Some guns come and go over the years, but the Walther PPK is one gun that has never fully left the conversation.
It’s a pistol that has stood the test of time, and not because it’s the most modern or the highest capacity, but because it works…and it just so happens to look really good doing it.
In a way, the PPK is like the 1911 of the concealed carry world. The 1911 might not be the hottest thing on paper compared to polymer wonder semi-automatic pistols, but they work, folks still carry them, compete with them, and are buying more of them now than ever before.
Same with the PPK.
The Walther PPK/S in .32 ACP (also known as the 7.65mm in Europe) holds 8+1 rounds, which isn’t bad for such a small gun.
Walther keeps bringing it back in different flavors. They recently reintroduced it in .32 ACP (which is a great thing, because I know from extensive experience that the .32 version is much more pleasant to shoot than the .380), brought back the PP, and has kept the PPK family fully alive with multiple variations, such as models with threaded barrels to add suppressors.
Sure, both the 1911 and PPK have their limits in today’s world and are old school carry choices, but they also have a timeless charm and plenty of capability left in them. When something works, it works.
A Gentleman’s Concealed Companion
The PPK is not the kind of gun you want to take into a pitched gunfight, but it is exactly the kind of gun you want on your belt or in your pocket when you need a reliable companion that carries with style.
The PPK is thin, flat, and remarkably easy to conceal…even compared to many of today’s micro-9s. Slip it into a quality IWB holster or even a jacket pocket, and it disappears without effort.
What sets it apart is that it carries with a pure sense of class and refinement. Where a polymer pistol feels purely utilitarian, the PPK feels like it belongs to someone who values tradition and understated class while still desiring a pistol that can work in a pinch if need be.
The Walther PPK is, quite literally, a gentleman’s concealed carry gun.
That doesn’t mean it is a toy. Far from it! The PPK may not have double-digit magazine capacity, but it has what really matters in a concealed carry pistol: it is dependable and controllable, and it’s also confidence-inspiring.
The double-action/single-action system gives you a safe first trigger pull with the option of smooth follow-up shots. Pair that with the .32 ACP’s soft recoil that I’ll talk more about below and you have a pistol you can shoot quickly and accurately under stress.
And did you know that the PPK is one of the most copied guns of all time? Other guns like the Bersa Thunder, SIG Sauer P230, Makarov, CZ82, and others owe their lineage to the PPK in some way. To me, that says a lot about the basic design.
Meet the PPK/S
The PPK/S is a true hybrid, the best of both worlds between the PPK and the PP. Think of it like the lovechild of those two pistols. You get the slide and barrel of the classic PPK that’s combined to the longer grip, frame, and magazine of the PP.
For me, the PPK/S is the sweet spot. It’s got that slightly longer grip, which is a godsend for folks with larger hands. The standard PPK grip always felt a little cramped, but the S model gives you just enough extra purchase without bulking up the gun.
The PPK/S combines the longer grip and magazine of the Walther PP with the shorter barrel and slide of the PPK. For me, it’s the best of both worlds.
That longer grip also means one extra round in the magazine, which, in a defensive pistol that already has a rather limited capacity, is always welcome. One more round might not sound like much, but when you’re working with small calibers like .32 ACP or .380 ACP, you’ll take every advantage you can get (at least I would!).
Another thing I like is the grip design itself. On the PPK/S (and the PP), the backstrap is steel. Compare that to the plastic wraparound grips of a standard PPK, and it’s no contest. Steel lasts a lot longer..
My personal PPK/S has a story. It’s a West German model made in 1971. After World War II, Walther wasn’t allowed to make firearms for a stretch (thanks to the restrictions set by the victorious Allies at the time).. It wasn’t until 1954 that they could start back up. Even then, they couldn’t actually produce the parts themselves, but they were allowed to assemble, finish, and distribute.
Enter Manurhin, which was a French company that manufactured parts for Walther during this period. Walther would then assemble the pistols in West Germany, apply the finishing touches, and sell them.
