WALTHER PPK/S--Your Thoughts

[jj2am44]

I have been contemplating buying a Walther PPK/S for carry here in the summer , however, I have been reading bad things (from several years ago on this forum) about the S & W Walther. Are they really as bad as they are made out to be? Would I be better off with an Interarms or German model? Your thoughts.

 

[Irn-Bru]

I have a Walther PPK/S from Interarms and its a nice shooting gun with no problems. I also have the Sig Sauer P232 which gets carried and shot more than the PPK. Both very similar guns, I just prefer the Sig

 

[loknload]

I have a S&W produced PPK/S and have had no issues with it. I do not use it for a carry piece though, I prefer my LCP.
If I want something bigger I go to my Glock 27

 

[NorthWoods1900]

PPK/S

I currently have a German PPK .380 form the 1960's - a former German police pistol. Very nice pistol in excellent condition, shoots wonderfully. I had an InterArms stainless PPK/S, .380 that had slide function problems, which at the time seemed to be common (1980's).

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have owned several Walther TPH, PP, PPK, PPK/s pistols and have pretty much been under-whelmed with them. I think they are cool and I do own a PP in .32 a.c.p. It is an ancient design that is heavy, expensive, tends to bite the hand holding it, has poor sights, prefers to eat FMJ ammo. If you just want one, go for it. If you plan on actually using the gun for a CCW, I would suggest there are better choices.

 

[Grayfox]

I have an Interarms PPK/s 380 and a German PP .32. Both are fine pistols and I probably would carry either if I didn't have other choices which I like better.
I never heard much about the S&W produced guns, but the little I did hear wasn't very flattering.

 

[loeman]

I have owned several Walther TPH, PP, PPK, PPK/s pistols and have pretty much been under-whelmed with them. I think they are cool and I do own a PP in .32 a.c.p. It is an ancient design that is heavy, expensive, tends to bite the hand holding it, has poor sights, prefers to eat FMJ ammo. If you just want one, go for it. If you plan on actually using the gun for a CCW, I wold suggest there are better choices.

I echo what ColbyBruce had to say. I've owned an Interarms PPk (sold) and currently own a German PPKS. They ARE COOL, but beyond that....ho hum. I like my Sig P232 much more. Do I carry it? No. I prefer my J frame choices.

 

[Zebra War Wagon]

Personally, over the past 40 years, I NEVER had a PPK/S in .380, if it be German, Walther, Interterms or S&W that was 100% reliable. Even with ball ammo! I would not bet my life on a PPK/S period! I have since sold all of my PPK/S that I have acquired over the years.
Now days there are much better options in the same size package that are reliable for CCW.

 

[ACP230]

My PP is accurate and easier to shoot than my snubnose revolvers.
It does bite the hand that feeds it, however.
I have thought about carrying it but haven't done so as yet.

 

[les.b]

Well, this is a scene that I still remember from seeing the original film in the theater when it was released. Who can forget:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU98uP7pXA8[/ame]

Of course, I had to have one. Still have two PPK s, an original .32 and a later west German version in .380. Both are great little guns, but there are more modern, lighter guns available. Can't resist carrying one now and then, however.

"Like a brick through a plate glass window!!!"

 

[les.b]

If you decide to get one, get an original German made one if you can find one. Also, get a PPK, not a PPK/S, if you want the real thing. The /S was made to please the GCA 1968, which gave points for size to allow import into the country. It has the slide and barrel of a PPK, mated to the grip frame of a PP, so that it is taller than a real PPK, and therefore less concealable. That was one of the reasons that manufacture was began here in the US under license from Walther, so that PPK sized guns could be retailed here. Try to find a real German made PPK, in either 32 or 380, and you should be happy.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The PPK is certainly adequate, but nothing special. I would advise anyone looking at carry guns to consider the advantages of the simplicity of revolvers - particularly in light of the fewer things that you need to consider with a revolver in a high stress situation.

 

[BUFF]

I have had several PPK/S's and PPK's in .380, German, French (Mahurin) and Interarms, but not a S&W. Like others have written above, none of mine were reliable. I have had a .22 LR PP and a .32 PP, and they both worked great.

Cool but there are better options if you are looking for a defensive sidearm.

