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

[Wyatt Burp]

This is just a rhetorical question based on what I recall reading in recent years about the Walther PPK/S (or PPK,PP). I love this little Interarms PPK/S .380 I bought a few years back. But it seems with all the more high cap, powerful, lighter, smaller pocket autos out nowadays this gun is relegated to respected nostalgia as a classic gun but impractical compared to the new guns. Personally, I don't automatically think something loses it's usefulness just because of new technology. That's tools, cars, guns, etc. So I'll just stick with the old stuff and watch the world past me by.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Some would say it becomes elevated to a higher status as a classic...

 

[Breakaway500]

I'm with ya....obsolete metal guns in obsolete calibers..who need them?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Heck no ....... there's a new James Bond movie about every two years!!!!!

I'm a strong believer that new means "new" not necessarily "better" or "improved"

My stainless .380 PPK dates to the mid-1980s and still gets carried in a Milt Sparks Summer Special when I wear a suit or Tux..... or go to a J Bond movie!!!!!

My Smith 3913 and NL date to the early 90s and are my usual every day carry here in the Burbs or the Burgh.


No reason to change.

 

[sigp220.45]

Hahaha, I often think the same thing.

My days of shooting sassy bandits are behind me now, but should the need arise I'm sure one of my Colt Pocket Hammerlesses would be up to the task.

.32 or .380? Toss a coin.

I carry guns that I like, and that will do what I need them to do. I'm sure there are guns smaller and lighter and more powerful and with more rounds than either of these two 100 plus year old Colts. I don't care. I like these.

Obsolete? Not hardly. Chuck Heston had one in The Planet of the Apes!

 

[growr]

Obsolete does NOT equal inferior!
Your Walther is a very fine handgun in ALL aspects, carry it with pride.
Randy

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Heck no ....... there's a new James Bond movie about every two years!!!!!

I'm a strong believer that new means "new" not necessarily "better" or "improved"

My stainless .380 PPK dates to the mid-1980s and still gets carried in a Milt Sparks Summer Special when I wear a suit or Tux..... or go to a J Bond movie!!!!!

My Smith 3913 and NL date to the early 90s and are my usual every day carry here in the Burbs or the Burgh.


No reason to change.

When my son left the Marines in 2005 I bought him a used Beretta 92 as a gift, but he said he'd rather have my 3913. So I gave him it instead. Since I only really like older stuff, the 3913 seems modern to me. My friend looks at my nickel 39-2 as an antique!

 

[KSDeputy]

I collect Walther pistols. They will never be out of date to me.

 

[raylan007]

There is a great review of the Walther PPK and all the mystic that surrounds it especially when us older types were envying Sean Connery as James Bond on "The Truth About Guns" and how mystic still lives on especially in my mind. When I went looking for my first semi auto this year it was the first model that popped into my mind before I had done any research and just happened on to the article which just crushed all my fantasies for owning a PPK. Apparently the author points out the many draw backs of Bonds selection of the PPK even in his rein of Bond and how it was dictated to him from the home office at the time to upgrade to, **** I can't remember the caliber or mfg but will try and find the article and post it. Anyway that was my education on the old romanticized vision of owning one and I sure as hell wouldn't criticize anyone else from owning one but I did back down from my original thought of owning a Walther PPK, and yes ended up purchasing a Walther PPQ, so all was not lost. This review is a very good read especially if you grew up as I did thinking there could and still be only one true James Bond and that would always be Sean Connery.

Gun Review: Interarms Walther PPK/S - The Truth About Guns

 

[Zarr]

To Wyatt Burp I agree with you, and am happy to carry what works, regardless of age.

Thank you Breakway500 for posting your P64. Even though I own other guns (Walther/Makarov/S&W etc) I carry my P64 every day in my pocket at my office. It's much more discreet in my pocket when I am with a patient, as opposed to the .40 Shield or 4013tsw I wear on my belt on the weekends (and wearing casual clothes).

 

[Bro. Dave]

As my long-suffering wife will testify, my firm belief is that the "obsolete metal guns" and "newer, lighter, more powerful guns" question is NOT an either/or question. My conviction is that "both/and" is the answer!

 

[bigggbbruce]

More powerful..?? Does the same ammo produce less power in older guns..?

A 380 is still a 380.. and older Walthers are classics..

 

[Absalom]

I think there is a difference between "obsolete" and "no longer the best available tool for the job"

And having devoted some study to the subject, I need to put your "in recent years" a bit in perspective.

About 50 years ago, starting with the urban terrorism beginning in the late 1960s and peaking in the mid-1970s, German police, the main users of the PP/PPK series, began clamoring for better guns because the "Waltherchen" (little Walthers) left them quite under-gunned against terrorists whose favorite guns were pistols like the Colt Commander. The result were more modern designs, the P5, P6, and PSP/P7 in 9mm by the late 70s.

So this recognition of their limitations isn't exactly recent.

I love my PP. In fact, I think the PP is one of the most perfectly designed pistols with classic and classy appearance. But I wouldn't carry it for self-defense unless there was no other option.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

More powerful..?? Does the same ammo produce less power in older guns..?

A 380 is still a 380.. and older Walthers are classics..

I meant the fact that there are lots of smaller lighter guns in 9MM and .40 than my PPK/S .380. And much smaller .380s available now, too. I have a bohemoth Colt New Service .45 ACP with a 2 1/2" barrel that I packed hanging out in the desert. That would be a good example of weight and size overkill compared to lighter "practical" .45s. Yet I still choose such guns.

