Make importation easier? It was built to allow it at all after 1968.

...and Walther never built a stainless PPK or PPK/S until very recently.

 

Bac, the PPK has intrigued me for some time. Is it worth the price? I trust your judgment.

 

I recently put my Walther PPK/S and similar milsurp type clones up for consignment; I've got bad RA and these small blowback type pistols chambered in .380acp and 9mm Mak had unfortunately proven to be just too painful for me to shoot and enjoy.

Of the two, you may find that the PPK/S is more comfortable for you to shoot because as you noted it has the longer grip, otherwise IMHO there's not really much of a noticable difference between the two as far as their respective function, reliability, and accuracy.

Smith & Wesson had also produced these pistols for a short time, so read up on the differences between these and the models that came before them so you'll be able to make an educated decision before purchasing one of these pistols. And lastly, consider the French model PP produced by Manurhin; I'll be keeping the one shown below because it's chambered in the pistol's original .32acp caliber, which is less punishing to shoot. They can be found for less $$ than a nice Walther, but they're steadily climbing in value:

 

The PPK/S not only has an extra round, but will also fit most hands better.

Unfortunately, it is way too big and heavy for a .380, so I leave mine in the safe and carry a Ruger LCP when I a 9mm is too big.

 

So, you feel like the PPK in general is too big and heavy, or just the PPK/S?

 

I carried an Interarms stainless PPK off and on for about 10 years. Recoil in .380 was unpleasant. While reliable with ball, it was finicky with HP-not an admirable quality in a self defense gun. The DA trigger was too heavy.

That said, the PP series are nice guns. I'll echo DrewBone above. If you want one, get a nice Mamuhrin PP in .32 or .380 or PPK/s in .380. Both are more comfortable to shoot than a .380 PPK, and in my limited experience, the Manuhrin guns are of higher quality than the stainless Interarms PPKs. I can't say anything about S & W effort, as I have no experience with them. Same for the new ones coming out of Arkansas.

 

Yes, the Manurhins models are very nice. Better than anything, but possibly the old pre war Walthers.

 

I had a stainless PPK/S from the period when Interarms was importing the parts and assembling them in the U.S.. As one of the others noted, it delivers a kick, though not quite as bad as a light revolver. It was reliable with round-nosed ammunition, but it was a gamble with anything else. I think you would be happier with a more modern breech-lock pistol.

 

Another vote for the design, but in .32 acp.

And I MUCH prefer the PP to the K variants.

But they've never been offered in stainless.

 

Stainless is a lousy material for them anyway, unless you plan to carry it.

 

The only Walther I have ever been interested in is a PP or PPK in .32 auto. Mainly for the history and aesthetics of them. I’ve never found them to shoot very comfortably or be impressively reliable

If you want a .380 suitable for carry the P230/232 is superior to the PPK IMO.

 

The only Walther I have ever been interested in is a PP or PPK in .32 auto. Mainly for the history and aesthetics of them. I’ve never found them to shoot very comfortably or be impressively reliable

I like the P88 Series and P5 Series. Other than those, Walther isn't my thing.

 

I think the PPK is a crappy carry gun, today.

Yesterday it was pretty good.

LCP
G42
G43
P365

They all have it beat for weight, power, shootability, and reliability.

Although, the PPK is pretty accurate.

 

You guys don't seem to like the PPK much, but some people still do! Besides, this is more for fun... just because I like it.

Can someone give more contrast between the PPK and PPK/s? Ive only seen the PPK and Im just wondering how radical the difference really is. does the .6" of height seem real noticeable?

 

I think the PPK-S is better still, but pricey and only .380. Nice if you want an old-timey collectable, but just not gonna cut it compared to a G43.

 

PPK/S better than the PPK? So you like the slightly taller height and capacity then?

 

Again, from limited experience, my stainless PPK did not function as smoothly as a blued Manurhin PPK/s or a blued Walther PP I had. It required more lube (grease on the slide rails) and oil elsewhere than the blued guns to function well, and even then just felt "rougher." I suppose that could be quality of fit & finish but I suspect it is also attributable to qualities of the stainless steel used.

The PPK will have sharper recoil than the /s or PP. The short grip, at least for me directed ALL the recoil into the web of my hand between my thumb and first finger. Very annoying. The /s in .380 and the PP in .32 did not do that.

If you primarily want a shooter and a PP series gun just to have one, get a PP.

 

I can tell you this.....

In my time as PFI for a group of unruly children, I have seen my share of Walther PPK/S' show up on the range.

Honest to goodness, I can/t remember any of them making it through a qualification without a malfunction.

And... at least a few were soooo bad, I refused to certify them for carry.

NOW, if you like that type of firearm.....

Buy a Sig 230/232. They virtually never had a problem.

 

I can tell you this.....

In my time as PFI for a group of unruly children, I have seen my share of Walther PPK/S' show up on the range.

Honest to goodness, I can/t remember any of them making it through a qualification without a malfunction.

And... at least a few were soooo bad, I refused to certify them for carry.

NOW, if you like that type of firearm.....

Buy a Sig 230/232. They virtually never had a problem.

"Buy a Sig 230/232."

Or a Beretta 85.

I'd go so far as to say, buy a Bersa Thunder .380. The one I had, and the one my father has, have been very reliable. Trigger and sights are better than the Walthers' and they have a slide lock/release lever. Not as nice a design, nor nearly as finely made as the Beretta, SIG 230 or 232, or even the PP series guns, but much less expensive and THEY WORK.

 

I had an Interarms PPK/s in late 70’s marked “ made in Germany “. It was blue carbon steel. Fairly accurate, and very reliable with brass cased fmj ammo. It was comfortable to shoot to me.

