RogerA
Member
Thinking about a S&W version of the PPK. Your thoughts please? Thanks.
Opinions please, on the S&W version of the Walther PPK.
- Thread starter RogerA
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My dept bought about a dozen for administrative personnel and returned them for exchange due to various malfunctions that the factory could not repair. We accepted J frame 38's but do not recall the model.
Check out this thread: Walther PP 7.65mm
The early ones were very problematic. By the end of their run, Smith got it together and built some decent, reliable guns.
kilo charlie
Member
Mine has been 100% reliable. I got one of the models post recall. I like it a lot.
lrb1200
Member
Skip it and buy the real deal,
a little slide bite once in a while is worth it.
a little slide bite once in a while is worth it.
97ViperGTS
Member
Can't speak to the Smith&Wesson, but I can to two others:
My Interarms PPK was not reliable even after having it reworked by a Walther "specialist". It was a money pit just like the Walther TPH .22LR. OMG... totally unreliable Jam-o-Matic ***.
The latest Walther USA from Ft. Smith, Arkansas... Now that's the ticket! I have their PPK/s and it's a real PIG... it eats anything you give it. Totally reliable!
(Oh yeah... and no "bite" either!)
My Interarms PPK was not reliable even after having it reworked by a Walther "specialist". It was a money pit just like the Walther TPH .22LR. OMG... totally unreliable Jam-o-Matic ***.
The latest Walther USA from Ft. Smith, Arkansas... Now that's the ticket! I have their PPK/s and it's a real PIG... it eats anything you give it. Totally reliable!
(Oh yeah... and no "bite" either!)
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Alk8944
US Veteran
I bought a used S&W .380 PPK several years ago. I had hammer follow with it and it was sent to Walther USA by the dealer and it was repaired and has had no issues since it was returned.
My issue with the gun was the lengthened "knuckle" that was added by S&W to prevent hammer bite. The knuckle itself took the hide off the second joint of my thumb, far worse problem than I have ever had with any gun due to hammer bite! Re-shaped the knuckle to be like original Walther guns and that
problem disappeared.
I would rather have a real Walther of course, but I only paid $400 for the S&W gun.
I have several Mec-Gar magazines for the gun and have never had any magazine related issues with it.
Bottom line, if you want it and the price is right buy it! Walther USA services warranty issues for S&W if needed.
My issue with the gun was the lengthened "knuckle" that was added by S&W to prevent hammer bite. The knuckle itself took the hide off the second joint of my thumb, far worse problem than I have ever had with any gun due to hammer bite! Re-shaped the knuckle to be like original Walther guns and that
problem disappeared.
I would rather have a real Walther of course, but I only paid $400 for the S&W gun.
I have several Mec-Gar magazines for the gun and have never had any magazine related issues with it.
Bottom line, if you want it and the price is right buy it! Walther USA services warranty issues for S&W if needed.
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Mine is a Interarms SS and have had no problems at all with it.
I have an Interarms PPK/s .380. It's been reliable. But I had to use a mill file to round off the bottom edges of the slide to keep it from slicing up the web of my hand.
Inusuit
Member
Interarms version here. No issues. Shot a fair amount by students in our basic pistol class. Large and heavy for caliber. Fellow instructor has the S&W version that has also functioned without failure. I don't know where his came in the sequence of production. Seems any of them with the possible exception of the original are hit or miss when it comes to reliability.
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As sort of a "purist" and self admitted "gun snob" (still a nice person though - LOL) I usually ONLY buy the original or "real deal" when it comes to guns. When I bought any Browning long guns and pistols they HAD TO BE from Belgium. When I bought Single Action Army Revolvers they HAD TO BE Colt's. When I bought an M1 Garand it had to be used in WW2 and not a modern replica. When I buy a M15, 18, 66, etc. it has to be a vintage one with the original manufacturing spec's and without cast parts, the I/L and barrel inserts. NOT criticizing anyone who believes differently - not at all, just stating what I do.
So if I ever wanted to buy a Walther PP or PPK it would have to have been a genuine Walther and not one made under license by another company. Once again, this is just me and I fault no one for thinking differently. It's just my DNA.
I sometimes ponder just how much more money I could have saved if I didn't have this "issue". BTW, when I competed in SASS matches for 20+ years I was one of the very very few who actually shot genuine Colt SAA's with Ivory grips. Many others had them but used Umberti's or Ruger's to shoot the matches with. Maybe I am the dummy but I sure did enjoy myself!
So if I ever wanted to buy a Walther PP or PPK it would have to have been a genuine Walther and not one made under license by another company. Once again, this is just me and I fault no one for thinking differently. It's just my DNA.
I sometimes ponder just how much more money I could have saved if I didn't have this "issue". BTW, when I competed in SASS matches for 20+ years I was one of the very very few who actually shot genuine Colt SAA's with Ivory grips. Many others had them but used Umberti's or Ruger's to shoot the matches with. Maybe I am the dummy but I sure did enjoy myself!
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I picked one up a few years ago. It need the recall repair. Got rid of it instead.
Traded my Interarms version for a Model 15-3 snub years ago. I got the better of the deal.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I like the Walther "Fort Smith" version. My only complaint is that the magazines do not appear to be compatible between the different manufacturers. Particulary the 22LR version, anyone know if this is true or just me?
I had an Interarms that I bought mid 80's. Fired one clip through it and never shot it again. 2 years ago I sold it, and inherited a Talo S&W engraved model that had a recall on it. I sent it to Walther down south, and they fixed it and quickly sent it back.
I promptly gave it to #2 son
I promptly gave it to #2 son
