Interarms PPK

jframe

jframe

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I've recently found an Interarms Walther PPK in stainless for sale at the local pusher's place. Nice gun, at least 98% with little evidence of firing, plus box, papers, and both magazines. Chambered in .380. My question is, before I drop $500 bucks on this, what are some of y'all's experience with these? Lots of internet gun experts out there seem to like them, lots seem not to. I know there are LOTS of .380 choices out there, but I'm just kinda jonesing for one of these, and are seeking thoughts.
 
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Can't tell you anything other than my experience with an Interarms, SS, PPKS in .380 that I've had for over 20 years now.

I've never had a FTE or FTF and I've used it for a conceal carry weapon off and on for all the years I've had it. It seems to cycle hollow-points just as well as roundball ammo (others have had problems with their PPKS, so I'm told). I don't have extra large hands so I've never had a problem with the slide biting the web of my hand that seems to happen to some folks.

In short I've had a good experience with mine and plan on using it for another 20+ years.

Don
 
Jframe:

Is it a PPK, or a PPK-S you are looking at? There is a difference, mainly that a PPK is a pocket-sized pistol, whereas a PPK-S, not so much. The PPK-S was made to satisfy the 1968 GCA requirements. I owned an Interarms .380ACP PPK-S in stainless steel for a while. Neither my wife or I have large hands, but that sucker would definitely bite your hand (the slide). It's pretty heavy for a small gun, in my opinion, and being a blowback design, the recoil is pretty stout. Mine went full-auto on me at the range - that was exciting, but thankfully brief (3-4 rounds). The factory fixed it for free, but wouldn't tell me what was wrong with it, nor what they repaired or replaced. I traded it off for a H&K PSP, which had been on my grail gun list for a long time.

Best of luck,

Dave
 
jframe said:
I've recently found an Interarms Walther PPK in stainless for sale at the local pusher's place. Nice gun, at least 98% with little evidence of firing, plus box, papers, and both magazines. Chambered in .380. My question is, before I drop $500 bucks on this, what are some of y'all's experience with these? Lots of internet gun experts out there seem to like them, lots seem not to. I know there are LOTS of .380 choices out there, but I'm just kinda jonesing for one of these, and are seeking thoughts.
Click to expand...

The webbing between my right thumb and index finger healed within a few days, and the scar is barely noticeable. :rolleyes:
 
I've got an Interarms PPK/S that I picked up about a year ago. It was in excellent condition and went for $375. $500 sounds a little high to me for that firearm. It's been 100% reliable the 3 or 4 times I've had it to the range. Good tight groups at 10 yards, too. It will bite the web of your hand where you grip it if you grip it too high. After my first range trip with it, I took the slide off and rounded some sharp edges on the bottom of the slide where it travels over your hand.
I bought one of the new S&W PPK/S when they first came out. They extended the beavertail on theirs which helps with the slide bite. I sold it to a co-worker that wanted it more than I did at the time for $375. I can understand your jonesing as I eventually had to have another.
I did order a Wolff spring kit and lightened the heavy trigger up a bit.
In regards to the PPK vs. the PPK/S, all dimensions are the same except the PPK/S grip is 1/2 inch longer to accommodate one extra round. That extra 1/2 inch translates to an extra 1.6 ounces in weight.
Most folks I know either love them or hate them. I'm pretty fond of mine.
 
I've carried a stainless Interarms PPK/S for 10 years or so as a BUG and off duty concealed carry. As with most fixed barrel blowback operated handguns, mine has proved to be very accurate and it's reliable (after I weeded out some magazines).


I'd originally bought it for my wife, but she could not pull back the slide so I ended up keeping it for myself. It's a good carry gun, but in .380 ACP it's not much fun to shoot. I have to do a 50 round qualification with it twice a year and it is very unfortable to shoot and if I'm shooting more than a magazine at one session I have to wear a shooting glove. I usually carry Federal Hydra-shok or Winchester Ranger SXT jacketed hollow points and I've not had any problem with feeding.

