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Good Morning Folks.

I am considering picking up a Walther PPK for my wife and possibly for myself as well.

I have shot them before, and my hands are smaller so they feel pretty nice.

CHL wise I am used to carrying a revolver for reliability but hey, variety is the spice of life.

I know that a while back Walther's as manufactured by S&W were ALL recalled due to a problem with the safety.

My questions have to do with the quality of manufacture of these modern S&W Walthers and if I would be better served getting an older Interarms Walther, or maybe even something farther back. S&W makes great revolvers, but I am totally inexperienced with their automatics.

Also, what is the difference (Besides being totally different guns) between the Walther PP, PPK and PPKS.

Thanks.

Take a look at the Sig P232 also.

I think it is higher quality and better looking/feeling than any modern PPK variant.

Personally feel the PPK, Sig 232, Bersa Thunder are underpowered and outdated designs. The newer Walther PPS is similar size (won't notice difference if belt carrying) and offers more power in 9mm or .40-cal. Kahr pistols offer another similar alternative. And if you need something a bit less expensive, Ruger LC9 or Taurus 709 might work for you.

Point is the PPK style .380s offer nothing worthwhile that can't be found better in a single-stack subcompact 9mm. Even the recoil difference is neglible because the straight blowback action of PPK style .380 will deliver as much or more "felt recoil" as the short recoil action in the 9mm guns.

The difference between the models are PP long barrel, long grip. PPK short barrel, short grip. PPK/S short barrel, long grip. They are great guns and not under powered. The thing is for the weight and size you could do better with a polymer 9mm. Cheaper too.

Ed4032 wrote:The difference between the models are PP long barrel, long grip. PPK short barrel, short grip. PPK/S short barrel, long grip. They are great guns and not under powered. The thing is for the weight and size you could do better with a polymer 9mm. Cheaper too.

Thank you for the info on the Walthers.

This may sound strange but I prefer the weight of a heavy firearm, one that I 'know' is there if that makes sense.

When my CHL was valid I carried a Taurus M85 in Full Stainless, before I knew better than to buy a Taurus. That was a pretty heavy firearm, but I preferred the weight. Then I moved to a NAA 32 guardian.

I will probably pick up a S&W 60 or 686 for my everyday carry once I get my CHL again.

I also have a personal preference away from polymer.

Id LIKE a Kimber Ultra Eclipse, but I may be a bit too small of frame to be able to conceal one effectively.

Crescentius wrote:

Ed4032 wrote:The difference between the models are PP long barrel, long grip. PPK short barrel, short grip. PPK/S short barrel, long grip. They are great guns and not under powered. The thing is for the weight and size you could do better with a polymer 9mm. Cheaper too.

Thank you for the info on the Walthers.

This may sound strange but I prefer the weight of a heavy firearm, one that I 'know' is there if that makes sense.

When my CHL was valid I carried a Taurus M85 in Full Stainless, before I knew better than to buy a Taurus. That was a pretty heavy firearm, but I preferred the weight. Then I moved to a NAA 32 guardian.

I will probably pick up a S&W 60 or 686 for my everyday carry once I get my CHL again.

I also have a personal preference away from polymer.

Id LIKE a Kimber Ultra Eclipse, but I may be a bit too small of frame to be able to conceal one effectively.

Unlike many, I do not feel the .380 underpowered. (no doubt bigger is better...but I believe a .380 will "get the job done.").
I do agree on the blowback design of the PPK/232/Bersa/FEG being antiquated, however.

I would encourage you to look at the all steel of the Sig P238. I too like a heavier feel. With extended mag, my small hands get all my fingers on the grips on a mini-1911 .380, in a 7+8 single stack.

Beretta Nano?

As long as you can carry it and carry every day that is the important thing! If the gun is too big and you can't dress around then what's the point but then again I carry a 40oz plus Glock 20 with no problems. If you like heavy but small I recommend a Kahr MK9 or K9 for a little bigger. You can't really pocket carry it(MK9) because it is to heavy but it is still small. Another small but heavier 9mm that comes to mind is a S&W third gen CS9. As for the .380 well I am another one of those guys who thinks it is an underpowered round and falls under the umbrella of what I call compromise rounds. That is why I no longer own one! I see no reason to really get a .380 unless you want something even smaller then a Kahr PM9 and at that point you probably need something like a Kel Tec P32, light and tiny. In the end it is up to you and what you feel comfortable with but I would try and stay at 9mm or better for a semi auto or .32H&R and up in a revolver.

CC Italian wrote:As long as you can carry it and carry every day that is the important thing! If the gun is too big and you can't dress around then what's the point but then again I carry a 40oz plus Glock 20 with no problems. If you like heavy but small I recommend a Kahr MK9 or K9 for a little bigger. You can't really pocket carry it(MK9) because it is to heavy but it is still small. Another small but heavier 9mm that comes to mind is a S&W third gen CS9. As for the .380 well I am another one of those guys who thinks it is an underpowered round and falls under the umbrella of what I call compromise rounds. That is why I no longer own one! I see no reason to really get a .380 unless you want something even smaller then a Kahr PM9 and at that point you probably need something like a Kel Tec P32, light and tiny. In the end it is up to you and what you feel comfortable with but I would try and stay at 9mm or better for a semi auto or .32H&R and up in a revolver.

The P32 is virtually the same size as the P3AT (.380)

P3AT .380 vs P32 .32 Auto
Weight 8.3 oz. 6.6 oz.
Frame Width 0.798" 0.765"
Barrel Length 2.745" 2.675"
Slide Width 0.748" 0.748"
Overall Length 5.14" 5.08"
Height 3.576" 3.571"
Cart Capacity 6+1 7+1

Yeah, there very close and probably the two smallest besides something like a derringer but I have shot both and I would probably take the p32 over the P3at. Why you ask? The p32 I could shoot faster and more accurate. To me it’s all the same .32acp or .380. Neither is great at penetration unless you run FMJ, the .380 does get the nod but like I said some of those 9mms are really small and I don't see the point. I personally am looking into a P-32 because and only because I work out in a public park and need a very light and tiny gun as a last ditch effort. Recently a lady was robbed at knife point and they not only took her wallet but they stole her dog! Sick I know. Running around with my 14oz snub (smallest gun I have and is usually my bug) is really not an option and that extra few ounces can and does make a difference in gym shorts and a t shirt.

Just my 2 cents don't carry anything small unless you must! In the end a .380 or 32acp is still better then nothing!

By the way, just a small note: the Walthers are sold and supported by S&W in the US, not manufactured by S&W. They continue to be manufactured by Walther in Germany, or by a Polish company, under license by Walther - the Polish PPS's aren't imported into the US, at least legally.

I'd also suggest you consider a PPS, which is available in either 9mm or .40.