In the video below, Allen of Olde English Outfitters reviews the classic Walther PPK. As Allen points out, the Walther PPK has a long history to back it, as it was manufactured by one of the older firearms manufacturers in the industry (Walther was founded in Germany in 1886).
Bond, PPK Bond
You may remember the Walther PPK as the iconic pistol that’s made countless appearances in the James Bond movies. Regardless of who plays Bond, the pistol seems to remain the same (sometimes). But there is more to the pistol than Hollywood, as we learn in this Walther PPK review.
The Small Changes
According to Allen the PPK was the first truly successful double-action, semi-automatic pistol to be made. Not much has changed since it was first designed nearly a century ago but a few minor changes have been made. What has changed? For one, Walther PPKs manufactured today are chambered in 380 ACP but the original model was also offered in 32 ACP. To find out what else has changed, watch the video below.
Performance
The Walther PPK is a reliable carry pistol that was originally designed by the manufacturer for deep concealment. This compact size does mean less capacity — the gun has a six-round capacity, plus one in the chamber. It has an exposed hammer and a double-action/single-action trigger. If the idea of a double-action trigger makes you hesitate on this pistol, keep in mind it is simple to master with some trigger time, and it is a valuable skill to have in your firearms toolbox.
Safety features beyond the expected include a decocker — it was among the first handguns to have one — and a loaded chamber indicator.
Allen summarizes the PPK’s action and ease of disassembly when he says this in the video:
“This is a blowback-operated weapon. It’s not a locked breech gun, so the only thing that holds the slide shot is the recoil spring. That makes it a very simple mechanism. We take this apart, you’ll see this doesn’t have a whole lot to it. It is extremely simple to take apart and very easy to maintain.”
The gun ships with one 6-round flush-fit magazine and one 6-round finger-rest magazine. If you’re in the market for a compact, easy-to-conceal pistol that’s chambered in 380 ACP, you may want to consider going for the classic Walther PPK. Check it out online at the Walther Arms website.
Walther PPK Specifications
- Manufacturer: Walther Arms
- Model: PPK
- Caliber: 380 ACP
- Capacity: 6 +1
- Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
- Trigger: DA/SA
- Trigger Pull Weight: 13.4 lbs (DA), 6.1 lbs (SA)
- Trigger Travel: .04/0.2 inches
- Overall Length: 6.1 inches
- Height: 3.8 inches
- Width: 1.0 inches
- Weight: 19 ounces (empty)
- MSRP: $849.00
