Wife has an SR 22 Ruger and is looking to step up to a centerfire. The Walther PK 380 looks very similar to the Ruger. Guess that it will feel about the same in hand and fit in the same holster. So the question is ...anyone have one? Hows it run? Any known problems? Thanks for your help.
Walther PK 380
- Thread starter radir68
- Start date
I have no personal experience with the PK380, though I dearly love my other Walther pistols.
The knock against the PK380 is that is is mfg by Umarex, Walther's parent owner, most notably known for their Airsoft pistols.
http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/pk380/12917-should-i-buy-pk380-2.html
The common tension is that while "real" Walthers - PPQ, P99 and so forth, are excellent, the Umarex line leaves much to be desired in comparison.
Just be aware of the issue and decide for yourself.
Best of luck, however you decide!
The knock against the PK380 is that is is mfg by Umarex, Walther's parent owner, most notably known for their Airsoft pistols.
http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/pk380/12917-should-i-buy-pk380-2.html
The common tension is that while "real" Walthers - PPQ, P99 and so forth, are excellent, the Umarex line leaves much to be desired in comparison.
Just be aware of the issue and decide for yourself.
Best of luck, however you decide!
Leaves much to be desired is an understatement. After 4 trips back to Walther for various failures to eject or feed, I now have a very unreliable paperweight. Worse purchase ever made.
I could easily sell it to some unsuspecting sole, I choose not to do so, as it would not be fair.
carguychris
New member
I do not and have never owned a PK380 but my thoughts are well summarized here (old thread):
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471128
The linked thread doesn't mention that the range-rental gun I tested was a true Jam-o-Matic™ that couldn't cycle a full mag without at least one failure-to-eject.
Although the most obvious explanation is a bad extractor and/or ejector on that particular pistol, this problem seems somewhat commonplace as evidenced by numerous other posts about the gun (re: Red-5). I also really, really dislike the manual of arms (re: linked thread).
My previous general opinion was that the gun may be a decent choice for a shooter who really can't stand recoil, has trouble operating slides, doesn't shoot often, AND can be trusted with a complex decocking procedure. However, the recent release of two high-quality Star Model S-type "Mini 1911" pistols – the Rock Island Baby Rock and the Browning 1911-380 – has eliminated most of these factors. I honestly can't recommend the PK380 at all anymore.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471128
The linked thread doesn't mention that the range-rental gun I tested was a true Jam-o-Matic™ that couldn't cycle a full mag without at least one failure-to-eject.
Although the most obvious explanation is a bad extractor and/or ejector on that particular pistol, this problem seems somewhat commonplace as evidenced by numerous other posts about the gun (re: Red-5). I also really, really dislike the manual of arms (re: linked thread).My previous general opinion was that the gun may be a decent choice for a shooter who really can't stand recoil, has trouble operating slides, doesn't shoot often, AND can be trusted with a complex decocking procedure. However, the recent release of two high-quality Star Model S-type "Mini 1911" pistols – the Rock Island Baby Rock and the Browning 1911-380 – has eliminated most of these factors. I honestly can't recommend the PK380 at all anymore.
cc-hangfire
New member
I have a P-22, another Wakther/Umarex pistol, and it is only useful as a range gun where the somewhat occasional misdeed isn't critical. Based on web posts including those on the Walther users forum, I wont get a PK380.
My wife is a small woman and likes the P22. If she decides to carry a .380, I'm going to find a Ruger LC380 for her to try. It's a similarly sized .380 that gets better reviews.
My wife is a small woman and likes the P22. If she decides to carry a .380, I'm going to find a Ruger LC380 for her to try. It's a similarly sized .380 that gets better reviews.
ammo.crafter
New member
PK 380
I have one as well as "real" Walters.
Almost to a person, owners complain that the gun shoots low and left.
As the sights are not height adjustable the only way to raise POA is to file down the front sight.
The rear sight can be moved somewhat.
Overall, this is not a quality firearm and a far cry from a PPK(s).
I have one as well as "real" Walters.
Almost to a person, owners complain that the gun shoots low and left.
As the sights are not height adjustable the only way to raise POA is to file down the front sight.
The rear sight can be moved somewhat.
Overall, this is not a quality firearm and a far cry from a PPK(s).
carguychris
New member
re: the BDA 380...
Regarding a couple of prior posts...
The Browning BDA 380* is a somewhat large and hefty pistol by .380 standards, and is based on the Beretta 84, having actually been built in the same plant.
