Just my 2-cents, but like the original OP of this thread I would look around for an Interarms PPK/S if I couldn't find a reasonable priced German made Walther. There have just been too many stories about continued problems with the S&W PPK's.
Don
Has S&W Tarnished The Walther Name (PPK?S)?
- Thread starter Wyatt Burp
- Start date
Just my 2-cents, but like the original OP of this thread I would look around for an Interarms PPK/S if I couldn't find a reasonable priced German made Walther. There have just been too many stories about continued problems with the S&W PPK's.
Don
I have owned a nazi marked PPK that was one of the slickest little pistols I ever traded off, I remember thinking what a great deal I got when guy offered me a WWI 1911 with the Property of US Government still stamped on it.
I bought a new stainless S&W .380 PPK when they first hit the market, never had any problems with it and was again amazed at what slick operating little pistols they are, a little on the heavy side but that is what contributes to their accuracy. When I got the recall notice I sent it in and got it back within about three weeks, again after a couple of boxes of ammunition never a hiccup. I thought it was a major design flaw on Smith's part to do away with the complete steel grip, mine is cutout at the back and makes it difficult to fit a decent set of after market grips, other than that I no complaints whatsoever. I feel very confident using it for a concealed carry handgun when I need something quite small.
I bought a new stainless S&W .380 PPK when they first hit the market, never had any problems with it and was again amazed at what slick operating little pistols they are, a little on the heavy side but that is what contributes to their accuracy. When I got the recall notice I sent it in and got it back within about three weeks, again after a couple of boxes of ammunition never a hiccup. I thought it was a major design flaw on Smith's part to do away with the complete steel grip, mine is cutout at the back and makes it difficult to fit a decent set of after market grips, other than that I no complaints whatsoever. I feel very confident using it for a concealed carry handgun when I need something quite small.
1917-1911M
Member
I expect you know what it is worth. M19111917-1911M
Member
If you guys were to shoot a .32 cal PP.....you'd put those hard kicking .380s in the safe. M1911
the ringo kid
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I've had several Walthers---all WWII Walther. All my P-38s worked perfectly, have hadone each of a PP and a PPK, never any probs. I even had a Walther P-38 made in 62 w/aluminum frame...no probs. I can't say anything about these others though.
cmort666
Member
Years ago, I had a "St. Etienne" marked French made PPK/S in .380.
After a little break-in, it shot Winchester SilverTips just fine.
I sold it to a friend when I needed the money for something else.
He's hard up for funds these days, so I might try to buy it back.
What I'd REALLY like is a blued PPK in .380 for pocket carry. The local chain didn't know if they could get one when I was looking. I'm not sure they make them anymore.
Of course in the meantime, I've switched from my Smith 36 to a 3.5" .45, so a PPK or PPK/S would only be for occasional use.
After a little break-in, it shot Winchester SilverTips just fine.
I sold it to a friend when I needed the money for something else.
He's hard up for funds these days, so I might try to buy it back.
What I'd REALLY like is a blued PPK in .380 for pocket carry. The local chain didn't know if they could get one when I was looking. I'm not sure they make them anymore.
Of course in the meantime, I've switched from my Smith 36 to a 3.5" .45, so a PPK or PPK/S would only be for occasional use.
I have an very early Interarms PPK/s made in Germany, a "Mahurin" PP in 7.65 x 17 and a prewar PPK in 7.65 x 17, so old that it has the heel magazine catch. No problems with any hardball ammo. These guns were made for hardball, though the PPK/s will fire silvertip. Dave_n
CATI1835
US Veteran
I am on the Walther forum. There are some very knowledgeable folk there, (and some pretentious, know-it-alls too). Almost every individual there is very critical of the S&W made "Walthers". They are not up to what they consider either the German or Manhurin standards. The Interarms (Ranger) guns are perceived to be better than the Smiths. I have an Interarms PPK in 7.65 and love it. I can't afford the German variety. 
