PPK Reliability Issues

[rifleshooter474]

I like mine it's nice when a smaller carry is needed, other small handguns have less weight and are of a newer design but I like the feel of this small all steel gun.
Mine has never failed to shoot, so I say it's GTG.

[UniversalExports]

50+ rounds was way too much to put through my Interarms PPK/S (beat my hand to a pulp), but with the redesigned tang on the S&W version I find I can easily go 100+ rounds in a session. But in either gun, I didn't start having failures just because it was getting dirty, even when firing PMC. My first Interarms PPK/S is a different story, however.

If you get a good one, it's reliable for much more than just a couple of magazines' worth of firing. My first Interarms PPK/S wouldn't go even two magazines without a malfunction.

[halfmoonclip]

The 500 round test was created by some gun scribes in unholy alliance with the ammo companies.
The fundamental premise is sound; if it's a defense gun, it absolutely has to work if called on. Taking the gun out of the box, filling the magazine and stuffing it in a drawer just isn't prudent, but likely happens more often than you might expect.
Some guns you simply expect to work, no discussion. Glocks and 1911s fall in that category. Others are potentially problematic by nature (.380 PPKs....) and bear some proving before trusting them with a particular brand of ammo.
I don't know if 500 rounds are necessary, but a couple boxes without a bobble would make me feel better.
BTW, that original 500 round thing allowed for periodic maintenance or lube at least.
Moon

[prm]

If you expected to shoot hundreds of rounds of modern ultra large hollow point bullets through it and never clean it, or a variety of cheap off brand ammunition, then you would be better served with something like a Glock.

Guess mine did not get the memo. I've been shooting my current Manurhin PP 32 ACP for well over 20 years. Runs like a Timex watch. Regular cleaning is all I have ever done to it. It is my EDC gun. I usually keep my round count per range session between 50 and 100 rounds due solely to cost. I would not expect any issues if I were to run more rounds through it at the range.

Don't know what the OP is calling cheap off brand ammo. I recently bought 1200 rounds of .32 ACP Prvi Partisan FMJ @ $10.00 a box and it shoots great. Probably, buy at least that many more while Wideners still has it at that price. My gun has also ran flawless with Remington FMJ, Winchester FMJ, Fiocchi FMJ, Federal FMJ, and Federal Hydra Shok HP ammo, and Winchester Silvertips.

The PP pistols were carried in full leather enclosed holsters that contained an extra magazine holder. So therefore straight off the bat they were thought to not to need to exceed 2 full magazines at any one time and to be carried in a dirt, dust free environment, (enclosed holster). Europe in the time of the PP’s creation was not exactly crime ridden with gun violence. So I doubt that multiple magazine engagements against other armed persons were ever anticipated in its design.

If I went by that reasoning, then I would have to say my 1911 was only designed to shoot 3 magazines before detailed cleaning, or my Colt revolver six rounds??? I have agree with halfmoonclip, I think the OP is selling the PP series guns short in their estimation of reliability.

[bigredfish]

While it admittedly sat in the safe for a few years, I now routinely put 100 rounds every 3-4 weeks through my '92 PPK/s. Usually a box of standard brand name ball and a box of Gold Dots or Double Tap. I do this as it's in my carry rotation and I like the confidence that comes from knowing that what i carry in it shoots well at the range time after time.

I've had few if any problems with quality Walther magazines and plenty of grease on the rails. Oil aint enough.

[LimeDeer]

It's good enough for me that the PP/PPK is German engineered and designed to exceed requirements, which has been a historical German tradition in many areas such as firearms, automobile engines, jet aircraft, beer, military rockets, cameras, optics, childrens toys, just to name a few. Since I was a kid, I've equated German-made and Swiss-made to high quality engineering and workmanship. I'm proud to own a few examples of that quality -- including my German PPK.

[PLR]

My PPK is unreliable. It is Interarms 380. It jams, stovepipes, FTF, and bullet sticks in the first part of the barrel. I am surprised others are not getting this reliability issue.

[Pilotsteve]

Originally Posted by PLR

My PPK is unreliable. It is Interarms 380. It jams, stovepipes, FTF, and bullet sticks in the first part of the barrel. I am surprised others are not getting this reliability issue.

Sir, either you or your Interarms PPK has serious problems. The problems you describe do not normally coincide with such a high quality firearm you claim to possess. Details, please?

-Pilotsteve

[halfmoonclip]

prm, part of the reason your Walther has never missed a beat is caliber. The window for reliable operation is much larger with the .32; with the .380s higher slide velocity, there are many more opportunities for mischief.

Steve has a .380 that goes bang every time, but such, unhappily, is not always the case. I have an uncooperative .380 PPK/s in my past...
Moon

[MGMike]

Originally Posted by Shadow Catcher

Frankly I'm not sure what to make of this whole posting. ...

Me neither.

M