Thoughts on Walther PK380?

[rtimgray]

I was at Gander Mountain last night and they had the Walther PK380 on sale for $320. I had read some articles on it when it was introduced and have been curious about it.

I have had a P22 for several years and it is without a doubt my favorite pistol. Everytime that I have been to my local gun store, the PK380 has been out of stock (it is a very small, one person gun shop, but the owner is great to deal with).

I've never shot a .380, but I really like the look and feel of the gun. I have no specific purpose in mind, other than just to target shoot on occasion. I have wondered if it would be decent as either a concealed carry weapon (it sure is light, but not nearly has easy to carry as a Ruger LCP) or as a home defense pistol for my wife. She really likes shooting the P22; she has shot our 9mm and 40S&W pistols and just does not care for them at all. Most of the "utility" shooting that she does at home is with her Ithica .22 saddle gun. Since I've never shot a .380, could someone give me some insight on how it compares (felt-recoil-wise) to a 9mm?

I have to rely on her or my boy for sharpshooting. We found a copperhead at the pond two nights ago, so the boy and I decided to dispatch it. I used 6 rounds of rat shot in a .22 revolver and hit it a couple of times (in fairness, it was coiled up in a cow footprint in the mud). However, I never got a head shot.

I then used the 10 shots in the P22. I won't tell you I missed every time, but I did end up beating the snake to death with a stick that the boy found for me.

Next time, I need to take the 12 gauge!

Anyway, I would welcome any and all input from the expansive Tractorbynet gun-braintrust.

Thanks and take care.

 

[weldingisfun]

If your Walther PK380 is anything like my, all steel, Walther PPK, .380 ACP, the recoil is a sharp right twist. Not all that pleasant. My wife does not like it at all and I got the gun for her.
Shooting a 9mm Beretta 92 and, for that matter, a Colt 1991A1, .45 ACP is more pleasant.
That is one man's opinion.

 

[Big Bri]

Check out this review, he does alot of video reviews as well.
I too have the p22 and love it. I sure that the PK380 will be just as nice
Good luck.
Walther PK380 Semi-Automatic .380 ACP Pistol

 

[Jimbrown]

I have a tarus TCP and a Ruger LCP they are both .380. The recoil is much sharper than my SW.40 or Glock G19. Those things are for last ditch close up shooting and certainly not good for any type of target practice. If you or the wife do not like the recoil of a larger pistol you sure ain't gonna like it from one of those small ones.

 

[RonMar]

Who is it made by? My nephew got a new PPK made under liscence by I think colt? I was not impressed. The fit and finish were terrible and it broke an internal link after about the second box of ammunition. It also had a recall for internal issues about that same time. They fixed it and performed the recall work free of charge, but of course that was after the hassel of shipping the gun to-from the factory and the 6 weeks it was gone for the repair...

 

[gsganzer]

For anyone looking for a .380, look at the Sig P238. I have both a Sig P230 and a Keltec P3AT. I shot my friends P238 the other weekend and now I'm ruined. It put my .380's to shame and I'm considering selling them both to buy a P238. Incredibly controlled recoil for a little gun. It's extremely slim and great for a CCW. The only pitfall with the P238 is it's controls mimic a 1911 and it's single action only. I can't quite warm to cocked-n-locked for a pocket gun, but carried in a slim IWB holster would suit me. I guess you could carry it uncocked, if you don't feel comfortable with the condition 1 carry. I'm a little mixed with SA only pistols for CCW and have only recently started carrying a 1911. I tend to prefer DAO or DA/SA.

 

[k0ua]

something else, 380 ammo is usually quite a bit higher than 9mm, and usually a lot harder to find. I like the Kahr K9 and P9
James K0UA

 

[Skyco]

I have a number of .380s, couple of P3ATs, LCP, Bersa Thunder, Sig P238...
.380 costs a whole lot more than 9mm so target shooting and plinking are out in my view. As a self defense cartridge it has no purpose unless in a very small handgun for concealability IMO.

Personally I'm done with small .380s for reliability in a concealed environment, none of mine have been 100% reliable, so I've gone to S&W Airweight .38 revolvers for the wife and I. Only 5 rounds but they work everytime and never misfeed, fail to eject etc
Overall Walthers are great guns though, I have 4, two PPS's one in .40 and one in 9mm, a .40 P99 and a P22.

 

[jcims]

If your Walther PK380 is anything like my, all steel, Walther PPK, .380 ACP, the recoil is a sharp right twist. Not all that pleasant. My wife does not like it at all and I got the gun for her.
Shooting a 9mm Beretta 92 and, for that matter, a Colt 1991A1, .45 ACP is more pleasant.
That is one man's opinion.

My brother also bought a PPK for his wife, and I'd echo welding's comments above. The PPK and PK380 are completely different beasts though, primarily because of different operating mechanisms. The PPK uses a simple blowback operation, resulting in a very heavy (relatively) recoil spring and sharp recoil in the hand (his wife couldn't even operate the slide, so it has become a safe queen). The PK380 uses a locked breech, short recoil action, resulting in substantially less felt recoil, and a much easier slide operation.

Personally I wouldn't buy the PK380 for my use because it's a bit big for a .380, and .380 ammo is a bit expensive for plinking. It may be a high quality firearm, and the price is great, but you're going to lose the price advantage with each box of ammo. It might be a good carry choice for someone that has less hand strength or is put off by higher power options.

 

[bigtiller]

I have a number of .380s, couple of P3ATs, LCP, Bersa Thunder, Sig P238...
.380 costs a whole lot more than 9mm so target shooting and plinking are out in my view. As a self defense cartridge it has no purpose unless in a very small handgun for concealability IMO.

