Question about Walther PK-380

[usaadjuster]

I am looking for a home self defense pistol for my wife (grandma). Due to (strength/minor arthritis) she cannot pull the slide back on my daughters 9mm shield.
She also wants something a little -- less throw back than the 9mm.
In my research, I saw the Walther PK-380 - weighs 19.4 oz so I think throw back will be minimal. Also boast that can pull slide back with 2 fingers. U-tube video bears this out.
The reviews that I have read mostly dates back to 2009 and there seemed to be a problem with case ejection. The last thing I would want with a life at stake is a jammed weapon.
I have not seen anything recent and hopefully they have that worked out. Your thoughts please!
thanks,

 

[s&wchad]

Why not get her a .38 revolver? A Model 10-anything should be perfect.

 

[peyton]

You need a revolver, the ultimate "point and click" defense gun. I like the 32's less recoil than a .38. What you need to do is find a range that rents guns, take her in and give them a test drive.
You did not mention her age and whether she has handled guns before. Another thing to consider is what is the purpose of the gun? For home defense a 20 gauge shotgun does right well.

 

[chicagoslim]

I've shot, carried and collected Walther's, for many years. I consider the .380's to be harder and more painful to shoot, than any other gun.

Now that I'm older and have arthritis, I carry S&W J-Frames (models 36, 37, 60, 637). My wife and I both shoot them regularly at the range. For home defense, a larger gun like a model 10, would be even better.

The pistol that I really like and recommend, is the Walther P99, 9mm, with the Anti-stress trigger system. It has 3 trigger modes: Single Action, Double Action and Anti-Stress with a long but light, double action. In an actual shooting situation, adrenaline flows, your hands shake, and you mind my not be working clearly. The P99 can be decocked into a double action or Anti-Stress mode, so that you don't shoot anyone (or yourself), by accident.

The P99 is safe and much easier to shoot than a .380 PPK/S. Walther made a version for S&W - SW99, and Magnum Resource MR9 Eagle. I carry the MR9, which has a frame and AS trigger, made by Walther, and a barrel and slide, made here in the US. It is slightly beefier than the P99, but still only weighs about 25 Oz's. It's easy and safe for my wife to handle (or me with my arthritis).

I hope this helps.

 

[Rule3]

I think any of the blow back guns have more felt recoil for the small caliber they shoot. Pulling back the slide(any gun) is hard for many women especially elderly. A lot of women do not like to shoot 38 revolvers.

If it was my Mom or Wife I would have her try a Beretta 32 Auto. Yes it's a blowback but has a meaty grip and tip up barrel, so not slide racking needed.

Go to the range as mentioned and have her try some guns is the best way.

 

[rockquarry]

Semi-autos are poor choices for non-gun people.

 

[sophie]

Semi-autos are poor choices for non-gun people.

I agree on this. Consider a small revolver in 38 special, maybe a airweight. For someone not familar with guns the revolver doesn't require a lot of thinking. Just pull the trigger.

__________
James

 

[Rule3]

Semi-autos are poor choices for non-gun people.

Most Non gun people can not shoot a snub nose 38 to "save their life"

"Grandma with arthritis) will "pull" the shot way off and can barely pull the DA trigger, then be "shell shocked" by the recoil and never want to fire it again.

 

[LVSteve]

IIRC correctly the PK 380 is a locked breech gun, not a blowback like the PPK/S in 380.

 

[usaadjuster]

Thanks guys, I agree that we will have to rent a few at the range and let her decide which one feels the most comfortable.

 

[Rule3]

IIRC correctly the PK 380 is a locked breech gun, not a blowback like the PPK/S in 380.

Yes, you are correct ,so it should be a little better on recoil.

JMO but I do not think much of the new Walther such as this or the 22 LR. They seem to be made of some cheap metal, almost pot metal like. The require a tool to disassemble.

Here is Jeff Quinn ( I never tried a pistol I didn't like.) I do like him and his reviews. He is a neat guy and even answers e mail!
Wish I had his gig.!