The stainless USA made PPK and subsequent other variations have mixed reputations.

I love the design actually and wouldn’t mind having a blue German made one for nostalgia.

For a carry gun, there are so many 9mm options available in a similar size and weight.

 

Buy a current 2019 2020 PPK model the finish and fit is far better now. And you can tell all the ones who dislike or have never even owned one.Yeah i have one and i like it.And name it ***** Galore to trigger the flakes ha ha I have owned well over a 100 and still have the new 2019 model in PPK and PPK /S..

 

I had a Manuhrin PP that I imported and later sold... never carried it... back before CCW was a widespread thing. I also bought the SS Interarms PPK/S... always wanted one, but didn't like the SHARP lower rear of the slide. I never warmed to it, but did carry a TPH .22 until I had a problem with ammo here in FL, so sold it after switching to the Kahr P380... centerfire good.
The ones pictured above don't seem to have the sharp lower rear slides.
Oh, I had the Erma .22LR, an Interarms PPK copy in steel or pot metal, as the Walthers are now. But... I don't need a "pocket .22LR".

 

I had an Interarms PPK/S in .380. It was not pleasant to shoot.

 

I had a 375 Holland and Holland and a African Winchester Mod 70 .458 and a Pre-64 Mod 70 270 all not pleasant to shoot. However for what i sold them for back in the day, I wish i had all three back today.

in excess of over ten grand the way i had them scoped out and ammo.
but yeah youth ya do stupid things....

 

I had a 375 Holland and Holland and a African Winchester Mod 70 .458 and a Pre-64 Mod 70 270 all not pleasant to shoot. However for what i sold them for back in the day, I wish i had all three back today.

in excess of over ten grand the way i had them scoped out and ammo.
but yeah youth ya do stupid things.... View attachment 705072

I almost sold my CZ 550 9.3 X 62.

 

Keep it. You won't regret that ever....

 

Stainless is a material, not a finish.

It doesn’t have the hardness of carbon steel and isn’t as good for tight fitted handguns.

Stainless is a material, not a finish.

It doesn’t have the hardness of carbon steel and isn’t as good for tight fitted handguns.

I never directly called stainless a finish. Besides, you dont need to correct every little technicality. Its annoying, and 99% of people would understand what I am talking about, which is the purpose of communication. Also, I like the way stainless looks for the PPK!

And to everyone else, I can see that there are "better" options out there for carrying or shooting a gun. Some people still like revolvers and 1911s and there are "better" options than those, too!

:couch:

 

I never directly called stainless a finish. Besides, you dont need to correct every little technicality. Its annoying, and 99% of people would understand what I am talking about, which is the purpose of communication. Also, I like the way stainless looks for the PPK

I knew exactly what you were saying. I wanted to make sure you did, because it didn’t seem so.

I also answered your question, so you’re welcome, by the way.

 

As was mentioned the PPK/S was born due to the GCA of '68. The PPK could not be imported due to failing the point scale as being too small. Walther took the all steel lower frame of the PP series, and placed the shorter PPK slide and barrel on the PP frame. And the PPK/Special was born. It made the Importation points list by being taller. And happened to fit the big American hand better, so it became a hit, and still is to this day. Do the PPK series guns kick in .380? Yes they do, but get a strong hand hold on it, and it's not too bad. S&W's version started the "Beavertail" thing that Walther approved of, and still makes w/ their newest PPK-PPK/S versions. It does help, somewhat.
I find the original PPK to be a great pocket pistol due to it's size and weight. It is lighter then the PPK/S because it has a cut away frame on the grip strap, and the light plastic grips cover that. With a finger rest magazine, the PPK just barely fits an average hand, but it does fit. As far as the pistol being in .380, there are 2 frames of thought about power. Either carry all ball ammunition and go for penetration, or carry some of the newer enhanced light hollow point rds that are quite powerful for this caliber. In an up close anti personnel kind of engagement, the .380 will get the job done, with proper placement and no barriers to punch through. Across a parking lot, or down the block shooting, nope, the .380 is sucking wind.
The newer PPK's and PPK/S's coming from Walther are just about flawless, IMHO. I have been working on PP's, PPK's and PPK/S's for many years, and more w/ the S&W version(Some are good, some aren't, and need extensive tuning to work). New versions are German made slide and barrel, and American made frame, and then carefully fitted. I have a new PPK, and a new PPK/S, and I am very happy w/ their performance. They joined my 1968 blue PPK in .32 ACP, and my newer PPK/S in .22 LR. I like PPK's and I trust mine.

 

I bought a S&W made one several years ago. Mostly because of the Houlton, Maine roll mark. I grew up in that town. Fun to shoot, but I don't carry it. The S&W units don't get the highest praise, but for my purpose it's good. My older brother wants it bad due to the roll mark, so maybe I can find something of his he's willing to part with.

 

PPK/S better than the PPK? So you like the slightly taller height and capacity then?

The PPK is the classic

 

However, if you like the PP/PPK designs and want one that IS dead nuts reliable, and very accurate (but not available in stainless) with HP defensive ammo, you might want to examine...

The 9x18mm Makarov.

Just a thought (and some gratuitous gun porn)

 

However, if you like the PP/PPK designs and want one that IS dead nuts reliable, and very accurate (but not available in stainless) with HP defensive ammo, you might want to examine... View attachment 705300

The 9x18mm Makarov.

Just a thought (and some gratuitous gun porn)

Those are definitely more reliable

 

I have a ppk born in 1968 and a ppk/s born in 1975. I carry both, I prefer the ppk but both are good pistols.

 

I carried a S/S Walter PPK/s in 380 from 87-93 in Nevada and Washington States.
No Glock-42’s back then.