I'm a big Beretta Series 81 and BDA 380 fan. These pistols are certainly much higher quality, and in my experience, much more reliable than the PK380. However, they're also significantly more expensive, and they use fixed-barrel straight-blowback operation rather than tilting-barrel locked-breech operation like the PK380; hence, they don't share the PK380's arguably most significant pluses, its remarkably mild recoil and easy slide operation force.
Lastly, AFAIK it's been some years since the BDA 380 was imported.
That said, the Beretta 84FS is a great pistol, and they're readily available new if you don't mind paying $700+!
*The proper designation is BDA 380, the "380" being important because Browning has also marketed a DA/SA BHP variant in Europe as the BDA 9—some of which have made it to the USA as LE surplus—and marketed the early SIG Sauer heel-mag-release P220 in the USA in the late 1970s as the BDA 9/38/45, depending on caliber.
Regarding a couple of prior posts...
The Browning BDA 380* is a somewhat large and hefty pistol by .380 standards, and is based on the Beretta 84, having actually been built in the same plant.
I'm a big Beretta Series 81 and BDA 380 fan. These pistols are certainly much higher quality, and in my experience, much more reliable than the PK380. However, they're also significantly more expensive, and they use fixed-barrel straight-blowback operation rather than tilting-barrel locked-breech operation like the PK380; hence, they don't share the PK380's arguably most significant pluses, its remarkably mild recoil and easy slide operation force.
Lastly, AFAIK it's been some years since the BDA 380 was imported.
That said, the Beretta 84FS is a great pistol, and they're readily available new if you don't mind paying $700+!
*The proper designation is BDA 380, the "380" being important because Browning has also marketed a DA/SA BHP variant in Europe as the BDA 9—some of which have made it to the USA as LE surplus—and marketed the early SIG Sauer heel-mag-release P220 in the USA in the late 1970s as the BDA 9/38/45, depending on caliber.
I had one of these for a while. I liked my Walther P22 well enough that I wanted a companion gun that I can actually carry concealed. Softest shooting .380 I've ever fired. Although it felt kind of cheap with a lot of rattle, it did shoot well.
Alas, it was not completely reliable with any particular brand of ammo I tried. Also, I wasn't completely confident with the .380 in terms of performance. I stuck with FMJs just to ensure enough penetration.
Although similar in size to the P22, it actually looked and felt a lot bigger than it was. Ultimately, I went back to my jframe for every day carry until the SR9C came along.
Don't know if Walther still does it, but my specimen came with a box that was fitted to store both guns. Thought it was kind of cool, if not a clever marketing ploy on the part of Walther.
Alas, it was not completely reliable with any particular brand of ammo I tried. Also, I wasn't completely confident with the .380 in terms of performance. I stuck with FMJs just to ensure enough penetration.
Although similar in size to the P22, it actually looked and felt a lot bigger than it was. Ultimately, I went back to my jframe for every day carry until the SR9C came along.
Don't know if Walther still does it, but my specimen came with a box that was fitted to store both guns. Thought it was kind of cool, if not a clever marketing ploy on the part of Walther.
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joe-lumber
New member
PK 380
I have a PK 380 and the trigger is terrible on mine. It is not very accurate for me because of the trigger I believe. Maybe it is me that is terrible. If I shot it more maybe I would be more accurate over time. But, the PPK/S is certainly the better pistol. It isn't a range gun as the recoil is harder. I have to remember the dropping of the hammer is different also and one has to remember that. The PK 380 is lighter to carry which makes it great.
I have a PK 380 and the trigger is terrible on mine. It is not very accurate for me because of the trigger I believe. Maybe it is me that is terrible. If I shot it more maybe I would be more accurate over time. But, the PPK/S is certainly the better pistol. It isn't a range gun as the recoil is harder. I have to remember the dropping of the hammer is different also and one has to remember that. The PK 380 is lighter to carry which makes it great.
Prof Young
New member
Don't do it . . . .
My Walter PK 380 had multiple FTE and FTF. Sent it in for repair and it is now on consignment at local LGS waiting to be sold at a discount price. Very disappointing gun.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
My Walter PK 380 had multiple FTE and FTF. Sent it in for repair and it is now on consignment at local LGS waiting to be sold at a discount price. Very disappointing gun.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
Also wonder why not one of the Ruger 9mm, etc. Own numerous Rugers and one Walther P22. Have only found it to shot CCI mini mags well, chokes up rarely on Rem Goldens, Winchester, Feds, etc your manually racking 7 out 10 shots. I've had the pleasure of talking with a few mfgrs customer service and by far Walther is the most difficult. Henry and Ruger are awesome. So though I fall in love with the way the Walther pistols feel in my hand, I will hesitate to......PTT.