CCW Advice Please!!!
I am looking at a Walther PK380 does anyone have any insight or personal expierience with these pistols? I am looking at one for CC and would like some feedback, good or bad. Also if anyone has a better suggestion I am all ears.
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The Walther PPK line is a bit large for its 380 chambering. It's a fine gun, I have one, but you can get 9mm and 40 cals about the same size or, if 380 is what you want, get one much smaller than the Walther. Check the Kahr MK9, MK40 and their poly framed vesrion for 9 or 40. Check out NAA or Sig or Ruger, KelTec for the little 380s.
My own CCW is a Kahr Mk9 - the poly framed is probably better but I just can't like a poly framed handgun. Just my foible.0 -
I like the Sig P225/P6. No longer being made but a keeper. My 2 cents [8D] 0 -
My personal CCW pistol is a Stainless Steel Walther PPK .380. It has never malfunctioned in the 100 to 200 rounds I have fired through it using both FMJ and hollow point bullets. I carry it in a Galco PH224 holster that slips into my pants pocket. When drawn the pistol comes out easily while the holster stays in the pocket. I suppose the fact that I have chosen it is the best recommendation I could give.
Edited: Sorry, I misread the model number as PPK .380.0 -
He's asking about the new Walther PK-380. It's a 380 on the P-22 frame.
EDIT: I carry a Kel-Tec 380 24-7. But for serious times it a Kahr P-9 9mm, and when it gets broken in a kahr P-45. The Kahr line of pistols are about the same size as the Walther.0 -
Yes the new pk-380. But I am open to all sugestions. Thank you to all that have allready replied. 0 -
My first suggestion is that a .38 special snubnose revolver is both more powerful and reliable than any .380 pistol, and you might consider one instead. The only thing you give up to a .380 is capacity, but I think given the advantages mentioned above, its still a worthwhile tradeoff.
As to this gun in particular, I haven't actually tried nor even seen one, so you can take these comments with the appropriate grain of salt:
PK380
1. While I actually love the "real" Walther P99 (and have carried one concealed), I'm not at all a fan of the P22, which copies it basically in appearance only. With so many other guns in .380 out there, I'm not sure what the attraction of this particular gun is.
See below for the specs, but this one is really not particularly small nor light compared to a variety of other modern .380 guns. Even the 1950s era "James Bond" Walther PPK is smaller than this thing. Also, nowadays, there are a number of guns of the same size and weight in more effective calibers.
2. The original p22 had quite a few "teething" issues when it came out in terms of reliability, plus I've heard about issues with parts cracking. Its one thing if a .22 for plinking you take to the range jams every so often, but its quite another when its a gun you're trusting your life to.
Frankly, the fact that this one is brand new is (for me) reason enough NOT to buy it. For all I know, the gun could be 100%. . .but personally, I'd prefer not to be the beta-tester for this one and would prefer to take another look when its actually been on the market a few years.
And just to be clear here, I have nothing whatever against Walther. MOST of the new small .380s (including Kel-Tec, Ruger, etc) seem to either have reliability issues, or require extensive break-in to become reliable. Hard to do with .380 ammo being scarce and expensive right now.
3. .380. . .marginal caliber for defense, plus, as mentioned right now a bit scarce and expensive. Supposedly, the ammo situation will get better over the next year with respect to .380.
As mentioned, for the size and weight of this thing, I think you could do better.
For example, forget every OTHER gun manfacturer, but just look at Walthers other compact guns:
Specs:
PK380: 6.2" x 5.2" x 1.2", 19.4 oz, 8+1 capacity
PPK: 6.1" x 4.3" x 0.87", 23 oz. 7+1 capacity.
PPS 9mm luger: 6.3" x 4.4" x 0.91", 19 oz, 6+1 [7+1 or 8+1].
P99-C 9mm luger: 6.6" x 4.3 x 1.3", 18.7 oz, 10+1 capacity.
EDIT. . .what the heck
Ruger LCP .380ACP: 5.16" x 3.6" x 0.82", 9.4 oz (!), 6+1 capacity.
Smith 642 .38+P: 6.375", 15 oz, 5 round capacity.
The PPS and P99-C are also each available in .40SW, though personally I'd prefer 9mm luger from such compact guns. For me, this is a no-brainer. I'd pick the P99c or PPS in a second over the PK380, though the cost of either is going to be much greater.
Walther PPS:
Walther P99C:
Edit #2
quote:Drobs: As mention check out the Kahr line of pistol. Personally I'd rather have a 45 acp Kahr CW45 over any 380.
Kahr's controversial ownership is an issue for me personally, but their guns are quite good. Yeah. . .I'd take one of these over most of the .380s. If you're looking at small guns in big calibers, the Kel-Tec PF9 is pretty good too, and the price is dirt cheap for what you get.
Specs on the CW45
.45 ACP, 6.32" x 4.8" x 1.01, 19.7oz, 6+1 [7+1 with extended mag]0 -
As mention check out the Kahr line of pistol. Personally I'd rather have a 45 acp Kahr CW45 over any 380. 0 -
Jerecole....you asked for suggestions and you are getting them! GB Forum is the best for opinions, IMHO! As to your question, I am with Beantown in that .380 is just not enough in the firepower range for my liking. CC to me comes down to stopping power, weight, and comfort. To fill my three criteria I have selected a Taurus in38+p and have CC it for years. Plenty of stopping power, cheap to shootat the range every month, easy to clean, never fails, don't know its on my hip as it is so light. Recoil is ok but takes some getting used to as it is so light, but it is also ported so that helps. Also CC a Glock 36 in .45 in a Jackass rig which is also comfortable. Agree that I would not trust my life to a new weapon out on the market, although I have a Walther P22 with a laser and it is fun to shoot and I have not ever had a problem with it. My 2c anyway. Good question and good luck with your selection. Whatever you chose, make sure you practice regularly with it as,contrary to Allen Iverson, practice does make perfect! 0 -
I've put about 100 rounds through my brothers PK380 and he's probably put 3-400 through it himself so far. It's been great except for one box of off brand cheap ammo that had about 1 in 10 that wouldn't go bang without multiple attempts. Name brand ammo has been fine.
We're both pleased with the accuracy.
While it might be a little big for pocket carry it's certainly viable in whatever holster style you prefer.
If I ever decide I have to have my own .380 it'll likely be a PK380.0
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