Walther TPH - Good/Bad? (Please vote)

D

DougB

New member
I've liked the Walther TPH .22s for a long time (although I've never owned or fired one). I'm thinking of making an offer for a used one this weekend, but I've read very inconsistent reports on them. Some people love them, others hate them. I gather that the German-made versions have a better reputation, but I want Stainless, and even a used U.S. Stainless version costs almost more than I can bring myself to pay for something like this (meaning the German versions are probably out of the running). Most people say they are accurate (for what they are), but some seem to have reliability and durability problems. I will be wanting to plink with it regularly, so I don't want a gun that can't take some use.

So, what are your experiences with these? Thanks.

Doug
 
I happen to like the TPH. I like the German one because it has an alloy frame so it weighs less than the all stainless American made version. I have owned two American TPH's. I still have one. I have had no reliability problems with either gun once they were broken in and used good quality full power ammo. They both liked CCI Mini Mags and Winchester Super-X just fine, but stay away from Wildcats and Lightnings. The problem I had was with the first pistol. It quit firing when shooting DA. The problem was in the trigger bar under the grip panel. I got rid of it and got a newer gun, I have had no problems with it. It is the fastest shooting gun that I own and have ever shot short of a full auto. I have fired a magazine so fast that other shooters couldn't tell how many shots I fired. Some shooters have a problem getting 'racing stripes' on the web of the shooting hand from the recoiling slide, but not me. I do think that they have way too many sharp edges, especially on the bottom of the slide, nose of the frame, and the lug on the triggerguard. If you want one you better get it now. S&W is the distributor for Walther USA now that Interarms has gone away and I have heard that the PPK and TPH are not produced any longer. I have heard that this is true of the European guns and suspect that it is true of the American guns as well.
 
If it works reliably it's wonderful. If possible you should take a variety of ammo and "try before buy".

I have an American version that is so unreliable I won't even sell it. Others have had much better luck.

I've been advised by various Walther parts folks that the Am. version is no longer made and parts are not available. Also that European parts are not interchangable.

With those caveats - if the one you're looking at is reliable (with at least one or more types of ammo) then you'll have a great little gun. Until it breaks - which may be never.

Check the reliability of feed/extraction and the reliability of the double action function. One of the problems with mine is that shooting double action the hammer mostly will not fall all the way.

------------------
Jim Fox
 
Interarms sold to S&W and S&W stopped making the TPH and there are no parts.

I love the TPH and currently have 3 of my own and my son has two or three also.

They are incredibly accurate. We have found that Stingers and QuickShocks are by far the most accurate and also of course the most powerful.

ALL of our TPHs were sent back to have them corrected as Interarms Quality Control was horrid.

Try the remarkable little pistol before you buy it to make certain that it works well and expecially try it with Stingers and QuickShocks.

If I were forced to have only one gun the rest of my life... it would be my trusty TPH.



------------------
Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
 
I have owned a TPH for about 10 years and probably only shot it about 100 times.I have shot 3 or 4 different types of ammo in it.I noticed at times it would jam with some of the Remington and Winchester (super X) ammo. So I thought I would try something hotter ( CCI Stingers).One day I ran about a box of 50 thru it and might have had 1 or 2 jams.
As far as accuracy to be a pocket gun it is extemely accurate.I think the fixed barrel design may have something to do with it.The barrel is solidly attached to the frame.It seems to be deadly with the stingers also. One day I was down on the farm and shot a groundhogin the neck, deadier than 4 o" clock at a distance of about 30 feet( one handed shot). I was suprised what I could do with the little pocket gun.I like my TPH, but you might have to try one for yourself.......GOOD LUCK
 
Thanks for the comments and experiences. I looked at the TPH I was considering today, and I noticed some rough workmanship around the decocker/safety (they left it pretty rough where they milled out the indententation for it). Not a big deal, but given the frequent problems experienced even by those who like them, it made me nervous about the quality and reliablity. Especially when there may not be anyone to service them or spare parts available (I checked my huge Gun Parts catalog, and they have parts for several Walthers, but not the TPH).

The store is asking about $330 for it. They came down to $300 fairly easily, but didn't want to go below that. I decided to pass on it today - just a little too much money for a gun that MIGHT work well, and will have no service available. I offered $425 for the TPH and a slightly used Chinese SKS Paratrooper they wanted $200 for, but no deal. I didn't want either badly enough to dicker more. Maybe next time. Thanks again.

Doug

[This message has been edited by DougB (edited July 16, 2000).]
 
The TPH was last wholesaleing for about $300 and retail was last $400 to $500 BUT I think the workmanship/reliability factor shattered the values FAST.

Rough workmanship on one part of the gun seems to be irrelevant as to how well other parts were done.

The only solution is to tell the dealer that you will consider purchasing it ONLY if he will let you shoot it first. You may be able to get a two weeks full refund return policy from him for instance.

I LOVE TPHs more than anyone I ever met -- BUT I would not consider buying another one without a few hours and 500 rounds of testing with several kinds of ammo. However... I am really only interested in shooting QuickShocks in my TPHs with Stingers as a distant second choice. All of mine fail once in a while with Stingers but from several thousand rounds of QuickShock I've gotten only perfect results and wonderful accuracy with remarkable power from the brilliant little bullets.

Personally I'd not be so concerned about the price -- only about shooting it first.

------------------
Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
 
Hello. The stainless one I owned was not at all reliable despite trying many different makes of ammunition. I vote "Nay." Best.
(I must admit to never having fired a German-made TPH.)
 
Having been acquainted with some of the gunsmiths at Interarms, and knowing their opinions on their fine products, I would steer away from the TPH (and the PPK and PPK/S) I would have to advise against it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top