PPK yes or no?
- Thread starter jdh
- Start date
Otherwise, I love them! 
Marshal Tom
Member
I have had a few of them over the years, starting with an Interarms stainless PPK that I had some reliability work done on right away. I also had a German PP .22 that I also had some action work and sights done on and it was great. Next was an Interarms .380 that was great. I foolishly traded it to a local pusher for a new S&W version .380 PPKs. It was a ***! I had sold it to a friend who had nothing but trouble with the gun.
they have sharp edges, they have very stiff springs so they are hard for a woman to operate the slide for jams etc.
I love the design but there are many more modern guns out there that have better reliability and do not have some of the Walther quirks.
Tom
they have sharp edges, they have very stiff springs so they are hard for a woman to operate the slide for jams etc.
I love the design but there are many more modern guns out there that have better reliability and do not have some of the Walther quirks.
Tom
CDawg
Member
I have a stainless Interarms PPK. Had some trigger work and pollishing done at Cylinder and Slide when stationed in Nebraska. Very nice little weapon. It likes Gold Dots and Fiocchi ball ammo the best. Also have the permanent scar on my right thumb from repeated love bites over the years. I'll be keeping it, because it works. It's also very accurate. I don't know much about the S&W version, but I don't like the look of the "beavertail" at all. I prefer the original look. Actually, the little love bites are not painful at all, just enough to let you know it's there every once in a while.
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bad_man_ one
Member
Some clarification on Walther PPK and PPK/S's
With all the questions on the Walther PPK and PPK/S's,
I figured I would add some of my findings.
Please correct me if any of this information is incorrect.
All my little Walthers are Stainless and are from Interarms of Alexandria VA, PPK-.380, PPK/S-.380 and TPH-.22LR and work flawlessly.
If it is a Stainless, it was made in the USA.
Blued Carbon Steel were from W. Germany
I may stand to be corrected here,
But I don't think Smith and Wesson ever picked up making the TPH after Interarms went out of business.
The findings:
From 1953 until Samuel Cummings (the owner) death April 29, 1998 @ 71 in Monaco, Interarms of Alexandria VA imported firearm models from multiple foreign manufacturers.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 limited the size and weight of handguns that could be imported - hence the Walther PPK was barred because it was too small.
To comply with GCA68, imported handguns have to score a minimum number of points.
Walther was able to accomplish this by combined the frame of a Walther PP with the slide of a PPK, and thus the Walther PPK/S was born.
Walther manufactured the PPK/S in Ulm Germany until the mid-70's when economics and a licensing agreement with Interarms moved production to the USA.
From 1978 to 1999, USA Walther PPK/S were manufactured by Ranger Manufacturing in Gadsden Alabama and distributed by Interarms(Formerly Interarmco).
The Ranger Manufacturing Co. was once Black Creek Manufacturing Co.
Swith & Wesson began manufacturing the Walther PPK and PPK/S in Houlton Maine in 2001.
Just in, adds to the confusion:
Interarms had a license from Walther Germany and the PPK/S was made by Mid-South Industries in Gadsden, Alabama for Interarms.
(See page 110 of the great coffee-table book "Walther, A German Legend" by Manfred Kersten).
Here is a cool link, scroll down to Ranger Manufacturing Co., Inc., Gadsden, AL - page 139:
http://www.vpc.org/graphics/prod2002.pdf
Try an internet search "Sam Cummings, 71, Trade In Weapons on a Grand Scale" to find the obituary and there is also some wiki info out there.
Regards,
BM1
With all the questions on the Walther PPK and PPK/S's,
I figured I would add some of my findings.
Please correct me if any of this information is incorrect.
All my little Walthers are Stainless and are from Interarms of Alexandria VA, PPK-.380, PPK/S-.380 and TPH-.22LR and work flawlessly.
If it is a Stainless, it was made in the USA.
Blued Carbon Steel were from W. Germany
I may stand to be corrected here,
But I don't think Smith and Wesson ever picked up making the TPH after Interarms went out of business.
The findings:
From 1953 until Samuel Cummings (the owner) death April 29, 1998 @ 71 in Monaco, Interarms of Alexandria VA imported firearm models from multiple foreign manufacturers.
The Gun Control Act of 1968 limited the size and weight of handguns that could be imported - hence the Walther PPK was barred because it was too small.
To comply with GCA68, imported handguns have to score a minimum number of points.
