Walther PP keeps getting better

[Cosmoline]

I recently picked up a Walther PP with Ulm proof marks. After some test firing at the compound it's now sitting in a Galco shoulder holster under my jacket. Not only is it a nice CCW piece, it's a really great shooter. I actually prefer it to a PPK, since the grip is the right size to hold.

As with most blowbacks performance changes depending on the load used. I found I had to sample an array of .32 ACP ammo to find the best match. The Fiocchi hardball stovepiped twice in thirty shots. But the Winchester Silvertip, the Cor Bon HP and most of the SP and HP rounds all functioned without problems. Accuracy and ease of handling were very impressive. I was able to keep good groups out to 25 yards from a variety of angles. Currently I'm loading with Winchester Silvertip since it has a solid track record. If I can afford more Cor Bon to practice with I may use it instead.

The best thing about the little pistol is that the combination of small cartridge and nice-sized handgun allowed me to do some very rapid firing without losing control.

The .32 is no .357, but it sure did a number on the spruce trees. A rapid fire phalanx of these little guys is nothing to sneeze at.

I found a FIFTEEN ROUND mag the other day for the PP, believe it or not. I passed on it for now since it's going for $65. But it looks pretty wild when inserted into the PP. Maybe it was for the full auto PP LOL

FYI I saw an ad in the latest "Shotgun News" for Walther PP's made under the Manurhin contract. They are going for something like $250 with shoulder holster. My advice is grab one. These are high-quality handguns which just happen to be in a cartridge most people erroneously believe to be underpowered for CCW.

 

[Bill Hook]

I'm there ahead of ya on this one. Too bad snafus at centerfire have kept me from shooting mine, but perhaps the replacement will get here tomorrow.

 

[mete]

"erroneously believe to be underpowered " ?? The 32acp has 100 years of use and in those 100 years it has been shown to be a poor choice for defense. If you want to ignore the facts , it's your life . I've never used a 32 but have used a 380 on small game , dogs etc. Even that is not something I'd risk my life on. At this time there are a number of good very compact pistols in 9mm or 40, such as the Kahr ,that would be the way to do.

 

[Cosmoline]

Well I come at all this from the world of rifles, where a "low powered" firearm generates 2,000 ft. lbs. at the muzzle. So I have to LOL when I hear someone preach to me that a 9x19 at 250 ft. lbs. is infinitely superior to a .32 ACP at 125. The thing about handguns is that this side of very hot .44 Mag or .454 Casull they are ALL pea shooters. So I say use one you can aim and fire with the most ease. After all, you'll need to hit the heart or the CNS quickly and reliably. A 9x19, .357 Sig, etc. isn't going to help you do that.

Maybe you are perfectly at ease and have little flinch firing a 9x19 or .40 sub-compact CCW pistol, but if so you're a much steadier hand than I am

 

[461]

I've had my Walther PP in .32acp for about five years now and have thoroughly enjoyed it. My particular specimen is a pre WWII model but still handles like a dream. The .32 is not as prone to the problems that plague the .380 versions as the pistol was designed around the .32 (7.65)round and works well with it. Accuracy is very good, and life expectancy is awesome considering mine is older than my Father and I'm not young.

The one aspect of the Walther that is a problem for a carry piece is the lack of a slide lock. Should a jam occur without an ability to lock back the slide you have to do some fancy hand work to clear it which is no picnic. If one were to carry the PP as a defensive weapon I would advise lot's of practice and use a round that has a good record in "Your" gun for reliability. I love the Walther, and have had a few and they've proved reliable and accurate, but the difficult malfuntion drill leads me to different pistols for carry. A very good gun though.

 

[Cosmoline]

If one were to carry the PP as a defensive weapon I would advise lot's of practice and use a round that has a good record in "Your" gun for reliability.

Ditto that. The other straight blowback pistols I've had (Makarov, Ruger .22, Beretta 84) have all been much better with certain ammo than with others. This makes sense given that the pressure of the charge transfers directly to the bolt to make it cycle (at least that's my understanding of how it works). Too much pressure and it seems to snap back too quickly, stovepiping brass.

I have yet to have a jam of any kind with Winchester silvertips so I may end up using those primarily.

Also--the magazines seem to be of great importance to good feeding. Stick with ones you know will work.