s&w ppk

[bigfreakinrevolver]

did s&w ever fix the problems with the ppk or ppk/s?

 

[DCWilson]

Depends on who you talk to. I have a .380 PPK/S that had no problems in the first place, and it still had no problems when it came back from the recall processing that gave it a couple of new parts.

For other people, it's a matter of once defective, always defective.

Take your pick.

 

[lhump1961]

Depends on who you talk to. I have a .380 PPK/S that had no problems in the first place, and it still had no problems when it came back from the recall processing that gave it a couple of new parts.

For other people, it's a matter of once defective, always defective.

Take your pick.

Ain't that the truth! Mine are fine...never was a "problem".

 

[bigfreakinrevolver]

beautiful pair!

 

[shawn mccarver]

did s&w ever fix the problems with the ppk or ppk/s?

You will see people say that "only S&W could take a good pistol like the PPK and screw it up," or words to that effect.

There is some argument to be made that the design, while ahead of its time in 1929 or so when introduced, has been rendered obsolete. In the mid-1970s, when the West German Police were looking to replace the Walther PP series pistols they had used for decades, one article mentioned that the PP would generally not fire a 50 round box of ammo without having some sort of minor jam. By today's standards, that is just not what expect out of a properly functioning semi auto pistol.

Even the 1911, in the military trials leading up to its adoption in 1911, fired over 6,000 rounds without a malfunction of any kind.

The PP series are heavy for their caliber, recoil excessively due to the blowback design, and their slides are difficult to operate because the blowback design necessitates a heavier recoil spring to keep the action closed until the pressure is reduced enough to cycle the action. Thye have many sharp edges, making quick manipulation, or sometimes any manipulation, the cause of minor little scrapes, cuts and pinches. Because they are small, the geometry just makes a manageable trigger pull in DA very difficult to attain. None of those issues, however, are S&W's fault.

On the other hand, S&W has made some nice additions including the slightly longer tang to help with "hammer bite." They do not get credit for that. Plus, any internal changes they have made have been approved by Walther in Germany, who only licensed their design to S&W.

I would venture to say that if Major Boothroyd, Q, in "Dr. No" had not issued the "Valter PPK" to Bond at the direction of M (Admiral Sir Miles Messervy, played by Bernard Lee), the PPK might have gone the way of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus).

That said, I agree that both the pistols made in Gadsden by Interarms and those made by S&W in the US are just fine, and every one I have shot works fine. Some, however, have gotten ones with issues. The owners who have had problems complain publicly on the internet because they can and most satisfied owners never say a word. S&W did recall all of the pistols they have made for an issue and the new changes were incorporated into the new ones. Existing ones will need to have the recall work done, and you can tell if it has been by looking for the punch mark put on after the recall work was done.

On the other hand, there are those who just feel that if it is not a German made PP or PPK, then it is just not capable of any good thing. Perhaps that is to protect the high price of their "investment," or perhaps that is their experience. It is not my experience, but on the other hand, a PPK will not out do a Glock 26 or M&P Compact 9mm.

 

[SW_shooter]

Welcome Big,

I agree with the previous members, depends on who you ask. I have a ppk/s and have had no problems. Now mind you I only take it to the range occassionaly to stretch its legs. I have big hands and have to watch out for the "bite".

I am a "Bond" fanatic and bought mine because I wanted a "Bond" pistol. It was purely a selfish purchase to satisfy my inner spy.

My M&P40 is possibly my favorite pistol, low recoil, dead on aim and purrs like a kitten no matter what I feed it. In fact, here kitty kitty...time to go to the range!

 

[lhump1961]

You will see people say that "only S&W could take a good pistol like the PPK and screw it up," or words to that effect.

There is some argument to be made that the design, while ahead of its time in 1929 or so when introduced, has been rendered obsolete. In the mid-1970s, when the West German Police were looking to replace the Walther PP series pistols they had used for decades, one article mentioned that the PP would generally not fire a 50 round box of ammo without having some sort of minor jam. By today's standards, that is just not what expect out of a properly functioning semi auto pistol.

Even the 1911, in the military trials leading up to its adoption in 1911, fired over 6,000 rounds without a malfunction of any kind.

The PP series are heavy for their caliber, recoil excessively due to the blowback design, and their slides are difficult to operate because the blowback design necessitates a heavier recoil spring to keep the action closed until the pressure is reduced enough to cycle the action. Thye have many sharp edges, making quick manipulation, or sometimes any manipulation, the cause of minor little scrapes, cuts and pinches. Because they are small, the geometry just makes a manageable trigger pull in DA very difficult to attain. None of those issues, however, are S&W's fault.

On the other hand, S&W has made some nice additions including the slightly longer tang to help with "hammer bite." They do not get credit for that. Plus, any internal changes they have made have been approved by Walther in Germany, who only licensed their design to S&W.

I would venture to say that if Major Boothroyd, Q, in "Dr. No" had not issued the "Valter PPK" to Bond at the direction of M (Admiral Sir Miles Messervy, played by Bernard Lee), the PPK might have gone the way of the Dodo (Raphus cucullatus).

That said, I agree that both the pistols made in Gadsden by Interarms and those made by S&W in the US are just fine, and every one I have shot works fine. Some, however, have gotten ones with issues. The owners who have had problems complain publicly on the internet because they can and most satisfied owners never say a word. S&W did recall all of the pistols they have made for an issue and the new changes were incorporated into the new ones. Existing ones will need to have the recall work done, and you can tell if it has been by looking for the punch mark put on after the recall work was done.

On the other hand, there are those who just feel that if it is not a German made PP or PPK, then it is just not capable of any good thing. Perhaps that is to protect the high price of their "investment," or perhaps that is their experience. It is not my experience, but on the other hand, a PPK will not out do a Glock 26 or M&P Compact 9mm.

Without a doubt the most well thought out summary of this gun I have ever seen. Bravo!