Are S&W produced PPK or PPK/s Drop Safe?

.455_Hunter · Jun 29, 2011

Greetings!

I am contemplating a new PPK for a CCW gun. As a lefty, the safety lever on these guns is not usable in any sense of a tactical nature, so I must ask the following hard question:

Are these new S&W guns safe to carry with the chamber loaded and the safety off? This assumes the worst case scenarios of dropping the gun either directly on the hammer, or right on the muzzle.

Thanks for your input!

kennethg · Jun 29, 2011

I don't know the answer, but they are not on the CA safe guns list which would be a good indicator that they could fire if dropped.

The below link is the CA DOJ webpage to check CA legal handguns. The only good use for the list is to let us know what handguns will pass a drop test.

Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale - Firearms Division - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

Maximumbob54 · Jun 29, 2011

They have a hammer block. The firing pin is pretty small and is held back by a spring. I'm not saying it couldn't happen but it would be a pretty rare problem. Factor in I doubt many know of such an incident happening.

DCWilson · Jun 29, 2011

They used to be on the CA DOJ-certified list, so if they aren't there now they fell off sometime in the last two years. I bought a PPK/S just before the recall. So yes, these guns have been found to be drop safe.

Falling off the list doesn't mean the gun has suddenly been found unsafe. Listings come with expiration dates, and the manufacturer needs to pay a renewal fee in order to keep selling a particular model in this state. Maybe S&W decided they had sold as many here as they were going to, or that the remaining market was too small to warrant renewing the listing.

I have a deposit down on a listed gun whose listing expires in August. The gun is back ordered. I hope S&W get back into production before then, because if they let this one expire I may not be able to bring it into the state once units are available.

remat457 · Jul 1, 2011

I agree, the fact that a firearm is removed if not "recertifed" tells me that it is more for $$$ revenue than actual safety. It also tells me that it allows them change the requirements at any time. Big surprise.

DCWilson is right. PPK's used to be on the list: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/removed.pdf

Pioneer461 · Jul 2, 2011

The pistols are designed to be carried with one in the chamber and the hammer down. The lever is a decocking lever, which can also function as a safety. They are safe to carry loaded.

Revoman · Jul 2, 2011

They are Legal in Massachusetts. So they have to be drop safe, child safe, dummy safe, and criminal safe.

Just hard to get for law biding subjects.

.455_Hunter · Jul 7, 2011

Thanks for your help!

Armyphotog · Jul 14, 2011

Every PPK S&W made from about 2002 through, I believe 2007, were recalled for problems dealing with misfires. If the guns have been repaired, there will be a small "dimple" punch in the frame below the hammer space at the rear of the gun. I sent 2 back under the recall. It may have been through 2009, I just don't recall. They really made a mess of Walther's masterpiece. I'm surprised they still have a license to make them.

Are S&W produced PPK or PPK/s Drop Safe?

.455_Hunter

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kennethg

Maximumbob54

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DCWilson

remat457

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Pioneer461

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Revoman

.455_Hunter

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Armyphotog

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