Walther PP series--got any?

[LedFowl]

West German police surplus PP, made 1964.

 

[Road Rat]

I have one I picked up at a local show a few years ago. A 1964 Model PP in 32ACP with holster and shoulder straps. Police turn-in from Hamburg, Germany. I carry it often in a small holster.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Here's my 1964 Walther PPK-L in .22 LR. The L stands for Leicht (light). It has an aluminum frame. This gun is surprisingly accurate and has been totally reliable.

 

[CZU]

Here's my 1964 Walther PPK-L in .22 LR. The L stands for Leicht (light). It has an aluminum frame. This gun is surprisingly accurate and has been totally reliable.

I have been on the lookout for a -L for sometime. Would prefer .22 but would take a .32 as well.

 

[HARDWARE]

I'm intrigued by the .22 now. but I cant stand seeing interarms import marks

 

[Ed Fowler]

While I would not miss the interarms mark, I find it still shoots very well, is my favorite carry pistol and the mark has not hurt a thing when it comes to function.

 

[Drm50]

For some years I had been on the quest for a perfect country
western 22 on 32 frame. Thought it would be a nicer carry than
a 34. I believe I went through about all of them, even putting
Adj, sights on models that didn't have them. Never found one
that compared to accuracy of a kit gun. I had Astras, Star, PP
Bernadelli, Unique, Styer, MAB, Llama, and several more of the
Excam, Erma copies of Berreta and Walther. Some of them shot
fair, but not good enough for my purposes. The closest I came
was a S&W 422 4", but that is a bigger frame. I recently gave
up and went back to Kit Gun. The purpose of the gun was to
carry when engaged in chores and other things other than hunting or shooting. If those were my intentions I would be
carrying a K22.

 

[spacestuff4me]

I love the Walther PP line, incredible history, spectacular workmanship and a true work of art. I've been very lucky to find some extraordinary Walthers over the years including some pristine prewar PPK in .32 & .22, a NIB German PP .22 from 1963, various wartime PPK's and one of my favorites, a super rare PP-L Sport 2 Manurhin Target gun with spur hammer, compensator and 83/8" barrel in 99%+.

I have no idea how to post pics but if you send me a PM I'll be happy to send them.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

I'm intrigued by the .22 now. but I cant stand seeing interarms import marks

There are no importer's marks on mine.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

....I have a ranger made PPK/s as well as the newer S&W version (which I like a lot less), both in .380 ACP:

Why? I'm considering a stainless PPK .380, either one of the new ones from Walther USA or a used S&W or Interarms.

....I have a Walther/Umarex made PPK/S .22LR - which believe it or not shoots just as well as my PP in .22LR:

Was considering one of these as they have a threaded muzzle. My PPK-L is too valuable to molest. However, I'm not finding reviews of the Umarex rimfires after they've been used a while. I've heard they are made from die cast zinc? Can you go into detail with your experiences with yours, please?

 

[Harkrader]

I had exactly one PP and liked it better than any pre-S&W PPK. If a PP with the extended tang is ever offered I'd buy one.

 

[BB57]

Was considering one of these as they have a threaded muzzle. My PPK-L is too valuable to molest. However, I'm not finding reviews of the Umarex rimfires after they've been used a while. I've heard they are made from die cast zinc? Can you go into detail with your experiences with yours, please?

Sure...

I have over 2000 rounds through mine and it's generally not picky about ammo. The only semi-auto .22 I have that is less picky is my Beretta Model 71. (which given that the current Israeli surplus Model 71s come pre-threaded, would be my first choice for a suppressed pistol given that it's already threaded although the PPKS come in a close second as its also easily adapted to a suppressor with the use of a readily available threaded barrel nut:

----

The PPK/S .22 LR uses Zamak alloy in the frame and slide and this is a zinc alloy.

Detractors call it "pot metal" but there's a critical difference. Pot metal isn't all that dimensionally stable and cracks over time, but that's due to the high level of impurities in pot metal.

Zamak, and in particular the Zamak alloys used in firearms have a very high degree of purity and won't warp or crack over time.

As an example, the Ithaca Model 49 and 72 lever action .22 rifles made in the 1960s and 1970s were made with a Zamak alloy frame, and you'll still find them in use today.

Similarly, the Henry lever action .22 is very popular now and it has a large number of fans who swear by its utility and durability. But guess what? It's just a slightly rewarmed version of the Ithaca Model 72 lever action complete with Zamak alloy frame (with a cosmetic metal receiver cover).

There are also people who claim the PPK/S .22 LR is not a PPK/S at all but rather a P22 in PPK/S clothing. That's not true either. The only resemblance to the P22 is the use of a barrel liner with a barrel nut on the end to retain it.

