Is a walther ppk in 380 adequate for self defense?

Question

Right now I have a taurus .357 but frankly its just a bit too bulky for me to be carrying around in my normal clothes. Another concern I have is on the over penetration of the .357 round, possibly going through an assailant and hitting someone else, I've been considering a few different compacts and the ppk probably sits the most comfortably in my hand, my only concern is if the 380 packs enough punch. My shot placement isn't a problem however I don't know what the actual knockdown of the 380 is like against an attacker.

Answer 1

The PP & PPK Walthers, along with their numerous 'copy-cat' clones from BOTH sides of the 'Iron Curtain', have been cosidered as 'adequate' by so many Eurpoean military and police authorities that they have been issued by these units for decades, both before and after World War l l, not only in .380ACP (9mm Kurz (short) or Corto, metric desig.), but in .32ACP(7,62 Kurz), 9mm Makarov, and 9x17Ultra, as well, just to name a few.
The veteran 9mmK has killed & wounded thousands in military & peacetime situations, a very effective service record.
If you feel confidant and comfortable with your personal marksmanship with a Walther PPK to depend on it as your personal defense weapon, GO for it! ! !
I have carried my PPK/S as a back-up, and in more 'formal' social situations where my H-K USP would have been somewhat 'out-of-place', and I have no better recommendation than for the all-time BEST of the 'pocket' automatics.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Is the Walther PPK in .380 adequate for self defense? The operational word here is 'adequate.' The quick answer is: Yes.

The .380 acp is considered the minimum defensive caliber. It is surprising good especially with the better defensive ammo. Make sure your PPK will handle other than ball ammo. If it is a newer model it should. If it doesn't try the Remington solution, hollow point ammo configured to feed in pistols that only feed ball ammo. Other good defensive ammo types are: Federal Hydra Shok, Winchester Silvertips, Cor Bon, Gold Dot, etc. If shot placement isn't a problem and the assailant isn't wearing body armor then the .380 acp is adequate, more so than say a .38 Special loaded with 158 grain lead ball ammo or 130 grain FMJ.

Good luck.

H

Answer 4

Despite what others may say, YES, it is adequate for self defense. A .380 in your pocket is better than a .45 at home. Go for the .380. The 1 shot stop % of a .380 ACP is around 70%, and that isn't too darn bad. The link below gives you data on the stopping power of the .380 ACP. This data is taken from actual shootings that have occurred and been recorded by police.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is a walther ppk in 380 adequate for self defense?
Right now I have a taurus .357 but frankly its just a bit too bulky for me to be carrying around in my normal clothes. Another concern I have is on the over penetration of the .357 round, possibly going through an assailant and hitting someone else, I've been considering a few different...

Answer 6

Many consider the .380 acp the minimum for self defense, loaded with modern expanding ammunition it has proven to be very effective with good center of mass hits. There are issues with the Walther ppk and hollow points and the Walther has a history of biting the hand that feeds it. I have a Sig Sauer P 232 and it feeds everything and has never jammed. The .380 acp does reduce the risk of over penetration and a gun in the hand is better than one at home when you really need it, besides you can always squeeze the trigger again and again if needed.

Answer 7

Very interesting information. I am impressed with the Glazer Ammo. As a kid, James Bond was really cool and I have always wanted a PPK. I was skeptical about the 380 round, but it makes sense that at close range it could do well. It is a concern though that an assailant at close range can still make immediate contact and be a threat, even after being hit.

Answer 8

I too believe a .380 with MagSafe ammo is a perfect self defense weapon.

Todays crazies are all about size and name brand.

I carry a Taurus Millenium Pro 9mm with Hydro Shock hollow points 124 grn for self defense.

But I am considering switching to a Bersa .380 with magSafe ammo. Though the Taurus is small and I feel almost perfect for CCW, a .380 that is so slim would be even easier to conceal and just as deadly as a .45.

Read for yourself. I hope this puts this to rest once and for all. That the .380 is a awesome weapon for self defense.

Answer 9

The .380 ACP is a decent self-defense cartridge - there are loads that are comparable to a .38 Special in performance.

Take a look at the Sig Sauer P232 (I think thats the right number) - it is in some ways a PPK "clone", but is better in my opinion. It is one of the most accurate .380's out there.

To anyone reading this that thinks the .380 ACP is "too small" consider this - its a self-defense cartridge. That means, you're going to be emptying into a target coming at you at close range. Its not a combat round, and its not meant to be, so comparing it to anything bigger is not a reasonable comparison.

Answer 10

Totally agree with the 380 in hand is better than 45 at home. PPK is probably the best quality 380 on the market. Look at a Bersa Thunder 380. about 200 dollars cheaper and reliable. I can shoot one rapid fire and put all six rounds in a pie plate at 10 feet with ease.