Walher PK380 Range Report

[pfeigert]

Last week I traded my Ruger LCP for a Walther PK380. The main consideration was the size (it does matter). The LCP was just too small for my ham-like hands and I was never comfortable shooting it. On several occassions, the Magazine release was inadvertantly pushed causing a FTF. And the one time I put 50 consecutive rounds through it, it began to mis-feed about every other round. Probably got too hot. Well, I guess the size wasn't the only problem. Anyway, the PK380 has solved all of those problems and I'm quite pleased with it. Last Saturday I had the opportunity to sight it in and was really pleased. So, on with the specifics:
Ammunition: Remmingtion FMJ, ball, 95 gr.
Distance: 10 Yards
Sight Adjustment: None needed
Rounds fired: 100
Best Group: 7 rounds in 2 1/4 inch circle
Failure to fire: None
Failure to feed: 1 (double feed)
For me, this was a good trade. I can still cc without issue and the gun fits me much better than the LCP. It might not be so for other people. I bought the First Edition because that's the only one they had and I probably overpaid but I'm happy with the deal.
Pete

 

[jpo117]

Thanks for the report. I've been thinking about one of these since handling the P22--I like the feel but don't really have a use for a smaller 22 like that. It seems like the main advantage of a 380 over a 9mm is that 380s can be made smaller than 9s (like your LCP) at the cost of using a less powerful round. Do you have any insight into how your PK380 compares to a similarly-sized 9mm after your trip to the range?

 

[00BlasterResto]

Great to here, I still havn't gotten out to shoot mine....
How much did you pay for the first addition???
For the extra $30 I payed, I found it worth it just for the extra mag and little holster..

 

[pfeigert]

I paid $70.00 plus the LCP and 3 mags. The First Edition comes with 2 mags
plus a holster. I modified my XDm holster so the PK380 would fit. I works quite well and I prefer a paddle holster.
As for the 9mm comparison, I have a Springfield Armory XDm, 9mm which I really like. It's just a little too big for daily cc. The PK has less recoil and comes back to point of aim very well. Compared to the LCP, the PK is much less violent in recoil and, imo, is quicker to reacquire the target. And, as I mentioned in the report, it just fits my hand better. Using Remmington ammunition in both guns I would say the PK has about 25% less recoil than the
xdm. Hope this helps.
Pete

 

[Mad Man]

I am considering an LCP myself as I find that my Bersa Model 85 is to heavy in my leather vest pocket while out riding my scoot. How does the PK compare in sized to the LCP?

Thanks

 

[colt45er]

I was in PSS on Friday and they have a nice packaged P22 and the PK380 together.

Comes all in one case. I beleive the price was 599 for both....I almost did it...should have done it

 

[pfeigert]

Re: size comparison. The PK is about 25 larger and I doubt it would fit in a vest pocket. I think the LCP would but I'm not sure. Of course, the reason I traded was to get a larger gun. I had no complaints to speak of with the LCP, it just didn't serve my purpose. Pete

 

[gglass]

Congrats on your new Walther.

I don't mean to be a fly in the ointment, but I don't understand how you can be pleased, or even feel confident with the PK380 as your carry weapon.

You said that your hand position was causing the occasional FTF, and I am sure that you can adjust for that... You MUST adjust for that if your life depends on it. You also mentioned that the firearm began mis-feeding every other round. This is the part that would be very disturbing to me. No matter the cause, this should not be happening, and it should give you pause before you use this gun for daily carry.

Here is a link to Todd Jarrett shooting 1000 rounds in 10 minutes from a Para PXT 1911. (Not usually a gun high on my list for reliability.) This is a kind of hot that probably none of use would experience outside of the military, and this gun just keeps chugging along. DOWN RANGE TELEVISION with Michael Bane - Show #1: 1-ON-1 with Todd Jarrett

I REALLY don't want to be a buzz-kill here, but I would look into the feeding issues, before you daily carry it.

Have fun and be safe!

 

[88E30M50]

If I read the OP correctly, the feed issues were coming from the LCP he traded for the PK. I have a PK380 also and have found it to be very reliable. In about 200 rounds, I have not had a single issue other than an issue with reloads that were too light charge wise.

 

[gglass]

Oops! Is my face red. I should have paid for the better sped reding course.

My apologies pfeigert.

 

[00BlasterResto]

Here! let me help you pull that foot out of your mouth

 

[gglass]

Here! let me help you pull that foot out of your mouth

Looking back, I don't think it was my fault. It seems that the OP typed the story too fast.

His fast typing combined with my old-timers disease is a recipe for disaster.

 

[00BlasterResto]

LoL, Agreed.
I also thought he was typeing awful fast, I see where you could have gotten confused

 

[LeeStreet]

I bought a PK 380 about 3 weeks ago, but have not had time to blast a few off yet. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[rjstew317]

i know this thread is a little old, but what the hell.
i was just checking pk380 out today @ roby's in kokomo and i have to say that it is one sexy piece. i have read a lot of threads with guys saying that a .380 isn't enough stopping power, but correct me if i'm wrong, if i put one right between the eyes isn't that a non issue?

 

[VERT]

Yep if you stick it in their ear and pull the trigger they will let go. The larger .380s should pick up a bit of velocity, but the PK380 is no 9mm. It also is not a pocket gun.

 

[VERT]

If I read the OP correctly, the feed issues were coming from the LCP he traded for the PK. I have a PK380 also and have found it to be very reliable. In about 200 rounds, I have not had a single issue other than an issue with reloads that were too light charge wise.

I noticed the same thing with our PK380. Gun does not seem to like the light loads.

 

[Joe Williams]

Cathy looked at, and really liked, the PK380 before getting her Bersa. She rejected it because of the need to use a key to field strip the gun. Neither of us much cared for that.

It does feel nice in the hand, though it seems to be bulkier than the Bersa.

 

[VERT]

Cathy looked at, and really liked, the PK380 before getting her Bersa. She rejected it because of the need to use a key to field strip the gun. Neither of us much cared for that.

It does feel nice in the hand, though it seems to be bulkier than the Bersa.

Agreed. Check out the PK380 review that I posted a couple of hours ago. I basically listed the takedown key as a major fail. Also the saftey is not as nice as the Bersa. Local shop has/had a Bersa new for $250. I almost bought it on impulse. The others were about $20 more so it may have been mismarked.