New Walther PPK .380

Lohman446 said:
This thread has identified, to me, a couple issues.

First the gun is not a practical contender to other .380 options out there. I can buy a .380 that is lighter, smaller, AND has less perceived recoil. If I want roughly the same size and weight I can get a lot less perceived recoil.

Setting the sights differently to save money harms the nostalgia of the product. With the price tag on these compared to more functional options this is a luxury purchase - don't go cheap on production of a luxury item. These are, traditionally, a beautiful gun (though I think the Sigs looked better) and a pleasure to own. They are not, however, practical when compared to other options

As noted above I also think this would be better chambered in .32. More nostalgia and still an interesting range piece though I can understand the argument for the .380
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Ok, so what is the recoil rating? The older model is a measly 2.68 ftlbs compared to say a Ruger LCP at around 5.89 or even the Keltec 32.cal at 3. 54.
I mean this is not a 9mm. It weighs 22 oz. If you cannot handle that then, well can't help ya.
Folks looking for a larger, 380 and a DA/SA this might be right up their alley. The Bersa has done very well over the years. I can see how this will be a very good seller. Not for me, but there are many folks at love the larger 380 Pistols. Bravo to Walther!!! And why in the world, would you want this in a 32.cal?
 
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Carl the Floor Walker said:
Ok, so what is the recoil rating? The older model is a measly 2.68 ftlbs compared to say a Ruger LCP at around 5.89 or even the Keltec 32.cal at 3. 54.
I mean this is not a 9mm. It weighs 22 oz. If you cannot handle that then, well can't help ya.
Folks looking for a larger, 380 and a DA/SA this might be right up their alley. The Bersa has done very well over the years. I can see how this will be a very good seller. Not for me, but there are many folks at love the larger 380 Pistols. Bravo to Walther!!! And why in the world, would you want this in a 32.cal?
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as I said earlier, to be a purist.
 
Lol, I love to see how the internet posters start a bashing, on a gun they never shot
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Right. Someone disagrees with you it must because they have never shot one. Must be. Can't be reasonable disagreement or have to do with the amount of time the recoil is spread over.

I love to see internet posters jump to conclusions to start ad hominem attacks and avoid the discussion at hand. It helps restore my faith in the intelligence of mankind... not really
 
The recoil perceived by the shooter in the PPK (Sig P232, etc) is a lot more than one would expect given the size and weight of the piece. Its not the certainty it would appear to be at first glance.
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I have an Interarms PPK/S in 380 and never found the recoil to be an issue. Although I have read where the blowback design results in more felt recoil compared to a locked breach design. I do own a much lighter Glock 42 and find it pleasant to shoot for such a light gun.

When shooting my Smith 642 Airweight the recoil of any 380 seems pretty tame in comparison.
 
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I have an Interarms PPK/S in 380 and never found the recoil to be an issue
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I don't think the recoil is an issue in that I do not believe the gun is unshootable. I think the experienced shooter of other firearms who first shoots one of these is generally surprised by how much recoil he or she perceived. I think the shooter who shoots one of these next to a similiary sized firearm of a different action style in the same caliber would find this action to result in more perceived recoil. Is recoil in itself a negative thing? No. But if the intent was to introduce this as softer shooting compared to 9MM pistols in this size and weight I think they missed the mark.
 
I also love my Interarms PPK/S. 380. Recoil isn't bad, and it's super accurate. Pretty cool gun for 1925 technology, but I love steel guns and Bond films.
 
Lol, I love to see how the internet posters start a bashing, on a gun they never shot.
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I've owned, carried and shot a PPK (Ranger Alabama Interarms) for somewhere around a quarter of a century. It's my carry gun when I can't conceal something larger.

It's a good shooter, although recoil is, I suppose, more than someone who isn't experienced with blowback pistols might expect for an all-steel pistol in .380ACP. It recoils more than my Kahr P9 which is a lighter gun and chambered in 9mm. That said, the muzzle rise is very controllable and it can easily be shot very rapidly.

