Walther PPK/S

About one month ago, I bought the worst semi-automatic handgun in the universe...a Walther PPK/S .380 (newer version). The ammo feeds poorly and the gun stings the heck out of your hand with each pull of the trigger. The stinging occurs right at the web of your hand, between your thumb and index finger. The first time I fired this handgun, I almost called 911 due to the pain. If you really want a scary sight, remove the grips and look at the trigger bar/sear mechanism, which was designed by a blind monkey. This mechanism is a true joke, and I am not even an engineer. I am convinced that, with no training in mechanical engineering, I could design a better functioning trigger bar and sear. Take a good close look at this mechanism and see how easily it fails and how the catch is very very crude and prone to slipping. Forget the James Bond mystique of this Dodge Dart of handguns and be sensible enough to spend your money on a Sig Sauer .380...a much better piece. (By the way, I own no stock in any gun company unless some is buried within one of my mutual funds.) Remember, don't be taken in by the James Bond mystique of the Walther PPK/S...hell, if you think about it, this gun is actually perfect for the british government...a gun that actually makes you want to give up shooting. By the way, take a look at all the gunsmiths that specialize in after-market 'tuning' of the Walther PPK/S in an attempt to transform this clap-trap tinker toy into a real gun. Well, let me tell you, a wise man once told me, 'You can't make chicken salad out of chicken sh

#About one month ago, I bought the worst semi-automatic handgun in the #universe...a Walther PPK/S .380 (newer version). The ammo feeds poorly and the

That's funny, I used to own a French made commercial St. Etienne PPK/S in .380. It was both reliable and accurate with the proper ammunition. I had no complaints about the gun or its accessories. Of course I never mistook it for a Hammerli 208s. It's a very close range self defense gun from an era when they didn't make locked breach 9mms that size. For what it is, it's in the top of its class.

As for reliability, how many rounds have been through it? What kind of ammunition do you use? Have you tried different ammunition?

Cmdr. Bond used a PPK. Made in Germany. In 7.65mm.

All the US made Walthers are crap.

Been there. Done that. Cried a river.

I think it would help a lot if all those exterior edges were nicely readiused. Also, a smooth triger will save a lot of skin for that heavy, heavy DA pull. The SA pull is quite sweet though.

None of this will help with a stove pipe. You will most likely find that you have to drop the mag to clear it.

Oh, my instance drew blood from me before I managed to make it through a 50 round box of UMC 95gr .380 ACP.

The old German made Walther PP, PPK and PPKS pistols were much better made than the new ones. Even the French made Manhurin versions were far superior to what is being turned out today.

Replace that clunker with a good used German Walther or French Manhurin and you will understand why James Bond chose the PPK.

Regrads,

#The old German made Walther PP, PPK >and PPKS pistols were much better >made than the new ones.

I've compared the DA triggers on them with that on the Sig P232 - and the Sig is humongously better for a DA .380 carry gun in that size range!

So why did you buy it smart guy???????

> ...

I bought the PPK/S because it was highly recommended by the guys in the gun store...one of whom carries one and swears by it. Guns are like many other things in life...different opinions from different people. By the way, I am not a 'smart guy'...just someone with too much spending money!!!

i recommend you to the Walther ppk because it is a low profile gun and it doesn't weight anything so it doesn't bother you after an hour with it on your hips or on your ankle and it is a high quality and resistance gun. but just remember the gun can be the best but the only thing that matters is how do you feel carrying it

the walther ppk/s is a crap weapon regardless of who manufactures it, because the .380 round it chambers is useless for self defense.

a good weapon has good stopping power. but stopping power is a function of the round the weapon uses. the walther ppk/s loads a .380 [a 9mm kurz, "short"] kurz means the cartridge is shorter than a normal round, which means it has less gunpowder. less powder means less velocity. less velocity means less stopping power. a 9mm round has about a 50% chance of stopping an attacker with one hit to the center of mass. this is not a good percentage. the .380 round therefore has even less than a 50% chance to stop an attacker with one hit to the center of mass. weak round = weak weapon.
for good self defense weapons look to the .45 acp or 10mm weapons.

honestly i could have told you that U.S made one sucked that like the americans making german kar98 remakes it just wont be a good gun it will suck

ed jackson you are right the ppk has a low stopping power but i use it as a backup gun i have the 7.65 calibre and i feel more unsecure and it only holds 7 shots so the only way of stop an attaker is to shoot many times but i am very hopefull that i never get in that type of problem.

