Thoughts on Walther PK380?

[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..