----

Let's compare my L66A1 version of the Walther PP in .22 LR with the PPK/S .22 LR:

Removing the slide shows the general PP layout. You'll notice that the PPK/S .22 LR uses a steel barrel shroud which includes the chamber face, an area where Zamak alloy would not wear as well. The barrel shroud has a P22 style barrel liner through it, with the barrel nut holding it in tension, but the shroud itself is retained in the frame just like the barrel in the PP or in a PPK/S.

In both pistols the .22 LR cartridge requires a lighter slide. That's done in the PP by thinning the sides of the steel slide, and in the PPK/S .22LR it's done by using Zamak alloy. The slides of the two are otherwise very similar.

The lockwork is clearly PP series and while you'll see minor differences in execution and the lack of some refinements like a loaded chamber indicator, it is still clearly a PP series pistol.

The small parts show a little less attention to detail in finish, compared to a PP, but that's understandable at the price point, and in terms of function, mine has held up just fine for welder 2000 rounds. You'll note here that they've created a cover of the normal open space under the grip, in order to add weight to the frame and keep it closer to the PPK/S in over all feel.

The magazine design on the PPK/S is vastly superior to the PP's .22 LR magazine. Any one who has owned a PP in .22 LR will tell you that it's really an 8 round magazine and isn't reliable with more than 8 loaded in it. In contrast the PPK/S .22 LR is an honest 120 round .22 pistol. The trade off is a longer magazine however and you won't have the option of a flush floor plate - at least in a factory magazine (there are a couple people who'll modify them).

The new magazine is also more reliable as it lets the cartridges splay a little farther, and the angle of the rounds is greater so that rim lock is not as big an issue. The magazines are also readily available and don't cost $110-$125 each like a PP magazine in .22 LR.

-----

As noted before, my PPK/S .22LR is just as reliable as my PP, but with 10 rounds rather than 8. It's just as accurate, and it's not as ammo sensitive as my PP.

Now...will it ever be an heirloom or collectors item? Probably not any more so than an Ithaca 72 or a Henry .22 LR. But it is none the less a very fun little pistol to shoot that has held up to well over 2000 rounds so far with no significant wear.

And for the money it's hard to beat as they seem to be going out the door now for around $300-$325. That's less than half of what you'd pay for a PP in .22 LR, but it's about the same as what the rapidly drying up Beretta Model 71 pistols are selling for at the moment.

 

[digi-shots]

Great looking guns!

Here's my one and only, 1967 non-import marked, PPK/L and it's "alligator" box:

 

[SG-688]

It's definitely a YMMV question .. but my '67 .22 PPK-L has always been good full up with my several PPK and PP magazines.

Thanks for the encouraging review of the PPK/S.

 

[Big E3]

Here's my PP, still a great shooter. The grips have been replaced with period correct replacements. It came with Pachmayr grips and that's just wrong on a 1929 first year of production Walther PP.

 

[2152hq]

The only one I have left is a 1937 or 38 mfg PPK in 32acp. Nazi Eagle/C Police marked.
Came to me in a brown leather flap holster, Nazi marked and maker marked.. Two magazines. Shoots great , very accurate even out to 50yrds.
I've had several PPK, PP pistols. Favorites were a couple 1960's vintage 22cal PPK and PP pistols in their original boxes w/ extra mags ect.
The PP was non InterArms marked as it was orig bought by a GI while in W Germany and brought home.
The PPK 22 I carried for many years and traded it for a deluxe Marlin Model 97 lever action rifle. Still miss the PPK but the rifle is outstanding too. Several PPk and PP 32's and a couple PP 380's came and went,,all war-time issues.

Bought an arm load of the Euro Police trade ins when they came on the market in the 90's. Sold all of them. Bought some really cheap ones from AIM that were sold AS-IS, but all they needed was to be properly re-assembled. I think one needed a slide catch spring which I had.
Too late now,,but I wish I'd have kept maybe one or two of them!

I missed a chance to buy a PPK in 6.35mm (25acp) about 20 yrs ago as I didn't have the cash with me at the moment,, the next guy did.. It was missing the magazine and needed some love,,but it's a rare pistol. Very few PP and PPK made in 25acp.
(The magazine is a Model 8 Walther mag inserted inside the PPK mag body, so it could have been assembled.)
That's one gun I really regret missing out on.

Never had a PPK/S nor one of the later licensed copies of the PPK.
Still like 'em. Who knows I may even buy another if I see one I like.
They look nice engraved..

 

[Brian in Oregon]

BB57 thanks for the detailed write up and pics!

 

[Engine49guy]

Left to right are Iver Johnson .22, Interarms SS .380 PPK, Excam .22lr, Interarms blue .380 PPK


Sidebar is the Hk-4 that is interchangeable to fire .22lr, .25 ACp, .32 ACP and .380 ACP

 

[bigjohn4]

Will PP or PPK/S magazines work in the FEG made clones?

 

[Darkstar888]

Will PP or PPK/S magazines work in the FEG made clones?

Afraid not. They only work in Walthers.