[mdnitedrftr]

Hey guys, I already have a P99 and I absolutely LOVE the gun. Its been very reliable, and very accurate, so when it came time for me to buy another gun (something smaller and more conceable than my P99), I immediately thought Walther PPK. I like the gun alot because I have large hands, and the PPK is small enough for a carry yet big enough to fit in my hand. I began looking into them and I hear alot of mixed reviews.

On one hand, people tell me that they have alot of trouble with the gun jamming and that the barrel needs to be throated for the problem to be remedied. One gun shop went as far as to tell me that the gun was flat out junk!

And on the other hand, the people who actually own PPK's have told me just the opposite. They've said that they know about the jamming problem, but since S&W started making the gun, they redesigned the gun a bit so that it doesnt happen.

Now, Im not discrediting the things that non-owners say because maybe they've had friends whos guns jammed or whatever, but I figured Id come here and get more views from people who have first hand experience with the gun.

So what do you guys say? Should I pull the trigger on a PPK?

 

[uncut]

Ummmm
sorry I can't help it but say.... WHY NOT a P99c...
you will get a smaler gun and keep the manual of arms the same.....
Don't get me wrong I love the PPK.... and it is a great lil gun but that's as far as I go, since I don't own one... I have shot one and I got a PP

 

[BennyMA]

I have a S&W version of the PPK, got last spring. It has close to 1000 rounds through it now, FMJ and hollow points. Of these, 2 hollow point rounds failed to feed and I just had to give the slide a little push with my thumb and the round went home. This happened when the gun had less than 100 rounds through it, so it wasn't broken in at that time; since then, it has been 100 percent reliable. I really like it a lot; I'm not really a fan of polymer frame pistols, so the PPK fits the bill for me. Its accuracy is better than I expected, very good out to 40 feet for me. It's a little snappy as the slide cycles fast, but it's still very controllable and follow-up shots are easy. And the darn thing just looks cool too; the white lettering on the slide of the black, steel version, is really nice. From my experience, you can't go wrong with it.

 

[mdnitedrftr]

Quote[/b] (uncut @ Sep. 17 2006,6:00)]Ummmm
sorry I can't help it but say.... WHY NOT a P99c...
you will get a smaler gun and keep the manual of arms the same.....
Don't get me wrong I love the PPK.... and it is a great lil gun but that's as far as I go, since I don't own one... I have shot one and I got a PP

The P99 is a great gun, but I already have one, so its like, why do I wanna buy another one, yah know? And Ive had my eye on the PPK for awhile, and now I see it as a perfect chance to get it.


And Benny, thanks for your input.

 

[jmoln]

I've got the P99, P22, and a PPK/S and I enjoy the PPK/S the most. It fits my hand even better than the P99, carries easy, and is fun to shoot as long as you take your time. Beware the PPK grip is shorter than the PPK/S. Mine is an older Interarms and never had a lick of trouble with WWB and Gold Dots. Find someone in the area and try one out.

 

[RickJZ]

I agree with the reply that Uncut posted. I think you should seriously consider the P99c. If you are willing to spend the funds, a German made PPK, on average will cost considerably more than an S&W clone or Interarms model. IMHO, stay clear of the S&W if you really want a PPK.

 

[jehzsa]

Buy it if you like pain and blood. If you have large hands it's guaranteed. Yesterday at the Lakeland gunshow, somehow, while handling one I finally realized that it was oohh sooooo small. After handling quite a few through the years. And they always bit me, all of them. Can't explain it but it looked so miniscule yesterday. Never quite grasped that characteristic before. Must be an age thing.

 

[OM44]

The variety of responses amazes me. I guess the bottom line is: try it before you reject it out of hand. And, that is the secret: if it fits your hand you'll like it. If not, you won't.

I've had one since July. The first thing I did was replace the factory grips with simulated wood grips that are made of a composite material that is harder than wood. They fit my hand well and I really like the little gun!  

Mine is a S&W stainless version. I have now 600 rds through it and it is starting to smooth out. That's OK with me because I figure the longer it takes to break in, the longer it will last!

 

[mdnitedrftr]

Quote[/b] (jehzsa @ Sep. 18 2006,4:18)]Buy it if you like pain and blood. If you have large hands it's guaranteed. Yesterday at the Lakeland gunshow, somehow, while handling one I finally realized that it was oohh sooooo small. After handling quite a few through the years. And they always bit me, all of them. Can't explain it but it looked so miniscule yesterday. Never quite grasped that characteristic before. Must be an age thing.

LOL, funny you should mention that.The other day at the gun store I was trying out an old IA PPK, and I actually pinched the webbing between my thumb and pointer finger. The salesman ensured me that with the new S&W PPK that wouldnt happen because they've added a larger beavertail.

But I really like the gun itself. I think the size is perfect for my hand.

 

[battlecry]

I feel lucky.

