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| The most common variant is the '''Walther PPK'''. Its ] acronymous name stands for ''Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell'' (''Police Pistol Detective Model'' - implying it was more concealable than the original PP model and hence better suited to plainclothes or undercover work).<ref>Both Walther America's and Walther GmbH's websites features a history section in their ''About'' page however the origins of the name ''Kriminalausführung'', which is a synonym for ''Kriminalmodell'' is not explicitly explained.</ref> Sometimes, the ] ''Polizeipistole Kurz'' (''Police Pistol Short'') is given, but this interpretation is incorrect. Nevertheless, it is a smaller version of the PP (''Polizeipistole'') and has a shorter grip and barrel as well as a lower magazine capacity. | The most common variant is the '''Walther PPK'''. Its ] acronymous name stands for ''Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell'' (''Police Pistol Detective Model'' - implying it was more concealable than the original PP model and hence better suited to plainclothes or undercover work).<ref>Both Walther America's and Walther GmbH's websites features a history section in their ''About'' page however the origins of the name ''Kriminalausführung'', which is a synonym for ''Kriminalmodell'' is not explicitly explained.</ref> Sometimes, the ] ''Polizeipistole Kurz'' (''Police Pistol Short'') is given, but this interpretation is incorrect. Nevertheless, it is a smaller version of the PP (''Polizeipistole'') and has a shorter grip and barrel as well as a lower magazine capacity. | ||
| The PP was released in 1929 and the PPK followed in 1931. Both pistols were popular with European police and civilian shooters. The pistols were reliable and easy to conceal. During ] both variants of the pistol were issued to German military police, ], and other support personnel, as well as officials of the ]. ] used his PPK to kill himself as ] forces closed in on the ] in ]. The PPK pistol is |
The PP was released in 1929 and the PPK followed in 1931. Both pistols were popular with European police and civilian shooters. The pistols were reliable and easy to conceal. During ] both variants of the pistol were issued to German military police, ], and other support personnel, as well as officials of the ]. ] used his PPK to kill himself as ] forces closed in on the ] in ]. The PPK pistol is regularly used by fictional secret agent ], having been chosen by ] for his novels and used in most films. Use of the PPK by Fleming had a direct influence on sales. | ||
| The PP and PPK were some of the world's first successful ] semiautomatic pistols and not only were they widely copied, but they are still produced by ]. The Walther design has inspired several other pistols including, but not limited to, the Soviet ] and the ] ]. Although it was an excellent automatic pistol, the Walther had competition in its time. The ] pistol and the ] pistol (a.k.a. model "H"), were both successful in their own right. Sauer pistol production ceased at war's end, but the refined ], and later the P232, owe much to the earlier Walther weapon. | The PP and PPK were some of the world's first successful ] semiautomatic pistols and not only were they widely copied, but they are still produced by ]. The Walther design has inspired several other pistols including, but not limited to, the Soviet ] and the ] ]. Although it was an excellent automatic pistol, the Walther had competition in its time. The ] pistol and the ] pistol (a.k.a. model "H"), were both successful in their own right. Sauer pistol production ceased at war's end, but the refined ], and later the P232, owe much to the earlier Walther weapon. | ||
Revision as of 22:36, 25 October 2007
Semi-automatic pistol| Walther PP | |
|---|---|
| File:Walther PPK 1848.jpgWalther PPK | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  Weimar Republic |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1929 (PP), 1931 (PPK) 1968 (PPK/S) |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Walther |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 682 g (PP) 568 g (PPK) |
| Length | 174mm (PP) 154 mm (PPK) |
| Barrel length | 99 mm (PP) 84 mm (PPK) |
| Cartridge | .32 ACP, .380 ACP .22LR, .25 ACP (6.35 mm) |
| Action | blowback, Double action |
| Feed system | Magazine capacity: PP: 8+1 (.32 acp) or 7+1 (.380) PPK: 7+1 (.32 acp) or 6+1 (.380) |
| Sights | fixed iron sight |
The Walther PP series pistols include the Walther PP, PPK, and PPK/S. They are blowback-operated semiautomatic pistols manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen in Germany and under license from Walther in France and the United States . These pistols feature an exposed hammer, a double-action trigger mechanism, a single-column magazine, and a fixed barrel which also acts as the guide rod for the gun's single recoil spring.