305543281.jpg
 
The one I'm looking at is a PPK. I'm like you; I think the PPK/S is too large for pocket carry. I know $500 sounds high to me too, but good 'ole Gunbroker is showing most of theirs at close to that for opening bids.
 
Another Interarms 380 ppk owner. Very accurate and reliable if gripped firmly. As previously noted, the rear underside of the slide can bite ya. The underside of the trigger guard is also sharp, and use a support hand underneath, instead of in front. For me it is a little on the large and heavy side for a pocket pistol.
 
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Seeing as how Bud's gun shop sells them for $507 NIB including shipping, the price seems high. Also, some companys are now making 9mm pocket guns about the same size and weight, such as the CM-9.
 
I have an Interarms SS - PPK-S that I bought new in 1999. I would agree with all the above postings regarding the gun, and you have a good review of the guns merits, and problems with all the postings.

I used mine as my carry gun when I was still working, and did not want it to show at all. It just disappeared in the front pocket of a pair of Dockers. I never found it to be too heavy, because I like steel guns, but the plastic 380s that are being made today are a lot lighter.

With that said: everyone needs a PPK or PPK-S in their collection. It is a classic gun.

Best Wishes,
Tom
 
The Interarms PPK's have held their asking price at $450-$500 for the last 15 yrs.. I've had a couple I managed to pay less than that. If you want one for carry, as mentioned, there's now a lot of better options.
 
Bought an Interarms PPK/S

in the early 80s, carried it a lot, and shot it a lot, never a problem or a complaint about the little pistol. It was a blue steel version and I put a set of ivories on it which made a pretty good looking combo.

Lost it in a house fire in 93 and have missed it.
 
I have two , a blue steel PPK/S and a stainless PPK. Both have been very reliable and some of the most accurate guns I own. Went and looked, one is still loaded with old Super-Vel ammo. Might need to update.
 
I've got a stainless Interarms PPK 380. It used to cut me. The bottom of the cocking serrations on the right side of the slide acted like a saw. A little Dremel work - maybe a 64th, maybe a 32nd of an inch off the bottom. No more cutting.

I've heard, and read, for years how the PPK will only feed ball. Hates hollowpoints. Mine eats Silvertips like they were M&Ms.

I bought mine used, and found that it would not fire the ammo that came with it (half a box of Magtech). I thought that it might have gotten contaminated, and saved them to pull the bullets. Then I found that it was very inconsistent at firing my reloads. Changed from a CCI primer to a Winchester and the problem went away. Later I replaced the mainspring, and discovered the old spring was at least 4 coils shorter than the new one. I'd never got around to pulling the bullets on that Magtech ammo, so gave it a try. Wow. It worked. :)

So it works fine. Aside from the minor design problem (cutting) and the minor gun butchery problem, both of which I solved, it has never let me down.

I buy PP or PPK/S magazines, as spares. They are exactly the same, except one bullet longer. They stick out of the grip a little, but I don't carry them in the gun. The carry mag is a 6 rounder, but my reloads are 7s.
 
My Interarms PPK will feed Pow'r Ball and Hornady Critical Defense without a hiccup, but use a short nose FMJ and it will jam every time. Once I got through the teething problems, it's been 100% reliable (and I bought it from a member of this Forum!).
 

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I've had my Interarms PPK well over 20 years. It has never had a function problem with any defense round such as Hydra-shock or Gold Dot and others. It carries well for me. I am left-handed and lucked into a suede Bianchi horizontal shoulder holster. (It is hard walking into a place and finding left-handed holsters for guns you happen to own!). It is very comfortable and quiet on the draw.

When I first saw the stainless PPK I knew I had to have one someday. I don't remember exactly what I paid new, but over 20 years ago it was in the $400.00 neighborhood. They are apparently holding their value.

I know there are more modern, lighter small guns in heavier calibers, but I will not be replacing my PPK with one. Along with an Airweight 442, the PPK is a frequent carry gun.
 
Safearm, I love that little PPK! You wouldn't want to sell it off to a friendly Forum member in your neighboring state, would you? :) Viceunit, I too, am left handed, and feel your pain regarding holsters.
 
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