Handguns – October-November 2019

tochoosethePPK/S over the

shorter-framed PPK—although the

latter is slightly easier to conceal.

The first time I fired a Walther

PPK/S was at a media event where

they had a remote-controlled

dummy for us to shoot. At some

point the operator would have

the dummy charge us, and our job

was to place accurate rounds on a

moving target at realistic defensive

distances.

What I remember was not having

to worry about my shooting. Even

though I wasn’t used to the dou-

ble-action first shot, the Walther

points so naturally and has so little

muzzle rise all I had to do was get

my sights on the target and the

hits took care of themselves. Four

shots, four hits.

My PPK/S sample showed itself

to be reliable and accurate, with a

great trigger but with a few rough

edges (literally) that are completely

expected given its old-school

origins.As it is, it is a functional

pi eceof history,andby buyingone

youcangeta gunbetterthanwhat

JamesBondcarried.

However,I’dliketoseea

tweakedversionofthePPK/S(and

PPK,forthatmatter)fromthe

Waltherfactorythatcaterstothe

discerningconcealed-carrycrowd.

It wouldn’ttakemuch—avariant

withaggressivelyroundedframe

edges,modernsights,a fullybev-

eledslide,a framethat’scheckered

frontandback,anda beveledmag-

azinewell.Thesechangeswould

addresswhatI foundlackingwhen

comparedtomodernconcealed-

carrygunsandbringthePPK/S

intothe 2 1stcentury.

You can’t do a proper review of PPK pis-

tols without mentioning that damn British

spy. Over the past 50 years or so, Walther

has sold literally tons of these pistols in

America chambered in .380 ACP because

of Bond, James Bond. But people forget

a few things about Bond and the Walther,

common to both the original novels and

the first movies.

• James Bond didn’t like or want to use
  the Walther originally, but he was forced to
  give up his Beretta .25 by his boss, “M,”
  after it failed him during a mission.


• James Bond didn’t carry a Walther PPK
  in .380, he carried one in 7.65 Browning
  (.32 ACP). In the scene in “Dr. No” when
  Bond is ordered to switch to the Walther,
  the armorer tells him the cartridge hits so
  hard it’s “like a brick through a plate glass
  window.”—JT

I SPY

Buyit now.LogontoGalleryofGuns.com,select

this firearm, pay a deposit and it will be at your

local gun store in two days. When purchased from

GalleryofGuns.com, Davidson’s guarantees to repair

or replace this firearm for life.

http://www.magnumresearch.com

DE429SRMB

.429 DE | 6” Barrel

DE50L5IMB

.50 AE | 5” Barrel

BFR500LB7

.500 Linebaugh | 7.5” Barrel

BFR45-707B

.45/70 Govt. | 7.5” Barrel

Join us: @magnumresearchinc | @biggestfinestrevolver To Build Your Own, Visit http://www.customdeserteagle.com and http://www.custombfrrevolver.com

RETURN OF A CLASSIC