[Jimmo952]

Hello Fab807. Thanks for posting your take on the PD380.

How did you find the trigger, reliability and accuracy of the PD380?

Did you end up replacing the stock sights with something else?

It's funny you mention the mag release.

The paddle versus button mag release has been debated quite a bit here over the years.

The paddle has its hard-core fans for sure.

 

[Jimmo952]

Good Morning/Afternoon Jimmo952. IF I was anticipating to keep the weapon, yes — I would replace the sites with Trijicon night sites. I still have the factory sights. I purchased two (2) PD 380 and both are the stainless model (stainless slides) And your question you had about the trigger — no issues at all.

Thanks. So I take you found it to be reliable. That's obviously job one.

When the PD380 came out, a forum member here called it a "lazy upgrade" of the PK380 meaning Walther could have taken it farther.

For me, a slide stop would have improved the handling properties of the gun quite a bit.

Thanks again for posting your thoughts.

 

[Jimmo952]

I've been enjoying and carrying the PD380 for four months now. As the owner of a P99 and a PPS M1, I have no trouble with the paddle release, and actually prefer it (Yes, I have other guns with traditional mag releases, like a P320 and a 1911). I like the PD380 for all the reasons you state. On the "Con" side, I would add that the factory sights are not good. The front sight is cheap plastic - one of my holsters wore it down to the while plastic that's underneath the black exterior on the top surface. The rear sight picture is too narrow. I replaced the sights with Trijicon Tough and Bright sights and went with the "Small Glock Frame" option (Glock 42 size). The rear sight is a little narrower than the slide, but it's definitely not going to snag on anything, and the sight picture is much better. If anybody does this, just remember to keep the front sight screw. The standard Glock hex screw will not fit into the recess inside the PD380 slide. The Walther screw is ridiculously long as well, you will have to file it down to make it work with any real sight. Nevertheless, not that big a deal. My two biggest "cons" are that: First, the trigger is just okay. I have a few thousand rounds through mine, and it only improved a little over time. I like the heavy DA pull, but the SA pull is too heavy for satisfying range shooting; second, I consistently get some reliability issues at the range after about 250 rounds. I don't reload, and I've used Blazer, Federal, Remington, and Hornady ammo. It eats anything, including hollow points, just fine, but it seems to gunk up after about 250 rounds and sometimes won't go completely into battery. It's perfect again after cleaning. Zero FTF or FTE. I shouldn't complain, the tolerances are tight, and it's not really a range gun. I love everything else about it.

If someone comes out with an aftermarket trigger kit for the PD380, it will be a pretty nice gun.

Either that or Walther comes out with a 2.0 version with an improved trigger.

The pistol is definitely a cut above the old PK380.

 

[Jimmo952]

I disagree. PD380 is NOT marketed as law enforcement firearm. It is marketed / thus designed for CCW/SD. I have one. Having to insert another magazine into a SD weapon quickly is just plain not relevant to such a piece and having to rack the slide or using paddle release serve their designed function for PD380. They serve perfect purpose at the training range where you need to hone in your skills..and having to rack the slide is training aid to ensure the firearm is pointing the right direction with both hands, rather than push button quick slide. Paddle release...I actually love it and takes me zero time to eject the mag without looking with just a feel.

I dont believe paddles are any slower than the button.

My opinion is it is mostly a matter of what a person gets habituated to. I understand there are people who can't reach the button or move their finger in such a way to depress the paddle, but for most, it's just a matter of habitation and preference.

The lack of a slide stop is more of any issue in my opinion because it makes fixing jams a little harder.

 

[Jimmo952]

I can compare to my experiences with my PPK/S and PD380. I have medium-sized hands. The side button release on PPK/S requires me to actually change the grip slightly, extend the thumb out and for better thumb strength even tilt the gun down a bit. The paddle on PD380 I can simply reach with my trigger finger and just push down without even changing the grip, perhaps just tiling the gun up a bit in the hand, allowing the mag to drop, catch w/other hand and instantly plug in second mag. Yes, it is a matter of habitation but I think it is also a matter of personal "fit". But it is not a CON on the firearm.

I actually had a few jams in mine and it jammed slide open, in a weird half-ejected/half-fed position. This position even made the mag release not function. It was quite confusing to me (fairly new to firearms), the slide was jammed, the mag would not drop...for few mins I had no solution. Until I jiggled the slide, freed the mag release and then extracted the spent round. Can you help me picture how would have the jam stop help resolve this? Thanks!! I am a bit concerned that I had jams, hardly anyone reported any. I'm placing my bet on ammo for now.

You have to consider that PPK button was designed in about 1929 (with the PP).

The placement of the mag button in the PP Series is not optimal for quick mag changes.

Comparing the PD380 to the PDP is more apples to apples.

The button on the PDP is better placed for most people than the PPK's button.

 

[Jimmo952]

Ref: CCP M2: I read somewhere that because of the gas-recoil system..the forward/bottom part of the slide can get quiet hot at the range after many rounds. Any truth to it with anyone w/actual experience?

Yes. It will get hot with extended firing. Probably not an issue in a self defense situation but annoying and sometimes uncomfortable in a practice session.

The HK P7 has a very similar gas system and shares the rapid heat up issue.

It's just something to beware of. If you practice session consists of putting a box of 50 down range, you might not even notice the heat.

If on the underhand you are a guy that puts 1000 rounds through your gun in a practice session, you'll definitely notice the heat.

Most people are not shooting a gun like the CCP that much though.