I know that this isn't a S&W pistol (at least not this version) but there is such a wealth of knowledge here, I hope you will forgive me for asking this question.

I have the opportunity to pick up a Walther's PPK/s that was distributed by Interarms for $390. Besides the dreaded slide bite I have read about, is there anything else that I should be concerned about in purchasing this weapon?

Is $390 a good price for the Northeast?

Thanks for your help.

jeff

If condition were decent, that would be an okay price in the Southwest. I would note that Walthers have been iffy performers in my experience, including those made by Ranger for Interarms. (I am fortunate not to have slide bite issues.) If you're able to return the gun should it not run right, go for it. I'd put a hundred rounds of ball through it to make sure it runs fine, and probably carry ball as well because I've seen three shootings with insufficient penetration with .380 JHPs and never seen .380 ball fail to penetrate adequately (seen it overpenetrate and hit someone unintended in one case, but I don't think this is an enormous concern with the breed).

I have had 4 of the PPK PPK/S 380 weapons. German made, Interarms, and Mahurin.
They all were dead bang reliable with the proper ammo-which usually meant ball ammo of decent quality. I only have an Interarms PPK left. It shoots almost anything I can stuff in the magazine, including some really wide HPs.
However I have found (like Erich) that the 380 is usually deficient in penetration, particularly with even quality HP rounds.
Buffalo Bore has a new 100 gr hard cast flat point round in 380 that is designed for one thing-penetration to at least 12". And it moves out at a respectable velocity (1,000 FPS). I bought 100 of them(they do cost) and tried them out. They may be the hottest rounds I have fired in a 380. They did penetrate lots of stuff, including a water soaked Chicago phone book to 5 inches which translates into plenty of people penetration. They also make fruit salad out of melons and other hydraulic type fruits most impressively.
So I ordered some more ammo, and I will be carrying my Colt and Walther 380s again.
BTW don't look any Buffalo Bore ammo if you are susceptable to sticker shock, they are not cheap, but neither is life.

I've had my Interarms PPK for several years. It has been 100 % reliable with ball ammo (except fail to fire with Magtech). Corbon 90 grain +P has also been 100%. Speer and Federal "flying ashtray" style hollow points don't feed well; I've given up on them. Corbon has a new "DPX" line of non-lead high penetration hollow points out that look interesting (80 GR. DPX 1050 FPS/ 196 FT LBS 20 Round Box), but pricey at just south of $30 per box list price.

IMHO the Interarms Walthers are fine, once you break them in. They're accurate and reliable. I've had several and only had problems with one. The previous owner only fired two mags through it, so it was virtually a new gun. Had to shoot about 200 rounds through it; after that, it never skipped a beat. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

After writing all that, I must confess I no longer own any .380's. I did this to cut down on the amount of ammo I keep on hand.

I own an old Manhurin PPk/S that I like a lot. I've shot several thousand rnds through it and never had slide bite. Some are good and some are not so. I'd check on return priviledges.

Charlie

I own an Interarms PPK/s that was made for the Kentucky State Police and is so marked.

Regardless what else I am carrying, that PPK is never far away.......

Fine pistols. Wish I had several!

Pistols can be finicky. What works for one may not work for another. My Interams PPK/S loves Magtech ball ammo. Now Blazer is another question. I don't think it go through a magazine without a jam. Other quality ammo is no problem.