PPK Q

[Ike Arumba]

I recently obtained my first gun, an inherited prewar Walther PPK. I see, rummaging around the internet, that it is considered (at least by some) to be a mouse gun, not really suitable for defense against man or beast. But there seems (cf. goldenloki.com) to be a wide variation in the power of various cartridges. It sounds like a couple of those European brands would be better (and cheaper). Then I followed references to Buffalo Bore and their web site. So now my questions.

1. Would it be safe to use something as powerful as Buffalo Bore in my PPK? I don't want to subject this machine to a higher chance of getting cracked. The fact that the PPK later came in .380ACP chambering suggests that it should be strong enough, but for all I know, the design might have been beefed up to do it.

2. What is a "hard cast" bullet? Is it just lead, or a harder alloy? Will it abrade the barrel, or leave deposits that have to be scrubbed off? How does it compare in use to FMJ?

3. I have two magazines. To look at them, the one with the finger extension seems like it ought to be preferrable. But my fingers are cramped to use it. Using the simpler mag without the extension actually feels less crowded in use, because my little finger curls up below the butt of the gun, leaving the length of the handle to the other fingers. Has anyone tried using a PPK/S magazine with finger extension in a PPK? If so, is it more comfortable, or does it just feel odd?

adTHANKSvance.

[zinfull]

OK first things first. DO NOT USE THIS GUN LIKE A MODERN GUN!!!!!

You have inherited a very nice piece of history. This gun is highly prized in the collector world and should not be considered as a every day gun. IF it is a 22 or 380 then even more. I would never increase the charge to get more bang from the caliber. A 32 cal is better than no caliber so if you have to go that way then use regular ammo. IF you really want a more powerfull gun I will trade you for a HK USP 45.

Over all just put the gun in the safe and buy yourself something you can handle and like.

Jerry

[Ike Arumba]

Thanks, Jerry. How much use is "using it like a modern gun"? I have shot two boxes of Winchester FMJ from it, and was thinking I'd shoot maybe 50 rounds a month. Having just started, I am a lousy shot. I am finding ammo to be scarce, and just ordered some Sellier and Bellot online. Is that too harsh? Now that it is (back-)ordered, I was looking forward to using it. In the future, should I stick with the lower-powered but more expensive stuff? Or are you strongly recommending that I just treat it as a museum piece? It shows considerable wear on the bluing on the front of the slide and the trigger guard, but nothing worse, and no cracks on the handle. I think only 35 rounds were fired from it after it was captured, until this year. It mostly just sat on my dad's shelf.

(I'd have to do some real negotiating with my wife to go out and buy another gun, after having exhibited no real interest in firearms before this. If I were single, I'd just do it, because now i'm interested.)

Dave

[MajorBoothroyd]

I heard PPK and 'Q' and assumed I was being paged...

I would most assuredly agree with Jerry on this one. Cherish it! Don't try and push the envelope of modern ballistics with it. And mind it doesn't bite you between the thumb and index finger as you shoot with it.

[Black Majik]

Thanks, Jerry. How much use is "using it like a modern gun"? I have shot two boxes of Winchester FMJ from it, and was thinking I'd shoot maybe 50 rounds a month. Having just started, I am a lousy shot. I am finding ammo to be scarce, and just ordered some Sellier and Bellot online. Is that too harsh? Now that it is (back-)ordered, I was looking forward to using it. In the future, should I stick with the lower-powered but more expensive stuff? Or are you strongly recommending that I just treat it as a museum piece? It shows considerable wear on the bluing on the front of the slide and the trigger guard, but nothing worse, and no cracks on the handle. I think only 35 rounds were fired from it after it was captured, until this year. It mostly just sat on my dad's shelf.

(I'd have to do some real negotiating with my wife to go out and buy another gun, after having exhibited no real interest in firearms before this. If I were single, I'd just do it, because now i'm interested.)

Dave

Guns are meant to be shot, but yeah... I'd stop shooting it.

Convince your wife to buy another gun. Tell her this one can increase in value if not shot. You do have a true gem there.

Also, what is it chambered in? .32acp? Buy a locked breech centerfire pistol, such as a 9mm and practice on that. More stopping power, easier to shoot, and probably more enjoyable as well.

