Walther Arms has built its reputation around innovation just as the market appeared to need it. That started with the introduction of the PP and PPK series of pistols. In the 1920s, auto pistols were simply not safe to carry with a round in the chamber like we are accustomed to today. The PPK would go on to become both a movie and firearms icon. It remains one of the more popular .380 ACP pistols out there. But historically, the PPK in .32 ACP was the most used. Now, in 2024, Walther is turning back to the .32 ACP in their PPK and PPK/S model.
The Walther PPK, or Police Pistol Kriminal, was introduced in Weimar, Germany, in 1929. Although it was available in .380 ACP, its most popular chambering was in .32 ACP. The .32 ACP had an established track record in European military and law enforcement circles. It was also easier to control in small, blowback-operated pistols like the PPK. Likewise, the PPK/S was available in .32 as well when it was introduced after the 1968 Gun Control Act. But bigger is often seen as better, and the .380 is the preferred round in the American market, enough so that Walther stopped producing their handguns in .32. However, the virtues of the .32 are making a comeback. Now, both the PPK and PPK/S models in .32 ACP are making a comeback.
“Few guns have withstood the test of time like the PPK,” said Jens Krogh, VP of Marketing for Walther Arms. “To this day, it’s still one of the most sought-after concealed carry pistols on the market, which serves as a true testament to Walther’s long-enduring legacy. We have no doubt bringing back the historic PPK/S in .32 ACP will make our consumers, plus overall fans of the world’s most renowned secret agent, extremely excited, too.”
These new PPK pistols in .32 remain the same overall design that has gone largely unchanged since its introduction. These are double-action/single-action pistols that feature a slide-mounted decocker/safety and an American-style magazine release button. The pistol wears a fixed front and rear sight with a milled slide in between to cut down on sun glare. The reintroduced PPK is a stainless-steel handgun, although you can pick between a brushed stainless finish or a matte black. The PPK features a seven-round capacity, while the PPK/S’ longer grip affords eight rounds with the same 3.3-inch barrel as the standard model. Both are now shipping and have an MSRP of $969.
