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  #1  
Old 11-08-2009, 11:56 AM
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Did I make a mistake buying a PPK/S? Did I make a mistake buying a PPK/S?  
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Default Did I make a mistake buying a PPK/S?

OK, here is the story. I visit a local gun shop and see a clean used Walther PPK/S made by Smith and Wesson. I am thinking...a clean stainless pistol of a proven design. Check. Little evidence of wear. Check. A reasonable price. Check. Then I remember back to two weeks earlier where I hesitated on buying a pistol, did some research, came back two hours later and that sweet Colt Government Model Series 80 in stainless was gone. I am not going to let that happen again! I put the PPK/S on lay-a-way, happy in knowing that I am going to have another nice little concealed pistol to haul around.

Curious, I start doing some internet research and YIKES! I find out about the recall. Not good. I read some forums about months to get the gun back from S&W after the recall. Not good. Dirty guns come back to the owner. Not good. Guns that functioned previously, now having light strike issues. Not good. Guns come from back from S&W scratched up. Not good.

Because the gun is on lay-a-way I can't see if it was previously sent back to S&W for the recall, but now I am second guessing the purchase of this pistol. Did I make a mistake (oh well), or have others had luck with their PPK/S???? All input (both good and bad) is appreciated. Thanks!!!
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  #2  
Old 11-08-2009, 12:02 PM
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I have an Interarms version and it has always run 100%,,,,,,, BUT~~~~
I have read not such rave reviews of the S&W version.. I personally would pass on the S&W model and save my $ for something else known to be more reliable.
Now I am sure some here have them with 0 issues, And would buy another.
And be cautious, They bite some folks real bad and leave 2 cuts at once....
Peter
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  #3  
Old 11-08-2009, 12:07 PM
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Ditto what pred said.
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Old 11-08-2009, 12:15 PM
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I had a French one back in the '80s. It was a decent gun that required a bit of break-in. I sold it to a friend to finance another purpose back when there was no CCW in Ohio and I had no real use for it. If I had a job, I'd buy it back, although .380 is not something in which I have a huge amount of confidence.
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Old 11-08-2009, 03:06 PM
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IMHO the German made ones were the best. The Manurhin ones looked nice on the outside but lacked the finer finish on the internals. Interarms imported the German ones and then had them made here. These are good ones also. When S&W came out with the ppk/s-1 I bought one and wasn't happy with it. Initially, after firing less than 100 rounds, the trigger failed to operate. I sent it abck to factory. When it was returned, supposedly repaired, it had the same problem. After a discussion with customer service ( I requested them to send me the part I knew was the problem - the trigger bar), I was told I'd have to return it to them a second time for the repair. So, I took a spare Interarms trigger bar and fixed it myself. It worked fine after that, but the poor repair service by the factory left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I would look for a stainless steel Interarms ppk/s.
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Old 11-08-2009, 03:07 PM
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Maybe I help you feel at least a little bit better. I have a PPK Smith/Walther that has always worked 100%. I sent it in for the recall, not because it had problems but just because . . . Took four months to get it back, which I wasn't happy about, but it was clean, the feed ramp was polished, and it has worked just fine through about 200 rounds since then. So, on balance, I've been quite happy with mine and I don't think you'll regret buying yours. Enjoy it!
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Old 11-08-2009, 03:23 PM
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Pity they got it wrong. I like the gun and will buy German or French if for no other reason than I live in France and have never seen a S&W version advertised. But it seems that I will be getting a far better gun.

Surprised the gun shop didn't tell you about the recall issue and the adverse publicity it has generated.
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Old 11-08-2009, 03:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyn View Post
Pity they got it wrong. I like the gun and will buy German or French if for no other reason than I live in France and have never seen a S&W version advertised. But it seems that I will be getting a far better gun.

Surprised the gun shop didn't tell you about the recall issue and the adverse publicity it has generated.
My gun was French but was marked "St. Etienne" instead of the usual "Manhurin".
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Old 11-08-2009, 03:37 PM
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Default I like PPK's but......

