Is my Walther obsolete just becasuse there's newer, lighter, more powerful guns now?

[shocker]

It's not obsolete in the sense that if the trigger is pulled it goes bang.
But I'd put it in the category of hand tools like axes, files, and hacksaws - sure they are still usable but chainsaws, grinders, and Sawzalls are so much easier.
Now, when I put on my tux and head to the Grand Casino for dinner and a night of gambling I'll certainly carry my PPK.
Edit. It's memorial day weekend. This thread still ongoing, I took my own version of a PPK to the range. Remington R51, 10 yds.

 

[2152hq]

It's obsolete by one persons ideas and so it ends up in the used gun display case and another person buys it feeling it's just the thing they want and could use.

If you go by TV, Movie & GunRag firearms fashion statements,,yes it's probably way out of date.
I've never paid any attention to them. They are fantasy.

I like what I like and a Walther PP/PPk series pistol is just fine with me.
I even carry a P1 a lot of the time now. How terrible is that.
...Banished for sure from the CCW Ninja sites forever.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Another gun that by the standards of some here has to be obsolete is the H&K P7...... ya right. If obsolete means too expensive to make and sell!!!


I debated long and hard in the 80s about getting one..... but it's manual of arms is so unique..... I opted for more traditional DA/SA guns.

Now wish I'd bought two and about a dozen or so mags.

 

[scoobysnacker]

There's nothing obsolete about a Walther PP design.

The purpose of a handgun is to launch projectiles in an accurate, controlled and reliable manner. Capacity, frame material, stuff like that, those are personal choices.

Can you purchase ammo? Are there any warnings on said ammo not to use in your gun, because of potential destruction?

"Obsolete" handguns- perhaps a revolver in .38 S&W, since that rd is not really available now. Same for a Star A or similar, chambered in 9mm Largo.

A steel framed pistol chambered in a modern caliber is not obsolete, any more than a bolt-action rifle with a walnut stock in modern chambering. If anything, these are considered "premium".

 

[les.b]

I don't carry mine all that often, but wouldn't sell or trade it:

I bought it back in the late 70's on a special one time exemption of the GCA68.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Racer X]

There must still be quite in demand, as Walther is making new ones here in the US, in Arkansas. https://www.guns.com/news/2019/01/1...-u-s-made-and-ready-to-ship-this-month-photos

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

If you like your Walther, it is not obsolete in your hands.

 

[TomkinsSP]

JMO, my 1905 manufacture IJ .38 S&W is not obsolete. Shooting a 148 grain wadcutter it will get the job done. So your Walther is how much younger?

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I don't carry mine all that often, but wouldn't sell or trade it:

I bought it back in the late 70's on a special one time exemption of the GCA68.

Best Regards, Les

Found a used blue one (.380) a few years back.......a life long Safe Queen.



There are certain classic autos that; if one can afford it, IMO everyone should have!

1911....... full size or Commander
Browning HP/ FN P35
Walther PPK...... some may settle for a PP or PPK/s
Walther P-38
S&W 39
Sig P Series ...... I like the 220 in .45 and the old obsolete 228
Beretta 92........ Full size M9, Centurion or Compact
CZ 75....... maybe a 75B


and a bunch of 3rd Gen S&Ws; to include the 3913NL, 6906,5906, 915.... 4566 and 4505.......

When/where possible get any Performance Center auto....... if you can find them!!!!!


All obsolete....... but all will still get the job done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TomkinsSP]

I still carry a Smith & Wesson manufactured PPK/S.

The only folks I've ever heard argue that the PP Series is "obsolete" are complete fools who don't know the definition of the word. I actually saw a guy argue that the PPK was obsolete and that folks should carry a modern pistol like the SIG P238, seemingly ignorant of the fact that the P238 is based on the 1911, which is a much older design than the PPK...

