Walther PPK

[Eggmcmuffin]

My PPK/S was a five hundred dollar paperweight, until I sent it back to Smith & Wesson. I told them to keep it until they were able to resolve the consistent failure to feed AND failure to eject. They did, and it works fine now. But you should know that many of these things today need a little work as soon as they leave the store. Also, a little trick I learned would be to lubricate it with grease instead of regular gun oil. "Brian Enos Slide Glide" seems to work great.

The PPK/S is not the most comfortable gun to shoot, but it carries very well in the summer (once you're confident that you can trust your life with it). Keep it clean and keep it greased.

[G21.45]

Originally Posted by Willtallica

What do you guys think of the .38 Walther PPK?

I've been a really huge bond fan as a kid, and I have to get one of these either by the time I'm 21, or as a present before hand. I also like how it's pretty small, and very easy to conceal. (Ed.) ...

Actually in, 'Casino Royale', the first of Fleming's James Bond novels, Bond's main carry pistol is a little Beretta Model 418 semiautomatic pistol in 6.35mm (25 acp) caliber.

Bond stays with this little Beretta throughout the next four novels until in, 'Dr. No', he is finally forced by, 'M' to exchange his beloved little 418 for a newly authorized (and presumably more powerful) Walther PPK semiautomatic pistol chambered in 7.65mm (32 acp) caliber.

Seems like the original Bond character preferred, 'mouse guns' as his principal carry weapons. To the best of my knowledge there is no such pistol as a, '38 Walther PPK'. This reference is, more likely, to the Walther PPK/PPK-S in 9mm Kurz (380 acp) which the original James Bond character is not known to have used in any of Fleming's novels.






PS: The early West German manufactured PPK/S pistols are well-made and highly reliable. (I own one.) Later PPK/S pistols manufactured in the USA by Interarms are questionable; some work well, many do not. The latest Walther PPK/S pistols manufactured under license by S&W, here in the United States, all work properly.

The PPK/S is very easy to carry; I frequently use mine when I'm wearing a suit; however, these pistols produce a lot of recoil in 9mm Kurz and can be uncomfortable to shoot for more than 25 rounds - or so. This is, probably, a result of the PPK/S blowback design which puts out a healthy recoil impulse.

[SouthCentral]

Originally Posted by den9

the new ppk is made in usa by smith and wesson. its a little bit bigger than the original becuz of some kind of import law. anyway does any1 know when the last german ppk's were imported?

i just bought a crosman ppk/s air gun and it recoils, its pretty fun to shoot in the basement, its an exact replica.

I'm not sure about the last year but I have a PPK 380 made in Ulm and stamped 1968.

Onetros

[G21.45]

The last (legally) imported German PPK's were brought in during 1968 - before the '68 gun control act's importation restrictions went into effect at the end of October. A small number of PPK's are, also, known to have come in during the early 70's via the West German embassy for distribution to well-connected retailers who were able to claim existing inventory and, consequently, an earlier importation date.

The principal difference between the PPK and the PPK/S is that the /S model has a slightly longer frame (grip) and is proportionally a little heavier. Today, Smith & Wesson manufacturers both models, right here, in the United States. For all practical purposes these two American-made pistols have exactly the same dimensions. The PPK used to be available in 7.65mm and 9mm Kurz. The principal chambering, today, is 9mm Kurz. (380 acp) You can, however, still get an American-made PPK/S in 7.65mm. (32 acp)

[klpolk3]

I bought a similar pistol a few months back. It's a FEG PA-63. What a snappy little thing!! I enjoy shooting it, but it has a tendency to bite. If your grip is a little high or your hand is big, the slide has a tendency to cut your knuckle. Also, 9x18 Makarov ammunition is hard to find, unless you order it online. I actually bought it because I like the sleek look.

[aubie515]

Makarovs are tough on the palm of your hand, unless you replace it with a pearce rubber grip. I own three Makarovs and cannot say anything bad about the pistols.

[PA Rifleman]

Originally Posted by G21.45

The last (legally) imported German PPK's were brought in during 1968 - ...For all practical purposes these two American-made pistols have exactly the same dimensions. ...

Correct. I have an older American (pre-S&W, that is) PPK, and a mid-70's German PPK/S. The only subjective difference is the German trigger seems a little smoother than the American PPK.



And yes, the PPK is a little less forgiving to improper handling...it used my hand as a frame rail until I started paying more attention to how I was holding it. It wasn't serious nor alarming, as you can see I had the presence of mind to photograph the slide bite.



I do carry it occasionally, as it chambers hollowpoints reliably and is very accurate. My only desire would be for tritium night sights (ditto for Makarovs), but this pistol predates this technology.


It is a blowback, so the recoil has more of a 'snap' sensation than the short-recoil designs.

[Fitch]

Originally Posted by G21.45

The last (legally) imported German PPK's were brought in during 1968 - before the '68 gun control act's importation restrictions went into effect at the end of October.

I have no idea when my PPK/S was imported. I don't know how to track the serial number to a manufacture date. But as you can see in the picture, it was built in W. Germany and imported by Interarms of W. Virginia. I believe the PPK/S was created specifically to get past the 1968 ban by having a slightly bigger grip. It has the PPK slide and the PP grip.



Fitch

[FRISteve]

Originally Posted by PA Rifleman

And yes, the PPK is a little less forgiving to improper handling...it used my hand as a frame rail until I started paying more attention to how I was holding it. It wasn't serious nor alarming, as you can see I had the presence of mind to photograph the slide bite.

Ah-ha! The PPK slide bite. I have an IDENTICAL scar

[Fitch]

Originally Posted by FRISteve

Ah-ha! The PPK slide bite. I have an IDENTICAL scar

Yup, been there, done that myself. It is still my favorite pistol though. Not the bigggest, most powerful, or most accurate, just a really nice, superbly designed, beautifully built, reliable as gravity, CCW.

Fitch