I have a new S&W. Spent a few hours sanding, lapping, relieving, reshaping, and polishing the stainless. Don't want to tell you how many, lest you think I'm nuts. I am really happy with the results. The firearm has no issues. Fires S&B, Corbon, Speer, Federal, and Fiocchi ammo flawlessly. Love the trigger. It is more accurate than my old eyes deserve. No blood or bruises on my hands either.

I think if want an of the box firearm, you may or may not be satisfied with the S&W version. If you are willing to put some effort and have the time and or funds, I believe you will have something special and will be happy.

 

[ikiddp5]

Buy a Walther P-5c. It is smaller than the P-99 but bigger than the PPK/s. Just perfect!

 

[jehzsa]

Does anybody know if the PPK has increased in size over the years? At the Lakeland show, I held a Reichsicherheitshauptamt PPK and it looked so tiny! I tried to remember the last PPK I owned(two years ago?), a sweet Interarms product, and the only thing that I could remember was that the Interarms was definitely larger. True, or is it an age thing with me?

 

[MLB]

The Interarms might have been a ppk/s, which is definitely larger in the grip.?

 

[jehzsa]

No, it was a PPK. I don't remember ever buying a PPK/S. Sweet thing had a Sphinx-like trigger.

 

[kankujoe]

The PPK/S is a great piece. I bought mine in 1984 and it has been going strong since. It is definately a little snappier than my P99 (40) but that is to be expected. I recently put a Pachmayr grip on it and that reduces the (perceived) snap a little. As far as a CCW gun it is very reliable and very accurate out to about 50.' Within 25' it is deadly accurate off-hand without careful aim. No trouble at all hitting solid shots on a B-27 target. It is my primary CCW piece but I purchased a P99 (another great gun!) this year which I switch on and off with.

I wouldn't hesitate recommending the PPK/S in the .380 cal.

 

[mdnitedrftr]

Cool, thanks for all your help guys. I still got some time before I buy a new gun, so Ill keep you all updated if I get a PPK or not.

 

[michael t]

Go and get a PPK/S the extra round and slighty larger Plus you can find aftermarket grips a lot easlier. I have 2 of the so call junk Interarms. Well if their junk I want more over 20yrs old and running fine.:blues:

 

[kankujoe]

Who says that the Interarms PPK/S is junk? Why? In my area the used Interarm models sell for more than the S&W models. A few shop owners told me that they are higher quality pieces. I can't see much difference but they do sell for more.

Aside for the lengthened beaver tail (which is good) on the newer models I would not change anything about my PPK/S. It is extremely reliable, safe and accurate. Plus it's form factor is great, it just looks cool and feels great in my hand.

If it wasn't a quality gun... why have so many other manufacturers copied it?

I've had mine for almost 23 years and it looks, feels and shoots today like it did in 1984 when I purchased it. I don't know many handguns you can say that about. I could easily sell it for $100 plus more than I paid for it.

 

[michael]

Quote[/b] (battlecry @ Sep. 18 2006,10:15)]I feel lucky.

I have a new S&W.  Spent a few hours sanding, lapping, relieving, reshaping, and polishing the stainless.  Don't want to tell you how many, lest you think I'm nuts.  I am really happy with the results.  The firearm has no issues.  Fires S&B, Corbon, Speer, Federal, and Fiocchi ammo flawlessly.  Love the trigger.  It is more accurate than my old eyes deserve.  No blood or bruises on my hands either.  

I think if want an of the box firearm, you may or may not be satisfied with the S&W version.  If you are willing to put some effort and have the time and or funds, I believe you will have something special and will be happy.

What Battlecry said...  I just picked up my first S&W PPK/S.  (3rd PPK/S I've owned) I'd guess the trigger pull was well over 22 pounds.  I too spent many hours straightening out a really poorly finished stainless surfaces. The chamber looked like it had been in a vice, and installing a 13 pound wolff main spring...  The action still really bites... I will have another 3 hours into the action to make it right.

unfortunate...  The grips suck but no worse than any other standard grips.  I called Walther (Smith) and asked if I could buy a set of 75th grips,  they don't sell them.  Hogue does though...  It seems like an otherwise lovely gun.

 

[black campbell]

Quote[/b] (kankujoe @ Sep. 19 2006,4:49)]Within 25' it is deadly accurate off-hand without careful aim. No trouble at all hitting solid shots on a B-27 target. It is my primary CCW piece but I purchased a P99 (another great gun!) this year which I switch on and off with.

I wouldn't hesitate recommending the PPK/S in the .380 cal.

Ditto. The PPK/S (and the FEG knockoffs) are incredibly accurate out to about 15 yrds. I think it's due to the fixed barrel. The recoil is much stouter than you'd expect on the Walther.

Great CCW, I agree. I ride a motorcycle regularly, and it's small enough to be comfortable on the bike with an in-the-pants holster.