Jammo-matic Interarms PPK/S

NOTPARS

A number of years ago I bought a new Walther PPK/S. It turned out to be an Interarms PPK/S. I never have satisfactorily nailed down who and where this piece was made. Anyway, I sold it to a friend maybe 2 years ago. It jams all the time, mostly stove pipes. We took it to a gun store/smith. They said the spring was too strong and litle could be done. They suggested storing the gun with the slide locked back to "weaken" the spring and this would solve the problem. My friend has used a variety of ammo and magazines but it jams about every 5th shot. I keep thinking there must be some sort of fix other than what has been prescribed. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated (he doesn't want to sell it).

CS8161

The Walther PPK and PPK/s pistols are notorious for jamming. They were designed with FMJ ammo in mind, but even with FMJ you will still get jamming issues. I would get rid of it, get a Sig 380 or even a Bersa 380 as they will feed anything with no problems. I had a buddy took his Walther PPK to a gunsmith, spent a few hundred on polishing, tuning and it still jammed! They are crap-ola!

NOTPARS

Chris8161: This is not what I wanted to read as I have offered to buy it back from him. But am I ever glad you did post this information. You see, I have a Bersa. My only complaint is that it does not fit as well in my shorts pockets in the summer. Has it ever jammed? Never. After reading what you posted I need to shut up and make that Bersa fit. I really like the SIG too. They are so expensive but a few years ago I found some used ones for a good price. There was virtually no wear on any of them and I should have bought one when I had the chance. Wow, I was thinking of buying it back and spending a "little" money to fix it. I owe you.

rufe-snow

I have had a lot of similar problems with various semi-autos over the years. If it's not a extractor/feeding problem, the trouble is with the recoil spring.

Wolff Gunsprings sells what they call a "Calibration Pac" of recoil springs specifically made for the PPK/S. I would buy these springs and try them in Walther on a trial and error basis. Going from the heaviest weigh to the lightest. This would be with quality fmj ammo. Don't start using hollow points in the pistol, until your sure it functions correctly with quality ball ammo.

NOTPARS

rufe-snow: good advice. I feel bad about selling this to my friend. He is very mission oriented. Each firearm he buys must have a mission specific use or he does not buy it. This was his back-up gun but he told me he cannot rely on it so this messes up his objectives. He has all the bases covered except a hunting rifle (other than .22) and he wanted to have all the pieces in place but the Interarms is not working out. I'll let him kmow about your post and hopefully he can get it to work. Again, thanks for the advice.

givette

quote:Originally posted by NOTPARS
rufe-snow: good advice. I feel bad about selling this to my friend. He is very mission oriented. Each firearm he buys must have a mission specific use or he does not buy it. This was his back-up gun but he told me he cannot rely on it so this messes up his objectives. He has all the bases covered except a hunting rifle (other than .22) and he wanted to have all the pieces in place but the Interarms is not working out. I'll let him kmow about your post and hopefully he can get it to work. Again, thanks for the advice.

Well, sir..I'm jumping to the assumption that you informed your friend of the jamming problems prior to sale. Item in blue is OK to feel that way..provided you told your friend "up front" about the problems, correct?

If not, weigh the options of buying back the gun or putting a strain on the friendship. Wolff spring kit (as previously mentioned) may be a compromise. Best, Joe

NOTPARS

givette: You are, of course, quite right. Actually, I had put maybe 50 rounds through it without a hitch. It had not jammed at all. At first we thought it was the lead hollow points we were using so we tried different ammo but no dice. He has nothing but good mags. Even though it did not jam for me, it sure did after that first box. So, I have offered to buy it back, cash, same price. Incidentally, he sold me his Ruger P-95 at a great price and, although no tack driver, that has been one totally reliable pistol (it outshoots the new stainless steel slide one I bought).

rsnyder55

If I read this right, you fired 50 rounds without a problem and it jams for him. Perhaps he is limp wristing when firing.

About every 6 months, I go through all my special purpose ammo and carry weapon never personally expereienced had a jam with a PP, PPK/S and PPK in 32, 380, or 22LR and I have a total of six. (Knock on wood)

NOTPARS

rsnyder55: That is a very good point. I couldn't understand why it had not jammed for me. I had some old ammo that I blamed it on. I forgot what it was called. It was hollow point and silver colored but I believe it was lead. Anyway, I need to set up a range session and try it myself and see if that is the problem. Thanks for a great post. It would sure make me feel better if it is us and not the gun.

CS8161

I have owned three Walther PPK's in my fifty years and have never had one that was 100% reliable. You can polish the ramp, polish the chamber, change out the springs, dip it in Holy Water, they are still not a reliable carry weapon. Also, they are all sharp edges, the trigger pull is awful and the sights, not that great for older eyes. I have a Bersa 380 that I carry all the time and the darn thing is 100% reliable, feeds anything, shoots to point of aim and is easy to carry.
If you want something to carry in a pocket, I would suggest a Kahr P9 pistol, they are lightweight, very flat, have great sights and are chambered for 9mm, a step up from the 380 in power, but not in overall size!