rchall
Member
Considering buying a small automatic to carry. Have looked at both the Walther PPK stainless and Glock 42, both in .380. Has anyone had experience with either weapon?? Appreciate insight on the pros/cons of each gun. Thank you!
Concealed carry weapon
- Thread starter rchall
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CLASSIC12
Member
I have a German made 1939 PPK in .32 ACP. Guess the .380 would be similar.
Pros : all steel gun, very accurate for its size if you can see the sights (I can), pretty and well made, very reliable (shot a lot of Silvertips without a hiccup), easily concealable, easy to field strip.
Cons : can't think of much. Magazine capacity (?)
Saw a regular at the range with a Glock 42. Jammed once or twice on every magazine. Not saying it's characteristic of this gun, maybe he was limp wresting it. My 17 and 20 never jam.
Pros : all steel gun, very accurate for its size if you can see the sights (I can), pretty and well made, very reliable (shot a lot of Silvertips without a hiccup), easily concealable, easy to field strip.
Cons : can't think of much. Magazine capacity (?)
Saw a regular at the range with a Glock 42. Jammed once or twice on every magazine. Not saying it's characteristic of this gun, maybe he was limp wresting it. My 17 and 20 never jam.
Cal44
Member
A friend bought a G42 recently and has had a lot of jams.
I told this to a gun store sales guy and he says his customers haven't complained of this problem.
My friend is a experience gun person and carries a G17.
Perhaps the problem will resolve itself with more use.
I told this to a gun store sales guy and he says his customers haven't complained of this problem.
My friend is a experience gun person and carries a G17.
Perhaps the problem will resolve itself with more use.
JJEH
Member
I don't have experience with either, but I'd like to recommend Kahr pistols since you like (sub) compact single stack guns.
LVSteve
Member
Go with a locked breech design like the Glock 42, Ruger LCP, Kahr CW or CT380 and the Sig 290 RS.
Inusuit
Member
I second the recommendation for a Kahr .380 if you intend to pocket carry. A good friend has the Glock 42, no issues. I think the 42 is a bit big for my pocket.
Do some research before you commit to a Walther PPK/S. Some have had problems with the ones licensed by Smith and Wesson.
Do some research before you commit to a Walther PPK/S. Some have had problems with the ones licensed by Smith and Wesson.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I have had a few PPK and PPKs pistols in 32 and 380. If buying new you will be fine the German/West German pistols were always great with Walther made mags. The early stainless American made PPK had a jamming issue across the board. It is worked out now. I have one friend that has only Glock pistols EXCEPT a Walther West German PPKs, he owns a G42 and a G43, but relies on the Walther!
For ammo, I know there are several premium defense loads in 380. The Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Point in 32 & 380 have not changed since they were introduced, there has been no need to. I am a big fan of Federal Hydra-shok ammo (especially in 45 ACP) but in 380 STHP always worked better in feed and expanded penetration!
There are great offerings for PPK concealed carry holsters, including the James Bond 007 crotch holster!
Ivan
If weight or cost is an issue, consider the Ruger LCP (first gen are very reliable and super reasonably price (If any new ones are left)
For ammo, I know there are several premium defense loads in 380. The Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Point in 32 & 380 have not changed since they were introduced, there has been no need to. I am a big fan of Federal Hydra-shok ammo (especially in 45 ACP) but in 380 STHP always worked better in feed and expanded penetration!
There are great offerings for PPK concealed carry holsters, including the James Bond 007 crotch holster!
Ivan
If weight or cost is an issue, consider the Ruger LCP (first gen are very reliable and super reasonably price (If any new ones are left)
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Point #1: Practice with your new pistol so that you are thoroughly familiar with it under every possible condition. The smaller compact semi-autos can have a tendency to strip skin off your hand between thumb and forefinger, if you take a high grip on the piece.
Point #2: Compact and sub-compact semi-autos are not terribly suitable to any type of holster carry (perhaps best suited for pocket or purse). Any holster design that contains enough of the pistol to provide positive retention will probably limit accessibility to a point that it may be difficult (if not impossible) to obtain a solid grip on the weapon during the draw, and you may find yourself fumbling around with the pistol before you can service a target (defend against an imminent threat).
If you intend to carry in a pocket, or a fanny pack, or whatever you may find the smaller semi-auto pistols suitable for your uses. Holstered carry may be highly concealable, but accessibility is likely to be compromised. Training time will be required to allow you to consistently grip the pistol properly to avoid injuring yourself when firing.
Point #2: Compact and sub-compact semi-autos are not terribly suitable to any type of holster carry (perhaps best suited for pocket or purse). Any holster design that contains enough of the pistol to provide positive retention will probably limit accessibility to a point that it may be difficult (if not impossible) to obtain a solid grip on the weapon during the draw, and you may find yourself fumbling around with the pistol before you can service a target (defend against an imminent threat).
