“Walther PP & PPK: Code for Cool” by Nutnfancy

To appreciate the Walther PP and PPK you will have to understand its dual personality. Made famous in movies and video games, it has been a secret agent pop culture icon since the 1960s. James Bond of course leads the pack. But hundreds of other movies feature these handsome pistols. It is shown to have ridiculous but entertaining capabilities in these movies. Sinister Marissa Wiegler in “Hanna” takes out speeding a vehicle and its occupants at 75 yards with a Walther PP. But this sexy portrayal of the Walther PP/PPK has indoctrinated a generations of movie goers and I admit some influence here myself. But if the guns were substandard the story would end there. However in analyzing the other half of the PP/PPK personality you find a very capable defensive pistol with an amazing 80 year plus track record. Forget James Bond: real life Federal Agents, DEA Agents, SWAT Team Members, Contractors, Police Officers, Undercover Cops, CIA Agents, real life spies, and many civilian carry permit holders have relied upon these pistols for decades. I carried the Interarms PPK shown for sevens years myself as a primary carry gun and to this day I feel adequately armed with it. The PP design was ground breaking in 1931 and even still holds its own despite other stiff .380 competition. The PP/PPK features still are not matched by many .380 gun designs: ultra compactness, slimness, adequate lightweight, good sights, hammer drop safety you can choose to ignore, quality construction, easy takedown, and a decent single action trigger (the DA sucks unless worked). Ergo downsides of the classic PP/PPK is slide bite and a stiff double action trigger. Modern updates to the PPK design by S&W have extended beavertail extensions and added a firing pin block. However I still favor the Interarms classic PPK (not PPK) for its ultimate carry compactness. Many manufacturers come into play with the PP/PPK history and little time exists in the video to cover them. Its history through WW II is tied into German war machine and even Hitler used a 7.65mm PPK to kill himself. But my experience lies mostly with the two shown: a Manhurin PP and a Ranger Manufacturing/Interarms SS PPK. The former has issues of failing to go into battery (discussed) despite some recoil spring changes, the latter is 100% reliable. Both show phenomenal accuracy. The PPK shown achieved an astounding 1 1/4″ group at 25 yards with 90 gr Federal Hydrashocks. Therein lies a key 1st type of Cool attraction to the type: a pocket pistol that can do a head shot at 25 yards. Try that with your LCP. Granted the PP/PPK chamberings are anemic (.32 ACP or .380 ACP these days). The modern loads in the .380 help. And being an old school machined steel creation, the PPK has always been expensive to buy. Lighter and cheaper options exist. But the PP/PPKs will hold their value and some more collectible versions have skyrocketed in price. Sadly the longer and beautifully proportioned German produced Walther PP is unavailable a new purchase; you’ll have to scour secondary sources for this collectible. And that is a primary POU for the PP/PPK: a presentation pistol, a piece of history, and piece of coolness to shoot occasionally and enjoy in handling. But just like in the 60s, 70s, 80s, these pistols provide an amazingly comfortable backup piece or even primary CCW choice. Honestly my Interarms PPK comes along for defensive reasons seldom these days as I opt for a polymer 9mm choice for more rounds, sometimes lighter weight, and higher power. But this classic design endures in both its capabilities and still attracts knowledgeable weapon enthusiasts all over the world. Its sexy image carries on and we will continue to enjoy its antics and sometimes hilarious capabilities on screen. But behind that image lurks an engineering masterpiece that transcends time and one you can bet your life on.///////////Nutnfancy Likability Scale Interarms and earlier Walther PPK if reliable: 10 out of 10; for Walther PP if reliable: 10 out of 10; for S&W PPK: 8 out 10 (if prefer the classic design PPK, hand abrasion and all)