Walther PK380 Semi-Automatic .380 ACP Pistol

 

[Gunslinger808]

The only issue I have with the PK .380 is no manual slide lock/release.
Only way to lock the slide is with an empty mag, to most not that big a deal, but it just bothers me.

 

[sipowicz]

A .22 revolver is your best bet...a hit from a low recoil .22 is better than a miss from a .38 or .380...

 

[Rule3]

Yes even a 22 mag revolver would be more better

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

I agree that a Model 10 would be better. Especially a 3" heavy barrel.

Personally, between the Wife and I, we own a Bersa Thunder 380, which

is a clone of the Walther PPK/s, Beretta Model 70S, 84, 85, and 86. Also

a Sig P232 and Colt Mustang Series 80.

We find that the Worst recoil is with the Bersa/Walther.

The most comfortable to shoot are the Beretta 85 and 86.

For the Lady in question, we would suggest the Beretta 86 because it

has a tip-up barrel. Beretta Web - model 86

The Model 85 is the same as the 86, but without the tip-up feature.

The 84, because of it's slightly shorter barrel is slightly "Barkier". The

84 has 13 rounds in the mag and 1 chambered.

The 85/86 are My favorites.

Only draw back is trying to find either 85 or 86 at a good (under $550) price.

A M-10 is most likely the best and easiest for an older woman. Easier all the way around.

 

[DeadAye]

An M-10 or 3" J-Frame loaded with wad cutters.
Have a trigger job done if it would help her.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The Beretta 86 seems like a great idea, couldn't find one or get one ordered in by Vance's. The new PK380 is nothing like a PPK or PPK/S. It is larger and polimer framed, and I think, lots more fun to shoot. There is a same sized PK22. My brother bought both: his wife (has carpultunnel and arthuritis) saw the 22 and never said a word, just took it, loaded it, shot it empty, reladed it and put in a kitchen drawer! That is high gun praise from her. Ivan

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

While not as common, I would not rule out a good quality .32 S&W Long revolver. An older Charter Arms Undercover or the new S&W models.

 

[Texas Star]

Aloha,

I agree that a Model 10 would be better. Especially a 3" heavy barrel.

Personally, between the Wife and I, we own a Bersa Thunder 380, which

is a clone of the Walther PPK/s, Beretta Model 70S, 84, 85, and 86. Also

a Sig P232 and Colt Mustang Series 80.

We find that the Worst recoil is with the Bersa/Walther.

The most comfortable to shoot are the Beretta 85 and 86.

For the Lady in question, we would suggest the Beretta 86 because it

has a tip-up barrel. Beretta Web - model 86

The Model 85 is the same as the 86, but without the tip-up feature.

The 84, because of it's slightly shorter barrel is slightly "Barkier". The

84 has 13 rounds in the mag and 1 chambered.

The 85/86 are My favorites.

Only draw back is trying to find either 85 or 86 at a good (under $550) price.

A M-10 is most likely the best and easiest for an older woman. Easier all the way around.

You need to look more carefully at your Beretta models. Only the 86 has the tip-up barrel, and the 84 and 85 are identical, except that the 84 has a double-column magazine. I don't see how a shorter barrel would be "barkier", if those barrels measure the same or within fractions of an inch the same. Do you mean less barky than the M-86 barrel, which does look longer in photos?

I agree that the lady in question probably needs a J-frame revolver with a three-inch barrel.

 

[BruceB]

My wife has a PK380, for all the reasons the OP lists. Hand strength for racking the slide, less recoil than a similar sized compact 9mm, and it just fir the best in her small hands.

She's had it for two years, and it's always worked flawlessly. There was a bit of break-in period where the front of the barrel got comfy with the front of the slide leaving some very obvious markings on the barrel, but it never seemed to affect operation. The trigger is a bit stout for my tastes, but I don't care for any striker-fired pistols.

She handled a number of guns before buying that one, including the S&W 3913 I was trying to steer her towards. She didn't care at all for revolvers, although I see her eyeing my Combat Masterpiece every now and then. I just leave fat grips on it, so it's safe.