Personally I'm done with small .380s for reliability in a concealed environment, none of mine have been 100% reliable, so I've gone to S&W Airweight .38 revolvers for the wife and I. Only 5 rounds but they work everytime and never misfeed, fail to eject etc
Overall Walthers are great guns though, I have 4, two PPS's one in .40 and one in 9mm, a .40 P99 and a P22.

This is why I like revolvers. In particular, the Ruger LCR. That is pronounced as Elsee - Rrrrr. Fully loaded with 129 grain JHP 38 Special (+P), Crimson laser grip and weighing in at under one pound.

 

[Hawghauler]

If you want an all around shooter I like the Springfield Armory XD9. Comes in a few configurations. Ammo is readily available and the 9mm has a bit more umpf. The 380 is a bit tame for personal defense and the XD will be better for target. If you want more power the XD40 or 45 is impressive.
Springfield Armory

Nothing at all wrong with the one you chose, I am just giving you my opinion.

 

[BruceWard]

380 ammo is expensive and hard to find. The cartridge is 2mm shorter than 9mm luger but much less effective.

You might as well get a 9mm luger. The ammo will be cheaper and it will be much more effective if you ever need it.

I carry a 9 to be discreet or a 45 if I think I need a gun.

 

[HCJtractor]

In my opinion, the only reason for a .380 is when you need a true pocket pistol, and can't carry anything bigger. The Walther is just too big for a pocket pistol. Why not get a better caliber in a gun no bigger? I have several .380s. My old Walther PPKS is nice but it just isn't good for much. To heavy for a pocket pistol, too weak for a true self defense holstered gun. My new Diamondback is good when it works, but has been very unreliable. My pocket pistol is a .380 Kahr, which has been pretty good. Very small and light and mostly reliable and accurate up close. But I only use it for concealed carry when size is important. i would not use it for plinking or farm use, or even home protection. The Walther seems even more limited in use. Not a great caliber for defense, expensive to plink, too big to pocket. It is pretty far down my list on a gun to buy. Just my opinion.

 

[Charlie_in_WV]

I'd say what Bruce W said, I have 2 .380's (P-3AT & PPK), I stuck the PPK in the ol' gun safe, carry the Kel-Tec in a Desantis Nemesis if dressed lightly.
If I were to have a "do over" I would have opted for the PF-9.
In leu of the PKK, I carry a CZ-82 (fits perfectly in the Bianchi 100 IWB for PPK) being it has 12 +1 and is the hotter 9X18 MAK.
Mine is stoked with Hornady 95 gr. JHP/XTP.
Practice ammo is cheap and plentiful.
These surplus CZ's are fairly cheap right now, can be had if you have a C&R or get a dealer to do a FFL transfer for you.
I belive CDNN, JG Sales and countless other have them.

 

[rtimgray]

Thanks for all the comments guys. It seems like the general opinion is that the .380 in that size is a poor choice for just about any application. I already have some guns chambered for 9mm and .40 s&w, and haven't seen any others in my price range that I want right now.

I think that HCJ summed it up very well. It is too big for a pocket pistol, but big enough there are 9mm that are as small or smaller, so if I were to carry it, I might as well carry a larger caliber. Ammo is high, comparitively speaking.

I have to admit that you guys are doing a good job of talking sense into me. I really appreciate all the comments.

 

[picker77]

Personally I'm done with small .380s for reliability in a concealed environment, none of mine have been 100% reliable, so I've gone to S&W Airweight .38 revolvers for the wife and I. Only 5 rounds but they work everytime and never misfeed, fail to eject etc
Overall Walthers are great guns though, I have 4, two PPS's one in .40 and one in 9mm, a .40 P99 and a P22.

I'm right there with you, Skyco. I carry a Smith Titanium hammerless and hardly notice it's even there any more. I tried a half dozen semiautos (but not in .380, never trusted them to stop a bad person) but never found one that I could comfortably carry and still shoot well. To me, midget-framed 9's and 40's are even more unpleasant to shoot than a 12-oz snubby--which BTW is also not that much fun--and they're invariably fatter and weight nearly twice as much. I'm very happy with the little Smith, and it doesn't know what 'failure to feed' or 'failure to eject" even means, regardless of what ammo I stick into it.

I guess you could say I like semiautos, but I TRUST revolvers.

 

[Skyco]

I guess you could say I like semiautos, but I TRUST revolvers.

I used to hate revolvers, saw no need for one and really was puzzled by their popularity. But I saw the error of my ways and am a convert now. I was one of the first to get a concealed permit in my state and quickly found out just how hard it was to carry a medium or larger semi-auto concealed. Along came all the new crop of tiny .380s and I bought many of them desperately searching for the holy grail. Never found it.
I will never get rid of many of my favorite semi-autos but it is just so easy to drop a snubbie in the pocket and absolutely know it will work everytime.
If I'm out wandering about my land and concealment isn't an issue then, yep, got a Sig P220 .45 or a Walther P99 .40 strapped on...

 

[foggy1111]

I'm not going to try to make a convert outta anyone.....BUT....I suggest you read up on the new 380 Ammo....such as Hornady 90 gn Critical Defense 380 rounds. I have these rounds in a Ruger LCP....and this combination will outperform a 38 Special +P.

I like revolvers too....but the narrow LCP carries well.....and packs a punch. Things are always changing in new ammo and gun models. My advice: if you have not researched lately....check it out.

 

[Skyco]

The Critical Defense 380 may outperform "normal" 38 S+P but it doesn't outperform Critical Defense 38S+P. :drool:
290ft lbs of energy in the CD-38S+P but only 200 in the CD-380.
I really like the CD when it came out and bought a bunch of it for various handguns, including my assortment of 380's. Then all the reports of misfires due to bad primers came out...now I'm not so sure I still trust it..no way to test it except shoot it..