quote:

Originally posted by Jimmo952:
The slides of the Fort Smith PPKs are made in Germany. The frames are made in the United States.

They are assembled in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Because the PPK did not have enough BATF import points under GCA 1968.
Hence, the PPKS, now a US made PPK.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:

quote:

Originally posted by monoblok:
Good looking. But I'm definitely not a fan of how these .380s shoot.

I love the way they look but completely agree about the shootability.
I had one and traded it away because it shot like crap and was unreliable.
However it is a very sexy looking firearm.
{sigh} wish I could have made mine work ~ it was an Interarms version.

The Fort Smith PPK and PPK/S pistols seem to have a very good track record. Mine have been flawless.

My PPK/S was purchased in 2019, when they first became available. The PPK, featured in this thread, I just bought used. It was originally purchased in January 2021 by the original owner. He only shot it once before selling it to me.

Trooper Joe

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Falcon:
Here's my 1936 PPK.

I also have a 1974 PPK/s that I carry regularly.

A PPK may be the top of my pistol want/don't need list. Have wanted one for a very long time.
The OP's looks great, but man the msrp on them is a bit staggering for a small 380. But, I'm a cheap guy & had a hard time with the relatively cheaper P320, more easily justified as its EDC status.

You PPK/s guys take a good look at Falcon's 1936 pistol.

Notice anything different about the safety?

I've got a 1937 made PPK which also has the 'old' 90 degree travel safety.
Mine came with what I believe are the two original magazines and a period (if
not the original) holster.

quote:

Originally posted by pillboxesghost:
You PPK/s guys take a good look at Falcon's 1936 pistol.

Notice anything different about the safety?

I've got a 1937 made PPK which also has the 'old' 90 degree travel safety.
Mine came with what I believe are the two original magazines and a period (if
not the original) holster.

Here's a profile of my 1941 commercial showing the more familiar 60° safety. Note also the orientation of the grip screw. The earlier models featured a screw that inserted from left to right.

I owned one of those jamomatics.

Not a pistol I like to spend hours shooting at the range, but my S&W has been utterly reliable over the years and has earned its place in my carry rotation.

Honestly, I think the PPK/S has a historical significance behind it, but it's not that great of a CCW. It's heavy.

I've owned a Fort Smith version in stainless, and while I like the PPK and the /s, I much prefer the ugly step-sister...the Makarov.

Much like the analogy, she's not as popular or pretty, but she'll do things the pretty sister just won't do.

(Namely: carry more ammo in an arguably stronger caliber and not bite my hand.)

quote:

Originally posted by bionic218:
I've owned a Fort Smith version in stainless, and while I like the PPK and the /s, I much prefer the ugly step-sister...the Makarov.

Much like the analogy, she's not as popular or pretty, but she'll do things the pretty sister just won't do.

(Namely: carry more ammo in an arguably stronger caliber and not bite my hand.)

They don’t have to be ugly. I dressed up my Bulgarian Makarov with a set of Marschal grips.

Trooper Joe

Wood nicely compliments blued steel and it looks nice on the Mak. Thanks for showing I may need to order a pair.

edit; in checking they offer grips for Russian and East German, which did you purchase for the Bulgarian and did it fit ok?

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
Wood nicely compliments blued steel and it looks nice on the Mak. Thanks for showing I may need to order a pair.

edit; in checking they offer grips for Russian and East German, which did you purchase for the Bulgarian and did it fit ok?

When I ordered mine I do not remember having to make that choice. See if you can email Dennis at dmarschal@yahoo.co.uk. He is a great guy to deal with.

I have about four sets of his grips and counting.

Trooper Joe

I love my ppk/s .22 and have a couple of them just a fun gun to shoot, I also have a ppk interarms in .380 but it's just too short for me I can grip it with two fingers but the third has to be below the magazine. wish it was a ppk/s after I shoot the ammo I have thru it I will probably sell it.

If anyone's seen a newer blued PPK how does the finish look? Is it actual "bluing" and are they blued carbon steel or blued stainless?

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
If anyone's seen a newer blued PPK how does the finish look? Is it actual "bluing" and are they blued carbon steel or blued stainless?

The new PPKs are all stainless. There is a blackened version that it melonite over stainless steel.

It's not the polished blued finish of yesteryear but in terms of corrosion resistance and practicality it has some advantages.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmo952:

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
If anyone's seen a newer blued PPK how does the finish look? Is it actual "bluing" and are they blued carbon steel or blued stainless?

The new PPKs are all stainless. There is a blackened version that it melonite over stainless steel.

It's not the polished blued finish of yesteryear but in terms of corrosion resistance and practicality it has some advantages.

They are a dull black, not polished and blued. This is what they should look like (an unfired 1968 PPK from Germany/France).




Trooper Joe

Traditionally blue guns look great Trooper Joe. No doubt.

I picked up a PPK/S in the 1980s for an off-duty and back up on-duty carry. Love that little pistol.

It's still in my safe and gets pulled out from time to time for Retired Officer Carry. Always performs perfectly and modern 380 ammo has much more impressive performance than what was offered 30 years ago.

I recently got a Ft. Smith PPK and it is also very sweet.

My original PPK/S is the one firearm in my collection that I have owned the longest.

Next oldest is a Star PD 45 I carried while on the drug task force. The dopers spotted us as cops if we carried J frame S&Ws so we had to get creative.

Neither will be sold until me estate gets probated!