[mdnitedrftr]

Tonight I shot:

300 rnds of Remington FMJ. I had 8 FTF's, and 1 jam

40 rnds of Cor-Bon JHP with 6 FTF's, 2 jams

Not perfect by any means, but Im hoping I can get all the kinks worked out during the break-in phase, cause Id really like to make the gun a daily carry.

I was impressed with the accuracy of the gun....I shot quite well with it. One problem I have is the beavertail likes to gnaw away at my hand. Part of the webbing between my thumb and rest of the fingers sits on the corner of the beavertail, and everytime I shoot, its rubs against the skin. After I was done, Id worn away the top layer of skin. Oh well, no pain no gain, heh.

 

[zenner22]

Mdnite, that's a bit disappointing. I have the new blued PPK that I unfortunately won't be able to shoot for a few more weeks. But your reports of jamming and the sharp beavertail have me a bit concerned. I've heard scattered reports on reliability of PPK models, not matter who manufactures them. Some seem fantastic out of the box, some just tend to have failures more than they should.

I had an Interarms PPK that functioned flawlessly. Howvever, the slide would leave tracks on the web of my hand if I wasn't careful. For this reason I didn't shoot it that much and ended up trading it a short while ago. When I saw Smith's redesign of the beavertail I thought that was a perfect solution to a common problem. But if the beavertail edges are sharp then that defeats the purpose of an extended beavertail! I thought I'd read Smith fixed the sharp edge problem.

Well when I finally get mine out to the range I'll post a report. For now, it still looks really nice though!

 

[Kkille1LSU]

MDNITE, try the Winclean FMJ. You can buy it at Walmart. I had a couple of stovepipes but I realized it was my grip and then it cleared right up. Magtech worked really well. STAY AWAY FROM BLAZERS. I had them screwing up every 2 rounds. I just read recently that these guns only like brass. I still have a scab from my range session from the slide bite. Try to either get thicker grips so your skin doesn't bunch up or try to teach yourself to hold it lower. It is hard for me b/c I used to carry a Kahr PM40 and they recommend that you hold it high.

I haven't tried any hollowpoints b/c i don't intend on using them, but I heard Hydroshocks work well. Just some extra advice, make sure you keep a firm grip and wrist while shooting and make sure your extractor spring is there.

 

[Ramoel]

A modern autoloading pistol should function perfectly out of the box. "Break in" is an excuse for parts that were not finished properly to start with. Both of my Walthers functioned perfectly when new. Neither was a S&W. A new Colt Commander and several XD's I have also functioned perfectly when new. I can say the same for a couple of new Ruger autos. Your break in should really be considered a "probation" period where you determine there are no problems with the gun. FTF, FTE etc. (unless proveable as operator error) are proof that you got a bad one. Don't accept poor quality that you have to buff and polish and break in to work well.

 

[mdnitedrftr]

But if the beavertail edges are sharp then that defeats the purpose of an extended beavertail! I thought I'd read Smith fixed the sharp edge problem.

Its not that the beavertail is sharp. It just irritates a part of my hand. Its like when you get a blister on your foot from a pair of shoes, I think thats the best way I can explain it. You can see in this pic..

Its nothing major, just a little annoying, but mind you this is after 300+ rounds. I didnt even notice it until after 250ish

 

[zenner22]

Great, thanks for the update, mdnite. For a few hundred rounds that really ain't so bad! I was having flashbacks of my Springfield Armory Mil-Spec. That grip safety was so sharp I'd have double tracks on the web of my hand after only a couple mags. I just got rid of it for that reason.

Like I said it's going to be awhile before I'm able to shoot but I'll report back after some range time. It'll be interesting to compare reports.

 

[mdnitedrftr]

Update, good news

I think I found the cure for my FTF problem. Gunslick Graphite Lube! After I used it, right away, just racking the slide, I noticed a huge difference. It slid much easier and didnt get stuck when I shucked bullets through it.

I took it to the range and 500 more rounds, only 1 FTF, and Im pretty sure its because I let my wrist get limp.

Im happy

 

[mdnitedrftr]

P.S. I love this gun

7yds out

 

[michael t]

You problem with the tang is one of reasons I won't buy a new S&W . I have a interarms no tang no slide bite I hold it correctory.
Seems you have found secret of PPK/S proper lube and a firm wrist. They like hotter ammo also. Remember a blow back pistol. Friction is you enemy along with a limp wrist. 1 or both will kill a otherwise relieable pistol.

 

[Adam5]

I bought my S&W mafe PPK/S last week. I've since put 100 rounds of WWB 95gr FMJ, 200 rounds of Atlanta Arms & Ammo 95gr FMJ, and 75 rounds of Remington Golden Saber 102gr JHP. It ate all of them just fine with no issues what so ever while firing. The only minor issue was that when cleaning it I was using a toothbrush to scrub it clean and knocked out the ejector spring. After a little while of crawling around I found and reinstalled it. Just to be safe I took it to the range today just to make sure that I had it installed right. If it keeps running like this, it may replace my Glock 17 as my primary carry piece.

Here's a pic of it with it's Don Hume holster.

And with it's friend, my Glock 17.

 

[Guest]

New PPK

Great looking gun Adam5. I'll give some of that ammo a try. I've been using
Winchester USA 95gr FMJ-FN (Q4206) and have had no issues with mine refusing to eat. Have fun.