Range Report Brand New .32 ACP PPK

[Nathan Forrest]

Shot up 350 rounds without any cleaning or re-oiling. Not a hickup no jams or failure to feed. Most of the brass ended up about 10' to my right. I used the de-cocker lever over and over with no problem. My best 15 and 20 yard groups were about 4" diameter. I was using Sellier and Bellot and Prvi Partizan. Both 71 grains. I shot at some old manuals. The Serbian ammo penetrated 7/8" where I found the bullet. The Czech ammo went clean tru the 1 1/2" of pages and kept on going. If you have a .32 for a pocket gun carry the Sellier and Bellot. The extended tang below the hammer eliminated a bite and gave better control.

The .32 pistol won't send a linebacker sized bad guy spinning and flipping thru the air like a .40 S&W or .45ACP but for a pocket CCW one can do a lot worse than the S&W PPK.

 

[Dump1567]

I've read the .32 is the way to go over the .380 for the PPK. Eventually one will find it's way to my safe.

 

[Jeb21]

I've read the .32 is the way to go over the .380 for the PPK. Eventually one will find it's way to my safe.

Is this the smith and wesson ppk?

 

[Dump1567]

Is this the smith and wesson ppk?

Basically I've read .380 can be hit and miss in all PPK's.

 

[TAROMAN]

 

[S&Wman]

Is this the smith and wesson ppk?

Obviously since he mentioned brand new and the extended tang.

 

[Jeekay29]

Well done, Bond.

Congrats on your new "Smith & Walther" .32. I've been a cheerleader for it ever since Houlton got the initial bugs out of it. Mine has run flawlessly for 3000-plus rounds and I can even shoot a respectable bowling pin match with it (out to about 30 feet or so). Not a fan of the .380 model as it's way too snappy/stingy. The .32 is just about perfection IMHO.

 

[Nathan Forrest]

Earlier replies asked.. Yes its a S&W.

 

[XTrooper]

I've been giving the idea of buying a PPK some serious thought lately. Is the .380 version unreliable?

 

[84Carrera]

I've been giving the idea of buying a PPK some serious thought lately. Is the .380 version unreliable?

I purchased a S&W PPK in .380 a few months ago. It's a fine weapon with no reliability issues at all. I have approx. 500 rounds through it of various manufactures. When carrying I use the Winchester silver tip hollow points.
The 'snap' you feel just tells you there is a bit more umph to the round
Mine is on the waiting list to Cylinder & Slide for some hotrodding.
Also when carrying it is invisible. I use an IBW from TT Leather. Can't even tell you're wearing it.

 

[Dump1567]

I've been giving the idea of buying a PPK some serious thought lately. Is the .380 version unreliable?

During a google search, I read on various forums they're hit and miss (old and new). You'll just have to buy one and see how it goes.

I personally would probably only get one in .32acp. And get the Sig 232 if going .380. The Sig also offers the lightweight alloy frame.

I actually had a 232 and it ran 100%. Mistakenly sold it to a friend. It might be time to buy it back.

 

[XTrooper]

During a google search, I read on various forums they're hit and miss (old and new). You'll just have to buy one and see how it goes.

I personally would probably only get one in .32acp. And get the Sig 232 if going .380. The Sig also offers the lightweight alloy frame.

I actually had a 232 and it ran 100%. Mistakenly sold it to a friend. It might be time to buy it back.

I already have a totally reliable .380 in my wife's Beretta 85FS Cheetah. I'm interested specifically in a PPK. I never had much luck with the PPK/S in .380 and was hoping things might be different with the new PPK.

 

[XTrooper]

I purchased a S&W PPK in .380 a few months ago. It's a fine weapon with no reliability issues at all. I have approx. 500 rounds through it of various manufactures. When carrying I use the Winchester silver tip hollow points.
The 'snap' you feel just tells you there is a bit more umph to the round
Mine is on the waiting list to Cylinder & Slide for some hotrodding.
Also when carrying it is invisible. I use an IBW from TT Leather. Can't even tell you're wearing it.

Thanks a bunch for your post. You've given me hope.

The small, but not TOO small size (like the various plastic mini-380s out there) of the PPK is what is most appealing to me. It will fit nicely in the rather small, shallow pockets of my BMW Motorrad (motorcycle) jacket.

 

[Armyphotog]

I find the .380 in the PPK/S a little harsh, can't imagen it being any less so in the PPK. My best shooting .380 is the Colt Mustang Plus II.

 

[DCWilson]

About three years ago -- just in time for the recall -- I bought a new .380 PPK/S. Didn't even shoot it before I sent it East to have Walther replace whatever the little piece was that needed fixing. While they had it they polished the ramp and cleaned it up. When it came back I fired it a bunch and never had a problem.

There's no doubt the .380 is a little snappier than the .32 would be. I considered a .32 but decided to go for the bigger round. At the time this was going to be a household/personal protection piece, but I grew into compact .38s, .44s and .45s (mostly revolvers) for household duty. The .380 is in an easily accessible place in case I can't get to one of the preferred revolvers.

I know people report problems with the PPK platform and the .380 in particular. I have never had a bad experience with mine.

 

[lhump1961]

Basically I've read .380 can be hit and miss in all PPK's.

I agree with you on the .380 PPK. I have a Smith and although it works fine I have read more than once that the PPK was originally designed as a .32 and works best in that caliber. I would like to have a .32 PPK but it is not at the top of my wish list since the .380 is already in the fold...maybe some day.

 

[vector16]

I had a ppk .32 years ago. They are very nice little guns. not much for stopping power. They rely on the fear factor of getting shot more than anything else. if you , with all guns, get a well placed shot off it will do the job. I mostly shot at rabbits and snakes with mine though.
Great gun, hope you enjoy it.

 

[snubbiefan]

I have the PPK/S in both calibers. The 380 is the Interarms Ranger and the 32 is the Smith. I had to feed the Ranger a few mags full of 380 to shoot-it in, but after that....no problems. The post-recall (be sure you get one made after February 2009) has been flawless right out of the box. Once Smith extracted their head from their butt and stopped messing with an action that has been around since 1931 and worked fine just like it was...they got it right. The extended beaver-tail and the polishing of the feed-ramp are great improvements. I have not found any 32acp round the Smith won't shoot...either expensive or cheap Italian, Slavic or American made FMJ or HP......it all goes through like corn through a goose.

I may sell the 380 Ranger, but it has become sort of a collector edition and many folks want the Interarms over the Smith. I think the Smith is better. Either is an ALL STAINLESS STEEL gun. The only plastic part I know of are the grips.

 

[Cyrano]

Now that Colt has re-introduced the Mustang in 380, that's what I'd get. I've had a couple but foolishly let them go.

 

[TACC1]

Thanks for the range report, and glad you got a new gun. Hope
it runs good forever. TACC1