Just bought a Walther PPS/K in 380

Qtiphky · March 16, 2010, 07:49 AM

Just bought a Walther PPS/K in 380 auto and shot it for the first time. It had huge felt recoil, to the point that after 50 rounds I had a bruise in the web of my hand. I have a Firestar 9mm, a Colt Delta Elite 10mm, and a Sig P229 in 40/357 SIG and these weapons don't have the same felt recoil.

Is this normal or was the ammo I bought really hot? It was fun to shoot and will no doubt find concealed carry applications, but I was surprised by the recoil.

blume357 · March 16, 2010, 07:56 AM

My Sig 230 in 380 kicks much more than my Ruger P95.

These are not designed to be shoot all day target guns.

David the Gnome · March 16, 2010, 08:05 AM

I used to own a PPK/s, I ended up trading it in on a PPK. I found that even though the grip of the PPK was shorter overall the wrap around grip absorbed a lot more recoil than the solid steel backstrap of the PPK/s. This was especially true when I replaced the factory plastic grips with some nice Hogue wooden grips.

angel71rs · March 16, 2010, 08:06 AM

It's the light weight of the pistol that causes it kick like that. Same .380 in a full size pistol would be a very mild shooter. Some ammo does kick more, e.g., Corbon JHP has greater felt recoil than Gold Dot or range FMJ to me, but it all kicks lively in my P-3AT.

I added padding to my P-3AT (8.3 oz empty) to protect the web of my hand, so I can shoot 100 rds in a row, no problem. Also use a band aid to protect the bottom front of my trigger finger, otherwise I feel it for hours afterward. Pic, looks cheezy, but comfort > looks for me when it comes to my 3AT:

41mag10mm · March 16, 2010, 08:10 AM

You should look at the Bersa BT380 if you have the chance. I've run 100 rounds through mine without a hint of discomfort. It's so pleasant to shot that my wife confiscated it from me as her primary HD weapon.

NGIB · March 16, 2010, 08:13 AM

Blowback guns always have more felt recoil than locked-breech guns...

David the Gnome · March 16, 2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41mag10mm

You should look at the Bersa BT380 if you have the chance. I've run 100 rounds through mine without a hint of discomfort. It's so pleasant to shot that my wife confiscated it from me as her primary HD weapon.

I actually owned this one too and the felt recoil on it was much much lighter than the PPK/s. I did a side by side comparison back when I first started on this forum of the two and gave the nod to the Bersa for its ease of use.

PSP · March 16, 2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

It had huge felt recoil, to the point that after 50 rounds I had a bruise in the web of my hand.

You may want to try the excellent aftermarket Pachmayr Signature grips. This grip is a full wrap around style that lessens felt recoil a bit.

BlueTrain · March 16, 2010, 11:00 AM

The Colt Government .380 was made with an alloy frame for a while, along with a host of other variations. It felt like shooting a .22 rimfire, presumably because it was a locked breech automatic. The pre-war pocket autos, on the other hand, were not, and had a noticeable kick in spite of their heavier weight. The only disadvantage of the Colt Government .380, assuming you like single action autos, was that the spring operating the slide stop was on the delicate side and seemed to bend easily.

Osageshooter · March 16, 2010, 05:16 PM

I have a PPK/s purchased new in the 70's. I will carry it occassionally, but my experience with shooting it is the same as yours. Much more felt recoil than my Firestar, and Sig 239.

6onthehip · March 16, 2010, 05:48 PM

hmmm - my bersa duo-tone doesn't bother me at all - could shoot it all day using 95gr fmj

gmh1013 · March 16, 2010, 07:29 PM

I shoot 95 grain ball remingtons all day....even the wife at 64 can shoot it
with bad arthritis

Chesster · March 16, 2010, 10:38 PM

The PPK/s nor the PPK have the ergonomics for long range sessions. MY SMC918 is even worse. However, they do conceal well IWB and my two German and one French marked have been very reliable.

Glen-Bob · March 19, 2010, 09:02 PM

My results are about the same. If I had not paid so much for it I would have disposed of it buy now. I figured if I had to take this type of abuse I would go with a real gun. Hence, my Kimber Compact at least you expect the 45 to recoil.

I have two Colt gov't 380's that have not been out of the safe in years, which when I bought the PPK/S was the plan carry it and put those back. In the shop where I work part-time we sell the Kel-Tec 9mm for $260.00 new, I am looking a hard at picking one of those up for "summer time carry". James Bond no doubt sold a lot of guns I bet if folks were honest they really wished they has passed on.

michael t · March 20, 2010, 12:18 AM

I used to carry a PPK/S daily . Bought a Bersa Thunder as practice pistol can shoot it all day. I am good for about 30 rounds on my old PPK.S PPK/S with Corbin ammo will hurt quickly

Mikmak · March 20, 2010, 12:41 AM

Wait, you actually shot a 380? I wanted to buy one, but why buy the dog if you can't feed it?

blume357 · March 20, 2010, 06:58 AM

I bought 500 rounds last month.

41mag10mm · March 20, 2010, 07:15 AM

The supply of .380 ammo will not be so slim forever. I think it's actually a good time to buy a .380 as the current prices reflect a slow market due to ammo shortage.

Qtiphky · March 20, 2010, 10:32 AM

I reload all of my own ammo. It shoots the same diameter as a 9mm .355 so I bought some light bullets for 9 and will load them for my PPK/S. When you reload, the cost factor goes way down.

