Second pistol?

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Gruf

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Two years ago I finally picked up a beretta px4 (.40). I have recently bought a house, and since I am getting me address changed on my FID card, I decided I would get another pistol permit (yes I live in jersey).

Anyway. I've been thinking about a Walter PPK. I've had a strang fascination with them for a long time. It would be primarily used for fooling around at the range, maybe something my girl would use. It will also be stored in a different place in the house than my beretta, to serve as a self defense weapon in the event that I can not get to my Berreta.

So I'm looking for the opinion of those who have much more experience and knowledge than me. Is the PPK a good choice for a second handgun of should I go with a .357/.44 revolver (something that I have thought about picking up)
 
go with a .357/.44 revolver
Go with a 4" or 6" .38 Spl / .357 Mag revolver.
.44 Mags are for experts, after they learn to shoot a handgun very very well.
Super light weight 2" .357 Snubbys are the devils span for a new shooter to master.

PPK's ain't much fun to shoot either, and slap your hand much harder then light .38 loads in a .357.

A 4" or 6" .357 revolver with light .38 loads is the near ideal training tool for a new shooter.

Even better is a .22 of some sort so you can afford to shoot it more.

rc
 
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I'll second that. I had a ppk. With the fixed barrel, they recoil more than you would think. I would say go for a full size 9mm, like a glock 17, or a 357 revolver, or a .22 like a Ruger Mk or Browning Buckmark.
 
I have to agree with RC and Mongo. While I don't have experience with the PPK specifically, I do have experience with a Bersa Thunder and a P64 which follow the same general design of small, .380 (and 9x18), blowback pistol. They can serve a purpose as a small carry gun, but they are not exactly a fun to shoot weapon.

I would look for something along the lines of a full size or compact (compact like a glock 19, not a subcompact) semi auto 9mm pistol, or a 4" .38 or .357 revolver. I've never really been a revolver guy, but I picked up a S&W Model 19 with a 4" barrel and it is a very nice gun. It is much more enjoyable to shoot than my Bersa (since sold) and my P64.
 
My government doesn't trust me to own a small gun like a PPK since I only got interested in shooting about 5 years back. And such toys were classified as Prohibited back in 1998.

But I've gotten to shoot a couple belonging to other, presumably, more trust worthy souls that owned them.

A funner gun to shoot has likely not been invented. They fit in the hand so beautifully that it's almost scary. Never mind that if you hold too high on the beavertail that the hammer can bite you these are THE gun to have if you want to own something fairly compact that you can shoot for fun.

Just take into account that I may be a little biased since this was the ORIGINAL movie James Bond's gun..... Also that my own shooting is for fun and competition. So my thoughts are valid for a range toy but perhaps not so much for a house protection firearm.
 
Go with a 4" or 6" .38 Spl / .357 Mag revolver.
Sounds like a great idea to me. Maybe that 4.62" stainless Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Mag. Go with that single-action fun. Wyatt Earp was almost as cool as Bond, just for different reasons. :p

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Yeah I know Earp didn't shoot a Ruger Blackhawk. I just like em. :)
 
If it is just for a range gun, go with the blackhawk mentioned above. It would probably outlast you if taken care of.

However you mentioning you want something the for the girl to shoot. If shes thinking of ccw it would be nice to hand it off to her when she gets up to age. the PPK is also a durable gun. also the only gun I brought home that my dad liked
 
Not much to add here but for agreement. The PPK has a very snappy felt recoil. A .357 Magnum revolver would be much more enjoyable at the range especially when firing .38 Special ammo and would make a very reliable SD handgun for the house.

Just a note on this: "It will also be stored in a different place in the house than my beretta, to serve as a self defense weapon in the event that I can not get to my Berreta." I thought that was strange since I carry my handgun with me until I realized you are in NJ and not allowed to protect yourself at all times. This is one of the reasons I moved to PA instead of NJ.

Welcome to the forum...
 
Gp100 and a sp101 in 38/357 are in my arsenal and enjoy them both. I also have a sw masterpiece 22 I enjoy too. Great when you have 22 ammo. The sp101 is my go to in 3" when shooting 38/357. Would buy all three over again. Good shooting
 
I'm a revolver guy so I say go with a .357. I wouldn't buy a PPK unless I was going to carry it.

.44 mag is fun, and usefull, but based on your criteria, a .357 fills the role better.
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm gonna go against the flow here. I love my old PPk and have fired thousands of rounds through it. I don't find it's recoil objectionable at all though I admittedly shoot a lot more of my lighter reloads than I do factory ammunition. The recoil pulse just "feels" different with a small auto. If you're restricted to factory ammunition perhaps a medium frame revolver will suit your needs, since factory midrange wadcutters are so mild to shoot.
 
