An analysis of Interarms PPK-PPK/S serial numbers & dates

[Barkoff]

Originally Posted by Martin

Hi Barkoff,

welcome at first.

Your PPK/S is a Walther/Manurhin made (Manurhin made the parts, Walther assembled, blued and proof the gun). In my opinion the Quality is better than later Walther/Ranger/S&W models.

It's an early 70th made, take a look on the ejection port, you will find the two digit proof date stamped there (71 for example means 1971).

Perhaps someone other will answer your ammunition question, because hollow points are forbidden in Germany... I prefer Geco or Fiocchi FMJ.

Martin

Nice call, it is a '71.

Others have told me that PPKs are unreliable with hollow points, and that if I carry this as a CCW, I should do so with FMJ, is that popular wisdom?

[searcher451]

Originally Posted by Barkoff

Others have told me that PPKs are unreliable with hollow points, and that if I carry this as a CCW, I should do so with FMJ, is that popular wisdom?

The best way to determine the answer is to take your pistol out to the range with a variety of hollow point rounds and see which one works the best in yours. What works in your pistil may not necessarily work in mine, and vice versa. But then, you've perhaps heard that before?

[Milspec]

I've had good luck with Corbon Powerball in my Manurhin PPK/S. It has a big plastic ball in the nose that lets it feed like an FMJ but still expands reliably.

[Rabbitcreekok]

I have run a lot of Hornady Critical Defense rounds through my PPK/S without any problems in feeding or ejecting.

[bob149]

For what its worth, I purchased new a Interarms PPK/s .380 Stainless S/N S116866. The Black Plastic box is dated 2/94 and the enclosed target has a test fire date of 6/14/94.

[preservation]

Hello folks.
I'm brand new to the forum.

I've only recently decided to exercise my 2nd Amendment Rights, and was talking today with my father & brother-in-law about some smart handgun choices for home safety and range shooting. At the moment I'm looking at a Glock 19 as they seem easy to care for and come with great reviews from friends.

Anyway, in the midst of discussion my dad decided to show us his Walther PPK/S. It hadn't been fired in 31 years. The box still has all the original manuals, test target, and receipt. I believe he paid *just* over $200 for it on June 4, 1981.

The SN# is 00195* and it seems this was one of the InterArms guns made in
Gadsen, Alabama. It's as clean as a whistle as it's been sitting in a closet for all of it's life. My dad said he shot at a range and a quarry only a handful of times. His friend bought one right around the same time and many policemen offered both my dad and his friend double the original sale price. Fortunately my dad decided not to part with his.

From my brief online searches it seems that InterArms was notoriously bad at keeping records. I'm sure my dad would want to hang onto the gun for a number of reasons, yet I'd like to get some sort of idea regarding it's market value. They seem to enjoy a good reputation.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated !

[searcher451]

You might want to start here:

Value? Year made? What do I have? Please start here first

NIB Interarms PPK/S models will often sell for as low as $450 and as high as $600. It depends on how well it works, what's included, and how much someone wants to pay. Have your dad hang onto it; sounds like a nice one.

Welcome to the forum; enjoy your time here.

[koolaid1]

ppk/s s.n. S144567. no target. org. box stamped 10/96

[koolaid1]

interarms ppk/s. vap-24412. S# s144567. no test target.box stamped 10/96

[Colt40five]

Interarms PPK/S, S#067866, test target signed 6-6-97