PPK & PPK/s – Iconic, Influential & Timeless
The Walther PPK & PPK/s are all three. Since 1930, the Walther PPK been one of the most recognizable guns in the industry. This is due to its starring roles in some of the most popular spy movies over the last 50 years. The PPK was introduced giving people a more compact carry option to the popular Walther PP series. The “Police-Pistol” series featured the world’s first single/double action trigger which also included a rotating safety/de-cocking lever. Nearly 90 years later, the PPK series is still one of the most requested and talked about handguns around. The wait is now over. The Walther PPK & PPK/s will be re-introduced to the market after a 6-year absence.
THE PAST
In 2012 Walther stopped the importing partnership with Smith & Wesson and started Walther Arms Inc., the U.S. division of Walther. The partnership with Smith & Wesson was beneficial to both sides. However, the time had come for Walther to invest more time in the U.S. market. Within the same year, Walther halted manufacture the PPK and PPK/s series. They wanted to re-create the original quality in machining and manufacturing of the early PPK models. With this goal, a collaboration between American craftsmanship and German engineering was born. The PPK and PPK/s slides are manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH in Ulm, Germany, where the original PP series was produced. The frame and internal components are made in the United States and assembled at Walther’s facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
THE PROCESS
Being the most iconic pistol Walther has produced, they wanted to give the pistol the time and care it deserved. This meant perfecting its manufacturing processes. The team at Carl Walther in Ulm, Germany re-integrated the front and rear sight into the slide. In addition to that the “wave” anti-glare rib that runs in-between the front and rear sights was also added. The fit and finish of the PPK and PPK/s is near impeccable. You can see the quality from nearly 90 years’ experience of producing these slides.
IMPROVEMENTS
While the improvements to the slide are easily identified, the improvements to the frame requires further investigation to make them apparent. Though, you can easily see the quality of machining in the frame by the fit and finish. The hammer, trigger, trigger bar, cocking piece, and ejector were all returned to being fully machined from the most recent metal injection molding process. Even though metal injection molding is a very reliable process, being fully machined improves the aesthetics of the gun by removing the mold lines and improving the finish texture. Walther also enhanced the material area of the trigger bar and feed ramp, resulting in a smoother trigger pull and increased reliability.
BACK AGAIN & BETTER THAN EVER
The PPK and PPK/s will be available in stainless and a black QPQ finish. Both are incredibly resistant to water and sweat, while still giving you the classic look of the original. Each will feature the timeless checkered grips; those of the PPK will wrap around the rear of the grip, while the PPK/s features two independent side panels separated by the frame’s integral steel backstrap. The main difference between the two models is the frame. The PPK/s features the “sport” frame, which is approximately one-quarter inch longer than the standard PPK frame. This allows you to increase from the 6-round capacity of the PPK to a 7-round capacity by only adding a half-ounce to the overall weight.
Whether you are replicating your favorite spy movie, collecting a classic, or in need of a classy EDC, the Walther PPK and PPK/s are must haves.
