Comments on P232, Baby Browning, Walther PPK & P7

S

sks

New member
I'm interested in getting a smaller gun as backup and these three are basically the ones that I have in mind.

Have shot the P232 as well as the P7 and love them both although the P7 had a much better trigger and a more powerful cartridge. Never shot the PPK yet nor the Baby Browning.

Anyone here with some good info on these three handguns? Experiences, both good and bad with them? Other reccommendations of similar guns?

------------------
The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
Just got the P232 yesterday; haven't had a chance to shoot more than a few rounds. I have a PPK/S. It is a good gun, but a little rough handling and always seemed to have a lot of muzzle flip, despite moderate kick. Good accuracy, nothing really wrong with it, but it just didn't click with me like some other handguns did. Based on very limited use, I like the SIG a lot more. Will report back after more extensive testing. I have a SIG P226 in 9mm that is a tack driver. I may be developing a slight bias here. (I like my Sig Pro 2340 in .40 cal better than my Glock Model 22, also.)
 
Quite a variation.

P7 is a full sized 9mm (unless you're talking about the M3, which is only slightly smaller), the P232 and PPK are midsized .380 pocket guns, while the Browning is a .25 mousegun. All serve different purposes.

The P7 really needs to be carried around the waist or in a shoulder holster. The PPK and P232 you can get away with in an ankle holster, the Baby you can toss in a pocket.

I have a PPK and a PSP-25, which is a copy of the Baby. A P7M13 is on my list of things to buy.

The PPK is comparable to the P232. I like it better because it's smaller, has an american mag release (the Sig has a European release under the butt), and has a safety/decocker (the Sig only has a decocker). The P232 is said to be more reliable, but I've had no problems with the Walther. Besides, it's recommended by Q Branch!

I also like the PSP-25. It serves a purpose. It does stovepipe sometimes (though that was more when the gun was newer), you can't fire most hollowpoints out of it, and it's not really accurate or powerful. However, when you can't carry anything else, it's better than nothing.

I fired a P7M8 a long time ago, and remember finding it a little strange. I've recently decided that I "needed" one, and have been window shopping. Nice guns, but heavy for their size, and large for a pocket gun.
 
Brandrot, maybe my terminilogy was wrong when I mentioned the Baby Browning as I was referring to the .380 Browning. As far as carry goes, the weapon would be put IWB or SOB which is my normal carry option. My legs are too thin for an ankle holster. :)

The other factor is COST. I can probably get two P232s for one P7! And the P7 is definitely hard to find.

------------------
The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
Try some Hogue rubber grips for that sig 232. They are about $25.00 and sure make the gun a lot nicer to shoot!
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sks: Brandrot, maybe my terminilogy was wrong when I mentioned the Baby Browning as I was referring to the .380 Browning ...[/quote]If you're talking about the Browning BDA380, I don't believe that gun is being made any more. I do happen to own one and I absolutely love it -- 14 rounds of .380ACP!
 
The BDA is a nice gun but on the large side for a .380. My father has one that he is very attached to with the rubber wrap grips. On the funny side it is made by Barreta and sold under the Browning name. The quality is just fantastic on these things too,very high polish and nice blueing. You do not see them every day and the price is not cheep on one in nice shape. :) :)Actualy they are more of a combat or service gun in that .380 europe concept. It makes my .380 WW2 Italian army Barreta look like a pocket gun. :)
 
radom, you are correct that the BDA380 is a large gun and was made by Beretta. It's actually bigger than my S&W3913 and about the same size as my S&W4013 -- a little bit on the large size for concealed carry in the hotter states. However, the light recoil of the .380ACP in this big gun (big when compared to other .380's) is perfect for my wife who really isn't a shooter but can handle the BDA380 like a pro.

When we hear a bump in the middle of the night and I go to investigate, I'll grab either my S&W5906 (16 rounds of 9mm) or my S&W4006 (12 rounds of .40S&W) and my wife will back me up with the BDA380 (14 rounds of .380ACP). I figure that she is better armed with 14 rounds of .380ACP then she would be with 5 rounds of .38 special from my Taurus M85 -- especially since she can shoot the .380 much more accurately then the .38 special.

[This message has been edited by FUD (edited September 11, 2000).]
 
If you shop around you might find a P7M8 refurb for $599-650. At a later date as time permits you might decide to hard chrome it and install nite sites as funds permit. Of the guns you selected it would be far and away my first choice. The Sig being the second, but I would much rather have the 9mm. You will need specialized leather. You do not mention what your primary weapon is, I have always thought it wise to use the same ammo (better yet same mags) in both primary and backup. i.e. Glock, 1911...

Have you looked at the G19, G36 and SP101 .357?

[This message has been edited by MPower (edited September 11, 2000).]
 
FUD,

Is there a handgun out there that you do not own? Oh, and by the way -- you are no longer allowed to reference ANY of your X&X firearms from now on! Stoppit! ;)

sks,

As far as the guns that you mentioned.. the only one that I have experience with is the Walther. I think it is extra-reliable and of great quality. However, it does not fit my hand well -- so I don't happen to own one. :) But I would give it a try and see how you like it.

