Walther PPK problem

firewrench044 · June 8, 2008, 11:19 AM

( this was my conceiled carry pistol until this problem started occuring)

Walther PPK 380- at random times the safety, decock will engage ( lever tured down ) by itself
I have fired several thousand rounds though it and there is some very
minor wear in a few places.
things I have checked--
It is not me bumping the pistol when fireing, I have tried many differant types and brands of ammo, I have disasembled completly and cleaned, have replaced the ejector-safety spring and detent pin that holds the safety in position (there is very minor wear on the safety lever where that pin rides when safty is manualy applied, the safety, decock is a lot stiffer now but the problem still occurs at random times
does anyone have a solution to this problem?

**James K** · June 8, 2008, 12:30 PM

Two things I would check. The first is whether the hole in the slide for the spring and plunger is clear (no burrs or dirt) and drilled to the right diameter all the way back. The second is whether the detent in the safety is of the correct depth. If everything is good there, look at the interface between the hammer and the safety to make sure the hammer isn't somehow causing the safety to turn.

FWIW, I have never heard of such a problem before, although the old Interarms PPK/s had lots of problems; the new ones seem to be a lot better.

Jim

firewrench044 · June 8, 2008, 03:35 PM

When I replaced the spring and detent pin for the safety, I checked the hole they are in it is clean and clear and free of any burs or defects that could cause it to stick
The hamer does roll on the safety, but that is what cocks the hammer
when the slide is moves to the rear
I will remove the safety and hammer and polish the areas that roll on each other
Thanks I hope that takes care of the problem

Dfariswheel · June 8, 2008, 07:45 PM

Since you've disassembled it, there's a chance it's not properly re-assembled.

There should be a pointed plunger at the rear and engaging the safety, then the spring, then the extractor plunger (with the beveled side properly engaged with the extractor), then the extractor itself.

As above, check for fouling or burrs, and check the safety itself to be sure the detent holes that the pointed plunger engage are clear.

firewrench044 · June 8, 2008, 11:21 PM

repaired and ready for test fireing at range

found -
flat spot and burr on safety,- smoothed and polished
very ruff area on hammer where the safety would ride, -smoothed
and polished

the combination of the two should have caused the hammer to drag on the safety, rotateing it to the safe, decock position when slide traveled forward
to battery

notes -- (removeing hammer spring for disasembly is a royal pain in the butt)

Thanks, will let you now how it did at range

firewrench044 · June 11, 2008, 12:01 PM

Range Test Report --

Problem solved, 250 rounds fired, no mafuntions of pistol
my confidece has been restored in this pistol and it is again my conceeled cary pistol

Notes--
The range I used requires that you use thier ammo only!!
( this policy irritates the ?#@% out of me )

They had Magtek, this pistol does not that brand ammo
and did as it usualy does -- 9 rounds did not fire the first
time,on the second strike of fireing pin they fired ( I ejected
and inspected them ( good hit from fireing pin first time,
same as rounds that fired normaly )

again thanks, Dfariswheel and Jim keenan

seattlefungus · June 16, 2008, 01:59 PM

last time I fired Magtek in my PPK, (Last year), One was a squib... They are a PITA to pound out!

June 8, 2008, 11:19 AM	#1
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 180	Walther PPK problem ( this was my conceiled carry pistol until this problem started occuring) Walther PPK 380- at random times the safety, decock will engage ( lever tured down ) by itself I have fired several thousand rounds though it and there is some very minor wear in a few places. things I have checked-- It is not me bumping the pistol when fireing, I have tried many differant types and brands of ammo, I have disasembled completly and cleaned, have replaced the ejector-safety spring and detent pin that holds the safety in position (there is very minor wear on the safety lever where that pin rides when safty is manualy applied, the safety, decock is a lot stiffer now but the problem still occurs at random times does anyone have a solution to this problem?

June 8, 2008, 12:30 PM	#2
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,617	Two things I would check. The first is whether the hole in the slide for the spring and plunger is clear (no burrs or dirt) and drilled to the right diameter all the way back. The second is whether the detent in the safety is of the correct depth. If everything is good there, look at the interface between the hammer and the safety to make sure the hammer isn't somehow causing the safety to turn. FWIW, I have never heard of such a problem before, although the old Interarms PPK/s had lots of problems; the new ones seem to be a lot better. Jim __________________ Jim K

June 8, 2008, 03:35 PM	#3
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 180	When I replaced the spring and detent pin for the safety, I checked the hole they are in it is clean and clear and free of any burs or defects that could cause it to stick The hamer does roll on the safety, but that is what cocks the hammer when the slide is moves to the rear I will remove the safety and hammer and polish the areas that roll on each other Thanks I hope that takes care of the problem

June 8, 2008, 07:45 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 6,590	Since you've disassembled it, there's a chance it's not properly re-assembled. There should be a pointed plunger at the rear and engaging the safety, then the spring, then the extractor plunger (with the beveled side properly engaged with the extractor), then the extractor itself. As above, check for fouling or burrs, and check the safety itself to be sure the detent holes that the pointed plunger engage are clear.

June 8, 2008, 11:21 PM	#5
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 180	repaired and ready for test fireing at range found - flat spot and burr on safety,- smoothed and polished very ruff area on hammer where the safety would ride, -smoothed and polished the combination of the two should have caused the hammer to drag on the safety, rotateing it to the safe, decock position when slide traveled forward to battery notes -- (removeing hammer spring for disasembly is a royal pain in the butt) Thanks, will let you now how it did at range

June 11, 2008, 12:01 PM	#6
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 180	Range Test Report -- Problem solved, 250 rounds fired, no mafuntions of pistol my confidece has been restored in this pistol and it is again my conceeled cary pistol Notes-- The range I used requires that you use thier ammo only!! ( this policy irritates the ?#@% out of me ) They had Magtek, this pistol does not that brand ammo and did as it usualy does -- 9 rounds did not fire the first time,on the second strike of fireing pin they fired ( I ejected and inspected them ( good hit from fireing pin first time, same as rounds that fired normaly ) again thanks, Dfariswheel and Jim keenan

June 16, 2008, 01:59 PM	#7
seattlefungus Junior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Posts: 13	last time I fired Magtek in my PPK, (Last year), One was a squib... They are a PITA to pound out!