I really do like PP's / PPK's / PPK/s's, and own a few, but it seems to me that the farther they get from Germany, they seem to loose some of the basic, essential 'goodness' of the design.

Not bashing S&W at all, but the newest design iteration is the worst I've seen.

Drew
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Old 11-08-2009, 03:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmort666 View Post
My gun was French but was marked "St. Etienne" instead of the usual "Manhurin".

I'm no expert, but it's my understanding that most of the Walthers made after WW2 were made in France and assembles in Germany. I don't know when production resumed in Germany. At some point, Manurhin either got permission or just decided to make them with their name on them.
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Old 11-08-2009, 04:31 PM
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Only problem is .380 acp, which these days cost about the same as .44mag to shoot. Joe
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  #12  
Old 11-08-2009, 04:40 PM
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In the last 30yrs. I've had all the aforementioned PPK manufacturers model of that gun except a genuine German. I used to prefer blue Interarms for reliability as they seemed to function best. Most stainless had the rep as expensive jammomatics. The /S seems to defeat the pocket pistol dynamic. All of the stainless PPK's I've had required light filing of under, outer edges of slide and trigger guard to keep from cutting myself up. The Smith version has not had favorable acceptance around here. I'd like to have a .32 PPK. I had a .32 PPK/S and it was nice, But not a primary SD caliber.
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  #13  
Old 11-08-2009, 05:08 PM
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I have one, it never misses a beat. I had to wait a while to get it back from S&W, but it still never misses a beat.

Here is how you can tell if the mod was completed, they put a punch mark here.

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  #14  
Old 11-08-2009, 07:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Babalooie View Post
I'm no expert, but it's my understanding that most of the Walthers made after WW2 were made in France and assembles in Germany. I don't know when production resumed in Germany. At some point, Manurhin either got permission or just decided to make them with their name on them.
After the war under the terms of surrender Walther were not allowed to manufacture arms, so they licenced production to Munurhin. When Walther were allowed by the Allies to recommence production, the licence was terminated but Manurhin continued to make guns under contract to Walther until the mid 60s. I have even read that all post war PPKs were made in France up to 1986. The guns made under contract were, I believe, marked as being made in Germany by Walther. I read that the slides were made in France and sent to Germany unhardened. Walther then added the markings and hardened them. Some were imported into the USA by Interarms without the Manurhin name but marked "Made in France". As to why some had the St Etienne mark and others didn't I don't know. St Etienne is the traditional home of gunmaking in France, and I believe all proofing and testing is carried out there. It may simply be that they were proofed in France before being exported. Incidentally, I have proofing certificates for a Marlin 1894 .44 Mag and a Winchester 94 .444 Marlin which I bought new in France, both bearing the stamp of the Official Proof House (Banc Official D'Epreuve des Armes a Feu et des Munitions) in St Etienne. Although I had never looked before I now see that both of these guns have the St Etienne proof mark (what appears to be a crown over the letters AR). Inspection of my other 3 Winchesters, for which I do not have proof certificates, all have similar proof marks. In the case of my 94-22 it also says "St Etienne" next to the proof mark. So there you have it. Some say it and some don't.
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Old 11-08-2009, 10:29 PM
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I feel your pain about being leery concerning the S&W made PPK/S. I totally understand your thoughts on giving up on the pistol. If it won't cost you anything to cancel your lay away, you may find your mind rests easier if you forgo your desire for that particular .380 handgun.

As others have mentioned, virtually any pre-S&W PPK is a great choice. I have several Walther PP series pistols and they're all wonderful. I can't think of a reason why I would risk buying a newly manufactured S&W version. Unless, of course, they start getting them right.
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  #16  
Old 11-13-2009, 06:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebago Son View Post
I really do like PP's / PPK's / PPK/s's, and own a few, but it seems to me that the farther they get from Germany, they seem to loose some of the basic, essential 'goodness' of the design.

Not bashing S&W at all, but the newest design iteration is the worst I've seen.

