Walther PK380

CT-Hunter · Dec 23, 2009

I know this is a Smith forum but since Walther is affiliated with Smith, I figured this is as good a place as any to ask. Today, in my favorite shop, I saw a Walther PK380 (not a PPK) for the first time. I do not know much about them but I was sorely tempted. Does anyone have experience with them.

Thanks.

panther · Dec 24, 2009

They're pretty new, I just saw them for sale about 3 weeks ago.
I looked at comments on the Walther forum and people seemed pretty happy with them.
A local pawn shop has one for $329 right now. Not a bad price, but around here, you still can't find .380 ammo very easily so shooting it might have to wait till summer. I did notice it didn't have a slide release lever like the P22. I had to drop the mag to release the slide, like some other European guns.
The guys at the Walther forum said the P22 and PK380 are made by Umarex for Walther.
It's new, if there any bugs in the gun the buyers who get the first ones will find out about them. I usually wait awhile and hope the price doesn't go up too much.

P.S. The S&W name was on the side of the slide of the one I saw yesterday. I guess all Walthers are coming in through S&W now.

Boriqua · Dec 24, 2009

great I just asked this on another forum but this might be a better place.

Why .380? is there something about that round in particular that make it desirable. My wife has a Ruger LCP which is chambered for .380 and that round sure beats a 22 for a mouse gun but something like the PK.380 is a fair sized gun and for its size and weight you could easily find something in 9mm even .40 although the .40 cartridges would bring the weight up. An xd in 9mm is smaller than the pk .380

So Im interested in the take from others... Why a .380 in what is approaching a full sized gun
Alex

CT-Hunter · Dec 24, 2009

Why .380. You have actually answered my question. You say your wife has an LCP. This is for my wife. I am trying to get her to get something with a bit more punch than a .22 or her father's old 32 that she would actually consider using. She just has to open the safe to get something with more power. But she wants something that is her own and will feel confident with. The PK 380 seems like a good candidate. The slide is extremely easy to work. I understand the recoil is pretty light. Besides, there is always the .22 for practice.

The size is irrelevant as it is not intended to be carried outside of the house.

Boriqua · Dec 24, 2009

CT-Hunter said:
Why .380. You have actually answered my question. You say your wife has an LCP. This is for my wife. I am trying to get her to get something with a bit more punch than a .22 or her father's old 32 that she would actually consider using. She just has to open the safe to get something with more power. But she wants something that is her own and will feel confident with. The PK 380 seems like a good candidate. The slide is extremely easy to work. I understand the recoil is pretty light. Besides, there is always the .22 for practice.

The size is irrelevant as it is not intended to be carried outside of the house.

AND .. the PK 380 is damn sexy and feels great in the hand! started asking about it after seeing one at my local range. My wifes house gun is a 9mm Sigma which she shoots very well. I want to get a laser for it but she whenever she is out there is that little lcp.
Alex

stfram1 · Dec 25, 2009

panther said:
It's new, if there any bugs in the gun the buyers who get the first ones will find out about them. I usually wait awhile and hope the price doesn't go up too much.

Hold off on that PK-380. I was underwhelmed with the one I handled, and the shop I frequent has had a used (unfired) one for several weeks with no takers.

Another good reason: M&P 380 possibly on the way...

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/12/12/sw-may-soon-unveil-a-mp-in-380/

BigRich315 · Dec 25, 2009

stfram1 said:
Hold off on that PK-380. I was underwhelmed with the one I handled, and the shop I frequent has had a used (unfired) one for several weeks with no takers.

Another good reason: M&P 380 possibly on the way...

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/12/12/sw-may-soon-unveil-a-mp-in-380/

Personally I'm still not convinced that isn't a hoax, but I agree it might be better to wait since it's still a very new gun.

I'm intrigued by the PK380. A buddy wants one and I think it would be a very fun gun. Good rounds like Gold Dot are very affective and accurate, and with the size and weight of that platform the recoil will be nothing. Ammo is in limited supply for the foreseeable future but I still like the prospect.

shawn mccarver · Dec 25, 2009

It is, essentially, a P22 chambered in .380 ACP. Too big for its caliber. Using Jeff Cooper's guide, get the smallest gun for the caliber you choose (within reason), the .380 is more at home, in my opinion, in the Ruger LCP, The Kel-Tec P3AT, the Seecamp (although heavy and by virtue of it being blowback or delayed blowback, stiffer to operate than a Browning tilting barrel lock up). Watch out for the new M&P in .380, reportedly coming in mid-year 2010.

PattonTime · Dec 25, 2009

Walther PK 380

I know it is very common for folks to "dis" most anything in 380 acp
A friend of mine has purchased one of the First Edition models and I have shot it quite extensively.
I believe it is just what it appears to be.
The best range or house gun out there for a novice shooter !!
I found it accurate , reliable and very fun to shoot. And cheap !!
I personally think the ammo shortage in 380 is linked to the Ruger LCP at first, but now the overall rise in small autos in general because of more carry permits. It used to be what was called a seasonal run cartridge run once a year by most of the manufacturers that is sure to change with so many more on the market.
YMMV

AKAOV1MAN · Dec 29, 2009

A whole lot of folks have been made very dead indeed by a .380. A .380 with proper ammo wielded by a guy who knows what he is about will ruin anyones day.
I have a couple of .380s, and I do not feel undergunned if I am packing one. I prefer a 9mm at least, but when the choice is a .380 or no gun, I stuff one of mine with Buffalo Bore penetrating ammo, and move out.

Walther PK380

CT-Hunter

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panther

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Boriqua

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CT-Hunter

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Boriqua

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stfram1

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shawn mccarver

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PattonTime

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