 

[ispcapt]

I've had 3 PPK/s. Even with large hands they fit my hands great, I never had slide bite, and they were easy to carry. They were natural pointers.
The first one I had would only reliably feed FMJ. Got a 2nd one and it would feed FMJ and Silvertips but was iffy on the others. At times it would take a notion it didn't like Silvertips, then after a few mags would take off and work fine. Didn't matter if clean or dirty, oiled or dry, if it wanted to be a problem it would then start up and run fine. Even tho very accurate neither was reliable enough I would risk carrying. I sold the 2nd one and was done with the PPK design.
Then in a gun swap I ended up with a 3rd blued PPK/s that the guy threw in to sweeten the trade deal. I figured I'd use it for trading material on something else. But of course I had to shoot it before trading it off. That one has been 100% reliable on every make and design ammo I've run thru it including some all lead reloads that were unpowered. I carried it a bit in plain clothes as a 2nd or 3rd and still do some. I'll keep this one. It's a fun gun.
We use to issue stainless PPK to senior command with Silvertip ammo. Sometimes there would be one that was really picky and wouldn't function reliably. Instead of trying to find out why and fix the problem it was usually easier just to issue a different one. You could spend a lot of time trying to make it run 100% and maybe you'd find the problem and maybe it was just fooling you into thinking you found the problem.
If you have one that functions 100% of the time they're a fun gun and easy to carry. If you have one that is picky you can pull your hair out.

 

[kilo charlie]

I have an S&W PPK that is part of my carry rotation. It is extremely accurate, soft shooting, and eats everything I feed it. I don't understand all the hate. Must be a lot of limp wristers out there.

 

[FlyFish]

My Interarms PPK/S is the smallest of the few guns in my carry rotation. It runs flawlessly with just about anything I feed it and is a real pleasure to shoot. Like kilo charlie, I don't understand the animosity toward these guns, but maybe I've just been lucky with mine.

 

[JohnRippert]

I prefer the PP to the PPK and I prefer them in .32 over .380

I would have no problem using my Manurhin PP as a ankle gun in backup mode.

 

[tompehret]

I had one about 15 years ago and loved for its looks, feel, mechanical perfection and ease of concealed carry. Coolest gun in town. But I hated to shoot it; hurt like the devil.
Sold it. My Colt Pocket Hammerless .380 is pretty cool too and a lot more comfortable to shoot. I go with that. I don't get to feel like Sean Connery, more like Alan Ladd.

 

[Frank237]

I've had several Interarms Walthers these past forty years. The were THE cool off duty gun to carry back in the 70's when I first got on the job.
I still have a 1980's PPK/s I do carry occasionally. They are flat, fairly heavy but more rds than a 5 shot snubby. Mine has had maybe 400 rds through it and has been reliable.

Are there better options today, for a small, flat carry auto? Yes.

But I still like my old PPK.

 

[Stirling]

I never liked the triggers, DA was horrendous. Cool gun the PPK though. Preferred similar sized Berettas, much more reliable.

 

[SilentKnight]

As so many have said, there are much better options with more power and not so heavy. The Walther is a good pistol. I had one for a few months but it was not as good as other carry guns I owned with more power. A J frame is reliable, not as heavy and is cheaper to learn to shoot very well. People balk at only 5 rounds but if you need more, you are in serious trouble. End an encounter quickly and retreat at the first sign of trouble... if you can. If not, aim center of mass and do not miss. Carry a reload. Good luck.

 

[msinc]

I bought one of the S&W PPK/S guns years ago, I guess it was not long after S&W started making them under license. I still have it and it has worked flawless, is extremely very accurate and the fut and finish is excellent. One of my fellow co-workers, at the time, liked mine and saw the good luck I had with it so he bought himself one. It was identical, stainless and unlike me he doesn't reload so we really figured he wouldn't have any problems. First trip to the range, he just cant wait and bugs out of work early...comes back well after lunch and is real disappointed. He asked me if I wanted to buy the gun for about $200.00 less than he just paid for it he is so mad!!! Well, of course I go for it. I take it home and a few days later finds me at my range. I should back up, his problem was that the gun kept jamming. He said he couldn't get a full clip out of the gun without a jam. I figured he was limp wristing it...and I was wrong. When I fired it, first round, the extractor and all it's related parts fly right out of the slide and disperse in the gravel nearby. The case was still stuck in the chamber so home I go. I had to tap the case out and it was rough on the outer walls. It had a frosted appearance. I cleaned the bore real good and when I looked in the chamber I could see that it appeared to be really rough. I borescoped it and found severe machining chatter from when it was chambered at the factory. I sent it back to S&W and they sent it back to me and said there was nothing wrong....just like I heard when my MIL's Governor wouldn't fire because of excess headspace...just lik I heard when my 686 plus Classic Deluxe had a barrel indexed incorrectly and the front sight leaned to one side....ditto for my 629 Classic. Come on S&W get with the program.
Bottom line, I really love the one I have and love the platform. It's a neat little gun with some nice upgrades and I think you would be very happy if you could find a nice one that works like my first one. Not very happy with S&W these days though. Sad, they have been making handguns for how many years {past 100???} and cant get these simple things right yet????