A .357 revolver would undoubtedly be a great choice. I have a couple, and they are my favorite guns to shoot.

BUT, that's my choice. If you want a PPK, then you should go for it. It would make a fine backup gun and (if you ever happen to move to a free state) a decent choice for concealed carry. One of my best friends has the Interarms version and it has been a great gun, no problems at all and fun to shoot.

Really, you can't go wrong either way. In the end, it's your money so pick the one that appeals to you.


(P.S. If you do go with the PPK, watch your grip. The slide can bite you!)
 
I don't care for PPKs at all! They bite my hand, and are an out date design. Far better pistols, even one chambered for .380 ACP are available today. That being said if you want one you should get one, they are still a classic with undeniable "cool" factor! Opinions on guns, cars, golf clubs, whatever will vary from person to person, buy what you want, and enjoy, me I love my range time to filled with 1911 goodness, for some reason there are people who like Glocks, go figure! :)
 
If you are on a budget and the intended use is range fun and maybe self defense in the house, either a gp100 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel, else a Ruger mk3 22 pistol. Both are a lot of fun at the range. If your budget is larger, Smith makes some really nice revolvers in full size 357, and there are some other premium 22 pistols (e.g. model 41) out there. Both would round out a collection, and be fun to use at the range for you and your girl.

Ts22

PS stay away from the 44 if she isn't an experienced shooter. Recoil can be severe and that tends to turn off new shooters.
 
Split the difference. Buy a PPK or PPK/s...in .22LR. An older German gun, not the new stuff with the zinc slides. Great fun to shoot. Even more fun with a suppressor.

Another alternative would be a Beretta 70 or 87 in .22LR.
 
I've never owned a PPK, but have owned a HSC (and loved it). The 380 does have a bit of snappy recoil, and is not a versatile gun. On the plus side, my 380 was very accurate, and absolutely reliable.

OTOH, the 357 revolver is the epitome of versatility. 38 special wadcutters in a 357 is the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on. Even really recoil shy people aren't fazed by them. At the other end of the spectrum, full 357 loads are pretty serious rounds. Recoil isn't bad, unless the gun is really light weight. If you are not a reloader, there are factory ammunition options galore in both 38 special and 357 magnum. It is fine punching paper, and can more than adequately defend the castle.
 
Hey Gruf. The PPK is a fine pistol, but as mentioned it can be a bit to handle. The slide can bite and in .380 there is a good amount of snap. An alternative would be either the PP or PPK/s. The frame is taller for a better grip and I have found that, at least for me, to negate the risk of slide bide. If you really want a great shooter consider acquiring one in .32 (7.65mm) the round that the gun was built around. Unfortunately Walthers in that caliber are carrying a heavy premium.

Another route, as some have suggested, is to go the revolver route. My recommendation would be a Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman. It really is a classic. Preferably a four inch barrel. As it is built on a big N frame (as you would find on a 44 magnum) it can withstand a diet of .357 magnum all day long without concern.
 
I have a PPK - friends gave it to me because he hated shooting it. It sits in my safe because I hate shooting it. Maybe try it before you buy it.

On the other hand, I'm a firm believer that a .357 mag revolver is the most functional all around gun a man can own. Preference is a 4" S&W 686.
 
I'm also of the group that suggests either a nice full size 9mm since it's cheaper to feed than the .40, but still potent. OR a nice 4-6" .357 magnum revolver (my flavor of choice the Ruger New Vaquero) OR (and probably the most practical) a Ruger MK series .22. You can shoot the heck out of one of those and never break it. Accurate, cheap to feed, and helps you improve basic pistol handling. I have a 22/45 MkIII, and it's not only my range plinker but also my kit/camping pistol.
 
Unless you like the ppk, as in "shot it a lot" and still like it. Don't get one. I carried one for over 20 yrs, because there was no compact or sub-compact, auto in the 70's and 80's to allow a choice of several dozen weapons, like now. Either it was a snub nose 38 or a ppk. It has a snap to it that many shooters don't like. I started with snubbys and then the PPK, so I was already used to that type of firearm.
I am looking for a 357 right now as a matter of fact, you can't beat them for all around versatility.
Get a 686 or a 19 and you will have a great gun.
 
The 357 is hard to beat for an excellent range gun. I find the PPK to be uncomfortable to shoot and would not want to fire many rounds thru it at the range.
 
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