Walther PPK /S

[johnredwood]

Hello I am new to the forum. I had a new Walther PPK/S some years ago when it was manufactured, I believe by Interarms out of Virginia, the weapon at that time malfunctioned quite often because of manufacturing issues. I sent it back to them, they sent me a check for the weapon. I liked the weapon and purchased another new one from a different shop--same issues.

Does anyone know about the current status of this weapon, i.e. are there alot of reported problems with the new ones? And I do not recall what is the difference between the PPK and PPK/S models?

thanks,

John

[CampingJosh]

First off, welcome to the forum! We're an odd--but fun--bunch, and we're really rather friendly. Please do stick around and join in the fray.

The PPK and PPK/S are some of the most-copied handguns in history. They are generally reliable, but it sounds like you definitely got a lemon. Sorry to hear that.

Smith and Wesson makes the new Walther-licensed versions, and I've heard mixed reports. Some of the forum members here have had great experience with them, while others (particularly Pinecone70, I think) have had nothing but trouble. I don't have one, so I can't offer a personal opinion.

As for the difference between the two, the PPK/s has a slightly longer handle to accomodate a one-round magazine capacity increase.

[pinecone70]

I've had nothing but problems with mine, manufactured by Smith & Wesson, which I bought in November of last year.

The first issue was the extractor falling out during firing. I sent it in for warranty work and got it back in approximately three weeks.

The second issue was the recall in February for a hammer block safety problem, I sent it back on April 7th and haven't seen it since.

I liked the gun, fired a total of 68 rounds out of it since November. It would be very nice if it worked properly I'm sure. It came with Crimson Trace grips, seemed like just the thing for my concealed carry intentions. But now I have been set back on that class and still don't have my expensive gun, can't get ammo for it anyway.

Oh, and the real kicker is the letter I received today, telling me not to fire my gun because of the recall issue, and to send it in immediately. Um, it's at the factory....

I have to admit, I will probably keep the gun, but will not be purchasing anything new from Smith anymore.

[pinecone70]

Jinx!

LOL!

[obxned]

If you like the PPK, try the Bersa .380 - it costs much less, doesn't bite the hand that feeds it, and works it like should.

[bcj1755]

If you'd be willing to buy a used gun, try to find an older PPK/S that is 100% German-made. The new "Walther" PPK/S is made by Smith and Wesson....blarg! I have a P99 and it's 100% German and very reliable (almost 700 rounds and not the first problem). I don't even like have the Smith and Wesson import stamp on my P99

+1 on the Bersa. Those are pretty good guns there.

[BillP]

Oddly enough, one of the most reliable of the PPK copies (not clones) is the communist block Mackarove. It even fires a slightly more potent round although .380 versions have been made. I don't have any personal experience but others appear to really like them. They have been made by various manufacturers as has the PPK and I am sure that someone here can head you in the right direction as to which are the best. I find the PPK to be a bit heavy for a .380. If I am going to tote that much weight, I would want a 9MM PB.

[George Peacock]

If you have feeding problems with a Stainless Steel PPK, try having it throated and polished at the ramp, did it with mine, works just fine now, but if you want ultimate reliability, stick with the West German Blue Steel PPK /s, hundreds of rounds, no problems there.

Good luck. George P.

[Rangedog]

Hello Everyone....new to the forum...it looks great!

I fell in love with my PPK/S right away...fit on my hip perfectly. Liked the weight, the feel and the accuracy.

I had the same problems with mine in the beginning. However, the recall came out just a few weeks after I got mine and I hadn't had the time to break it in with enough rounds at the range.

I sent it back right away, under the recall, and just got it back last week. While examining the gun I noticed that they had also polished the ramp to a high gloss shine.

I took it to the range for the first time Sunday and WOW!!!!! Not one jam, not one misfire....I'm in love again!!!!

The only downside is the cost of .380 ammo.....I just can't believe it. I will shoot it - once in a while now - maybe try some reloads for practice rounds and SD grade for personal carry.

Bob

[pinecone70]

Originally Posted by Rangedog

...I sent it back right away, under the recall, and just got it back last week....

The hammer block safety recall? They have had mine for 10 1/2 weeks now and could not confirm that they even had it when I contacted S&W. I hope mine comes back soon.

On a side note, I have been buying .380s for $19/box of 50 since November--when I can find them in stock.

[oscarmayer]

after reviewing the massive number of recalls smith and wesson has had over the past 15 years i'm shocked anyone would still consider them as top rate firearms company. the recalls are public knowledge and can be found by googling smith and wesson recalls. it's honestly shocking.

[Doc1911]

I must agree with the comments concerning the S&W models. The German ones are much better. I carried one for many years as a backup weapon when I was in LE. Dependable and accurate. (make sure to position your thumbs correctly while firing ....)

[macro01]

are there quality differences with the S&W made PPK/S and the interarms made ones?

[Maximilian II]

I can only chip in on the Hungarian FEG, which is pretty much a makarov and thus in the same family. Mine's in .32ACP, and the only issues I've had are ammo related. Flat point bullets didn't work well. I have yet to "tune" the ramp to see if this helps. I prefer round nose FMJ's anyhow since the little .32 is short on penetration.
I must say that for some reason I just love shooting this little gun. Don't know why, I usually like much larger handguns like my Ruger Redhawk .44mag.

