walther ppk/s

[johnw111959]

I have recently purchased a Walther PPK/S pistol from my sister in law. I bought it for 300 bucks. Never fired, with the serial # of ****AAA. 380 auto by Smith and Wesson.

My question is, should I keep it unfired or run some rounds through it?
If I choose to have a little fun with it, what kind of ammo would somebody recommend? I'm kind of new to auto's and would like a little feedback from more of you experienced people as to what is a good manufacturer is. Remington. Winchester, etc... Thanks so much.

[PSP]

Before you do anything perhaps you should read this;
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=339676

[HisSoldier]

Lower the hammer as you engage the safety, pointed in a safe direction of course. I'm still not sure I understand what they are doing in the recall, but it's long been considered hard on drop safeties to let them fall on the hammer block, at least by those who have fixed broken ones. (Going way back!)

I haven't sent mine in yet, and probably won't. If I do I'll take careful macro closeup photo's of the safety before and after, which is something I wish someone else would do first.

Oh yeah, any ammo should work well, I reload for mine but haven't found anything it doesn't feed on.

[denfoote]

Is the slide marked Walther USA LLC??

[johnw111959]

the slide is has the following on the right side, WALTHER USA LLC
SPRINGFIELD MA
As soon as my son comes home from school, I might be able to send some pics.

[denfoote]

Your PPK/S IS NOT an S&W made gun!!

Around the turn of the century, the owner of Interarms died suddenly and the family decided to liquidate the company. Interarms had been making the PPK/s under license from Walther. Walther USA LLC was formed to sell off the remaing inventory. As soon as the inventory of Interarms was sold, Walther USA LLC ceased to exist and Smith and Wesson took over as the importer of the P99 et al and PPK's and such were made in the Maine plant.

Walther USA marked PPK's, PPK/s's and PP's are becoming collectors pieces in their own right because the company was in existence for such a short time!!!

Here's mine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/NewPPKGrips002small.jpg

[bignz]

Like already said...not a S&W.
To your other question. If it is .380 and not .32, the 95g FMJ is the standard round and the most reliable in this design (although mine works fine with 90g JHP). Many manufacturers produce it, but it is hard to find right now and more expensive than 9mm. My favorite practice round (and relatively cheap) is the 95g made by MagTech. The .380 is also easy to reload, which I've discovered in this shortage. I really like the classic ppk design and although you can get lighter, smaller .380s (and 9mm for that matter) it is a fun gun to own and shoot.

Even though S&W did the recall on the hammer block, I've read posts that convince me that it is a weakness in the design and all owners should be careful about dropping the hammer on the block - at least make sure you are following all the rules of safety when dropping it - which we should all do anyway.

[johnw111959]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd124/507thpirstuff/th_DSC01490.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd124/507thpirstuff/?action=view&current=DSC01490.jpg)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd124/507thpirstuff/th_DSC01491.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd124/507thpirstuff/?action=view&current=DSC01491.jpg)

I appreciate all the inputs from everyone. This is what I have, and anymore inputs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much

[putteral]

My Interarms PPK/S has Interarms and underneath has Alexandria, Virginia on the right side. Was made in the early 70's. Also stainless version.

[cdsdss]

I've had two S&W PPK/s pistols and both were great. Load it up and put some rounds through it. I've found that it takes a few mags before I get truly comfortable with it, but when I do it's a fine little gun.

[Stephanie B]

I have one that I purchased over 20 years ago. My only beef with it is that the slide rubs the top of my hand when I shoot it. I haven't really looked for any grip adapters that would help.