If you intend to carry in a pocket, or a fanny pack, or whatever you may find the smaller semi-auto pistols suitable for your uses. Holstered carry may be highly concealable, but accessibility is likely to be compromised. Training time will be required to allow you to consistently grip the pistol properly to avoid injuring yourself when firing.
686-380
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I tried the G42. It wasn't for me. It was a little too big for my pocket and did have a problem with jamming. I stayed with my Bodyguard 380 for over 5 years. I now carry a Sig-224 in .40.
My wife carried a Sig P238 and it's a great weapon.
My wife carried a Sig P238 and it's a great weapon.
Fishinfool
Member
Cant comment on the Glock .380, never shot one. I did, however, carry an Interarms PPK/s back in the early / mid 1980's as a uniformed back up gun. Usually in a coat pocket or a boot holster.
The gun was never close to 100% reliable using hollowpoints that were available back then. It was close to, but not quite 100% using FMJ loads. I settled on a FMJ flat nose that I believe was offered by S&B.
The gun was blued, and very nicely polished and fit. The problem was machined flats in areas like the slide and take down trigger guard were razor sharp, and were apt to draw blood if you were not careful taking the gun down. It needed to be "de-horned". As a side note, I have big hands, and the slide always drew blood on the web of my hand on the range.
Trigger pull on SA was nothing great, and very heavy on DA. Recoil is also a little more than it needs to be for the guns all steel weight do to it being a blow back design.
IMHO there are better designed .380 pistols available these days as a carry weapon, though few offer the classy looks and finish a blued PPK / PPK/s offer. Personaly, I carry an old LCP in my pocket most every day.
Larry
The gun was never close to 100% reliable using hollowpoints that were available back then. It was close to, but not quite 100% using FMJ loads. I settled on a FMJ flat nose that I believe was offered by S&B.
The gun was blued, and very nicely polished and fit. The problem was machined flats in areas like the slide and take down trigger guard were razor sharp, and were apt to draw blood if you were not careful taking the gun down. It needed to be "de-horned". As a side note, I have big hands, and the slide always drew blood on the web of my hand on the range.
Trigger pull on SA was nothing great, and very heavy on DA. Recoil is also a little more than it needs to be for the guns all steel weight do to it being a blow back design.
IMHO there are better designed .380 pistols available these days as a carry weapon, though few offer the classy looks and finish a blued PPK / PPK/s offer. Personaly, I carry an old LCP in my pocket most every day.
Larry
Triggernosis
Member
Take a look at a Sig 230 or 232 - they are excellent .380's. They are no longer being produced, but there's always 2 or 3 available on gunbroker.
I have tried the G42 and concluded that given the size, I'd rather have the more effective 9mm G43 - if I wanted something like that. I don't. I carry a G27.
I'd recommend putting AT least 300 rounds through a firearm to find/workout any bugs before carrying. Finding a problem in a critical moment is never a good thing.
I'd recommend putting AT least 300 rounds through a firearm to find/workout any bugs before carrying. Finding a problem in a critical moment is never a good thing.
I currently own a G42 which I purchased new about 6 months ago. I've put a little over 400 rounds through it with zero malfunctions using 4 different mags. I've shot factory FMJ, commercial FMJ reloads, and Hornady XTPs. It eats everything I've put through it and has a great trigger that breaks right at 5lbs. I like it.
FWIW, the Bersa Thunder is a near clone of the Walther PPK, with an alloy frame. This makes it a couple of ounces lighter. I started a thread about them and the response was 95% positive. Might be a more economical and easier to carry alternative.
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rws
Member
Mine did the same thing until I used a dremel to grind off about half the height of release button. Now it sits well below the grip cutout and no more pocket releases. Also if you still have the original mag release it is made of plastic and eventually wears out and you'll end up having mag drops when firing it. If you sent it in for the recall you should have a metal release....if not call Ruger CS and request a metal release...they'll probably send you one for free.
Echo40
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Actually, the Bersa Thunder 380 has more in common with the SIG P232 than the Walther PPK/S. (Yes, the PPK/S, the PPK is a smaller/lighter model which holds 1 less round and has a 1-piece grip.) In fact, the only trait that it shares directly with the PPK/S is the frame-mounted safety lever, everything else is all P232.
Granted that the P232 has a lot in common with the PPK/S, as does the Thunder 380, but most of the similarities between the P232 and Thunder 380 aren't present in the PPK/S, and seeing as the P232 was sort of designed to be something of an improvement over the design of the Walther PP Series, it's kind of doing it a disservice to compare it to the PPK/S over the P232.
That all being said, the Bersa Thunder is definitely a good option for Concealed Carry, and the TC ought to look into it.
Good to know Inspector!
I didn't know much about the P232 beyond manufacturer and caliber. Thanks for the info.
