Walther PPK .380 Auto
Model: 4796002
Walther PPK .380 Auto
Model: 4796002
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Walther PPK in .380 ACP is a steel-frame DA/SA pocket pistol with a 3.3" barrel, a six-round magazine and a weight of 19.0 oz. Walther credits it with creating the concealed carry pistol category. At $969 the buyer is paying for steel, a decocker and the name, and the choice is between that and newer .380s that hold more.
Lowering the safety lever decocks the hammer, so the first shot is a long double-action pull and follow-ups are single action. The Walther PPK/S costs the same and weighs the same, and its longer grip takes a bigger magazine. The Sig Sauer P238 Nitron is a single-action-only micro 1911 in .380 that weighs 3.8 oz less, but it is carried cocked and locked. The Sig Sauer P365-380 holds ten rounds and takes an optic.
Buy the PPK if you want a slim steel DA/SA pistol with a decocker and you value the history as much as the specs. Skip it if capacity matters more: the P365-380 carries more rounds and a red dot.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The decocking safety lets you carry hammer down and fire the first shot double action, with no need to manually lower the hammer.
- The steel frame gives it a solid, slim feel, and the loaded chamber indicator shows its status at a glance.
- At 1.0" wide it is slimmer than the P238 or the P365-380, which matters more for concealment than its length.
- The high tang is short, and the PPK is known for slide bite on the web of the hand of shooters who grip high.
- Six rounds is low next to modern .380 micro-compacts, and Walther lists no optic cut or accessory rail for it.
- The double-action first pull is long and heavy, which takes practice to shoot well.
Category Rankings
How the Walther PPK .380 Auto ranks among subcompact .380 Auto handguns.
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Alternatives to Consider
Similar subcompact .380 Auto handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Walther PPK/S .380
Walther
|
— |
|
Bersa Thunder 380
Bersa
|
— |
|
Glock G42 .380 Auto
Glock
|
— |
|
Kimber Micro .380 Auto
Kimber
|
— |
|
Ruger LCP II .380 Auto
Ruger
|
— |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the PPK and the PPK/S?
The PPK/S has a longer grip that takes a bigger magazine. Walther lists the two at the same price and weight, and both share the barrel length and the DA/SA decocking action.
Is Walther still making the PPK?
Not at the moment. On November 18, 2025 Walther announced a multi-year pause in PPK, PPK/S and PP production for a reengineering and modernization program, and said the current-generation inventory had already been sold into the market. Walther calls it a new chapter rather than the end of the PPK.
How does the PPK safety work?
Rotating the safety lever down decocks the hammer and puts the gun on safe. Push it up to fire; the first shot is double action.
Is a .380 PPK still a sensible carry gun?
Yes, if you shoot it well. It is slim and easy to conceal, but you accept fewer rounds and more weight than a polymer .380 in exchange for steel and a DA/SA trigger.
