Hello all,
First, one word of introduction. I have been active on this forum for a while under the name "Laurent". As I couldn't login after a year + of absence - and never got an answer to my SOSs - I finally log on under another name. It is the name I'm known for at the www.hipowersandhandguns.com forum.
A year ago, I mentionned here my interest for a PP Super but I finally ended with a 1967 Ulm PP in 9 short. A very nice gun indeed.
Recently, I cracked for a PP Super in 9 police. A slight worn Bavarian Police surplus (with the "ByP" cartouch crossed on the frame) that came with 250 rounds of Hirtenberger.
At the range, I arranged a comparison shooting between the PP and the Super. The first is more snappy in .380 than the second in 9 police, due to the latter's large and confortable grip. In combat drills, the Super is much more effective: faster and more accurate. The grip, good DA/SA and large sights do contribute. The PP does good with more concentration - and pain on the web of the hand.
At 25 meters, shooting for accuracy, the old PP is even better, the smaller sights being of advantage.
From my recallings, the Super is much better in ergonomy and handling than a .380 SIG P230 (alu frame) that I had for a time.
Next, I tried some .380 rounds in the Super. It fired without any problems, except a slight loss of accuracy at 25 m.
In my enthusiasm, I finally put about 80 .380 through the Super with just one failure to fire. When I ejected the round by hand, the primer was not marked, it had probably slipped out of reach for the firing pin... but still came out - so what? Generally the .380 shells are bulged at the base.
From my experience, the .380 looks like a viable alternative to the rare and expensive 9 police, at least for training.
I've been warned not to fire a shorter round in a gun because it puts strain on the extractor. I'm not to concerned as extractors are strong on Walthers. In straight blowback designs, the extractor is made to take a lot of stress as the slide recoils violently and immediatly after the ignition.
I'm not concerned more by a pitting of the chamber due to the shorter shell. .380 is a low pressure round and it can't do more harm than .38 in a .357 cylinder.
I'll keep you informed.
L.
First, one word of introduction. I have been active on this forum for a while under the name "Laurent". As I couldn't login after a year + of absence - and never got an answer to my SOSs - I finally log on under another name. It is the name I'm known for at the www.hipowersandhandguns.com forum.
A year ago, I mentionned here my interest for a PP Super but I finally ended with a 1967 Ulm PP in 9 short. A very nice gun indeed.
Recently, I cracked for a PP Super in 9 police. A slight worn Bavarian Police surplus (with the "ByP" cartouch crossed on the frame) that came with 250 rounds of Hirtenberger.
At the range, I arranged a comparison shooting between the PP and the Super. The first is more snappy in .380 than the second in 9 police, due to the latter's large and confortable grip. In combat drills, the Super is much more effective: faster and more accurate. The grip, good DA/SA and large sights do contribute. The PP does good with more concentration - and pain on the web of the hand.
At 25 meters, shooting for accuracy, the old PP is even better, the smaller sights being of advantage.
From my recallings, the Super is much better in ergonomy and handling than a .380 SIG P230 (alu frame) that I had for a time.
Next, I tried some .380 rounds in the Super. It fired without any problems, except a slight loss of accuracy at 25 m.
In my enthusiasm, I finally put about 80 .380 through the Super with just one failure to fire. When I ejected the round by hand, the primer was not marked, it had probably slipped out of reach for the firing pin... but still came out - so what? Generally the .380 shells are bulged at the base.
From my experience, the .380 looks like a viable alternative to the rare and expensive 9 police, at least for training.
I've been warned not to fire a shorter round in a gun because it puts strain on the extractor. I'm not to concerned as extractors are strong on Walthers. In straight blowback designs, the extractor is made to take a lot of stress as the slide recoils violently and immediatly after the ignition.
I'm not concerned more by a pitting of the chamber due to the shorter shell. .380 is a low pressure round and it can't do more harm than .38 in a .357 cylinder.
I'll keep you informed.
L.
