P7 VS PPK

[wwIIBuff]

Looking at a new carry pistol torn between a P7 and a PPK. I know the p7 shoots 9 MM and the PPK .380 but with mag safe rounds I think a .380 will do the trick. looking for opinions on both. I like the PPk for its size, I live in FL so we don't wear a lot of heavy clothing so it has its challenges. Please don't mention the the fanny pouch as an option :1200000:

[MarcDW]

That is simple: Buy a PSP.
It's a little more then the PPK but ammo is a lot cheaper.
Then the PPK kicks a lot more then the PSP.
The difference between 9mm to .380 is BIG!
So the PSP is a win win!

[CyberH&K]

I'm down here in FLA. I took my P30 with me yesterday. I do own a PPKS.

[SauceNJ]

Are you kidding? No contest - P7

[Jagdraben]

If you must get a .380, I would rather get a SiG P232. I have to echo the comments of everyone else: P7. The PPK is practically only still around because of James Bond.

[terrible1one3]

I was on the SAME EXACT boat as you until today. I wanted a P7, but after just purchasing a P30 I was short funds. My dad has a PPK/S so I figured I would pick up an old one.

After reading the reviews It seems like PPK's are hit or miss, either they suck or are great, or take 500 rounds to break in. Very inconsistant reviews, the one concistancy I found was people saying to get the Sig.

My solution was falling in love with my SW model 60 snubbie all over. Finding the right ammo for it was big. I am not a big fan of .357 mag's, out of a small revolver they just hurt. .38 +P's are a little better, but 38 specials are perfect. I was 5 shots in the same hole from 15 feet away, perfect for personal protection. With recoil that didn't feel as snappy as the PPK surprisingly.

So I got out of the market for a gun like that.

[Maximus]

Well I dont have a P7 but between the P7 and the PPK I would say P7.

I do have a Interarms PPK that functions great. It is an earlier one and it has performed wonderfully for me. I still carry it. I also have a a Sig 232SL that is a joy to shoot and carry. I have no issues with the .380/9mm kurz caliber.

The 232SL is a big pistol for a .380 and the PPK (mine is stainless) is probably close in weight to the P7 I have held. I am sure someone here can chime in. I agree that the PPK's can be hit or miss. If you get a good one then you will like, well at lease I do. No issues with slide bite for me.

Bottom line get what you you want and like. SInce I already have a PPK and 232 I would obviously choose the P7.

Maybe you could look at the the P2000 or P2000SK?

[SauceNJ]

I recently got the P7 - currently my FAVORITE gun I own. My best friend has a PPK he bought brand new about a year ago - I've shot it many times - never enjoyed it. In fact, I hate the damn thing - cant hit the side of a barn - sights are horrible, gun is way too small, and it snaps like a bitch!!! The P7 is like sex in your hand - don't give it any more thought.

[Geohans]

I have owned several copies of PPK, and 8 P7s (mostly M8s).

I have shot several hundred dollars' worth of Magsafe. I have read thousands of pages on terminal ballistics, and know the Magsafe arguments. I saw all the Zambone videos, and i know about the tests on the goats, and all that. Generally, most informed students of ballistics don't believe the Straussburg tests actually happened; the statistics are so improbable that it doesn't matter if they happened or not.

This is apples and oranges, but I've been through it. Do NOT buy the idea that Magsafe 380 is equivalent to a major league 9mm, like HST. No chance.

American made PPKs have not had a great rep for reliability. they may have improved, but I wouldn't touch one. I had one go full auto on me; 6 rounds in 0.15 seconds. Got alot of attention, especially when I did it again! 3 out of 4 were absolutely unacceptable. Yes, I bought 3, and one was a warranty replacement. I was sure I was just unlucky the first three times.

Have you tried the double action trigger on one of those babies? Could you actually hit anything with a 21 lb pull? Or have they reduced it to 18lb? A P7 has one trigger pull, 4 1/2 lbs of butter. Has Interarms added a drop safety? IIRC, carrying PPK with hammer down and safety off leaves the pistol vulnerable to AD when dropped.

A P7 with Federal HST 124gr +p is several times' more effective, robust, reliable, shootable and desireable. the P7, any version, will hold its value for decades.

other than all of that, it's a toss-up!

[Limey]

I own a German PPK very fine pistol always goes bang. I have owned a couple of none German Guns that were not so satisfying and one Interarms that was pretty good.

I have owned many P7s of all flavors. No contest get the P7.

The magsafe rounds are garbage. No legit testing has ever done anything other than discredit them. A 380 will never be a 9mm.

Nothing beats a j-frame for hot climates less clothing and concealability.

[Laserlips]

JMOFartO:

First, this post is LONG.. Quit reading now if you're in a hurry.

Respectfully might I suggest you consider your options as the HK P7, or the Walther PPS.

I have always thought the old Walther PPK was one of the most beautiful pistols ever.. Hey, it was Adolf's choice as a vehicle for suicide, and 007's firearm choice in several movies. (Was that in 32, or 380cal?) The PPK has a loyal following and apparently when you get a "good" PPK it's the best pistol in the world, but more often than you that's not the one you get. (Or so I read).