ShelbyV8
Member
I have never owned a ppk. I consider it too big and heavy to be little and too little to be big. I do own several SW99 and P99 pistols. All internal parts and the frames are made by Walther. S&W made the bare slide and barrel for the SW99. The fit and finish and the tolerances of the S&W slides and barrels is superior to the Walther. That said both work very well.
For a blowback pistol of the Walther type, I don't think a man can do any better than one of the unissued Bulgarian Makarovs that are on the market now that are available for less than $300 and that are essentially brand new military issued sidearms:
I have bought THREE of them in the past several months and have put 3000 round through one gun with 0 failures of any kind. If you do some research on Makarovs you will find almost no one that's had a problem with them. They are as simple as a pistol can get and are dead nuts reliable, built like tanks. The 9x18mm round is cheap and available and there are some really good, potent defensive JHP loads available for them. Better ballistically than any .380 ACP. You can also get aftermarket grips to replace the red bakelite military grips if that's your thing. Yes they're communist, but that means they didn't have to be made to a certain price point and are made of old fashioned blued steel with no MIM junk or internal locks or any of that garbage.
They rock, and keep on rocking till the cows come home!!
I have bought THREE of them in the past several months and have put 3000 round through one gun with 0 failures of any kind. If you do some research on Makarovs you will find almost no one that's had a problem with them. They are as simple as a pistol can get and are dead nuts reliable, built like tanks. The 9x18mm round is cheap and available and there are some really good, potent defensive JHP loads available for them. Better ballistically than any .380 ACP. You can also get aftermarket grips to replace the red bakelite military grips if that's your thing. Yes they're communist, but that means they didn't have to be made to a certain price point and are made of old fashioned blued steel with no MIM junk or internal locks or any of that garbage.
They rock, and keep on rocking till the cows come home!!
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harleyvato
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No problems with mine
I purchased a smith/walther ppks.32 acp a few years ago, I had always wanted a"Bond gun" but have always preferred stainless. I also have meaty hands so the little beaver tail on it was a big plus for me. I found out about the recall and mine was made after the recall. I have had no issues with the pistol. I have fired cheaper range ammo, Winchester silver tips, and others. Never any problems, I really enjoy shooting this pistol. It is not my first choice in a carry firearm but has it's niche and has been reliable. My wife likes it as well. All in all I have been pleased with it and plan on keeping mine.
I purchased a smith/walther ppks.32 acp a few years ago, I had always wanted a"Bond gun" but have always preferred stainless. I also have meaty hands so the little beaver tail on it was a big plus for me. I found out about the recall and mine was made after the recall. I have had no issues with the pistol. I have fired cheaper range ammo, Winchester silver tips, and others. Never any problems, I really enjoy shooting this pistol. It is not my first choice in a carry firearm but has it's niche and has been reliable. My wife likes it as well. All in all I have been pleased with it and plan on keeping mine.
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TheHobbyist
Member
Hey Matt,
My opinion is that this is a bit exaggerated by the ease of communication we all have with the internet. If a manufacturer of any product produces 50,000 widgets and even 500 have an issue...
My wife has a S&W PPK. She loves it. She has smaller hands and it works really well for her, plus she likes the manageable recoil from the .380 round.
More of a concern to me than bad reviews online at times is that the slide could easily 'bite' the hand of a man or woman who has big hands. In fact, I have never shot her gun because I am convinced that my large hands would get cut if not being 100% diligent to ensuring that I must maintain a low grip on it for every shot. Again, everyone is different. My wife loves her PPK.
My opinion is that this is a bit exaggerated by the ease of communication we all have with the internet. If a manufacturer of any product produces 50,000 widgets and even 500 have an issue...
My wife has a S&W PPK. She loves it. She has smaller hands and it works really well for her, plus she likes the manageable recoil from the .380 round.
More of a concern to me than bad reviews online at times is that the slide could easily 'bite' the hand of a man or woman who has big hands. In fact, I have never shot her gun because I am convinced that my large hands would get cut if not being 100% diligent to ensuring that I must maintain a low grip on it for every shot. Again, everyone is different. My wife loves her PPK.
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