Drew
Missed your post the first time round. Don't forget that many "Made in Germany" PPs and PPKs were in fact made in France and sent to Germany for finishing ie marking and hardening of slides. If they were finished in Germany Walther were allowed to say "Made in Germany".
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Old 11-13-2009, 10:14 AM
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As Hunt200 posted the recalled ones that had the "fix" have the punch mark.

Now the rest of the story. MY PPK worked just fine. Sent it back for the recall, wanted a few months it came back clean and feed ramp polished. The new de cocker lever was very stiff and hard to operate.

The gun would misfire in double action mode. Long story short, I sent the gun back to S&W four (4) times. They finally replaced the hammer and it seems to be working now.I really did not care as mine is a safe Queen and they paid the shipping.

If you like the gun, buy it. S&W will fix it if needed.

I only keep mine as it is a neat design. To heavy and bulky for a concealed carry. It is very accurate and fun to shoot. I reload all my ammo so the lack if .380 is not a problem.
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Old 10-11-2012, 11:37 PM
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Both my fiancé and I have post-recall PPK's. After about 400 rounds each both loosened up nicely. I have around 1500 rounds through mine with 2 FTF's from the same Mag and same ammo lot which I attributed to bad ammo. Fiancé has probably 600-700 rounds through hers with nary a hiccup.
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Old 10-12-2012, 12:08 AM
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Resurrection after 3 years.
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Old 10-12-2012, 12:44 AM
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I have two of the S&W Walthers.

PPK .32 ACP and PPK .380, no problems with either.
Knock on wood.

They are a perfect match for my hands, maybe not yours.

There is a huge difference between a BMW and a Japanese
entry level import, but both will get you there.

Good info if you are planning to buy one.

The problem years for Walthers made by S&W
This recall applies to all Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, until February 3, 2009.  The Serial Numbers of the pistol subject to this recall are as follows:

0010BAB - 9999BAB
0000BAC - 9999BAC
0000BAD - 9999BAD
0000BAE - 9999BAE
0000BAF - 9999BAF
0000BAH - 9999BAH
0000BAJ - 9999BAJ
0000BAK - 9999BAK
0000BAL - 5313BAL
0000BAM - 1320BAM
0000LTD - 0499LTD
0001PPK - 1500PPK
0026REP - 0219REP
0001WLE - 0459WLE

S&W may not be batting 1.000 all the time but who is?
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Old 10-12-2012, 09:15 AM
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Quote:
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Resurrection after 3 years.
If he would've started a new thread, somebody would've yelled at him for not using the search function.
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Old 10-12-2012, 09:35 AM
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If it doesn't say Germany leave it alone. I had an Interarms PPK/S that functioned fine until about 600 rounds then it turned into a jamomatic. No matter what I did, mother of all cleanings, different mags, changed things out, different brands of ammo, it continued to jam. Traded it for an S&W Model 15 snubby and feel damn lucky about it.
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Old 10-12-2012, 01:18 PM
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Quote:
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If he would've started a new thread, somebody would've yelled at him for not using the search function.
Looks like it was the OPs last post. Wonder if the gun is still on lay away?
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Old 10-12-2012, 05:58 PM
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Aloha,

Betwen the Wife and I, we have the following 380s

Bersa Thunder 380
Walther PPK/s, Interarms
Colt Mustang
Beretta 70s
Beretta 84
Beretta 85
Beretta 86
Sig 232

We like the Beretta 80 series the Best.
Recoil is OK

The Bersa's recoil is Snappy and stings the web of the hand
The PPK/s has lightly Less Snappy recoil compared to the Bersa.

The Colt, because it's stainless is not too bad.

The Beretta 70s is all steel and a little snappy.

The Beretta 80 series have a more soft recoil.

The tip-up 86 is the most pleasent to shoot. Probably because
it has the longest barrel.

The Sig is not as comfy to shoot as the Beretta, but better than the others.
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Old 10-12-2012, 06:09 PM
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[QUOTE=YogiBear;136749936]Aloha,

The tip-up 86 is the most pleasent to shoot. Probably because
it has the longest barrel.

That is the one I drool over.
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