Walther PK380 Issues and Help

toro1966 · Feb 7, 2011

Hey all. I bought my wife a PK380 about a month ago and just got back from the range after it's maiden shoot.

This gun has issues. Maybe they are easy to fix/remedy - so I wanted to post them here to see if any one has nay ideas.

I was using Winchester White Box Ammo (95gr). I used two separate 100. I had MULTIPLE fail to feed, fail to fire, and fail to return to battery. Biggest problem was the failure to return to battery. On several rounds it would fire, eject the shell, insert a new shell in the barrel, but stop about 1/2 from close. A little push of my hand would close it and she would fire again.

Several misfires were experienced. I fired a round, click no bang, the gun was returned to double action, I just pulled the trigger again (full pull) and she fired...

Not sure what the problem is, but I am pretty frustrated at this gun right now. It was bought brand new about a month ago and this is the first time it's been shot. Any ideas would be appreciated.

svytlana · Feb 7, 2011

check the front of the slide where the barrel goes through it. there has been issues with some of them having a sharp burr that will drag on the barrel. also check the screw on the safety it may be loose letting the hammer fall but not impact. the firing pin. try the walther forums if that didn't help. only problems I've had were operator errors.

toro1966 · Feb 7, 2011

Thanks! I'll check that.

ironmike86 · Feb 7, 2011

My 380 PPK would do that depending on the ammo. But even with brass it would. I never used it much and decided to sell it. If you can't figure it out since its a month old you maybe able to trade it? They are nice guns but I couldn't depend on mine. JME

toro1966 · Feb 8, 2011

ironmike86 said:
My 380 PPK would do that depending on the ammo. But even with brass it would. I never used it much and decided to sell it. If you can't figure it out since its a month old you maybe able to trade it? They are nice guns but I couldn't depend on mine. JME

I didn't make it to the range yet - should be tomorrow. That said - if it is not any better tomorrow, it's going back to S&W next week. I already called them and they are sending me a PPd mailer.

I'll post my results tomorrow as well! Thanks for the help.

Nutty4Guns · Feb 8, 2011

I had a PPK S that had problems also. I am not one to send guns back and forth for repairs, so I got rid of it. I don't think Walther is quite the same quality since S&W took over, but that's just my opinion.

paintguy · Feb 8, 2011

This can happen from "limpwrist", but is sounds like some others have had the same issue with this weapon. Hope you can get it figured out. Might also try a different load. Cor Bon makes some decent rounds that are on the +P side that might help. A little extra energy on that slide may make the difference. If all bearing / camming surfaces are smooth.......hopefully a new load will help you

toro1966 · Feb 9, 2011

Ok - This gun sucks! I am sorry - I generally don't make such strong statements - but I am thoroughly frustrated. Went to the range today and put another 200 rounds through it. A couple of observations/discoveries. First off - the gun was absolutely "eat off me" clean and then well oiled with gun butter. I then manually cycled the slide over 200 times. I used four different types of ammo - Federal, Blazer, Remington, and Winchester White Box (Flat nose).
1. It really does not like the flat nose WWB. Had fail to return to battery and fail to eject several times with that ammo.
2. It seems to like the Federal the best, but ran better with all three of these than it did with the WWB.
3. It is EXTREMELY susceptible to limp wristing. I am 5' 10" and 230 lbs so I am not small by any means. I hold this gun the same way I do all my others. That said, there is a VERY noticeable difference in reliability if I have a Klingon Death grip on it! You should not have to hold a weapon like this- in fact most experts say you don't want to - but there is no denying that if it is held very tight and steady - it fires most of the time.
4. Even with a tight grip - I still had some fail to return to battery and one fail to lock the slide back.

Looking at the gun dissassembled, I also see marks on the top of the barrel - as if the slide is dragging across it. Since I just bought it a month ago - I am sending it back to S&W. Hopefully they will be able to fix it. I appreciate all of the help guys.

paintguy · Feb 9, 2011

Good luck bro, sounds like you did all you could. I am sure S&W will make it right. Let us know how it went with the warranty.
paintguy

GixxerPete · Feb 11, 2011

You need to do the "Ruger" mod to it:

J/K... couldn't resist. :grin:

Srsly though, Walther USA = Smith & Wesson, and they always stand behind their products. If there is something wrong with your gun, I'm sure they'll make it right.

Didn't Kolat get a PK380 for his woman? I don't think it's given him a lick of trouble? Might want to ping him.

ironmike86 · Feb 13, 2011

toro1966 said:
Ok - This gun sucks! I am sorry - I generally don't make such strong statements - but I am thoroughly frustrated. Went to the range today and put another 200 rounds through it. A couple of observations/discoveries. First off - the gun was absolutely "eat off me" clean and then well oiled with gun butter. I then manually cycled the slide over 200 times. I used four different types of ammo - Federal, Blazer, Remington, and Winchester White Box (Flat nose).
1. It really does not like the flat nose WWB. Had fail to return to battery and fail to eject several times with that ammo.
2. It seems to like the Federal the best, but ran better with all three of these than it did with the WWB.
3. It is EXTREMELY susceptible to limp wristing. I am 5' 10" and 230 lbs so I am not small by any means. I hold this gun the same way I do all my others. That said, there is a VERY noticeable difference in reliability if I have a Klingon Death grip on it! You should not have to hold a weapon like this- in fact most experts say you don't want to - but there is no denying that if it is held very tight and steady - it fires most of the time.
4. Even with a tight grip - I still had some fail to return to battery and one fail to lock the slide back.

Looking at the gun dissassembled, I also see marks on the top of the barrel - as if the slide is dragging across it. Since I just bought it a month ago - I am sending it back to S&W. Hopefully they will be able to fix it. I appreciate all of the help guys.

Yeah that's why I sold mine. The are $$. My Colt Mustang pocket lite doesn't have that jam problem. But my wife doesn't like th single action. I'm looking at the Ruger. Price is right also. I carry my G27. Never jams.But she want something slim.

Quickness · Feb 15, 2011

380 ppk

I bought one of these new for my wife because it fit her hand well. We oiled it with gun lube before firing it for the first time. In the first two magazines there were instances where it failed to return to battery, but since then it has been working well. We have only used Federal brand in it.

JoshG · Feb 17, 2011

well this isn;t good to here i just picked up a PPKS for my night stand box. dont want it to not fire or reload if someone is in the house. it was used and the owner before didnt mettion any problems with it.

paintguy · Feb 17, 2011

Function check=100-200 rounds of your preferred round. Hydra-Shoks for me. I run them in a custom G19 and a 1911. Cant go wrong if they cycle. Your PPKS might like something else. Good Luck.
paintguy

Walther PK380 Issues and Help

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