Hey Brother do you still have that Walther?If so are you interested in selling it? I have no problem with Walther PPK's

I have read all of what was said about the Walther PPK/S. I am not in agreement with most of you. I have owned one for about 5 years, and recently upgraded it with Crimson Trace Laser Grips. I have shot Glocks, Rugers, Smith's, as well as others, and no gun has fit my hand as well as my Walther. I will agree if you have a large hand, it is not for you, just as a big gun is not for me. My gun has been very reliable, and while it probably isn't the quality a German-made gun is, this one is my defense weapon, and will be for a while. For the one who said that a .380 isn't a good defense caliber, I think the person who is shot by one will disagree with you.

I have been the proud owner of a 1973, W German made PPK/S for over a decade. The machining of this firearm is FLAWLESS. The fit and finish of this piece is just matchless, absolutely beautiful! In terms of reliability and performance... When 1st purchasing the weapon, being a complete newb, I took it from the counter 20 feet to the range and immediately jammed it. The guy at the range coached me against "limp wristing". Following this advice the firearm has been exceedingly reliable. This also forced me to train properly from day one, a bonus of sorts. I also get the hope that if an evildoer gets ahold of it, he may just jam it up, giving me time to execute planB. The gun definitely surprises people, it has quite a snap for it's size, but holy cow does it put lead where you want it! People on gun forums will cry on & on about the lack of power of the .380. The fact is if it's not a rifle, the cartridge is week, period. Realistically, any altercation involving a pistol is going to be up close, shot PLACEMENT is EVERYTHING. When judging a pistol, how well the gun fits your hand, whether or not it "points" naturally and it's reliability are the most important factors. Bear in mind all the great .380 ammo available these days, I certainly do not want to get hit with any of it. Also, people forgo learning to shoot one handed off-hand, this is a mistake. One can't train enough for moments when one's main hand/arm may be injured, the PPK/S fires wonderfully in the off hand. I love shooting new guns @ the range, many fine pistols will come and go. I will say categorically, & w/out shame that I have an absolute love affair with my Walther, it is a trusted friend and is the one firearm I will NEVER sell or trade.

I've got one that was made in 2000. Perfect in every way. Never a jam or any other problems in over 3000 rounds through it.

You know very little about stopping power. even more so, about small arms. you must get your info, from HOLLYWOOD !!more people are killed by .380, than anyother cal, ref; N.C.I.C. and G,C,I,C,

if your still looking for a ppk-s, I have one still in the original box w/all paper work &2 clips I will sell. I have had it for aprox: 8 years. never fired.

If you are serious send me your rock bottom selling price. Send your response to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If we can agree on a price then we can deal through our prospective FFL's for shipping and receiving.
Sgt C. W. Lewis

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

yes, I was serious. but after I wrote that... I took it over to a local gun shop and sold it for $350.00

"You know very little about stopping power. even more so, about small arms. you must get your info, from HOLLYWOOD !!more people are killed by .380, than anyother cal, ref; N.C.I.C. and G,C,I,C,"


I disagree with the APD cop guy. I really don't think those numbers have to do with "stopping power." they're higher for .380 because .380's are cheaper. there are more of them out there. and that's what people who actually use them in gang fights or robberies. not just carry it around with a permit, use. because they're smaller and cancellable. plus weapons like the Uzi come in .380 that's what gives it higher kill numbers. lighter, smaller, more rounds. not because of their stopping power.