Also, we need pics of this gem

Welcome to Calguns, and welcome to firearms ownership.

[wilshire1412]

I would assume that yours is in 7.65mm/.32acp? If your PPk is a pre WWII pistol and is in original condition, (meaning not refinished or reblued) then you are well advised to not consider this pistol for any regular use as a shooter.
This does not mean that it is not capable or that the quality is poor, these early Walthers are valuable as a collector piece and you do risk harming that value by shooting them. The old one piece grips alone can bring a surprising amount of money if they are undamaged, and yes the can be damaged just by firing the gun. The grips can also be ruined by over tightening the grip screw which will crack the old type plastic used on these, the newer grips used in the post WWII Walthers were a two piece design meaning there is a left side and a right side grip panel. The old grips are a one piece unit that should be a brown almost wood like appearance on a pre WWII PPk.

[zinfull]

I do not know what shape yours is in but here is an example of something to compare.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=126570090

I would shoot it but very little and use normal ammo. The grip if undamaged sells around $3-350.

Jerry

[Ike Arumba]

Yes, it is .32ACP. I had assumed that all prewar PPK's were .32ACP. That gun on auction shows some scuffing or gouging on the right side. Or is that a crown-N? There is no serial number or crown-N on my slide. My gun isn't gouged, but there is more bluing wear. My barrel's bluing shows wear in the form of concentric rings, suggesting that it was fired more than the auction item. The crown-N area of the barrel under the ejector port shows wear.

Well, I guess I'll have to read the posts on photographing guns, now that I've piqued your interest.

Serial is 202xxx K

[zinfull]

It was made in mid 1939. Walther made some PPK's in 22LR and very few in 25acp. Pictures would always be nice.

Jerry

[Bird of Fire]

Keep in mind that if you happen to actually defend yourself with this gun, odds are it will be taken by the police as evidence and you'll likely never see it again without a fight. Save yourself head/heartache and keep it as a safe/range queen. By all means use factory ammo to plink with it, but don't look for any +P or hot loaded ammo. Myself? I'd clean it, oil it, and stash it away at the back of my closet somewhere.

[Ike Arumba]

don't look for any +P or hot loaded ammo

Do you consider Sellier & Bellot to be "hot loaded"? Golden Loki shows it to produce 50% more muzzle energy than the lowest-energy FMJ tested, at least out of the shorter-barreled Keltec P32.

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/32acp/gel32acp.htm

[zinfull]

More muzzle energy = more power. It is a blow back type of pistol. The hotter the load the more force to the grip which is not supported by any metal. Shoot the lightest load that works. Is there a story with the inherited gun or was it bought and past down? If you go to the range and shoot a bunch of hot loads you will end up selling ppk parts on gun broker.

jerry

[Miltiades]

Suggestion...

A previous poster implied that your old PPK might be worth $1200 or more. Additionally, it has sentimental value as a family heirloom with some history attached to it. I would definitely put it away in the safe and not shoot it.

There are much better modern guns of the same size that you could use for range or concealed carry, and they cost a fraction of the Walther's value. For example, my Kahr MK9 below cost $500 used and is the same size as my .380 Walther PPK, pictured next to it. The MK9 gives you 6+1 rounds of 9mm, a much more potent round than .32 ACP, and it has a far better trigger feel.

[Ike Arumba]

Thanks, guys. The reason I kept asking is that I have a package of 5 boxes of S&B on order that I can't cancel. But based on what you have been telling me, I think I'll rent a pistol at the range to work it off. I also have two boxes of Blazer, which is the lowest-energy FMJ round in Golden Loki's table. Unfortunately, the range I have patronized has a rule against aluminum casings, so I'll have to try another range.

When I purchase another gun, I think it will be a larger 9mm that fits my hand better. I highly doubt that Santa Clara County would grant me a concealed carry license, so I'm probably better off not even applying.

[Ike Arumba]

Is there a story with the inherited gun or was it bought and past down?

My uncle captured it in WWII. He served in Italy and France. He gave it to my Dad, who kept it in a sock in a Christmas card box on his shelf, except for shooting 35 rounds when I was off to college in the '70s. That's all I know, and unfortunately, Dad and Uncle Herbert are no longer available to answer questions. I shot the other 15 rounds from that Remington box on January 2 this year.