Your input/experience on the Walther PPK and/or PPK/S

[PhilR.]

I have a stainless PPK/s with the shorter tang. I have it because I like classic designs, and love Walther products and have a small collection of them. My PPK/s is a pistol that I will never get rid of. That being said, let me state why I would not recommend a PPK/s for concealed carry.

The PPK/s is much too heavy for it's caliber and capacity. There are 9mm's that a lighter in weight and yet have a more powerful cartridge (not to mention that 9mm is a lot cheaper to shoot than .380). A Kahr CW9 or PM9 or MK9 would make more sense. Even a Walther PPS would make more sense if you are going to carry that much weight. Also, the PPK/s is not the model of reliability, and certainly mine is not. It's overall reliability is very good, but it's not perfect, and perfect is what you want in a ccw. The sights are very small as well, and the DA trigger pull is pretty stout.

If you want a .380, then consider a Sig 232, or the earlier version 230. These are similar in size, but the Sig is more reliable and more accurate, has larger sights, and a de-cocking lever that is a lot easier to use. You might also consider the hugely smaller and lighter Kel-Tec P3AT. My KT is just as accurate as my PPK/s, and has functioned perfectly for over 400 rounds.

If you just love a classic and want the PPK/s because of it's storied history, then by all means get one. I'm sure you will be proud to own one. However, if you need a tool to carry, then at least look at the other options before you buy. Much as I love my PPK/s, I would never consider for an instant carrying it. My PM9 is a much more reliable and powerful handgun in a much smaller package. I also have a Glock 26 that I carry as well, and *fully loaded* with +p124gr. weighs only 1/2 ounce more than the Walther. When you can get that much more firepower in a much more reliable package that takes up essentially the same amount of space, then it just doesn't make sense to get a PPK/s for carry.

Unless of course you just *gotta* have one....