[delta13soultaker]

I never sent my S&W PPK/s in on the recall. I like carrying it too much to part with it.

When I decock, I hold the hammer back with my thumb and lower it on the block. If my thumb slips, which is not likely if you know how easy that hammer is to hold back, the hammer hits the block, as designed. I figure the odds of an AD/ND while lowering the hammer on a weapon designed to decock,and the safety/block are engaged, is astronomically unlikely.

I wouldn't do this on a 1911, but it ain't a 1911.


PS: the original Johnredwood question.

The PP was the original Walther police design (there were earlier designs but the PP was the one that took off).

The PPK was the compact version of the PP. (K= kurtz, or short)

The PPK was eventually restricted from import to the US because of a dumb law that regulated size. The PPK was too short in length and height.

The solution was to mate the PPK slide to the PP frame. It was thus tall enough to be imported. They called it the PPK/s. It held 7 rounds of 9mm kurtz/.380 like a PP and retained that comfortable grip size, but had the popular short PPK slide.

I've shot PP and PPK and in my opinion, I like the PPK/s the best. I'm glad they took the time to make it work.

[Doc1911]

As has been stated the S&W PPKs are not near the quality of the real German ones. I have been tempted of late to purchase a used German one - but they desire 1K for it and I remember paying just over $200 for my older one .... inflation + obamafear I know ...

[DebS]

Originally Posted by pinecone70

The hammer block safety recall? They have had mine for 10 1/2 weeks now and could not confirm that they even had it when I contacted S&W. I hope mine comes back soon.

I have a collectable Golden Eagle PPK/S that I sent in for the recall and got it back in 60 days. Beautiful pistol.

[Islandboy]

Isn't the PPS the slimline model? fired a bunch through a range gun, used a PPK also, no problems but got better groups from the PPS.

[delta13soultaker]

Yeah, but a PPS is a totally different design.

[abuch]

Walther made the PP and PPK from the early 1930s until the end of WWII. In 1952 and 1953 production began in Mulhouse(French sector under the Yalta treaty) as a result of a license agreement with Manurhin, a machine tool maker, who created the Walther tooling for the PP and PPK. The parts were shipped to the Walther plant in Ulm West Germany where the pistols were assembled, roll marked, fitted, proofed, grip fitted,and blued. The trip was 130 miles from Mulhouse. Walther avoided the Treaty for production with the French license but because the pistols were completed in at the Ulm plant they could be marked "Made in West Germany". When the plant at Ulm was completed, Walther began production of the P38 in 1957 as Germany regained its sovereignty and he received a contract from the German government. Thus, the P38 post WWII was made in Germany. So the last PP and PPK of 100% German manufacture was prior to WWII and Manurhin was the parts manufacturer until 1985 and these were the pistols exported to Interarms in the US. In 1968 the Gun Control Act forced the creation of the PPK/S(special) since the PPK was below the minimum profile under the Act. Walther took the PP frame and the PPK slide and barrel and made the PPK/S with production beginning in 1969. In 1979, Interarms licensed Ranger Mfg. Gadsen, Al to produce the PP and PPK/S ignoring the Manuhrin license but this lasted only a short time because Manuhrin felt it infringed on their license. Manuhrin continued making the PP and PPK/S until 1985. In the late 1900s came the S&W manufacture. There are no reports of where the US tooling was secured for Ranger or S&W. Hope this helps.

[traf0069]

I just bought a S&W Walther ppk, and only fired off six rounds, and the pistol performed great. The shot pattern was all over hell's half acre, but the gun did it's job. The shells ejected about ten feet from where i was, I found that remarkable. I've had pistols before but they were all revolvers, so I traded two of them in at Cabela's. Did'nt get a smokin' deal, but I wanted something I could carry and have fun with at the same time. The only bitch I have with gun is that it's a bear to take apart! The first time I tried to field strip it, pulled the trigger guard aside, put the safety on, and pulled back the slide. I could'nt believe how stiff the dang spring is! Maybe I'm low on testosterone, but Jaysus H. Keerist! Anyway, I got it apart twice, now I can't get the slide off anymore. It locks in place like the clip is empty, but do you think I can raise the backend off the pistol? No way Jose! Am I doing anything wrong? If I am, I'm not doing anything different now then when it came apart the first couple of times. I'm at a loss, other than filing down some parts that will make this easier to strip, I have no idea what the problem is. I recall in the service, the ol' .45 practicallly fell apart in your hands when you wanted to field strip them. So guys give me some pointers on how to do this easier, other than hiring a young stud to help me hold that slide back!......By the way, you can email me at "nascar@pacifier.com" with the pointers...Tom

[dbennett48]

It is NOT a good idea to post email addresses in forums.

Dave

[traf0069]

relax "dave" if you're not answering my question, then it's none of your business if i put my email address up or not. i'm a big boy and i'll do as i please, do we understand each other? hope so.....tom