Walther PP: Difference between revisions
RevRagnarok (talk | contribs) m clean up using AWB |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
Due to the [[Gun Control Act of 1968]], these pistols could no longer be imported into the United States, the largest consumer of the type. The '''Walther PPK''' was license manufactured in the United States from 1978 by [[Ranger Manufacturing]] in Gadsen, Alabama and sold by Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia. It is now manufactured by [[Smith and Wesson]] with certain improvements. One issue that a shooter of the PPK had always faced is what is termed as [[Hammer bite|"bite".]] Upon discharging a round, the slide travels backwards, chafing or even cutting the web of the hand between the thumb and the index finger. Modern PPKs feature a "beavertail" frame, which largely corrects this. |
Due to the [[Gun Control Act of 1968]], these pistols could no longer be imported into the United States, the largest consumer of the type. The '''Walther PPK''' was license manufactured in the United States from 1978 by [[Ranger Manufacturing]] in Gadsen, Alabama and sold by Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia. It is now manufactured by [[Smith and Wesson]] with certain improvements. One issue that a shooter of the PPK had always faced is what is termed as [[Hammer bite|"bite".]] Upon discharging a round, the slide travels backwards, chafing or even cutting the web of the hand between the thumb and the index finger. Modern PPKs feature a "beavertail" frame, which largely corrects this. |
||
The PPK is |
The PPK is the trademark weapon of fictional secret agent [[James Bond]] in books and films (up to and including ''[[Tomorrow Never Dies]]''). |
||
==Specifications== |
==Specifications== |
||
Revision as of 16:47, 24 August 2006
| Walther PPK | |
|---|---|
| File:Walther PPK.jpg Walther PPK | |
| Type | semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1929 (PP), 1931 (PPK) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Walther |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 568 g |
| Length | 154 mm |
| Barrel length | 84 mm |
| Cartridge | .32 ACP, .380 ACP |
| Action | blowback, Double action |
| Feed system | 7 round magazine |
| Sights | fixed iron sight |
The Walther PP is a pistol made in Germany, France and the United States (PPK and PPK/S [1]) at various times. It features an exposed hammer, double-action trigger, single-column magazine, and a return spring located around the fixed barrel.
The Walther PPK (German: Polizei Pistole Kriminal, 'Police Pistol Detective' [Detective Pistol], or Polizei Pistole Kurz - 'Police Pistol Short') is a shortened version of the PP (Polizei Pistole) and differs from it in size (shorter barrel and grip) and magazine capacity.
The PP appeared in 1929 and the PPK in 1931. Both guns were popular with European police and civilian shooters. They were reliable and easy to conceal. During World War II Walther PPs and PPKs were issued to German military police, Luftwaffe, and other support personnel. Adolf Hitler used his PPK to kill himself during the final days of the war in Europe.
The PP and PPK were the world's first successful double action autos. They were widely copied. The type is still in production by Carl Walther Sportwaffen. The Walther design has been used in numerous other pistols including, but not limited to, the Soviet Makarov and the Czechoslovakian CZ50. Although it was an excellent pistol, the Walther had competition during its time. The Mauser HSC pistol and the Sauer 38H (also known as the model "H") were both successful pistols in their own right. Production of the Sauer pistol ceased with the end of the war, but the refined SIG P230 and later P232 owe a great deal to the earlier weapon.
Due to the Gun Control Act of 1968, these pistols could no longer be imported into the United States, the largest consumer of the type. The Walther PPK was license manufactured in the United States from 1978 by Ranger Manufacturing in Gadsen, Alabama and sold by Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia. It is now manufactured by Smith and Wesson with certain improvements. One issue that a shooter of the PPK had always faced is what is termed as "bite". Upon discharging a round, the slide travels backwards, chafing or even cutting the web of the hand between the thumb and the index finger. Modern PPKs feature a "beavertail" frame, which largely corrects this.
The PPK is the trademark weapon of fictional secret agent James Bond in books and films (up to and including Tomorrow Never Dies).
Specifications
- Type: Double Action
- Caliber:
- Size
PP PPK Overall length 173 mm 154 mm Barrel length 99 mm 84 mm Weight 682 g 568 g Capacity 7.65 mm 8; 9 mm 7 7.65 mm 7; 9 mm 6
See also
External links