Walther was able to accomplish this by combined the frame of a Walther PP with the slide of a PPK, and thus the Walther PPK/S was born.
Walther manufactured the PPK/S in Ulm Germany until the mid-70's when economics and a licensing agreement with Interarms moved production to the USA.
From 1978 to 1999, USA Walther PPK/S were manufactured by Ranger Manufacturing in Gadsden Alabama and distributed by Interarms(Formerly Interarmco).
The Ranger Manufacturing Co. was once Black Creek Manufacturing Co.
Swith & Wesson began manufacturing the Walther PPK and PPK/S in Houlton Maine in 2001.
Just in, adds to the confusion:
Interarms had a license from Walther Germany and the PPK/S was made by Mid-South Industries in Gadsden, Alabama for Interarms.
(See page 110 of the great coffee-table book "Walther, A German Legend" by Manfred Kersten).
Here is a cool link, scroll down to Ranger Manufacturing Co., Inc., Gadsden, AL - page 139:
http://www.vpc.org/graphics/prod2002.pdf
Try an internet search "Sam Cummings, 71, Trade In Weapons on a Grand Scale" to find the obituary and there is also some wiki info out there.
Regards,
BM1
lhump1961
US Veteran
Check out a Bersa Thunder .380 and you might like it just as much for way less. Mine has run flawless for a few years now.
Same idea as a PPK but it actually works all the time.
I have the PPK and my Dad has the Bersa. Both are fine. Some people like to rag on a gun based only on what they "hear" about them and I wonder if they ever shot or owned one. My PPK has been a great performer and it is my main carry due to it's easy conceal and I trust it. I own over 30 guns and am a proud owner of a PPK.
cat328
Member
you might try to find a walther ppsuper. a little larger but most are 9x18 ultra. some are a little pricey too. great concealable gun.
also the kahr cw9 is a very nice carry gun. the trigger takes some getting used to.
also the kahr cw9 is a very nice carry gun. the trigger takes some getting used to.
Engine49guy
Member
(Quote)
If it is a Stainless, it was made in the USA.
Blued Carbon Steel were from W. Germany
I Think thats incorrect
While most of the Interarms made in USA PPK guns that I see are stainless
I have a blued PPK that sais made in USA under license to Walther and is stamped Interarms,
has an AO25xx serial, looks identicle to my Stainless one.
I carried them and loved them until I bought my HK version of the Mauser HSc called the HK4
It is much lighter than both and can interchange to 4 different calibers including .380, 32, 25 and 22lr.
but thats another story.
Just wanted to add that on a side note Nazi Waffenampt PPK s do pop up for like $2500 on occassion,
I used to see Manhurins on occasion but they seemd less attractive somehow even though almost identicle .
Probably the rollstamps that turned me off.
Had a coworker show me a NIB Manhurin PPks the other day in deep blue.
Also had another show me an older Interarms import made post war in Germany with the mottled brown grips.
I wouldnt hesitate to carry one and never had any issues with my Interarms guns.
They are kinda retired and so are safe guns now.
Maybe its time to pull them out for some pics.
If it is a Stainless, it was made in the USA.
Blued Carbon Steel were from W. Germany
I Think thats incorrect
While most of the Interarms made in USA PPK guns that I see are stainless
I have a blued PPK that sais made in USA under license to Walther and is stamped Interarms,
has an AO25xx serial, looks identicle to my Stainless one.
I carried them and loved them until I bought my HK version of the Mauser HSc called the HK4
It is much lighter than both and can interchange to 4 different calibers including .380, 32, 25 and 22lr.
but thats another story.
Just wanted to add that on a side note Nazi Waffenampt PPK s do pop up for like $2500 on occassion,
I used to see Manhurins on occasion but they seemd less attractive somehow even though almost identicle .
Probably the rollstamps that turned me off.
Had a coworker show me a NIB Manhurin PPks the other day in deep blue.
Also had another show me an older Interarms import made post war in Germany with the mottled brown grips.
I wouldnt hesitate to carry one and never had any issues with my Interarms guns.
They are kinda retired and so are safe guns now.
Maybe its time to pull them out for some pics.
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bad_man_ one
Member
The Blued Carbon Steel were from Walther's original factory which was located in Zella-Mehlis in the state (Land) of Thuringia.
As that part of Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union following World War II,
Walther was forced to flee to West Germany, where they established a new factory in Ulm.
However, for several years following the war, the Allied powers forbade any manufacture of weapons in Germany.
