[tremagt47]

I have a Walther PPK 7.65 mm Zella Mehlis serial number 386357k. Can you please give me some information about it.

 

[RJay]

Welcome to the forum , very little information can be given about your Walther because of the very lack of information. It is a Walther, it is in 7.65/32ACP, it was made approximately in 1942. It may be a commercial model , a military issue or even police model. What is needed is clear photos of all the markings, profile shots of both sides and of the grips. A big factor is the condition of the firearms and the grips. If you can help us with photos, we have some very knowledgeable individuals on the forum who can help you. Heck, there are some members who can probably tell you what the weather was like on the day it was built.

 

[tremagt47]

Thanks Ron--My father brought it back from WWII and gave it to me a couple of years ago. It is something I will never sell but was wondering if I can get ammo for it and try to shoot it. I really don't care how much it is worth, it is in great condition.

 

[RJay]

It uses the .32 ACP which is readily available at most places that sale ammo. I would use .32 hardball or full metal jacket. Some of the WWII Walther's are fairly common and in good shape 400 to 800 dollars, some are very rare and can hit the 4 figure mark. If possible could you post all the markings, even better if you could post clear pictures of the markings and a overall picture of the gun. Do have the holster? We all like to look at pictures and also learn as well.

 

[oldfartrr]

It uses the .32 ACP which is readily available at most places that sale ammo. I would use .32 hardball or full metal jacket. Some of the WWII Walther's are fairly common and in good shape 400 to 800 dollars, some are very rare and can hit the 4 figure mark. If possible could you post all the markings, even better if you could post clear pictures of the markings and a overall picture of the gun. Do have the holster? We all like to look at pictures and also learn as well.

good infor but stay away from the defense loads they are usually to hot for most of these older guns,, stay with normal or plinker loads..
have had several brought to me for repair that the owners tried shooting defense loads (golden sabor, federal-hydrashock,,typically any of the hollow point) and now have broken slides or other damage. standard loads are ok,

 

[Lanrezac]

good infor but stay away from the defense loads they are usually to hot for most of these older guns,, stay with normal or plinker loads..
have had several brought to me for repair that the owners tried shooting defense loads (golden sabor, federal-hydrashock,,typically any of the hollow point) and now have broken slides or other damage. standard loads are ok,

Whoa. Thanks for tip! Have you seen similar problems with any of the mini-.32s around today, like the Kel-Tec or the Seecamp?

 

[22WRF]

I have seen some Kel Tec 380's crack the frame. They were replaced under warranty.

 

[oldfartrr]

Whoa. Thanks for tip! Have you seen similar problems with any of the mini-.32s around today, like the Kel-Tec or the Seecamp?

yes,, most of the small guns were not designed for the higher power of defense ammo,,, some of them or ok for a shot occasionally but not a steady diet,, couple of the new ones say they can take it,, check with the manufacter first to be safe but with the older ones do not suggest if u wish to keep the gun in one piece

 

[Lanrezac]

Thanks, oldfartrr and 22WRF. Now I'm glad I can't afford that stuff!

 

[RJay]

IMO, Pressure levels of 32 ACP is the same as it always was,( actually American ammo is lower pressure and velocity than 50 years ago ,foreign ammo has the old standard velocity, which makes ammo such S&B seem hotter ) the velocity increase is due to bullet design and weight. If a frame is going to crack, it will do so regardless of what type of ammo is used. Most of today's modern Micro guns are not made for extensive range work. As a old gun -a- holic once told me. there are shooting guns ( range work ) and there are carry guns. Once upon a time I had a job that required me to be armed, I had two identical revolvers, one for practice and one for carry. To conclude, I believe a quality all steel handgun such as the Walther PP and PPK will do just fine with any out of the box ammo on the market today. The same frame was used for both the .32 ACP and the .380 ACP, If the frame is OK for 380 , it is OK for 32. JMO and I've been wrong before

 

[Lanrezac]

That makes a lot of sense, RJay. I thought the exotic personal defense loads (MagSafe? Glaser? CorBon?) might be "+P" loads compared to standard 32 ACP. But they would still be milder than regualar 380 ACP.