Will the Walther PPK Be Discontinued?

[Timthinker]

For many years, the Walther PPK handguns were the standard for pocket pistols. Reliable and accurate, they performed well as concealable handguns. But in recent years, more compact pistols such as the Seecamp LCW .380 and Bersa Thunder have invaded the pocket pistol market. Will the advent of these newer and more compact pistols spell the end of the old PPK?


Timthinker

 

[Eightball]

As long as Bond movies keep being made, I seriously doubt it.

 

[cliffy]

.380 minny slugs should not be obsoleted, but . . .

Minny-sized .45 ACP pistols should be considered as a stead. POWER can come in small-sizes. .45 ACP is a 100% man-stopper when hit in the shoulder, while a .380 is merely a 9mm wannabe. While a 9mm Parabellum is a mere .45 ACP wannabe. Walther PPKs are COOL due to James Bond's movies, yet in a truly serious situation, grab a .45 ACP! Even at a mere 185 grains of missile power, a .45 ACP bests all but a .357 MAGNUM. Most people cannot tolerate the KICK of a full-boat .357, so a .45 ACP begins to make even more sense. Self-Defense begins with CONFIDENCE in one's load. More to follow if required. cliffy

 

[usp9]

My guess is that the PPK will be around for a long time. It is a classic.

 

[NDN-MAN]

.45 ACP is a 100% man-stopper when hit in the shoulder

You have to hit people with one now???

 

[crushbup]

As long as Bond movies keep being made, I seriously doubt it.

He doesn't use the PPK anymore...

 

[cliffy]

.45 ACP Prowess

In the military, circa 1965, I found the .45 ACP lacking in NO RESPECT. A .380 Walther neither existed in my mind nor on my battlefield. I owe my life to a .45 ACPs ability , so I may have a slighty slanted view. cliffy

 

[Timthinker]

Let me elaborate a bit more on why I began this posting. My understanding is the European PPKs, produced exclusively by the French following World War Two, ceased production some years ago. If this is true, then it seems the only PPK producer now is S&W. Indeed, the discontinuation of the European PPKs first peaked my interest in this topic. I hope this explanation helps.


Timthinker

 

[glockman19]

My guess is that the PPK will be around for a long time. It is a classic.

+1

He said it all

 

[mljdeckard]

There's absolutely no such thing as 100% ANYTHING in handgun rounds.

 

[Eightball]

There's absolutely no such thing as 100% ANYTHING in handgun rounds.

Sure there is--hit something fleshy that walks on two legs that isn't wearing armor with a .45-70 BFR in their sinus cavities, and they'll die a quick and fiery death.

 

[psyopspec]

.45 ACP is a 100% man-stopper when hit in the shoulder, while a .380 is merely a 9mm wannabe.

I too would be interested to hear your stories/sources RE 100% "man-stopping" in a .45 ACP. My grandfather spent 3 wars as a battlefield surgeon treating people wounded with the same, and wouldn't back that claim.

I have a battle buddy wounded in the shoulder by an AK in Afghanistan, and not only did it not stop him; brother was still combat effective as long as it was necessary. Good thing he wasn't hit by a "killer" .45 instead of that 7.62 Short.

Best,
Psyopspec, who is raised & trained to believe that shot placement reigns supreme.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As long as Bond movies keep being made, I seriously doubt it.

He doesn't use the PPK anymore...

I was upset to see the PPK gone from under his jacket but there it was, a Walther PPS! I guess Sir 007 wanted a 9mm Parabellum instead of his trusted 9mm Browning.

 

[lechiffre]

As long as Bond movies keep being made, I seriously doubt it.

He doesn't use the PPK anymore...

he will be using a ppk in quantum of solace.


the WALTHER ppk was discontinued a few years ago. now all we have is the S&W ppk.

 

[jdh]

BTW it is not Sir 007. James Bond declined the honor of Knighthood

 

[usp9]

Let me elaborate a bit more on why I began this posting. My understanding is the European PPKs, produced exclusively by the French following World War Two, ceased production some years ago. If this is true, then it seems the only PPK producer now is S&W. Indeed, the discontinuation of the European PPKs first peaked my interest in this topic. I hope this explanation helps.

Timthinker, According to the German Walther website, they are in fact still making the PPK. Manurhin ceased production in 1981 I believe. Not all PPKs after the war are French made.

 

[Matt-J2]

There's some sort of deal going on right now for PPK. It's 2 free mags or a $50 rebate.

 

[MAKster]

The PPK has not been importable since 1968. It doesn't meet the sporting purpose test. Before S&W they were distributed by Interarms of Virginia. I suspect they only make a few thousand per year, but since it's such an iconic model S&W will keep making them in small batches.

 

[Timthinker]

I stand corrected on the status of the European PPKs. I realize the French versions were discontinued by the mid-1980s, but I was under the mistaken impression that Walther was not producing them either. In the early postwar years, PPKs were produced solely in France.

I did realize that the PPK was not importable after the 1968 Gun Control Act. If memory serves me correctly, the PPK/S was introduced to circumvent the restrictions of that act. Thanks for the additional information.

 

[Timthinker]

Some time ago, I noticed a gentleman firing a PPK at a local indoor range. After my shooting session ended, I talked with him about his model which was chambered for the 7.65mm cartridge. He was so impressed that someone took an interest in his gun that he presented me with a live cartridge as a remembrance. I found that round in my locked security box earlier this week, which explains the reason for this thread.


Timthinker

 

[420Stainless]

I discontinued my PPK/s. Although I love it dearly, the creation of a .45 ACP that weighs about the same when loaded (PM45) and is not too much bigger caused me to quit carrying the .380 ACP. A step down in looks, but greater power with only a slight increase in bulk. The PPK/s is just a piece of nostalgia that I'll keep around now for ocassional plinking.

 

[unisonic12]

I love my old Interarms PPK/s for its classic lines and "Bond appeal", but it IS outdated. My P3AT with a +1 mag extension has the same firepower in a MUCH smaller and lighter package. Heck, my PM9 with +p 9mm loads provides a more powerful round, again, in a smaller and lighter package and it actually recoils less with it's Browning/tilting barrel design than the blowback PPK/s design. No safeties to fiddle with, no horrendous double action trigger pull for the first round, no slide bite, etc.

 

[hiker44]

Since S&W has announced they are teaming with Walther to at least distribute the PPK/S in this country, it seems to show a willingness to keep alive the old "James Bond" tradition, however, I haven't seen many on the retailer's shelves, so it has managed to stay a limited production run, at least around here.

 

[buzz_knox]

S&W is doing more than just distributing the PPK/S. It is making the PPK, which is illegal to import.

 

[searcher451]

Walther already has developed the successor to the PPK; it's the PPS, which has been on the market for the past year or so. It's about the same size, though it takes advantage of the (slightly) more powerful 9mm cartridge over the .32 and .380, the two primary rounds for which the PPK was chambered (you can also find them in .22).

It's hard to say what will happen over time. But for my money, the PPK is certainly a more elegant firearm than the PPS. I also own a FE PPS but still carry a PPK/S daily.