Jefferson Souza
Member
What do you think of Walther PP and PPK in .32 acp? Appreciate an instruction.....
Walther PP / PPK .32 acp
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A lot of people will comment that the .32 is underpowered for defensive use and that the .380 is the smallest viable caliber using the most modern ammunition for defense. Others will point out that the gun you have on you is better than the one you won't carry.
The design is a classic with a lot of cache' to it. They have the reputation for "biting the hand that feeds them" with the slide in early models. Current pistols have enhanced the "beaver tail" to protect the shooter. Of course it isn't the only pistol I've seen the slide bite the user. I have early PPKs and PPKS pistols and they don't bite me because my hands are smaller and more slender than some friends who can't shoot them without great care.
The design is a classic with a lot of cache' to it. They have the reputation for "biting the hand that feeds them" with the slide in early models. Current pistols have enhanced the "beaver tail" to protect the shooter. Of course it isn't the only pistol I've seen the slide bite the user. I have early PPKs and PPKS pistols and they don't bite me because my hands are smaller and more slender than some friends who can't shoot them without great care.
Caliber wars aside the Walther PPK in 7.65 is (unlike it's US made .380 cousins) in my mind one of the best carry pistols available. It really has it all. Looks, ease of carry, shootability, and is off the charts on the cool factor. It's also one of the very few firearms that has consistently increased in value.
Walther slide bite is a non issue. It only happens when the gun is held incorrectly. I have really big mitts (palm a basketball size) and have never been bit. The reason for the bite is because of the modern two handed thumb high grip which puts the web of the hand in the way of the slide. You know exactly where the slide is going to go so it's not the fault of the gun if you put your hand there. Remember these guns were designed in the 1920's when a one hand, thumb down grip was used.
ApacheCoTodd
member
I have and have had several platforms in both the .32 and .380 and always prefer the .32.
I find them flatter shooting and many of the rounds are hard-hitters for the dimensions given up.
Todd.
I find them flatter shooting and many of the rounds are hard-hitters for the dimensions given up.
Todd.
I used to carry a German made WALTHER PPK in .32ACP or 7.65mm as the Europeans call it as my off duty gun. It was small enough that I could pocket carry it and I found it to be utterly reliable with ball ammo (except the WINCHESTER white box ammo) and hollow point. It even shot the COR BON Powerball ammo and jhp ammo without problems.
The trigger on mine was good, not equal to my SIG 232 or BERETTA 81, but useable. The same for the sights, small, but good enough.
I also had a French made WALTHER PP, also in .32ACP and while it was bigger and heavier, I found it kicked harder than the PPK. It had to do with the shape of the grips. The PPK has a rounder grip than the PP and that squared off area was harder on the webb of my hand than the rounder PPK grip. I ended up selling the PP and keeping the PPK. I still carry it on occasion, usually when my wife has taken my GLOCK 42.
I used to carry it with FEDERAL Hydra Shok in the chamber and FIOCCHI jhp in the magazine. Mostly because the FIOCCHI was sold in 50 round boxes and was accurate in my gun and I did not want to use a fmj round.
As I get older, I may end up going back to the PPK and the .32ACP. I also shot the BERETTA Tomcat, KEL-TEC P-32 and COLT 1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32ACP and think that if recoil is a problem for you, then the .32ACP is a much better choice that going down to the .22LR rimfire rounds from a snubnose, that I have seen suggested in writing and on the internet.
Jim
The trigger on mine was good, not equal to my SIG 232 or BERETTA 81, but useable. The same for the sights, small, but good enough.
I also had a French made WALTHER PP, also in .32ACP and while it was bigger and heavier, I found it kicked harder than the PPK. It had to do with the shape of the grips. The PPK has a rounder grip than the PP and that squared off area was harder on the webb of my hand than the rounder PPK grip. I ended up selling the PP and keeping the PPK. I still carry it on occasion, usually when my wife has taken my GLOCK 42.
I used to carry it with FEDERAL Hydra Shok in the chamber and FIOCCHI jhp in the magazine. Mostly because the FIOCCHI was sold in 50 round boxes and was accurate in my gun and I did not want to use a fmj round.
As I get older, I may end up going back to the PPK and the .32ACP. I also shot the BERETTA Tomcat, KEL-TEC P-32 and COLT 1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32ACP and think that if recoil is a problem for you, then the .32ACP is a much better choice that going down to the .22LR rimfire rounds from a snubnose, that I have seen suggested in writing and on the internet.
Jim
jar
Contributing Member
Of the three WWII German 32acp designs I would rate the Walther PP as my least favorite. I prefer the JP Sauer 38h and Mauser HSc over my PP.
Guy48065
Member
The little Walther is the only handgun my dad never traded away. My brother got it, dammit.