 

[URIT]

I carried revolvers on and off duty for years. Now, I'm attracted to the Gen3 S&W pistols from yesteryear, but do carry a Walther PPS40 in the summer when North Carolina humidity and the need for concealment forces me to choose a smaller option. Most of the year, I opt for either my 3953 or 4053 for EDC.

I've never felt comfortable with pocket carry. I feel uncomfortable carrying a card wallet and money clip in one pocket and keys in the other. I empty my pockets as soon as I get in the house.

When considering the Bond connection to the PPK, we need to consider when the first movie came out and what was available. The PPK is a great Tux gun -- ask Bam-Bam. The PPK was "The Statement Gun" in the 1960s. Even in the mid-60s, many police officers in Europe were carrying the .380ACP or .380Auto (also known as the .380 Browning after its inventor) as their duty pistol. In reality, the .380ACP is a true 9mm measuring .355".

I like the old but appreciate the new. Ask my range pals if I've ever turned down an opportunity to fire their newest and greatest gun.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Yet I still choose such guns.

So do I, because the feel of a gun in my hand that both fits in the grip and enough weight to not sprain my wrist when shooting it are my priorities.

 

[otis24]

I would say that the improvement in bullet design for the .380 makes it more relevant than ever before. A classic, elegant design.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Over the years I have owned a German PP .22, a stainless and a blue PPKs in .380. I loved all of them for what they were. Wish I still had the Blue PPKs. They are beautiful little pistols displaying fine craftsmanship. Having said that, I found them to have sharp edges and felt that the .380's were somewhat snappy. There are just other more modern designs that are about the same size in 9mm now, that I find to be more practical for carry.

 

[Porkie]

If you go over the Bond history you will quickly determine that the author was a Naval intelligence officer, not a gun guy. He got a gun expert to brief him and then misunderstood what he was told.

Specifically the Walther PPK .762 was suggested and a Berns Martin Triple Draw holster. To replace his Beretta .25 in some kind of soft shoulder holster.

Anyway, the Berns-Martin is fine for a small .38 revolver. I have one and use it routinely. A Walther of course would fall out if used in the shoulder holster configuration. Which Bond is portrayed as using.

Regards, Porkie

 

[Imissedagain]

Try an LCP, G42 or any DAO action polygun vs a PPKs Walther or even our S&Walther PPKs ..... offhand at 20yds.... no contest as after the doubletap ..... the PPKs pistols are very accurate.

Only down side to Heavy Metal pistols is wearing a belt that can scratch a Palm Beach finish if boats are in the daily mix.

Snappy is not an issue.

 

[Camster]

Some would say it becomes elevated to a higher status as a classic...

I agree.Classics are timeless, and they also look good doing their thing.

(More modern stuff out there, but a DC3 and National Model 1900 register, also fit into that category)

 

[LVSteve]

The major factor that the PPK/S has over many of the polymer guns is slimness. The only other .380s that come close or beat it are the Ruger LC380 and the Taurus 738 (IIRC). The Sig 238 is also small but getting blocky around the top of the slide.

The Ruger, Taurus and the Sig all win over the Walther design as they are locked breech designs so are easier to rack and exhibit less felt recoil because of physics. If you go to a Sig 250SC in .380 you get a 12-15 round gun only a little bulkier than the PPK/S. Sadly, that model is discontinued.

 

[double-dipper]

No way Jose In my opinion the Walther's will never be obsolete. You can succumb to the plastic fantastic craze if you want too, but as for me I like steel guns. And keep in mind John Mosses Browning developed the 380 ACP back in 1908. That's 111 years and still going strong. Are there better choices heck yes lots of them, but the 380 has stood the test of time.

 

[ggibson511960]

Blowback vs. Locked Breach

Critics and fans of the new generation of .380 pocket guns, as compared to Walthers, have overlooked the basic action type of the PPK/S, blowback. Nothing wrong with blowback, and they are probably a tiny bit more reliable than Browning locking block actions, but blowback slides have to be heavier than locking block slides, or have impossibly stiff recoil springs. Walthers have aluminum frames lest they weigh too much.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Only down side to Heavy Metal pistols is wearing a belt that can scratch a Palm Beach finish if boats are in the daily mix.

I hear 'ya there.. I work under the hood of many cars and trucks. AIWB means I have to be real careful or disarm. Well almost, the bug stays put.

 

[Trooper224]

There are more modern pistols that will do everything a PPK can do better than a PPK. That being said, a PPK does what it does as well as it ever has. You make your choices and take your chances. Personally, long ago I stopped making choices based upon the opinions of others, or seeking validation for them.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I know for many there's the burning desire to get the latest/greatest gun each year. Lighter, smaller, color coordinated, works as a remote for your TV, gets 4G LTE coverage, etc.

But seriously, until and unless this is the new thing on the market

then anything that shoots a centerfire round reliably isn't "obsolete".

 

[ColbyBruce]

Not obsolete but there are a plethora of possible better firearms available in the same weight/size/power/price range so one would be wise to consider the various offerings.

I used a PP in these photos. If you compare it to a Shield and a Glock 43 you immediately see the Walther has serious competition.

 

[Laketime]

No there are still plenty out there who do not care for the toy like feel of the poly guns.Nothing wrong with a .380,shot placement is everything.

 

[murphydog]

I see the OP answered his own question . I like the PP series and think they still make for a serious sidearm.

In the novel, JB carried a Beretta 418 or Panther, until forced to carry the .32 PPK..."hits like a brick through a plate glass window".