Walther PK 380

[monkeybird]

I have a chance to buy a Walther PK 380. Does anyone have any experience with these guns, or any opinions as to their performance?

Thanks.

[miked2345]

Is it the one in today's Gander Mountian ad? I was leaning towards a 380 a month ago when I was pistol shopping, but after talking with several folks online and in stores, I went with a 9mm, mainly for 1 reason - the price of ammo. In my area, (Michigan) and maybe it's like this all over, 9mm ammo costs less than 380 ammo. When I figured how much I'd spend on ammo at the range, the 9mm was cheaper in the long run.

Anyway, just something to ponder...

[Matt In Oklahoma]

The ones I have seen at the range seem to run well but i have no personal experience.

[PA GENE]

I've had a Walther PPKS 380 for more than 40 years. I purchased it because at the time it was one of the smallest semi-autos available. I'm a relatively small man. It was the only weapon that was small enough for me to carry comfortably in the small of may back. Yes, the standard factory ammo is not all that powerful and .380 ammo is sometimes a little hard to come by. It really depends what you are going to use it for....As miked2345 says 9mm is cheaper. I only use my PPKS enough to stay comfortable and proficient with it because of the ammo cost. I use various high power loads that come 20 rounds to a box. Since I don't run that many round through it the cost isn't bad. I also have a small Kimber 45 ACP...it's about the same size...but much heavier and thicker....If you want a shooter to use at the range that's one thing...if you want an every day carry that's some thing else....if you want to target shoot that again is something else.

A .380 is also known as a 9mm Kurt, I believe that's what they used to call it....it's a 9mm short....just like a .22 short in the rimfire line. At close range a .380 with high power hollow points will stop a man in his tracks....perhap not as quickly as a 45ACP or other heavier rounds, but it is adequate. I have found over the years everyone has an opinion on "stopping power" of various rounds. I like my PPKS for what it is....it's been very serviceable and never given me any trouble....no jams, stovepipes, very controllable, it's double action and is easy to clean.

Hope this helps you a bit,
PA GENE

[monkeybird]

Actually it does. I'm female and my hands are small. My current hand gun is small and I love it. It's a Ruger SP101 357mg. However, it HEAVY. Carrying it is uncomfortable. Another advantage is this will be a private purchase.

[lungs]

forget it. Overpriced, and way too heavy and large for the feeble caliber it fires. Keltec, Ruger and others have 380's that are much smaller and lighter, indeed, they have 9mm's that are smaller and lighter, and offer 2x the power of any factory 380 jhp.