Walther PPK/S .32 ACP Pistol: Bond, James Bond

Venerable. Iconic. Timeless. Those words are apt descriptions of the Walther Polizei Pistole Kriminal or PPK. Developed more than 75 years ago, it’s often credited as being the first true concealed-carry pistol. And it’s famous as the choice of legendary fictitious spy James Bond.

The PPK has been been available in .380 along with a .22 version, but with the reintroduction of the .32 chambering, it’s now even more Bondian. (He transitioned from a Beretta .25 to the PPK in .32 ACP beginning with 1958’s “Dr. No.”)

The PPK/s—the “S” for Sport—has a slightly longer grip for better control. It’s a double-action/single-action semiauto, and this particular model is all stainless steel with black grips.

I’d fired the .380 PPK/s before, and while I enjoyed it, the .32 is way more shootable. Fifteen-yard accuracy was good, as you can see in the chart, and hits came easy in short-range drills.

Stout Double-Action Pull

I won’t lie to you, though. The double-action pull is stout. It maxes out my Lyman gauge, but I’d say it’s in the 15-pound neighborhood. However, the single-action pull is sweet, averaging two pounds, 11 ounces. It took me a box or two to get used the double-to-single transition, but once I got the hang of it, things went smoothly.

You also have to get used to its safety/decocker. It’s Safe in the down position. To place it on Fire, rotate the lever up, revealing a red mark. Moving the safety from Fire to Safe decocks the action.

For defensive use I’d simply carry it with the hammer down and safety off. You’re unlikely to fire it accidentally with that double-action pull. There’s also no slide-lock lever. To lock the action back you need to insert an empty mag. No big deal.

Sights are minimal—a fixed rear notch and front blade, both with a single red dot—but fine for close range. The flat slide top is engraved with a cool wavy pattern to stop glare. The gun comes with a flush-fit mag and one with a finger extension.

I'll Have A Martini

In my opinion, if you’ve been a fan of the PPK design but have never forked over the money, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.

Walther Arms PPK/S Specs

• Type: DA/SA semiauto
• Caliber: .22 LR, .32 ACP (tested), .380 ACP
• Capacity: 8+1
• Barrel: 3.3 in.
• OAL/Height/Width: 6.1/4.3/1.0 in.
• Weight: 19 oz.
• Construction: stainless steel
• Grips: checkered black polymer
• Trigger: D/A pull not measured; SA pull, 2 lb. 11 oz.
• Sights: fixed
• Safeties: manual/decocker
• MSRP: $969
• Manufacturer: Walther, waltherarms.com

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