Reminds me of the young man from the mayor's office who explained that our computer plots of reported crime based upon city blocks was obsolete, I believe his exact word was "antiquated". The City had just purchased a fancy new "Geographic Information System" that allowed precice plotting of activities and incidents based upon longitude and lattitude...

 

[hdfinder47]

Y E S !!! Obsolete and DANGEROUS!!!
The moment Gaston came out with the first polymer pistol (and the first time a 40 cal cartridge was fired) all lesser caliber metal guns were rendered obsolete and SHOULD NO LONGER BE FIRED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
All such guns and ammo should IMMEDIATELY be taken out of service and properly disposed of.
Recommended proper disposal would be to ship the antiquated weapons and ammo to my FFL dealer attention "hdfinder47".
This has been a Public Service Announcement. Glad I could help.

 

[Absalom]

Of course a PPK/S is not obsolete, and with the right ammo will do the job most of the time within its limitations.

But if you make it your carry gun, you should ask yourself whether you do so for the right reason.

1. Did you look at your defensive needs and decide that this is the best gun for the job?

OR

2. Are you in love with the gun, or your self-image as a traditionalist, and are now rationalizing why this is the best gun for you?

All too many people fall under #2, starting with a lot of 1911 aficionados.

 

[Echo40]

Y E S !!! Obsolete and DANGEROUS!!!
The moment Gaston came out with the first polymer pistol (and the first time a 40 cal cartridge was fired) all lesser caliber metal guns were rendered obsolete and SHOULD NO LONGER BE FIRED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
All such guns and ammo should IMMEDIATELY be taken out of service and properly disposed of.
Recommended proper disposal would be to ship the antiquated weapons and ammo to my FFL dealer attention "hdfinder47".
This has been a Public Service Announcement. Glad I could help.

I dunno if you intended this or not, but what makes this especially hilarious is the fact that early .40 S&W Glocks are potentially dangerous due to having inadequate chamber support for the .40 S&W cartridge.

Ah, but then again, there are still a lot of folks who like to pretend that such was actually the fault of the cartridge, and that it's just inherently prone to catastrophic case failure .

Also, Glock didn't make the first polymer framed pistol, Heckler & Koch had them beat by a good decade with the VP-70.

 

[Old TexMex]

If you are in a position which calls for engaging groups of terrorists, or busting in on a cartel fiesta, there are better choices (your partner will agree). If however, you circulate in normal world and know enough from practical experience (your own or learned from those who know), the Walther, one which has been proven accurate and reliable by your own use, should serve to get one out of a jackpot. Obsolete? No sir.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Of course a PPK/S is not obsolete, and with the right ammo will do the job most of the time within its limitations.

But if you make it your carry gun, you should ask yourself whether you do so for the right reason.

1. Did you look at your defensive needs and decide that this is the best gun for the job?

OR

2. Are you in love with the gun, or your self-image as a traditionalist, and are now rationalizing why this is the best gun for you?

All too many people fall under #2, starting with a lot of 1911 aficionados.

There's not a tremendous amount of difference between functional handguns. All will put a bullet into something if used properly.
If you happen to love the one you carry, odds are you will shoot it more often for the enjoyment of it, and become more proficient with it.

We carry what we do because we want to, unless it's an issued piece.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I foolishly traded away a PP in .22lr back in the early 80s

About 12 years ago I went shooting with a friend of my dads and I shot his cherished Walther .22. Not sure if it was a PP or what. But it made me want a Walther in .380 and I specifically waited for an Interams PPK/S (more affordable than German) to show up and one finally did. My dad's friend was left handed like me and he tolerated the right hand thumb rest grips that were on his gun for years saying he didn't know where to find regular grips. I got on Ebay, found a pair, and they showed up at his house a few days later.

 

[hdfinder47]

"I dunno if you intended this or not, but what makes this especially hilarious is the fact that early .40 S&W Glocks are potentially dangerous due to having inadequate chamber support for the .40 S&W cartridge...........
Also, Glock didn't make the first polymer framed pistol, Heckler & Koch had them beat by a good decade with the VP-70."

