Second thoughts about the PPK/S -- Opinions needed / Poll

Keep the PPK/S or get one or the others?

  • PPK/S

    Votes: 11 22.0%

  • Sig P232

    Votes: 8 16.0%

  • Bersa Thunder 380

    Votes: 3 6.0%

  • Kahr P9

    Votes: 13 26.0%

  • Glock 26

    Votes: 4 8.0%

  • Kel-Tek P11

    Votes: 2 4.0%

  • Makarov

    Votes: 9 18.0%
  • Total voters
    50
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E

erikd65

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
186
Location
Spokane, Washington
Well, I am having second thoughts about keeping the PPK/S I have had for a week. I traded it for a G26 becuase the G26 seems a little big for carry for me. I am actually thinking about trying to get the G26 back (The guy I traded with isn't a big Glock fan, but just wanted one to shoot for awhile), but I will have to think hard about that. I want to wait until the gun show in a month before I make any final decisions on that one because I may be able to trade the PPK/S there or something.

The reason I am having second thoughts? Two reasons. One, it beat my hand up pretty good when I took it to the range last week. The recoil caused the backstrap on the left side to cut into my hand, gradually getting worse the more I shot it, probably because of the standard plastic grips. I figure if I put some nice rubber grips with contoured finger grooves on it, that would tame the recoil a bit because I would have a better grip. Second, I did get a few misfeeds, but that could be attributed to the cheap ammo, or because of the magazines... not sure yet, but still not a comforting thought. I will know when I take it out again next weekend. I did manage to get excellent groups when shooting out at 15 yards, so it puts the bullets where I want them.

If I get something else for carry, here is what I had in mind: Kel-Tek P11 (had one years ago... nice, but LONG trigger pull), Sig P232, Bersa Thunder 380, Makarov (threw it in for the hell of it) or I could splurge and get a Kahr P9. I had thought about a Kel-Tek .380 or the Kahr PM9, but I think they may be to small, thus hard to control. Or like I said before, get the G26 back and learn to live with it.

This is something I would like to carry at all times, either IWB or In the pocket if possible.

So what do you think....????

E

P.S. This is a S&W manufactored PPK/S
 
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The Kahr is closest in size and shape to the Walther, is comfortable to shoot (it has a more ergonomic contoured grip and does not leave "slide tracks" across your hand), has an external slide stop lever, is reliable (usually) and shoots a more powerful cartridge. For some types of carry, the Glock 26 (a very close second) is a little thick through the slide and grip.
 
Ericd65, Your problems with the PPK are the same problems that I had. Evey time I fired it, I wound up with a set of railroad tracks on the web of my hand. I also had a reliability problem with it, not often, but enough to cause me to feel uneasy about it as my summer carry piece. According to some gunsmiths, it is a high maintenance weapon. I wound up selling mine, & replacing it with a Colt pocket nine. (Better round i n the same size package.)My PPK was a USA made stainless model, so I can't comment on the European made models.
 
I just came in from shooting 100 rounds of wally world 380 thru my PPK/s and never missed a beat.Why do so many have a problem with a PPK , You can't limp wrist and pistol needs to be lubed. They won't bit if you grip it right,Iam not all that small 6'3" 320lbs and mine has never bit me. Ran 50 thru my govt. ,abox in 12 guage and 100 22's in ruger 10/22 All in all good afternoon
 
Thanks for the replies so far. I have attached a picture of what the PPK/S did to my hand to give you a better idea. It is the backstrap doing it, not the slide. As you can see, the slide is well away from my hand. If you are on dial-up, it may take a little while to load.
 
No, it's slide during recoil. Try lowering your grip just a little lower and holding the weapon tighter. Another option is to try to round off the sharp edges on the bottom slide. I do not get the slide bite with the German-made ones near as bad as the American-made ones. They probably put a little extra effort in the machining and finishing in Germany.
 
Go with the PPK/S or the Sig 232. I have the PPK/S built by Interarms and it works pretty well for me. I have other handguns that I enjoy shooting more. I found the PPK/S to be somewhat finicky about grip and other people have gotten their hands chewed up by the slide. The hand injury might be mor of an improper grip.

I found the PPK/S to be very accurate despite having tiny sights.

Good luck.

-Jim

PS Try changing your grip a little bit and take the sweater off:neener: :neener:
 
PPK works best with little hands. Big hands or even average sized hands like mine tend to get bitten too often. :what:
 
For years I carried the Walther PPK/s when a larger gun just wouldn't do.

After I got a good look at the Kahr K9, I traded the Walther in on a stainless K9.

The K9 is about the same general size as the Walther, holds 8 rounds of 9mm, including +P ammo if you want, and is a simpler, more fool-proof pistol.

There are no issues with hand slicing, the gun is plenty powerful enough, and is 100% reliable.

From the 1920's to the mid-1960's the "Gold Standard" in small pistols was the Colt Detective Special.

From the 1960's up into the early 1990's, it was the Walther PPK.

Now, the new Gold Standard in small defense guns is the Kahr Arms.

When a hyper-conservative outfit like the NYPD authorizes the Kahr for off-duty use, you KNOW it's got to be something special.
 
I voted Kahr P9. Of the guns you listed, it offers the most bang for the size (the Kahr is much slimmer than the G26 or P-11).
 
I have a Bersa 380 and it does a similar thing to my hand. I always though it was because I have biggish hands. Not sure if it would be wise to trade to the Bersa if you are going to have the same problem. Otherwise it is a great gun for any price, and fortunately the price is pretty low :).

Greg
 
I went through the same evolution. I now have a Kahr PM 40 and a Kel-Tec P3AT. I am pleased with both. I had a sig 230 which I loved and miss, but the PM 40 is the same size, less weight, and is a .40. The P3AT is my always gun.:D
 
I know of a dealer in town that had a Kahr K40 stainless a few weeks ago for about $450. I should call and see if he still has it, even though I would rather have 9mm, but could live with .40
 
Never got slide bite from my PPK/S but had a lot of FTF's. And I tried different types of ammo too. I ended up trading it in. It was an older interarms one, I wonder if the new S&W ones are any better because I really would like to give another one a try.
 
I'd get the Kahr, for shure!

But a PM9!!
They are quality guns, reliable, accurate, nice trigger and sights, and they have more power on board than the mouser's.
Milady has a PM9 that is fantastic! I may get one myself for a BUG when I finish with the AK project I am now involved with.
Jercamp45
 
That darned sharp corner on the left rear back strap would rip my thumb knuckle every time I shot it. Mine was stainless. I finally, very carefully used my dremel to break the point and round it over. I did both sides and hand polished it. Looked like the factory did it. It was better, but I have never fired such a snappy little nasty gun, with the power factor of a .380. I sold it. I bought a Makarov, and will never look back. I swear, if someone laid a new PPK/S and a Mak on the table for me to keep, the Mak would go home with me. Buy one, and you'll have a good head start on something else with the money you will save. The recoil to me seems like half of the Walther. Randy
 
erikd65 those photos bring back memories. Have you ever tired to shoot a modified Weaver stance with your PPK? :what:
 
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