On a side note... I do happen to know someone that owns an older Beretta .25 (Jetfire?) in SAO. I've heard all kinds of stories about this and that concerning these smaller models of Berettas. This is one of the older models imported from Italy. I have no idea how the newer ones perform, but I find this one to be exceptional. Actually.. for a mousegun, it is quite accurate too.

Contrasting the difference between newer guns and older guns.. I think its safe to say that "..they sure don't make 'em like they used too." :D

------------------
God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
I've carried the G19 for a couple of years but got rid of it recently. The gun that I normally have on me is a BHP in .40 or a P220 .45 ACP.

What I'm wanting to do is get another 9mm (probably SIG compact) as primary and then another smaller weapon as backup. The BHP is quite heavy as well as the P220.

I guess the Browning in .380 is somewhat large for a backup. And yes they are quite pricey. Friend of mine has the PPK, I think he still does, and I'll try to shoot it.

My long range goal is to get rid of everything except 9mm and purchase a MP5 to go along with my handguns. Then stock up on ammo. :D

Thanks for the tips all.

------------------
The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
KaMaKaZe, I own more *&* PISTOLS then all my other guns combined -- don't own a single one of their revolvers.
 
If you're heavyset, you'll appreciate the slimness of the PPK when you're carrying it inside the waist band. It's also a lot less bulky than the Browning if you're just slipping it into an overcoat pocket. We've argued the merits of the 232 and the PPK elsewhere, but both guns are quality pieces of work.

For my money, I bought the USA made Walther in stainless and have found mine to be reliable and a fine carry weapon. I have no hesitations about counting on mine for the types of situations that I might anticipate getting into. I don't frequent too many rough areas, don't mess with drug dealers, and don't go looking for trouble--my PPK is a handsome glove box gun that gets me from parking lot to hotel room, etc...

I shoot mine routinely at the range and, other than the first box or two of ammo I ran through it, have found mine to be a reliable, accurate, precision made tool.

------------------
Take the long way home...
 
I own all but the 232, so here is my history. I started with a beretta md84, but found it to fat for inside the waistband carry. I then picked up a ppk/s (stainless) which I liked, but I broke ejectors, so while it was in the shop, I picked up a government 380. The gov is great, but I never liked the cocked and locked routine. I got my ppk/s back from the shop and all has been great, good for routine carry, but a recent incident convinced me I needed more power then the 380 so I picked up a p7psp. Great gun, a work of art, and unbelievable in the reliability factor. Only problem is it was just to nice of a gun for routine carry, so I went back to the ppk/s. After another incident I decided 9mm is the way to go and bought a used p7 for carry. I am still in the break-in period (500 rnds with no failures) then it will be my standard carry gun.

Hope this helps.

------------------
P229 Sport and 357 SIG, H&K P7PSP and 9MM, Dual Perfection!!
 
I think you may need to think about a few more. The P232 is one of the finest .380 pistols made, but it is large for a .380. This is the reason I went with the SS Walther PPK. The Browning .380 is another fine pistol, though I prefer the Beretta version with the cocked and locked capibility. The problem there again is size. The Glock 19, 23, or 32 is about the same size as the Browning or Beretta double column .380's and all shoot more powerful rounds. The Glock 26, 27, and 33 would be even smaller. I retired my Walther PPK for a Kahr MK9 which is about the same size. You could consider a Colt Defender or Pocket Nine in place of the P232. If you want a small pistol, bigger than a mouse gun, there are many 9mm, .40, and .45 cal pistols out there in the size range you are looking for. No need to hinder yourself with a .380.
 
Concerning only the pistols you mentioned---

No experience with the P232. That said, I endorse branrot's comments.

P7 is nifty but was conceived as a service pistol. It is just too heavy for "backup" use, in my personal opinion. If you get one, DO NOT shoot lead bullet handloads in it.

The PPK is slim and compact but is still quite heavy for the power. The PPK/S is same but larger.

"Baby" Browning means the little vest pocket .25 ACP to most of the old timers. Fine little gun, small and light, BUT---It is striker fired, so I can't trust it in condition one. Also, the stock screws MUST be kept snug or you'll find yourself without a trigger sometime. I note you are really referring to the .380, presumably the 1910 Model--6 + 1, with grip safety. Excellent little piece, but it, too, is striker fired, and a bit heavy for size and power.

Recommendations for backup? I trust you're talking about as secondary to our main battery armament, right?

Kel-Tec P-11. 10 + 1 full 9x19 mm power. DAO. Double stack, which I normally don't like, but it sure is nice to carry, especially with the belt clip. TWICE the capacity of most small revolvers, and the HydraShok 124 JHP is faster herein than any of the .38 Special 125 +Ps that I have tested.

Kahr 9 mm polymer frame, DAO. Slim, light, powerful. Fewer shots than the KT, but slimmer, too.

BTW--I notice that many MANY people who carry respectable size/caliber handguns most of the time just snag up the "backup" when running to the store in the evening. This, perforce, makes the "backup" into sole armament. I just can't be comfortable with anything less than a .38 snub for the purpose.

Best of luck in your choices.

------------------
---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---
 
Have used my wife's P232 on several occasions
at the range.Very accurate and very concealable.
Have limitied experience with the PPK.Did not like the trigger pull.For a back up,I would choose the Sig out of the 3 listed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top