Compare the PPK .380 recoil with Sig 232 etc?

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Ignition Override

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Having read for many hours about the PPK, Sig 232 (bought one) and Bersa Thunder .380 (the rental impressed me), how would you describe just the recoil of the typical PPK?
Considering the French version, which was produced until '86: proofed/tested "Made in West Germany", or Interarms if it is a Non S&W.

Slide bite is very old news-there is no reason to waste time on that for guys with slender hands. I spend over twelve hours each week at home and in hotels reading about milsurp handguns and rifles.

Three middle-aged friends 'carry' the Polish P-64, which was not enjoyable to shoot, though I wanted to like this little beast.
 
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I always found the PPK's to have a more snappier felt recoil. Their grips are not as well proportioned as the SIG's, and the fact that is was always biting me, also didnt help, and only added to the discomfort levels.

The SIG's grip is better proportioned to handle, spread out the recoil, so it feels a lot better.


Slide bite is very old news-there is no reason to waste time on that for guys with slender hands.
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I dont have fat or overly large hands, and my shooting hand was always bloody after shooting my PPK's. It may be old news, but it does contribute to the shootability of the PPK's, especially if you practice regularly with it, as you should be if youre carry one.

That was the main reason I switched to the P230's and never looked back. Much more pleasant to shoot.
 
My take is slightly different than AK103K's. I agree that the Sig grip is a bit more comfortable in the hand but for me the controls on the Sig are just a bit more awkward for me than the Walther. The decocker is not natural or intuitive for me and the trigger reach not as good and the grip feels fatter and "bigger". I no longer have my 232 but I think I would agree with AK103K that the Sig is slightly softer shooting. I think that is more due to the covered backstrap compared to the exposed backstrap in my PPKS. I'm not sure how the covered backstrap PPK would compare. Overall, I like the Walther better. I also like that I can easily thumbcock the Walther should I desire.
 
Just curious... in your opinion, how is the Walther different than the Sig in cocking?
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I just find the Walther easier to reach and the hammer has more and better purchase for me. (It's a bit more exposed and rounded and knurled.) I think the Sig is probably the more sure thing in getting a quality pistol but some features and attributes of the Walther seem better suited to me and for me, all else being equal. I greatly admire the Sig. The Walther seems to fit my hand better, overall.
 
For hand size reference, my hands are on the big side with long fingers. a 1911 with regular grips and long trigger fits very well and an M&P with medium backstrap fits OK but trigger breaks on the short side.
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I recently shot a Walther PPK .380. It was snappy. I could feel the snap on the web of my hand. The PPK did produce a minor pain on the web of my hand but it was easily tolerable for several mags but I would not consider it a pleasure to shoot. It is livable if I like other features on the gun.
My 9mm Kahr K9 has a milder felt recoil than the .380 PPK.
I had a Polish P64. That was painful to shoot. When I had it, 2 mags was max. The PPK recoil is nothing like it.
I cannot really comment on sig p232 or bersa since I have not shot any of those in a long while.
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Also, I have shot a friend's really small poly Taurus .380. That felt like it has milder felt recoil than the PPK.
 
I have both the Sig 232 and a SmithWalther PPK/s. i agree overall, the Sig is more comfortable to shoot, I think mainly to the padding on the grip.

Were I to choose one, it would be the Sig, but once you find a properly-working PPK, you will be hooked.
 
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Here's a PPK/S in .380 that is the most accurate centerfire handgun I have ever fired. Also, it's just a classic; a well designed piece that in my opinion, was way ahead of its time. I am completely fine carrying this pistol.
 
The Sig is more reliable than the Walther in 380.

The Walther was designed for the .32 and is well known to be more reliable in that caliber than 380.
 
Reads like we all have our own slightly different experiences with these two pistols in .380.

I have the PPK from Germany and had a stainless P230 from SIG when it first came out.
I do not know how the 230 compares or looks beside the P232 - never have seen one.

Walther never made the .380 PPK with the alloy frame for a good reason.
Too much of a good thing.
Recoil is snappy enough that I do most all my .380 plinking with the PP.
Either of the Walthers will easily stay inside 2 1/2" at 25 yds. with quality loads.

I never cared for the SIG much. Too heavy to carry without falling down the front of my pants.
Maybe if I had got the alloy frame blued one as well it might have changed my mind.
Minute of pie pan at 25 yds was the norm.
Long and short of it is that I put some hard miles on the SIG developing reliable
expanding HP loads using the 95gr. Remington JHP made for the .38 Special.
Moved it on with no regrets.

Can only speak from my experience, but neither of my Walthers has EVER stopped with either ball
or the Remington scalloped nose JHP reloads. All are put thru a case gauge and I would bet on the guns to function every time.

Walther most surely had the already established .380 caliber in mind for sale when the PP and PPK was brought out in the late 20's.
The .32 was made in much greater numbers, both pre and post-war,
simply because most sales were to both the Military or Police who preferred the .32.

Commercial sales - the .380 PPK was the post-war sales caliber leader, hands down,
because it functioned just fine with lots of power in a small package.
If you doubt me, price the post-war .32 PPK beside a .380 version.
The .32 is almost double in cost because fewer were made (and people want a James Bond gun:rolleyes:).

JT
 
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I have experience with all three and can't tell much difference in recoil between them.

I regularly shot a S&W PPK in .380 for several years, in fact, I still have a factory engraved model that never gets shot.

Anyway, the PPK can be somewhat selective about the types of ammo it likes. A relative has a P232 that I shoot regularly and it's been 100% reliable and has a much better double action trigger than the Walther, another relative has a Bersa and I also prefer it to the PPK, seemed to have slightly less recoil when we shot the two back-to-back. Either way, for the money, couldn't tell a lot of difference between the PPK and the Bersa.

If you can afford the Sig 232 then get it, it's a better handling/shooting pistol than the Bersa or the PPK. When it comes to the Bersa vs. Walther, though, I'm inclined to recommend the Bersa .380.

I've also heard good things about the CZ-83 and Makarov, but have no experience with them.
 
My PPK/S has been 100% reliable Its a old Ranger Made in USA . That said recoil snappy compared to my Bersa. I believe reason is Walters is thinner so more slap in web of hand .
Never fired the Sig Dodn't like way it fit my hand . If you like a SA Colt Mustang very nice.

Eagle Imports is bringing back the old Llama 1911 style 380 . I don't know release date . Just told it was coming :)
 
Having rented both a number of times, the SIG is noticeably more comfortable to shoot as others have said. Also more reliable.

That grip tang on the PPK bites....
 
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