 

[smutt]

I have the S&W PPK/S and never have had any function issues. Good sights and very accurate. All I have done is de-horn the sharp edges. Used as a backup to my Combat Commander.

 

[sarg1c]

I had the Interarms ppk and it was a great pistol but was a little heavy for pocket carry so let it go. Sometimes wish I had kept it but like my Colt pocketlite much better...and my Smith 637 is just as good for carry maybe a little better.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

I had a PPK/s from the Interarms days, it squirmed in my hands worse than a Colt CLW Commander in .45ACP!
But it was reliable. Traded it for a CZ clone called a Tz back in the day.
Traded that for something else.
Geoff
Who notes grips are more available and make the PPK a better choice.

 

[American1776]

I've owned 2 S&W PPK's and a W.German PPK/s in .32 auto. Here's my take on these guns.

In the 1930's until around the 1980's, if you wanted a reliable small auto, these guns were one of a few options. Today, there are better alternatives.

That said, if you really want one, GET ONE. My own experience with both the German made and the S&W made were all very favorable. If you get a S&W model, make sure it is a post-2009 model. They had a safety recall on the ones made prior to 2009. If you get a NIB German made PPK or PPK/s, you'll pay a hefty premium (~$1,500).

My own opinion is that this gun is most reliable and at its best in 7,65mm. When you go to the .380 auto, recoil gets snappy and the gun MAY start to have problems. My two .380 PPK's were good, though.

Here's something you need to consider. With this pistol, as far as I know, the gun needs to be carried with the safety engaged. The safety acts not only locks up the trigger, but more importantly, it seizes the firing pin so it will not move by inertia should it be dropped. There are documented cases of PPK's carried with the safety off, dropped on the ground, and people were either injured or killed when it had an inertial discharge. These were all LEO cases that I can remember.

All that said, it is an accurate and cool little pistol. It's about 24 ounces, so it is not light weight. It is all steel, so it needs to be run pretty wet. I personally like the PPK, but I have stopped carrying them due to the safety feature being opposite of my 1911, and precluding it from being carried in my off-side pocket.

 

[sheepdawg]

I had an Interarms PPK/S, it was jammed just a little too much to carry. Traded it for a 15-3 snubby. Though I got the better of that deal.

 

[Arik]

20+ ounces and 6/7 rounds. Old style small sights, mag release that requires the use of a second hand. 1.2 inches wide.....that's not thin by the way. To give an example Sig 226/228/220 are 1.5 inches wide and Glock 9mm are 1.18 inches wide. Incidentally the Glock 19 also weighs about 20+ oz. The only one i ever tried had a stupid heavy DA trigger. It has nothing going for it aside for some history. I can see collecting them but not carrying one with the options available today.

If you want a compact semi auto check out Walther PPS. It's under an inch thick, carries about the same amount of ammo but in a more powerful 9mm. Excellent quality in a conceal package

 

[mauser9]

Swapped my PPK/S for a CS-9 way back. No regrets.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Have had Walthers since the mid-80s....... my third (PP in .22lr and a PPK/s in380) a stainless Interarms PPK in 380 was my suit gun for about 10 years. It would and does feed hollow points and silvertips. Added checkered wood grips and a beaver tail to deal with the slide bite..... carried in a Sparks Summer Special.

Still have it and call it my "Tux Gun"...... better choices out there for sure.... as a daily carry the PPK was replaced by a 3913 in the early 90s.

Today I view them as more of a Collectible than a first line concealed carry gun. If I have to go to something small and light for "burgh" summer carry it's a Smith 337PD.

A Sig 230/232 with an alloy frame at 16oz is a better choice today IMO...if you can live w/ the European style mag release... on the bottom of the grip.