[BennyMA]

I own a 1972 model PP 7.65, made in Germany, but I have failure to feed problems if I don't use a very stiff arm technique when firing it ( I can benchpress 300 lbs, but sometimes shooting the little PP becomes tiring, a chore, and range time is cut short).  I like the gun nevertheless, and I am thinking about buying a new S&W PPK .380.  I want a gun that is enjoyable to take to the range as I am pretty much a recreational shooter - all of my other 8 guns are 100% reliable, only the PP gives me problems.  If I may ask, what are people's experiences with the reliability of the S&W PPK (especially concerning FTF, I use hard ball ammo at the range)?  Thanks in advance.

Benny

 

[P88]

I have yet to see a S&W PPK that works correctly. Every one that I've come across has had trigger problems. They don't work correctly in SA mode.

You'de be better off finding a German made PPK, IMHO.

I'm surprised by your PP experiences. Generally the PPK is more finiky than the PP. Have you tried different types of ammo in it? Different grip styles?

 

[jehzsa]

There's a bar that has a spring in the middle. Two rubber handles at each end. Grab the handles, extend your arms forward and bend it. Careful you don't crack your, or anyone's skull, while doing it. When you finally are able to do it, say, ten times in a row, bending down and up, your limp-wristing, finger-wristing, forearm-wristing days are over.

+1 what P88 said.

 

[BennyMA]

Thanks for the help, guys. I have tried every kind of ammo I could find: WWB, Gold Dot, Cor-Con, Remington. I replaced the recoil spring and mag spring with Wolff springs. It is still difficult for me to get through a box of 50 rounds without a FFT. I'll work on the exercises, jehzsa, thanks.

I'm considering a CZ RAMI 9 mm and a SIG .380 as well, but they don't have the charm of a Walther. The German made PPK might be the best way to go.

Thanks again.

 

[jehzsa]

Perhaps, a feed ramp polish is in order for your PP. I don't personally have experience with the S&W product, but the 70s Interarms always were reliable for me. Darn problem was that they bit the hand that fed them.

 

[TexBond]

Benny, I have a 1938 German made 7.65mm PPK that I had massive jamming problems with. I switched to Fiochi hollow points or Seller and Bellot hollow points or full metal jacketed bullets and the jamming has disappeared completely. I found that German guns like the "hotter" Euro ammo and the "milder" American ammo presents problems.

I hope this helps!

Tex

 

[BennyMA]

jehzsa, you are right, the feed ramp could use a polishing as it has a few dings in it. I'm a little hesitant to do it myself or have a smith do it because to my eye it might need to be 'deeply polished' (the dings are clearly visible to the eye) and I'm afraid things might get worse if the job is not done by someone with a lot of experience. I need to find the right person to do it.

TexBond, thanks for the info. I'll give the Euro ammo a try. Now that you mention it, I don't recall any FFT with the hot Cor-Bon ammo (I tested a box or two). I just didn't want to use it exclusively for fear it would be rough on the gun. Is the Euro ammo as hot as Cor-Bon?

Thanks again.

 

[P88]

Benny,

You might even try the hobby of reloading. I started out reloading for my .380 PPK about 15 years ago. By doing so, I was able to taylor my load that worked just right in the PPK for both hollow points and ball.

One word of caution, reloading is addictive. I now reload for .380, .32, 9mm, .40, .45, .357/.38, 10mm, .308, .30-06, .300wm, .223, .256 win mag, and probably some others I can't think of.

 

[BennyMA]

I have looked at reloading equipment in the magazines and thought about it, but I live in an apartment and my neighbors might go ballistic if they knew I was reloading in the apt.

 

[michael t]

You can polish the word is polish not remove the dings just smooth them. Run a little hotter ammo and don't limp wrist just a firm hold. Keep your pistol well lubed. I have on of those trashey Interarms and mine runns a 100 %

 

[jehzsa]

Use the pinkie, BennyMA. What you need is Emery cloth(600 grit sandpaper) and your pinkie. What you do is polish, not grind. You want it to look like a mirror. Go in and out. In the direction the bullet enters. NOT round and round. Go slow and easy, should take you (for a first timer), about 15 minutes including taking the slide off and putting it back on. There's no need to get every single ding out. What you are looking for is a uniform surface. And ALL metal surfaces have dings. No matter what. So no deep polishing. Not necessary. After polishing, spray the gun liberally with cleaner/lube/protectant. Not merely the chamber area/feed ramp. I use at different times, Ballistol, RemOil and/or Strikehold. Depending on my mood for the day.

For 7.65mm, I used Geco. Fiocchi is very good too. For 9mmk, I use Hirtenberger. Never a hiccup.

 

[BennyMA]

Thanks for all the help guys. Ammo change and emery cloth treatment are in the near future.

 

[jgilbertson]

Couple things to consider from my limited experience.

Earl of Earl's Repair Service highly recommends *against* Wolff Springs in Walthers as they are too stiff. I love Wolff springs with other firearms but stay away from them in my Walthers.

If you call Earl's, he will sell you replacement springs at fair prices and even install them for you free of charge in the slide (i.e., the firing pin spring and extractor spring). You might want to do that as well as get a new Walther-made recoil spring and magazine springs from him. Website is carlwalther.com I'm not affiliated in any way with him. I've had good service with him though (although his gun and mag prices are pretty high).

Also, I've had very good luck with Federal Classic .32 ACP FMJ fodder in my PP's and PPK's.

HTH,
Jeff

 

[BennyMA]

Wow, thanks jgilbertson. All of this information is great. From now on, I'll forget about the magazine reviews and be sure to post questions in the forums to get the real answers.

 

[jehzsa]

Remember, BennyMA, to take it easy with the Emery. Gently. Think of it as brushing your teeth with a brand new, fresh out of the box, x-strong toothbrush. Easy does it. Take your time. There's no hurry. Hey, if it takes half an hour, it takes half an hour.

Polish all sides of the chamber mouth. Top, bottom(feed ramp) and sides. No need to go deep in the chamber. A couple of millimetres should be just fine. Polish not grind.

And one more thing...enjoy! It's actually fun.

 

[BennyMA]

Well, I got some Federal Classic and Fiocchi ammo and lightly polished the feed ramp. I was able to get through 70 rounds without a FFT. That's a first for me and the PP. Thanks again for all the great information and suggestions.

Benny

 

[jehzsa]

Good!
Glad!