Some pistols were marked Manurhin, and others were stamped Walther. Mine falls into that latter category. Technically, it’s Manurhin-made, but it proudly says “Made in W. Germany” on the slide.
That little piece of history makes it even more special. The blued finish has worn with use and the slide cycles with that silky feel you only get on an old-school gun, but the safety and hammer clicks are still crisp and definitive. It’s a beautiful pistol, even with the character marks of age.
And as much as I love my 1971 West German model, I’ve got my eye on one of the new production PPK/S pistols made at the Walther factory in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Not because I want to replace my old one, but because it would be nice to have a modern counterpart.
Carrying the PPK: Holster Rotation
Over the years, I’ve gathered three holsters for my PPK/S, each with its own flavor and purpose.
First, there’s the black Kirkpatrick leather shoulder holster. This one is special because it’s modeled after the same rig Daniel Craig wore in a couple of his Bond films. I’ll admit it…I bought it for that reason alone!
Despite being an older gun, the PPK/S is still remarkably easy to conceal carry.
And you know what? No regrets. Slipping the PPK/S into that shoulder rig feels like stepping right into a Bond movie, minus the tux and martini.
Then there’s my black Galco Stinger belt holster. This one is all business. It’s simple, solid, and comfortable on the hip. It’s perfect when I want something practical that disappears under a cover garment, and it’s a lot more pleasant to carry than the shoulder holster (while cool, shoulder holsters will really wear down on you over the course of a day).
Lastly, I’ve got a brown leather IWB holster that I picked up on eBay. Nothing fancy, but it does the job. The PPK/S is small and flat enough that even in a no-name holster, it carries well and stays out of sight.
In short, I’d recommend you do the same for the PPK. Get a good shoulder holster (just for the heck of it, because why not?) and then get a good OWB and IWB holster as well.
.32 ACP vs .380 ACP
Here’s where things get interesting. The PPK/S is offered in both .32 ACP and .380 ACP.
On paper, .380 ACP wins when it comes to so-called ‘stopping power’. It’s got slightly better ballistics, which means it has slightly more penetration and expansion. So if you look strictly at charts and numbers, it makes sense to go with .380.
But let me tell you, the .32 ACP version is an entirely different universe when it comes to shooting. The recoil is light, the follow-up shots are faster, and the whole shooting experience is smoother…much smoother. The .380 might have a touch more power, but the .32 is flat-out easier and more enjoyable to shoot, and there’s really no comparison.
I owned both. At first, I had a PPK/S in .380, and while it was fine, I admit I never loved shooting it. The recoil felt snappy for such a small caliber, and I noticed that when I took friends to the range, they didn’t exactly flock to it either.
Then I tried a .32, and the difference was night and day. People loved it. I loved it. I could shoot it faster, shoot it better, and shoot it longer without fatigue.
My older production PPK/S in .32 ACP next to a newer production model in .380 ACP. While the ballistics of .380 are slightly better, the overall shooting experience is vastly superior with the .32-caliber version.
That sealed it for me. I sold the .380 and bought the .32. Haven’t looked back since. I’m willing to give up that little bit of ballistic edge because in my view, shot placement matters more than raw numbers, and especially when both calibers are on the small end anyway.
With the .32, I shoot so much better it’s not even funny. And if I shoot it better, that means I’m more confident with it, and that’s what counts.
Why Carry a PPK Today?
Some might ask why I’d still carry a PPK/S in 2025, when there are so many “better” options out there. I get it: slim, polymer-framed pistols like the SIG P365, Springfield Hellcat, Glock 43, or Smith & Wesson Shield pack more rounds, weigh less, and have all the bells and whistles.
Here’s my answer: because the PPK still works for me. It carries flat, it’s legal everywhere, and it shoots beautifully in .32 ACP. I like metal guns. I like the heft. I like the DA/SA trigger system, which is why I also favor classics like the Beretta 92 and the SIG Sauer P229. The PPK fits right into that lineup.
If it’s good enough for Bond, it’s good enough for me…and maybe for you too.