No, the "especially hilarious" was somewhat unintentional - just trying for "regular funny", lol. Forgot about the VP-70. This reminds me: I need a VP-70 for my collection! Thanks.

 

[dr. mordo]

I don't know if it is obsolete as it will still do the job, but I do know that I bought my last straight blowback .380 many years ago and will never own another. I find them absolutely miserable to shoot, and I don't like to own guns I hate shooting. I had a Interarms PPK/S that I sold a few years back, and that's one of the few sales I don't regret in the slightest.

A Ruger EC9s will outperform a PPK on every conceivable level; if I wanted a subcompact single stack that's what I would get.

 

[Faulkner]

I agree that the PPK/S in .380 ACP is a miserable gun to shoot. I carried one for a number of years and found mine very accurate and very reliable and it was a good concealed carry piece, but I just hated shooting it. It's straight blowback operation combined with the .380 round made it brutal in the hand. If I shot more than a couple of magazines through it at one session I'd end up with a bloody hand from the sharp edges on the slide and sharp recoil unless I was wearing gloves. The double action trigger pull is pretty horrible as well. Even so, I endured it ten years or so until I found something better, but that doesn't mean it's obsolete or even a bad gun.

I finally retired my PPK/S and it's replacement as my backup and concealed carry gun is a Ruger LC9S Pro in 9mm. For me, the LC9S Pro is a better carry gun than the PPK/s. It's just as reliable and plenty accurate, lighter, has a much more user friendly trigger pull and is actually pleasant to shoot. They size comparatively and magazine capacity is the same even though the Ruger is chambered in the more robust 9mm over .380 ACP.

 

[PERA]

I recently fell in love and bought a 1971 Walther PP pristine, NIB, for CONCEALED CARRY, in my pocket with a new "Disanti" holster or inner holster on my waist.
My Walther PP will do the job well, concealed carry for self defense. I brought you from europe, a set of beautiful walnut root grips.

It is a mature choice of an experienced professional based on:

1. It is a brilliant Fritz Walther design, tested for over 90 years went through a World War and a Cold War, was used for decades by the French, German, Swiss, Swedish, Hungarian, Brazilian, Turkish and more police. It proved to be so good, that it is still being manufactured today, without receiving any changes in its design (the extended beaver tail is a minor detail).

2. The manufacturing quality is excellent, since it is all of a forged steel cemented in those parts that deserve it. It has an impeccable finish with a fine blue polish, which is a pleasure to watch.

3. It has a fixed barrel, which gives it excellent precision and the fact that the entire weapon is made of steel ensures precision throughout the life of the weapon, which is not the case with aluminum or polycarbonate frame pistols.
 
4. The heavier weight is balanced and helps control recoil.

5. Seven 380 ACP rounds are sufficient in the hands of an experienced marksman to repel an attack in self defense.

While the 380 ACP caliber is not my first choice, its effectiveness is marginal and it will get the job done.
 If you want a fixed barrel, it is the largest caliber that the simple and precise closing mechanism allows.

6. The DA / SA system is the best for me, because it allows you to carry live ammunition in the chamber safely and instantly, having the ability to shoot with just the pull of the trigger, just as simple and safe as a revolver.
 And successive shots can be accurately and easily controlled thanks to the SA.
 I had a Glock 42, when it was first released, it was better in only one aspect, it was very light and had little recoil, this was due to the Browning locked closure. But I was afraid of an accident because it lacks manual insurance and I did not feel safe carrying a bullet in the bedroom. The Glock 42 is not as accurate as the Walther PP.

A final thought: The armed confrontations are not like the movies where they shoot dozens of shots. In real life, in the first 2 or 3 shots, you either repelled the attack or shot the bad guy or you're dead. Always talking about CITIZEN SELF DEFENSE.

Just my 2 cents.
Luck !