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Walther PPK

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BustedKnuckles said:
My 9 mm PPS arrived yesterday morning after 2 months on order. It's considerably smaller and lighter than my XD 40 but easier to conceal when necessary. It's short on capacity but it's an extremely well-thought-out design. I am anxious to test it.
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I'd like to know what you think of it after the range trip.
 
Maybe we need a gun enthusiast group for the forum.
 
Up until quite recently I used my dad's marine issue Harrigton & Richards 38. I decided that my brother would want it as it had sentimental value to him so I sent it to him. I then purchased a Taurus .380 and I like it just fine. I don't know a whole bunch about guns except to say I know what feels right and this one is right for me. It fits nicely in my handbag. Yes I do have a conceal carry permit.
 
DrEntropy said:
I'd like to know what you think of it after the range trip.
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OK...my perceptions and opinions:

The PPS 9mm is a better concealed carry weapon than my XD 40 cal simply because is thinner, being a single stack. It's not a small gun as hand guns go but it's better than trying to conceal a full size service pistol. I intend to carry it in a small-of-the-back holster unlike my XD which I carry in the open on my hip. It's not a pocket gun.

To me, the PPS is designed purely as a close-quarters personal defense weapon. Even though it's very accurate shot carefully from 25 yards (if you are experienced at shooting short sight radius weapons from that distance), being only a 9mm it is going to have marginal stopping power at that range with less than 3-4 shots. The mag capacities of 7 or 8 rounds in 9mm puts a bit of a premium front sight control (target acquisition) and fire control (not spray and pray). I don't think it's a gun I would recommend to someone who fires only a couple hundred round through it a year in bulls-eye target situations and lets it lay in a drawer the rest of the time. It wants more attention to technique than that. Combat simulation a few times a month to supplement silhouette practice would help.

It took me the better part of 300 rounds before I could draw, aim and rapid fire 3 shots that landed in the same 4-inch circle at 15 yards. I have my wrist locked by the time my left hand is acquiring the grip. I find that the angle of the grip relative to the barrel of the PPS is such that I tend to shoot high unless I either bend forward more at the waist while I'm acquiring the target or bend my right wrist down a bit while gripping with my left hand. Otherwise my shots go a good 10 inches high at that range. I don't have to do either of these things with the XD; the sight picture is perfect with my wrist locked in its natural position without conscious thought. This is just something time and practice will deal with.

I prefer striker-fired pistols like the PPS and XD if for no other reason than the tactile feedback the striker provides for a round in the chamber while the gun is holstered.

I don't like the placement of the magazine release in the trigger guard...at all. To me it makes the gun an 8-shot weapon. If I can't get the job done in 8 shots, I'm SOL unless I have lots of time to reload. The only thing I can see this release does is make the gun ambidextrous which simplifies manufacture for Walther. The release is the same width as the front half of the trigger guard so there is no tactile indication of where the guard stops and the release begins other than the slight gap between the two. I intend to make the gap wider by removing some of the front half of the trigger guard so I can feel the mag release more easily. The release is awkward to operate; I can't reach it with my thumb and I can't push it down with my trigger finger because the only parts of my finger that contact the release are the tip and the right inside next to the finger nail. And beside that, my finger doesn't bend the direction the release has to be moved to drop the magazine.

I need the 8 round magazine to fit all the fingers of my size 9 hand on the grip. The 7 and 6 round mags both have my little finger waving in space and this feels insecure to me. I knew that when I ordered the gun so I ordered a pair of extra 8 round mags from eBay.

The replaceable backstrap is sort of a pointless gesture to my mind if you like all your fingers on the grip. If your hand is big enough to require the largest backstrap, your hand will probably be too wide for even the 8-round mag to provide enough length. A test fit is essential here. The backstrap DOES make a nice security "key" if the gun is to be in a house with children. The gun won't fire unless a back strap is properly fitted so removing it and storing it separately increases gun security. But it's a inexpensive accessory that gives the gun some level of customizeability (is there such a word?).

I knew what I was getting when I ordered the PPS and I believe it will do what I want it to do IF I keep current with the gun and keep my muscle memory fresh.
 
BK said:
It wants more attention to technique than that. Combat simulation a few times a month to supplement silhouette practice would help.
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IMO, they ALL do. That's my next "hurdle" with Herself. I need to find a good range and instructor so she gets some proper "shoot-n-scoot" training. There's no way I'm going to try to "instruct" her... too close. Tried that with driving an MGB decades ago. It taught me more than it did her, IYSWIM.


BK said:
It took me the better part of 300 rounds before I could draw, aim and rapid fire 3 shots that landed in the same 4-inch circle at 15 yards. I have my wrist locked by the time my left hand is acquiring the grip. I find that the angle of the grip relative to the barrel of the PPS is such that I tend to shoot high unless I either bend forward more at the waist while I'm acquiring the target or bend my right wrist down a bit while gripping with my left hand. Otherwise my shots go a good 10 inches high at that range. I don't have to do either of these things with the XD; the sight picture is perfect with my wrist locked in its natural position without conscious thought. This is just something time and practice will deal with.
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That's where I found the PPK/S to be a good ergonomic "fit" for us. The thing is near intuitive at pointing/aiming. Time and practice, indeed will sort it. But another (different) weapon in the mix would only add confusion here. I understand the XD's more ergo nature, as well. I liked what they felt like when I looked at one in our local shop.
 
Why would I not think LBC enthusiasts would be gun savvy. I actually started carrying because of Agatha and other open cars. I just never knew where or when I would break down. A handgun is for sure an equalizer. I know that if/when I shoot, the next thing is law suit. Considering the alternative I'll take law suit. I also believe that if you have a gun you must feel comfortable with it. Monthly range practice is what it takes beginning with a good gun introduction course.

Yes the Taurus was pricey but amortize it over a period of at least 8000 days and that would be only a nickel a day. In years that would be 21 and I'm betting I'll live that long. Might even have collectible value.
 
"Yes, obviously one would fancy us a fisticuff lot :jester:"

Only when someone suggests we put a 350 in it.
 
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