walther pistols

joe-lumber · January 16, 2013, 01:48 PM

What is the difference between PPK and PPKS? I have a friend that asked me that question.

RamItOne · January 16, 2013, 01:52 PM

Firing Pin Safety
Manual Safety with Decocking Function
Double Action and Single Action Trigger
Extended Beaver Tail

Xfire68 · January 16, 2013, 01:55 PM

here is a link that will answer your question. I own a PPKS and never knew the differences.

http://www.differencebetween.net/obj...-ppk-and-ppks/

Laz · January 16, 2013, 05:02 PM

Also, the grip structure is quite different. In the PPK/S, the mainspring is enclosed by the steel grip frame and the grips are two panels on either side if the grip frame in a traditional manner. In the smaller PPK, the mainspring is exposed in back of the grip frame and the grips are a one piece wraparound type that covers the mainspring. I presume, but don't know, that this was done to save weight. And, of course, the PPK/S holds one more round.

cocojo · January 16, 2013, 08:44 PM

They are both the same except for the ppk has a smaller grip and is 2 ounces lighter and holds one less round.

PetahW · January 16, 2013, 09:34 PM

The PPK/S is a PPK with a larger (longer/more capacity) PP gripframe & magazine, made specifically to pass US importation criteria after GCA-68 was passed.

As of GCA-68, the PPK was no longer importable under the law - Why importers assembled some from parts in Maryland before S&W/Walther built a plant in Houlton, Maine.

.

James K · January 17, 2013, 12:20 AM

I think there is some confusion between the PPK/S and the PPS.

The PPK/S is the same as the PPK except for grip length and grip structiure.

The original Polizei Pistole (PP - Police Pistol) has a 3 7/8" barrel and a steel backstrap. The Polizei Pistole Kriminal* has a 3 1/4" barrel, a shorter frame, and a plastic grip that wraps around to form the backstrap. Both are pocket size pistols, made in .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP. Most WWII and pre-war pistols were in .32 ACP (7.65mm).

When the Gun Control Act of 1968 was passed, the predecessor of the ATF set some import standards, which banned from import pistols below a certain size. That included the PPK. So Walther simply put the PPK slide on the PP frame (with a few modifications) and called it the PPK/S, the S standing for "States" or U.S. The PPK/S is the same barrel length as the PPK, but has a steel backstrap. Later, Interarms, the Walther importer, had the PPK/S made in the U.S. under license.

Now that the PPK is being made in the U.S. by S&W under Walther license, S&W has been able to go back to the original type of PPK grip, but has made a few minor changes, including extending the grip tang.

The PPS is an entirely different, and newer pistol, in 9mm Parabellum.

*"Kriminal" doesn't mean what it seems to - it is the German word for detective.

Jim

RC20 · January 17, 2013, 11:53 AM

James: Well written and excellent technical detail

sils79 · January 17, 2013, 05:54 PM

Very well said James, but I must add that the ppk was also produced by Interarms in the 80s-90s under lic. from Walther.

Ignition Override · January 19, 2013, 02:58 AM

My friend from Essen, Germany (Krupp AG), whose late father served in der Wehrmacht in WW2 told me that PPK stands for Polizei Pistole Klein (small), but I guess that he could be mistaken.

Kriminal also makes sense, although these days they also use the words Privat- and Berufsdetektiv.

January 16, 2013, 01:48 PM	#1
joe-lumber Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2013 Posts: 257	walther pistols What is the difference between PPK and PPKS? I have a friend that asked me that question.

January 16, 2013, 01:52 PM	#2
RamItOne Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2011 Posts: 990	Firing Pin Safety Manual Safety with Decocking Function Double Action and Single Action Trigger Extended Beaver Tail __________________ M&P- the other dark meat https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...rtant/DJyvnHz0

January 16, 2013, 01:55 PM	#3
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	here is a link that will answer your question. I own a PPKS and never knew the differences. http://www.differencebetween.net/obj...-ppk-and-ppks/ __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

January 16, 2013, 05:02 PM	#4
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 1,278	Also, the grip structure is quite different. In the PPK/S, the mainspring is enclosed by the steel grip frame and the grips are two panels on either side if the grip frame in a traditional manner. In the smaller PPK, the mainspring is exposed in back of the grip frame and the grips are a one piece wraparound type that covers the mainspring. I presume, but don't know, that this was done to save weight. And, of course, the PPK/S holds one more round. __________________ Laz I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.

January 16, 2013, 08:44 PM	#5
cocojo Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2000 Posts: 500	They are both the same except for the ppk has a smaller grip and is 2 ounces lighter and holds one less round.

January 16, 2013, 09:34 PM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	The PPK/S is a PPK with a larger (longer/more capacity) PP gripframe & magazine, made specifically to pass US importation criteria after GCA-68 was passed. As of GCA-68, the PPK was no longer importable under the law - Why importers assembled some from parts in Maryland before S&W/Walther built a plant in Houlton, Maine. .

January 17, 2013, 12:20 AM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I think there is some confusion between the PPK/S and the PPS. The PPK/S is the same as the PPK except for grip length and grip structiure. The original Polizei Pistole (PP - Police Pistol) has a 3 7/8" barrel and a steel backstrap. The Polizei Pistole Kriminal* has a 3 1/4" barrel, a shorter frame, and a plastic grip that wraps around to form the backstrap. Both are pocket size pistols, made in .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP. Most WWII and pre-war pistols were in .32 ACP (7.65mm). When the Gun Control Act of 1968 was passed, the predecessor of the ATF set some import standards, which banned from import pistols below a certain size. That included the PPK. So Walther simply put the PPK slide on the PP frame (with a few modifications) and called it the PPK/S, the S standing for "States" or U.S. The PPK/S is the same barrel length as the PPK, but has a steel backstrap. Later, Interarms, the Walther importer, had the PPK/S made in the U.S. under license. Now that the PPK is being made in the U.S. by S&W under Walther license, S&W has been able to go back to the original type of PPK grip, but has made a few minor changes, including extending the grip tang. The PPS is an entirely different, and newer pistol, in 9mm Parabellum. *"Kriminal" doesn't mean what it seems to - it is the German word for detective. Jim

January 17, 2013, 11:53 AM	#8
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	James: Well written and excellent technical detail

January 17, 2013, 05:54 PM	#9
sils79 Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 180	Very well said James, but I must add that the ppk was also produced by Interarms in the 80s-90s under lic. from Walther.

January 19, 2013, 02:58 AM	#10
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,886	My friend from Essen, Germany (Krupp AG), whose late father served in der Wehrmacht in WW2 told me that PPK stands for Polizei Pistole Klein (small), but I guess that he could be mistaken. Kriminal also makes sense, although these days they also use the words Privat- and Berufsdetektiv.