As a result, in 1952, Walther licensed production of the PP series pistols to a French company,
Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin, also known as Manurhin.
The French company continued to manufacture the PP series until 1986.
In fact, all postwar European-made PP series pistols manufactured until 1986 were manufactured by Manurhin,
even though the pistol slide may bear the markings of the Walther factory in Ulm.
The State of Thuringia was restored with slightly altered borders during Germany's reunification in 1990.
(See post #24 of this thread)
In 1978, Ranger Manufacturing of Gadsden, Alabama was licensed to manufacture the PPK and PPK/S;
this version was distributed by Interarms of Alexandria, Virginia.
This license was eventually canceled.
Starting in 2002, Smith & Wesson (S&W) began manufacturing the PPK and PPK/S under license.
If it is a Stainless, it was made in the USA.
Check out Earl's Repair Service, Inc.
437R Chandler Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Phone: 978-851-2656
Earl's([email protected])
He is the importer for the real German Walther's, not the S&W's.
But do not mention the words "Smith and Wesson" around him...............
Regards,
BM1
As that part of Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union following World War II,
Walther was forced to flee to West Germany, where they established a new factory in Ulm.
However, for several years following the war, the Allied powers forbade any manufacture of weapons in Germany.
As a result, in 1952, Walther licensed production of the PP series pistols to a French company,
Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin, also known as Manurhin.
The French company continued to manufacture the PP series until 1986.
In fact, all postwar European-made PP series pistols manufactured until 1986 were manufactured by Manurhin,
even though the pistol slide may bear the markings of the Walther factory in Ulm.
The State of Thuringia was restored with slightly altered borders during Germany's reunification in 1990.
(See post #24 of this thread)
In 1978, Ranger Manufacturing of Gadsden, Alabama was licensed to manufacture the PPK and PPK/S;
this version was distributed by Interarms of Alexandria, Virginia.
This license was eventually canceled.
Starting in 2002, Smith & Wesson (S&W) began manufacturing the PPK and PPK/S under license.
If it is a Stainless, it was made in the USA.
Check out Earl's Repair Service, Inc.
437R Chandler Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Phone: 978-851-2656
Earl's([email protected])
He is the importer for the real German Walther's, not the S&W's.
But do not mention the words "Smith and Wesson" around him...............
Regards,
BM1
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The PPK is an 80-year old design that is large and heavy for the magazine capacity and power. They are blow-back and recoil is sharp for only a .380.
Many compact 9x19 pistols are smaller, lighter, have equal or greater magazine capacity and recoil less. Most any modern locked-breech .380 will be much smaller, much lighter, have equal magazine capacity, may have better sights and many will cost less.
My current .380 of choice is a Kahr P380, but a Kel-Tec P3AT will do fine for half as much. Stay away from the blow-back tiny .380s. They are brutal to shoot.
Many compact 9x19 pistols are smaller, lighter, have equal or greater magazine capacity and recoil less. Most any modern locked-breech .380 will be much smaller, much lighter, have equal magazine capacity, may have better sights and many will cost less.
My current .380 of choice is a Kahr P380, but a Kel-Tec P3AT will do fine for half as much. Stay away from the blow-back tiny .380s. They are brutal to shoot.
JoeS
Member
Somewhere in the story of Walther is the Manhurin connection. In the late 1980s PPK/s models in .22 and .380 started showing up marked Manhurin, Made in France. At least one article I read claimed that Manhurin had been making all of the Walthers since after the war that were marked "Made in Germany". The story being that guns are marked made in whatever country that final finishing and proofing is done in.
I actually put some credence in this because I saw a "Walther" .22 target model PPK/s, in the Walther box, marked "made in Germany" on the slide but it had a frame marked Manhurin.
In any case I have two Manhurin PPK/s pistols, one .22 and one .380. They are finished equal to what I was seeing in the 1970s-80s era Walthers, shoot wonderfully. Sometimes you still see a Manhurin here and there and people are leery of them because they're not used to the name, a real bargain potential exists with them if you're not hung up on names.
I actually put some credence in this because I saw a "Walther" .22 target model PPK/s, in the Walther box, marked "made in Germany" on the slide but it had a frame marked Manhurin.
In any case I have two Manhurin PPK/s pistols, one .22 and one .380. They are finished equal to what I was seeing in the 1970s-80s era Walthers, shoot wonderfully. Sometimes you still see a Manhurin here and there and people are leery of them because they're not used to the name, a real bargain potential exists with them if you're not hung up on names.