His other "keeper" was a Remington 11 in 20ga. I got that.
He had several others when he died but those were the only ones he wouldn't part with.
His other "keeper" was a Remington 11 in 20ga. I got that.
He had several others when he died but those were the only ones he wouldn't part with.
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Jefferson Souza
Member
In my opinion the engineering of the German pistols are the best manufactured in history. I find it difficult to overcome this engineering that will remain for a long time, but better.
Today the guns are being made of plastic, they are not resistant as they were in the past made only with forged steel. It is my sincere opinion. I appreciated everyone's instructions. Thanks.
Today the guns are being made of plastic, they are not resistant as they were in the past made only with forged steel. It is my sincere opinion. I appreciated everyone's instructions. Thanks.
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Jefferson Souza
Member
The Luger P08 has the complex mechanics of copying, has many small parts, and its engineering has not been copied or reproduced. Failed to copy Luger has a complex project.
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ApacheCoTodd
member
One of mine will be going into the coffin with me. Never know what you'll need in the afterlife.
I have a Walther PP and an Interarms PPK/s, both in 32 ACP. I'd like to find a PPK but I have not been trying real hard.
Both of mine are more pleasant to shoot than the 380 ACP PPK that In have.
The PPK is a nice size for carrying when a small size is important and I prefer a DA/SA format.
Both of mine are more pleasant to shoot than the 380 ACP PPK that In have.
The PPK is a nice size for carrying when a small size is important and I prefer a DA/SA format.
wiscoaster
Member
I have a PP in .32 ACP and prefer it to my PPK/S in .380 ACP.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Had an Interarms stainless PPK/S .380. Beautiful gun, also one of the worst feeding handguns Ive ever owned. Tried several different magazines and every brand of ammo I could lay hands on. I dont think it ever made it through an entire magazine without a jam. Sold it in disgust.
Then I tried a minty Manurhin-built .32 PP. Also beautiful. Also unreliable. Removed the loaded chamber indicator per the advice of fellas on Walther forums. Reliability was adequate afterwards, but only with perfectly round bullet profiles- no HP or truncated cones. Sold it in disappointment AND at a loss. At the time (several years ago) nobody wanted a .32. Had it on Armslist for weeks with no nibbles. Finally found a taker at a show.
My verdict- they are pretty paperweights. The only blowback .32/.380 I would ever trust my life to is a SIG P230/232. YMMV, of course.
Then I tried a minty Manurhin-built .32 PP. Also beautiful. Also unreliable. Removed the loaded chamber indicator per the advice of fellas on Walther forums. Reliability was adequate afterwards, but only with perfectly round bullet profiles- no HP or truncated cones. Sold it in disappointment AND at a loss. At the time (several years ago) nobody wanted a .32. Had it on Armslist for weeks with no nibbles. Finally found a taker at a show.
My verdict- they are pretty paperweights. The only blowback .32/.380 I would ever trust my life to is a SIG P230/232. YMMV, of course.
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Jefferson Souza
Member
Todd... and the Stoeger owners cried......
Todd.
My S&W PPK 380 ACP is only reliable with fmj bullets. Designer hollow points were not reliable in the gun.
In my opinion, that was ok because I've never found hollow points would expand reliably in the 380 ACP.
My 32 ACP Interams PPK/s has been reliable with fmj bullets as well.
It is too bad you had bad experiences with the PP series of guns.
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MedWheeler
Member
I had an Interarms Walther PPK/S in .380 many years ago. Carried it on the job as a BUG, and as a primary off-duty. In .380, it was rude, but I managed it well enough to qualify with it as well as I did with my service sidearm at the time (Ruger P85.) It was a very nicely-crafted stainless piece.
In .32, I bet it would be less snappy and more-easily handled. The closest thing I have now to something like that in .32 is a CZ70, and I've never shot it.
In .32, I bet it would be less snappy and more-easily handled. The closest thing I have now to something like that in .32 is a CZ70, and I've never shot it.
wiscoaster
Member
You guys having problems shooting hollow points in your PP's and PPK's - have you tried Hornady Critical Defense? They function 100% in mine.
I had a 32 interarms stainless that was apparently pretty rare.
Ran 100% with all the 32 ammo I tried.
Lots of rounds of 32 in that little package.
380 is not much fun to shoot in the ppk, but it isn't too bad. The 32 didn't have the longer beavertail and it never bit me, my hands are massive meaty affairs.
Lovely gun, if you get a good one you should be set.
Ran 100% with all the 32 ammo I tried.
Lots of rounds of 32 in that little package.
380 is not much fun to shoot in the ppk, but it isn't too bad. The 32 didn't have the longer beavertail and it never bit me, my hands are massive meaty affairs.
Lovely gun, if you get a good one you should be set.
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