I agree and dissagree ,,i agree that the 380 is a light recoil cartridge more suitable for conceled carry and small handed people,,i also beleive it's a great backup or self defence caliber because it's easier to carry in either a ankle holster or in your pocket or purse because of the relitive smaller size and the semi auto feature of the 380 and lighter recoil,,and common sence will tell you that if you can shoot 8 rds quick your bound to hit something,,,but don't agree with it being a weapon of choice for a gang members or for robberies,,just on the basis of being easy to concele,,hollywood portrays the 9mm and 40 cal as being the choice for gangs and most shootings seem to follow suit to this over the smaller calibers,and i also think more gang related shootings are done with the 2 larger calibers,i think when it comes to robberies someone willing to use a gun to rob you doesn't give presidence to what he can concele over just something to get the job done..i beleive the officer knows more than the average guy and seems to have the statistics to back him up but i would like to see the stats broke down into catagories of just whos doing the shooting with these 380's eg (gang realted,robberies,,self defence,,women,,drug related)..ect just to see which group is useing them the most.. as opposed to the overall kill count.. just my 2 cents worth and my opinion..
bigcurt

You said allot. but nothing really on topic. .380 Stopping Power or the reason for .380's higher kill numbers. Someone hyped up on PCP aggressively coming towards you with a weapon, you pull your weapon. a .380 auto and put one or two rounds center mass. and likely miss with about two more rounds. will that drop them where they stand? or because of it's smaller round, lower grain count, or lower velocity will they keep coming at you with enough strength to still over power you? and on the higher kill numbers for the .380 and people who "actually" use them. I can see his point. people with permits buy big expensive guns to impress. like a .45 long slide. more than likely they will just carry it around in their pick-up truck to make them feel like a big man. but the chances are they will never use it. sure it has excellent stopping power. but it's not so great when trying to hide it in your clothes when your planning on going to rob someone. also it's not a gun you would want to just toss in a lake after shooting at someone. you would want to keep an expensive, impressive gun like a .45. but a cheep everyday .380 eh, not so much. you could pop off rounds at people all day. toss it in the lake and buy another one the next day. so that could be one reason for those type of numbers on the .380 it's a cheaper more easily concealed gun. so it gets used by a "cheaper" people. ones who would be involved in gangs or in committing robberies. and as far as the "kill numbers" being highest for the .380 I don't think it's because of the stopping power either. I agree with burnt it's weapons like the .380 Uzi. your in a situation like the "OK Coral." no cover. they all have S&W .40 cals 10-11 rounds each. we all have 50 round clips and .380 UZI'S! of course there are going to be more .380 hits

i think this is really getting a little off the original topic about a ppk/s. why not start a new topic on the advantages or disadvantages of the 380 as a stopping power cartridge so everyone can chime in!
bigcurt

I am constantly amazed on the negative comments on PPK/S. "It won't stop an agressive perp... Nonsense, where are you aiming, the shoulder? Have you ever talked with or seen anyone shot with a 380? It hurts! I retired from the Army after 30+ years and have much experience with fire arms. Guys, don't comment what you think or heard. Comment on what you know. Actually, a 22 will stop most threats since the fear of the gun is the best defense...

its true, who here would keep attacking after being shot?

I have a Walther PPKS I want o sell

I'm flummoxed as well. My new S&W PPK/S does jam from time to time too. Most disconcerting. But, I cleaned it last night and this morning I found a 1" long small copper-colored rod on the floor where I was working. I looked thru the parts list and can't really tell if its from the gun or not. gonna go to the gunsmith for a look see. And yes it does tear up the skin at the base of my thumb. I wear a glove when I shoot it now. Maybe I should just stick with my revolvers.

You are so wrong on both caliber and %. i would too see you get shot by a 38. And the 50% counts just for pulling the gun.

Do you still have the ppk for sale?
If so do you have pictures, caliber,finish, how many mags, any holsters, and how much?

Det Sgt C.W. Lewis