March 16, 2010, 07:49 AM	#1
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Just bought a Walther PPS/K in 380 Just bought a Walther PPS/K in 380 auto and shot it for the first time. It had huge felt recoil, to the point that after 50 rounds I had a bruise in the web of my hand. I have a Firestar 9mm, a Colt Delta Elite 10mm, and a Sig P229 in 40/357 SIG and these weapons don't have the same felt recoil. Is this normal or was the ammo I bought really hot? It was fun to shoot and will no doubt find concealed carry applications, but I was surprised by the recoil.

March 16, 2010, 07:56 AM	#2
blume357 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 3,943	I think it has to do with the blow back action and fixed barrel My Sig 230 in 380 kicks much more than my Ruger P95. These are not designed to be shoot all day target guns.

March 16, 2010, 05:48 PM	#11
6onthehip Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2009 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 204	re hmmm - my bersa duo-tone doesn't bother me at all - could shoot it all day using 95gr fmj

March 16, 2010, 07:29 PM	#12
gmh1013 Member Join Date: September 10, 2009 Location: AZ Posts: 76	Same here with my Bersa 380 I shoot 95 grain ball remingtons all day....even the wife at 64 can shoot it with bad arthritis

March 19, 2010, 09:02 PM	#14
Glen-Bob Member Join Date: December 22, 2009 Location: NW FL Posts: 64	My results are about the same. If I had not paid so much for it I would have disposed of it buy now. I figured if I had to take this type of abuse I would go with a real gun. Hence, my Kimber Compact at least you expect the 45 to recoil. I have two Colt gov't 380's that have not been out of the safe in years, which when I bought the PPK/S was the plan carry it and put those back. In the shop where I work part-time we sell the Kel-Tec 9mm for $260.00 new, I am looking a hard at picking one of those up for "summer time carry". James Bond no doubt sold a lot of guns I bet if folks were honest they really wished they has passed on. __________________ Trust in God. Prepare your hands for battle.

March 16, 2010, 08:05 AM	#3
David the Gnome Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 3,092	I used to own a PPK/s, I ended up trading it in on a PPK. I found that even though the grip of the PPK was shorter overall the wrap around grip absorbed a lot more recoil than the solid steel backstrap of the PPK/s. This was especially true when I replaced the factory plastic grips with some nice Hogue wooden grips.

March 16, 2010, 08:06 AM	#4
angel71rs Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: TX Posts: 143	It's the light weight of the pistol that causes it kick like that. Same .380 in a full size pistol would be a very mild shooter. Some ammo does kick more, e.g., Corbon JHP has greater felt recoil than Gold Dot or range FMJ to me, but it all kicks lively in my P-3AT. I added padding to my P-3AT (8.3 oz empty) to protect the web of my hand, so I can shoot 100 rds in a row, no problem. Also use a band aid to protect the bottom front of my trigger finger, otherwise I feel it for hours afterward. Pic, looks cheezy, but comfort > looks for me when it comes to my 3AT:

March 16, 2010, 08:10 AM	#5
41mag10mm Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: The Zoo, NC Posts: 271	You should look at the Bersa BT380 if you have the chance. I've run 100 rounds through mine without a hint of discomfort. It's so pleasant to shot that my wife confiscated it from me as her primary HD weapon.

March 16, 2010, 08:13 AM	#6
NGIB Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2007 Location: Ft Stewart, GA Posts: 932	Blowback guns always have more felt recoil than locked-breech guns...

March 16, 2010, 11:00 AM	#9
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	The Colt Government .380 was made with an alloy frame for a while, along with a host of other variations. It felt like shooting a .22 rimfire, presumably because it was a locked breech automatic. The pre-war pocket autos, on the other hand, were not, and had a noticeable kick in spite of their heavier weight. The only disadvantage of the Colt Government .380, assuming you like single action autos, was that the spring operating the slide stop was on the delicate side and seemed to bend easily.

March 16, 2010, 05:16 PM	#10
Osageshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2009 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 179	I have a PPK/s purchased new in the 70's. I will carry it occassionally, but my experience with shooting it is the same as yours. Much more felt recoil than my Firestar, and Sig 239.

March 16, 2010, 10:38 PM	#13
Chesster Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Dixie Posts: 2,538	The PPK/s nor the PPK have the ergonomics for long range sessions. MY SMC918 is even worse. However, they do conceal well IWB and my two German and one French marked have been very reliable.

March 20, 2010, 12:18 AM	#15
michael t Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: Out back Ky Posts: 4,044	I used to carry a PPK/S daily . Bought a Bersa Thunder as practice pistol can shoot it all day. I am good for about 30 rounds on my old PPK.S PPK/S with Corbin ammo will hurt quickly

March 20, 2010, 12:41 AM	#16
Mikmak Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 11	Wait, you actually shot a 380? I wanted to buy one, but why buy the dog if you can't feed it?

March 20, 2010, 06:58 AM	#17
blume357 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 3,943	the food is there, you just have to work for it. I bought 500 rounds last month.

March 20, 2010, 07:15 AM	#18
41mag10mm Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Location: The Zoo, NC Posts: 271	The supply of .380 ammo will not be so slim forever. I think it's actually a good time to buy a .380 as the current prices reflect a slow market due to ammo shortage.

March 20, 2010, 10:32 AM	#19
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Reload I reload all of my own ammo. It shoots the same diameter as a 9mm .355 so I bought some light bullets for 9 and will load them for my PPK/S. When you reload, the cost factor goes way down.