WALTHER PPK/S

SHORT DESCRIPTION

US made PPK/S variant licensed by Walther, manufactured by Smith & Wesson in Springfield, MA. Identified by “SMITH & WESSON” stamped on the right side of the slide.

BRAND: WALTHER


Description

PPK/S

Carl Walther GmbH

The PPK/S was developed following the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA68) in the United States, the pistol’s largest market.[24] One of the provisions of GCA68 banned the importation of pistols and revolvers not meeting certain requirements of length, weight, and other “sporting” features into the United States. The PPK failed the “Import Points” test of the GCA68 by a single point. Walther addressed this situation by combining the PP’s frame with the PPK’s barrel and slide to create a pistol that weighed slightly more than the PPK.[10] The additional ounce or two of weight of the PPK/S compared to the PPK was sufficient to provide the extra needed import points.

Because United States law allowed domestic production (as opposed to importation) of the PPK, manufacture began under license in the U.S. in 1983; this version was distributed by Interarms. The version currently manufactured by Walther Arms in Fort Smith, Arkansas has been modified (by Smith & Wesson) by incorporating a longer grip tang (S&W calls it “extended beaver tail”),[25] better protecting the shooter from slide bite, i.e., the rearward-traveling slide’s pinching the web between the index finger and thumb of the firing hand, which could be a problem with the original design for people with larger hands or an improper grip, especially when using more powerful cartridge loads. The PPK/S is made of stainless steel.

About the Manufacturer:

Founded in 1886 by Carl Walther, this German company originally manufactured hunting and target rifles. It was not until 1908 that, under the initiative of Fritz Walther, the oldest son of Carl Walther, they began to make pistols. In 1929 they began to make the popular ‘police pistols’ or PP models. This was followed in 1931 by the first of the PPKs (Polizeipistole, Kriminalmodell). In 1938 the German Reich awarded Walther the contract to produce the 9mm P38 service pistol. After World War II, Walther was reduced to just a collection of designs and patents. But Fritz Walther started anew and began manufacturing in Ulm in southern Germany. The company resumed production of the P38 (renamed as the P1) in 1957 in order to equip the new West German Army, the Bundeswehr, with sidearms. In 1993 the Walther firm was acquired by Umarex of Arnsberg, who continued to manufacture under the Walther name in Ulm and Arnsberg. In 1999, Smith & Wesson and Walther announced a joint plan to distribute Walther branded firearms and accessories in the United States under the name Walther America.

Specifications

ModelPPK/S
Action typeStraight blowback
TriggerDouble-action (DA/SA)
Caliber.32 caliber / 7.65 mm
Capacity8
Barrel Length3.35-in inc
Length6.1-in inc
Height4.3-in inc
Width0.98-in inc
Weight23.9-oz oz
Made inUS made PPK/S
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