General Facts
- TYPE
Pistol - ORIGIN
Germany - NICKNAMES
PP / Polizei Pistole, police pistol
L47A1 (UK service) - DESIGNED
1929 - 1931 - DESIGNER
Walther - PRODUCTION
1930 - present - PRODUCERS
France - Manurhin
Germany - Walther
Turkey - MKEK
USA - Ranger Manufacturing
USA - Smith & Wesson - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Small and concealable
High quality production
Rugged and reliable
Limited power
Small magazine size
Introduction
The Walther Polizei Pistole (PP) is a small pre World War 2 era pistol of German origin. It was developed for police use and was introduced in 1929. The even smaller PPK was developed for concealed carry. The PP was the world's first truly successful double action pistol.
Design
The PP is a small blowback operated double action pistol. It is fully made out of metal and has plastic grip plates. The fixed barrel doubles as a guide for the recoil spring. An extension on the magazine improves the grip.
Firepower
The PP is a semi-automatic pistol and fires the 7.65x17mm round from a 8 round magazine or the .380 ACP from a 7 round magazine. The PPK holds one round less in each caliber. The effective range is a few dozen meters.
Users
The PP and PPK proved to be very popular among law enforcement and civilians and large quantities have been produced. The PP was produced under license in France after World War 2, mainly for export. The PP has been replaced by newer pistol in most Western countries, but in other countries the PP is still a common police sidearm.
PP
The Walther PP is the original full size model, yet even the full size model is pretty small. The weapon is fully made out of metal, except for the plastic grip plates. It is available in both 7.65x17mm and .380 ACP.
- Specifications:
- PP (7.65mm)
- PP (.380)
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.65x17mm Browning |
| Magazine | 8 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 99 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 320 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 173 mm |
| Width | 30 mm |
| Height | 109 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.660 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Magazine | 7 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 99 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 256 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 173 mm |
| Width | 30 mm |
| Height | 109 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.665 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
PPK
The PPK is the smaller and shorter version of the PP. It features a smaller and shorter slide. The magazine holds one less bullet in each caliber and is fitted with an extension to retain a good grip. The PPK-L model is a light weight model with an aluminum slide. It is only available in 7.65mm.
- Specifications:
- PPK (7.65mm)
- PPK (.380)
- PPK-L
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.65x17mm Browning |
| Magazine | 7 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 86 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 308 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 155 mm |
| Width | 25 mm |
| Height | 100 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.568 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Magazine | 6 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 86 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 244 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 155 mm |
| Width | 25 mm |
| Height | 100 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.590 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.65x17mm Browning |
| Magazine | 7 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 86 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 308 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 155 mm |
| Width | 25 mm |
| Height | 100 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.480 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
PPK/S
The PPK/S is a modified PPK for export sales in the USA. It was developed to meet the requirements of the US 1968 Gun Control Act. The PPK/S is slightly longer and heavier than the PPK and holds one extra bullet in each caliber.
- Specifications:
- PPK/S (7.65mm)
- PPK/S (.380)
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.65x17mm Browning |
| Magazine | 7 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 86 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 308 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 156 mm |
| Width | 30 mm |
| Height | 110 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.630 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Pistol |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Magazine | 6 rounds |
| Operation | Blowback, double action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Barrel length | 86 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 6 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | 244 m/s |
| Stock | - |
| Length | 156 mm |
| Width | 30 mm |
| Height | 110 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.635 kg |
| Sights | Iron sights, blade front and notch rear |
| Remarks | - |
Makarov
The Soviet Makarov pistol has some features incorporated in its design that were first introduced on the Walther PP.
