reports of malfunctions with Walther PP and PPK pistols. Personaly, I've always wondered if the problems stem from limp-wristing.

Besides the American made PPK/S .380, I also own a West German Walther PP in .32 auto. No problems with either pistol at all.

I've had several "Walthers" the German ones, French ones, Interarms version & S&W version. I like the interarms ones in Stainless Steel. Virtually all walthers require a break-in period. You may have to shoot a couple of hundred rounds before the gun becomes all it can be. Be careful not to limp wrist a walther, as it will give you fits if you do. If you know or learn how to handle one of these guns, you will probably find it to be a very accurate piece. As I like to say, it shoots right where I point it.

You gotta have a firm grip. It's a physics thing where your hand and arm become part of the weapon.

The S&W PPK/S models are a knife with a barrel. Sharp edges everywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by gmchenry:
The S&W PPK/S models are a knife with a barrel. Sharp edges everywhere.

I agree. With a bit of effort and different grades of sandpaper, you can dehorn a Stainless Steel version. I did.

I have an InterArms PPK (Stainless). It's had approx. 200 rounds through it so far. Hardball and Corbon +P have been flawless, but Federal 90gr.factory Hydra-Shock loads don't feed reliably.

I have an Interarms PPK/S in .380. Used to carry it back in the day as a BUG. Fed it ball to qualify, carried HydraShoks. It always went off and was scary accurate for a little gun. It is heavy, and the only gun to ever give me a slide bite.

I have one for 25 yrs, Interarms, ss, .380...did an action job, eats everything.

Regards to all - photo

I got slide bite from all of the half-dozen PP/PPKS types that I owned until my latest; a S&W/Walther blued PPK in .380... the type with the extended frame tang. Much more comfortable to shoot, and friends can no longer look at the top of my right hand and say "I see you've been shooting your Walther."

All of them have been reliable, and all have been as accurate as my expectations go for pistols of their type. The only malfuntion I ever had was with an Interarms stainless PPK/S in .32 ACP; it had a failure to feed (one) with some Aguila ball. Not the kind of ammo I would trust my life on. That particular one had a worse action than the other ones, but it was not difficult to smooth out.

I wish S&W/Walther would make a blued PPK in .32 available again...and a TPH.

quote:

Originally posted by gmchenry:
The S&W PPK/S models are a knife with a barrel. Sharp edges everywhere.

+1 here. Had a stainless ppk/s(S&W). Used to get cut while cleaning it. No reason the edges couldn't have been taken down during manufacture. That said, it was a very reliable, very accurate pistol. Design made for a pretty stiff recoil though so followup shots weren't as fast as they could be but a cool looking little auto. The edges easily caught on clothing. Sold it for better choices for ccw.

quote:

I have an Interarms PPK/S in .380. Used to carry it back in the day as a BUG. Fed it ball to qualify, carried HydraShoks. It always went off and was scary accurate for a little gun. It is heavy, and the only gun to ever give me a slide bite.

My thought also..Mine is w/o the S...A little emery cloth and wider grips did wonders for the blood letting...Otherwise, damn accurate pistol.

I have a S&W made PPK. It's very reliable. Feeds hollow points well. I like it, it's very compact and slides right into my pocket.

This has been a great little gun it always works and I have used it for carry and in many IDPA BUG gun matches.