But, when you don't get the good one you get a relative heavy, low caliber, slide-biting, heavy triggered, often ammo sensitive (jhp's anyway) pistol that looks REAL GOOD..

You can always buy the new beaver tailed S&W version, but purists spit on them, and apparently, from just what I read, quality is iffy..

Walther just released what was designed as, and advertised as, the PPK replacement. It's the Walther PPS. The PPS light, 9mm (or 40cal) no slide bite, light (Glocklike) trigger/striker and at least for the one I own (knock on wood) 100% reliable and quite accurate. (Capacity 6/7/ or 8+1).

I am a newbie to HK's. I just got my first P7 ("A" grade from CDNN) about a month ago and had never even held a P7 before, (much less fired a squeeze cocker). I've always wanted a P7, but the M8's were too pricy for my old retirement pay grade. When the German released P7's came available I could finally afford to buy one just to satisfy my curiosity about all the hype.

The photo below shows the results of the first mag (8 rds) fired through my P7 the day I got it. The target was only shot from 7 yards as I'm a senior citizen with shaky hands and declining vision and for the purpose of accuracy a further distance simply doesn't exist in my old fart world any longer.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_8654.jpg

I was just firing the initial mag to determine poa/poi, and it was a pleasant shock to see a hole pop up in the X ring the first time I pulled the trigger. It was even more surprising, pleasantly so, to see all of the remaining rounds do the same. If an old fart like myself can manage a reasonable group I should think a real "shooter" would blow the center of the X ring out. The pistol is simply capable of such accuracy if the person pulling the trigger can do his part.

Here's MY personal comparison between the HK P7 and the Walther PPS for duty as a cc weapon.

The P7 is heavier. The P7 WILL heat up, but that's of no consideration in a carry weapon imo. I hear the P7 will require more maintenance (no problem for me, I clean my firearms after I shoot them.).

The PPS is lighter, slightly thinner, bigger 3 white dot sights, and I should think would be a better choice for daily cc.

Both pistols are appoximately the same size.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_8732.jpg

I think either pistol makes for a great cc weapon, but, and I have absolutely no explanation for this, I LOOK for a reason to cc the P7 over the PPS.. The P7 has "something" about it that is unique, special, whatever, that just calls out to be carried, weight be damned..

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_8731_01.jpg

And a photo for those snubby folks out there.. This is the model 49 Bodyguard over the PPS, but the size is just about the same if the 49 were over the P7. Just to give wheelgun lovers a comparison. Just personal opinion, but the PPS is so THIN as compared to a revolver (cylinder bulge) I would think it easier to cc.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_8739_01.jpg

I apologize for the length of this post, but I wanted to give the best explanation I could, with photos. Plus I'm old, retired, and have more time to write this stuff than most of you might have to read it.. Sorry..

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. Yep, I've already bought another "A" grade P7... I'm hooked I tell yaz.

[HKPhD]

P7 all the way.

I used to have both the ppk and ppk/s (all gone ofcourse). Unreliable, snappy recoil... The P7 is my daily cc now with a second as backup in case the first one broke down (I don't think I will need that in my life time).

[CrippledPidgeon]

JMOFartO:
I have always thought the old Walther PPK was one of the most beautiful pistols ever.. Hey, it was Adolf's choice as a vehicle for suicide, and 007's firearm choice in several movies. (Was that in 32, or 380cal?)

007 used a Walther PPK in 7.65mm (32 ACP) from Dr. No until the end of Tomorrow Never Dies. After which, he has switched to the P99.

[MrPink]

Well, since I own 7 P7s I a little partial to them. The flat PSP especially for carry. But it is not a flyweight gun.

But as others have said, if I was carrying in a hot climate, I'd consider an S&W J-frame. I have a 340PD that I love. Small, super light. If you fire full strength 357s in it, you'd rather smack your hand with a 2x4. I use Speer GoldDot 357 "short barrel" loads, which are a little more than 38+P and about as stout as I can tolerate.

[matt3gun]

if you have the money to buy a PSP then there should be no contest. I currently have a new S&W PPK in my back pocket. mine shoots well and is accurate and so far reliable after 600 rounds. I did own a P7M8 at one time and horribly regret selling it although at the time i had no use for it (sold it to a friend for 650$ with 4 mags and a holster) =(

[Limey]

"sold it to a friend for 650$ with 4 mags and a holster......"



Ouch !!!!!

[HKPhD]

(sold it to a friend for 650$ with 4 mags and a holster) =(

Can I be your friend for future selling of your firearms?

[Richard S]

I agree with Jesse that the PPK is one of the most attractive pistol designs of all time. I used to own two of them -- one in .380 ACP and one of the relatively rare .22 LR series. Both of them were apt to bite the hand that fed them, and the .22 version had occasional feeding problems. But they were beautiful handguns.

I now own a P7. It is a tack driver which shows no vices. Besides, it's a 9mm. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but my P7 is becoming more pleasing to my eye with each passing day.