Walther PPK

Walther PPK has built its reputation by solid performance over the seven decades. But it was really made famous by James Bond whose Beretta .25 was confiscated by 'M' in Dr. No. Then he gets his PPk from Dr. No and seems to have stuck to it ever since.

The following conversation from the film captures the popular fancy with this weapon:

"..Walther PPK, 7.65mm. Only three men I know carry that gun, and I've killed two of them..." A former KGB agent upon hearing 007 cocking the hammer on his PPK.

The Walther PPK (Polizei Pistole Kurz - Short Police Pistol) was introduced by Carl Walther Waffenfabrik in 1931. It was a shortened version of the Walter PP (Polizei Pistole) and but for a shorter barrel and grip, is almost identical to it. Walther PP was introduced to the market in 1929.

Both the weapons especially the PPK are very flat and can be very easily concealed and were originally meant for the German undercover police. They quickly become wery popular among European police and civilian shooters as they were reliable and had moderate firing power.

During World War 2 those guns were issued to german military police personnel, high military officers and other military personnel. It has been reported that Hitler committed suicide with a PPK.

But in the US PPk was a rare find initially due to the gun control laws that restricted the entry the small and light guns. Though, Interarms Co. manufactured PPK in the US later under license from Walther, the American versions came under criticism on quality issues.

There is more to PPK than elegant design; it succeeded and has lasted for 75 years due to its inherent technical strength as well. Both PP and PPK were the world's first successful Double Action autos. Both have chamber loaded indicator, external hammer, manual safety and out of battery safety.

Both guns made their name with solid performance. They were widely copied but never surpassed.

They are still in production at Walther Sportwaffen gmbh and few other companies. In the US PPK is now manufactured by Smith and Wesson with certain improvements.