[Barbarossa]

Hey Gents,

Just curious as to what your experiences are with PPK durability. Specifically I'm talking about Ranger built IA guns in 9mm Kurz and .32.

Being that these are all steel guns do you see frame or slide damage when the round counts get up there? I have on of the Walther USA marked IA guns that has about 3k 380 rounds through it and its still going strong...just curious as to the weak points in the guns

 

[RIngo]

Barbarossa,

Most of these other guys here know a great deal more than me about these little hummers, and this is especially true after having gone and "bumped my head" , but my guess is . . . the only two replacement parts that have remained somewhat available over time:

1) Firing pin
2) Recoil spring

 

[Ruload]

I asked a similar question some time ago. I never really got any kind of definitive answer. I have seen numerous discussions about worn safety drums, and worn trigger bars.

 

[TheWatcher]

I have only seen 2 damaged frames in my lifetime. One was from an Interarms PPK/S and the other was from a pre war model PP. I do not know what ammo was cycled through the weapons or how many rounds were fired. All I know is that I see more surplus slides for sale than frames. The only pieces that I have had to replace are various springs (recoil and chamber indicator) and a broken hammer pin.

 

[pilkguns]

You see more slides than frames because Police departments often sell the parts kits of their confiscation guns after the frame is destroyed. Most of what you see on GB or Ebay is from this lineage. I have often wondered why no one has bothered to make an aftermarket frame for the PPK, since there is such a plethora of 1911 frame makers

 

[TheWatcher]

I have often wondered why no one has bothered to make an aftermarket frame for the PPK, since there is such a plethora of 1911 frame makers

I have often done the same. I did see one on GB last year that was a 80 or 90% home made PPK/S frame but can't find any others since. I imagine that the intricacies of the machining are a job that most people wouldn't want to touch, that and production rights are probably a big issue.

 

[halfmoonclip]

While Walther continues to 'license' production, the patent rights are long since in the public domain, just as the 1911's are. No one else can call it a 'Walther', but the design is up for grabs.

Why the PP series has proven such a challenge to make is a mystery, when an (arugably) more complicated gun has been made successfully everywhere from China to Brazil. Even Smith makes great 1911s, with no silly tangs.

As far as durability, I'm doubtful the gun was designed for a ton of shooting; that really wasn't the practice back in the day.
But then, the 1911 seems to have survived, and it's only a little older.
Moon

 

[SuperGlide]

I've had broken ejectors in a used Interarms .32 PPK/S and later in a brand new Interarms .380 PPK/S. Cheap porous metal with the durability of a potato chip.

German ejectors, Interarms ejectors and S&W ejectors are -- for some stupid reason -- not interchangeable, making parts repair difficult and expensive.

My PPK/S is now just a safe queen.