Overview
The most common variant is the Walther PPK. Its German acronymous name stands for Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell (Police Pistol Detective Model - implying it was more concealable than the original PP model and hence better suited to plainclothes or undercover work). Sometimes, the backronym Polizeipistole Kurz (Police Pistol Short) is given, but this interpretation is incorrect. Nevertheless, it is a smaller version of the PP (Polizeipistole) and has a shorter grip and barrel as well as a lower magazine capacity.
The PP was released in 1929 and the PPK followed in 1931. Both pistols were popular with European police and civilian shooters. The pistols were reliable and easy to conceal. During World War II both variants of the pistol were issued to German military police, Luftwaffe, and other support personnel, as well as officials of the Nazi Party. Adolf Hitler used his PPK to kill himself as Soviet forces closed in on the Führerbunker in Berlin. The PPK pistol is regularly used by fictional secret agent James Bond, having been chosen by Ian Fleming for his novels and used in most films. Use of the PPK by Fleming had a direct influence on sales.
The PP and PPK were some of the world's first successful double action semiautomatic pistols and not only were they widely copied, but they are still produced by Walther. The Walther design has inspired several other pistols including, but not limited to, the Soviet Makarov and the Czechoslovakian CZ50. Although it was an excellent automatic pistol, the Walther had competition in its time. The Mauser HSC pistol and the Sauer 38H pistol (a.k.a. model "H"), were both successful in their own right. Sauer pistol production ceased at war's end, but the refined SIG P230, and later the P232, owe much to the earlier Walther weapon.
PPK versus PPK/S
When the Gun Control Act of 1968 became United States law, the PPK pistol was deemed too short and too small (by a few millimeters of overall height) for legal importation into the U.S., the pistol's largest market (Hogg 1979:164). The twofold solution:
- First, Walther created the PPK/S model, combining the PP's frame with the PPK's barrel and slide to create a 104.14 mm-tall pistol legally importable into the U.S. (Josserand & Stevenson 1972:301 ).
- Second, because Federal law allowed domestic production, vice importation, the PPK was licensed to Ranger Manufacturing, Gadsden, Alabama, in 1978, and distributed by Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia. Smith and Wesson makes a licensed, improved version with a longer grip tang, better protecting the shootist from slide bite, i.e. the rearward-travelling slide's pinching the firing hand, which was a problem with the original-model PPK pistol.
The PPK/S differs from the PPK in:
- overall height of 104.14 mm
- weight—the PPK/S weighs 1.8 oz (51 g) more than the PPK
- the PPK/S magazine holds one round more, in both calibres
The PPK/S and the PPK are chambered for 32 ACP (with capacities of 8+1 for PPK/S and 7+1 for PPK) or 380 ACP (PPK/S: 7+1, PPK: 6+1).
Notes
- WaltherAmerica.com - customer support page
- Both Walther America's and Walther GmbH's websites features a history section in their About page however the origins of the name Kriminalausführung, which is a synonym for Kriminalmodell is not explicitly explained.
References
Hogg, Ian V. (1979). Guns and How They Work. New York: Everest House. ISBN 0-89696-023-4.
Josserand, M.H. (1972). Pistols, Revolvers, and Ammunition. New York: Bonanza Books (A division of Crown Publishers, Inc.). ISBN 0-517-16516-3. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
See also
External links
- Smith & Wesson's American Walther Site
- Unofficial Walther Home Page
- Photos of the Walther PPK
- Modern Firearms
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| British Armed Forces individual weapons and cartridges, with L numbering | |
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| Assault rifles carbines Designated marksman rifles | |
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| Modern cartridges used | |