Given the main reason I own it (small hideout carry gun--usually worn in a belly band type holster) I can't tolerate a long protrusion of metal sticking out of the back of the gun to poke me in the gut every time I bend over.
 
Lohman446 said:
I don't think the recoil is an issue in that I do not believe the gun is unshootable. I think the experienced shooter of other firearms who first shoots one of these is generally surprised by how much recoil he or she perceived. I think the shooter who shoots one of these next to a similiary sized firearm of a different action style in the same caliber would find this action to result in more perceived recoil. Is recoil in itself a negative thing? No. But if the intent was to introduce this as softer shooting compared to 9MM pistols in this size and weight I think they missed the mark.
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Man, what are you talking about? How about getting off the recoil nonsense? People will not be buying this gun for all the reasons you are presenting. It simply is a cool, nice built firearm in 380. And folks like that size. You keep talking about other shooters who will shoot this gun, like you know them. Sorry, just because you are so surprised by the amount of recoil of a measly 3lbs, is totally ridiculous.
This gun is classic and many love the feel of them. How about finding a gun you like and let others enjoy this gun?
 
The PPK is a piece with history. If it's not the finest, shoots the best or has the lightest recoil....so what? It will have demand because of what it is, not because of what it is not.
I had planned to buy one but I settled for a Bersa Thunder.
Same size, almost the exact same weight and it's a good performer. In fact it has adj. rear sights which I believe the PPK does not.
But I would still want to have one.....just don't want to spend the $$$ at this time.
 
. These are, traditionally, a beautiful gun (though I think the Sigs looked better) and a pleasure to own. They are not, however, practical when compared to other options



Wish I had said something like this to appear those accusing me of being entirely Dow. On the gun... oh wait
 
I believe the new version has kept the beavertail.
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I'm glad for that, my S&W tore my hand up the first few times I fired it, even though it has the extended beavertail. Since then I've learned to very deliberately hold lower, not much, just enough so I can't see a bulge of pink flesh sticking up.
Now I also have an Interarms and as far as fit/finish between the Ranger made gun the only plus I'd give it is that the small prts appear to be cast, instead of MIM. The ejector broke on the S&W, which is MIM, they sent another right away, but I'd rather have replaced it with a good cast part.

These are, traditionally, a beautiful gun (though I think the Sigs looked better) and a pleasure to own. They are not, however, practical when compared to other options
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That depends on what you want it for. They are a very fine weapon, historical, mechanically interesting, and since I only carry one gun, all the rest are simply for my enjoyment, not self defense. I suspect that a lot of people buy guns based on their carry value (Stopping power?) when they have no intention of carrying it.
For instance, If I knew I'd likely stumble into a gun fight I'd carry my DW 10MM in a holster with 2 mags and my FAL rifle and five magazines.

Some interesting handguns in my safe are quite a few .25 ACP pistols, which I've had a great deal of fun shooting and collecting. I also have many handguns that are not well known since they are from the dawn of automatic pistols. I can't imagine carrying them either nor would I want to lose them, their purpose is fulfilled without needing the deadly usage of them they were designed for.
 
My PPK is in the caliber the pistol was designed for, 7.65 mm and is a first year of production pistol. It shoots like a dream and is very accurate with it’s fixed barrel and caliber allowing for quick follow up shots, which may be needed with a .32. I would carry this pistol however there are so many other better carry designs available today I choose to leave the PPK home and carry a Sig or Kimber or S&W or........
 
It definitely has some cool factor, but not enough to warrant the price tag. I'm happy with my Bersa Thunder CC. I took it to the range along side my buddy's PPK, and we both preferred the Bersa in just about every way. When compared side by side, they are all but identical in every dimension, but the Thunder CC weighs considerably less, and holds 2 more rounds. It also doesn't give me slide bite. I can't say that for the PPK - one mag in, and I was literally dripping blood. The only way I could get the PPK to stop biting me was to hold it so low on the grip that I was in serious danger of limpwristing. Of course, I have big meaty hands, so YMMV. Definitely not worth the price tag, IMHO.
 
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