BEARMAN
Member
I own an early model Walther ppk in .32 acp. It is the Thuringia made Walther. Nice bluing and brown mottled grips.
Mostly a safe queen now.
What was the last year these Walthers were made in Thuringia before they moved their operation to Ulm, Germany?
-Bearman
Mostly a safe queen now.
What was the last year these Walthers were made in Thuringia before they moved their operation to Ulm, Germany?
-Bearman
Hurryin' Hoosier
US Veteran
OP
jdh
US Veteran
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Of course it is BUT, you do understand the significance of the design in firearms history don't you?
Why is it invariably that when someone asks an opinion about a certain pistol, many chime in and reply, "Why don't you get a Kahr, Sig, etc...". If you don't know anything about the pistol in question, in this case the PPK, why don't you KEEP QUIET-READ and you might get informed about something!
Oh yes, I have the InterArms version, know nothing about the S&W, so I really can't say anything like many of you....
Oh yes, I have the InterArms version, know nothing about the S&W, so I really can't say anything like many of you....
Maximumbob54
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I'm only talking bad about the Interarms PPK's since that is all I have stove piped. I mean double feed. Oops, I mean next round won't feed. Darn it, I mean how did this unfired cartridge get stuck pointing out of the ejector port??? Fudge this thing. Take this back and don't ever let me "shoot" it again. Sorry, but that was my experience with one and some UMC FMJ from Wally World. I watched as different mags were tried, it was field stripped, a drop of oil on the rails, gentle pull to stretch the spring out of desperation, and the poor guy never could get it to run right even when he bought some of the range's ammo. But my cheap-o Bersa gobbled up all that UMC and I went home smiling.
I have both Interarms PPK & PPK/S in stainless.
No problems with either other than sharp edges and underpowered, although the blowback operation gives a sharp recoil for the .380 which makes it feel like you're shooting something larger.
I've quit carrying either and now carry a S&W 642 in .38 and sometimes my Glock 26 Neither of these are as flat and concealable as the PPK but they are better equalizers.
No problems with either other than sharp edges and underpowered, although the blowback operation gives a sharp recoil for the .380 which makes it feel like you're shooting something larger.
I've quit carrying either and now carry a S&W 642 in .38 and sometimes my Glock 26 Neither of these are as flat and concealable as the PPK but they are better equalizers.
Gatorbaiter
Absent Comrade
I love my PPK's & PPKS, but none of them are S&W's:
Interarms PPKS 380:
ULM 380 PPK with Robar plating & Tulipwood stocks:
ULM 22 PPK with S&W sight, widened trigger, Nill stocks. I love this little gun!!:
Interarms PPKS 380:
ULM 380 PPK with Robar plating & Tulipwood stocks:
ULM 22 PPK with S&W sight, widened trigger, Nill stocks. I love this little gun!!:
MR. IHC
US Veteran
i just bought a s&w walther, very happy. just make sure the recall has been done. my dealer had it done before he put it out for sale.
Due to the widely differing experiences of PPK/S users, I did not
buy one. There isn't anyplace around here that I know of to rent
firearms, so if I wanted to try one for myself, I'd have had to buy
one, and if it was a loser, try to recoup my loss.
However, I did eventually end up with a MPA380, that is a little
snappy at 11.8 oz., and as mentioned above, has "character".
It does go "bang" every time I use it though. Good enough for me.
Glad this thread came up, it puts my mind at ease about the PPK/S.
TACC1
buy one. There isn't anyplace around here that I know of to rent
firearms, so if I wanted to try one for myself, I'd have had to buy
one, and if it was a loser, try to recoup my loss.
However, I did eventually end up with a MPA380, that is a little
snappy at 11.8 oz., and as mentioned above, has "character".
It does go "bang" every time I use it though. Good enough for me.
Glad this thread came up, it puts my mind at ease about the PPK/S.
TACC1
joseph whitney
Member
Six months ago I would have said, Avoid the S&W like the plague but I recently bought a S&W PPK very, very cheap to try to resell it. I decided to give it a try at the range and was very surprised to find it didn't jam, fed properly and was quite accurate so I have given it a go. Still for resale at least in my part of the country, they are slow to sell. The Interarms version goes for $450 to $600 and are usually gone the next day when advertised on KSL classifieds. If I planned to keep it, I would not be afraid to own one or else I just got a hold of a good one.
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