Walther PP

Walther PP
Original Walther PP pistol
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originGermany[1]
Service history
In service1929–present
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerCarl Walther Waffenfabrik
Designed1929
ManufacturerCarl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen
Produced1929–present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 675 g (23.8 oz) (.22 LR)
  • 660 g (23 oz) (.32 ACP)
  • 665 g (23.5 oz) (.380 ACP)
  • 850 g (30 oz) (9×18mm Ultra)
Length170 mm (6.7 in)
Barrel length
  • 98 mm (3.9 in)
Width30 mm (1.2 in)
Height109 mm (4.3 in)
Cartridge
ActionStraight blowback
Muzzle velocity
  • 305 m/s (1,000.7 ft/s) (.22 LR)
  • 320 m/s (1,049.9 ft/s) (.32 ACP)
  • 256 m/s (840 ft/s) (.380 ACP)
  • 320 m/s (1,050 ft/s) (9×18mm Ultra)
Feed systemMagazine capacity:
  • 10 (.22 LR)
  • 8 (.32 ACP)
  • 7 (.380 ACP and 9×18mm Ultra)
SightsFixed iron sights, rear notch and front blade

The Walther PP (German: Polizeipistole, or police pistol) series pistols are blowback-operated semi-automatic pistols, developed by the German arms manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen.[9]

It features an exposed hammer, a double-action trigger mechanism,[10] a single-column magazine, and a fixed barrel that also acts as the guide rod for the recoil spring. The series includes the Walther PP, PPK, PPK/S, and PPK/E models. The Walther TPH pocket pistol is a smaller calibre pistol introduced in 1971 which is identical in handling and operation to the PPK.

Various PP series are manufactured in Germany, France and the United States.[11] In the past, the PPK version was manufactured by Walther in its own factory in Germany, as well as under licenses by Manurhin in France; Interarms in Virginia, and by Smith & Wesson in Maine. Since 2018, PPK and PPK/S models have been built at the factory of US-based subsidiary Walther Arms, Inc.[12][13]

The PP and the PPK were among the world's first successful double action semi-automatic pistols. The PPK and PP are still manufactured by Walther, but the PP went out of production between 1999 and 2024[14] and have been widely copied. The design inspired other pistols, among them the Soviet Makarov, the Hungarian FEG PA-63, the Polish P-64, the American Accu-Tek AT-380 II, and the Argentine Bersa Thunder 380. The PP and PPK were popular with both European police and civilians for being reliable and concealable. During World War II, they were issued to the German military (officers), including the Luftwaffe, as well as the uniformed Ordnungspolizei and plainclothes detectives of the Kriminalpolizei.[1]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Bishop2002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Huon, Jean (September 2013). "The Chaco War". Small Arms Review. Vol. 17, no. 3. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  3. ^ Katz, Sam (24 March 1988). Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2). Men-at-Arms 128. Osprey Publishing. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-85045-800-8.
  4. ^ "The airman's guide to survival". Forces and Firepower. BBC News. 18 December 1998.
  5. ^ Toft, Mike (Summer 2016). "Reality of War: Tornado GR1 1,000lb GPB Low-Level Loft Delivery". Air Power Review (First Gulf War 25th Anniversary - Special Edition). Royal Air Force: 130–133.
  6. ^ "Stock Photo - Royal Air Force Harrier GR7 pilot FLT Lt Scott Morley puts his personal Walther PPK pistol into his flying suit as he prepares before his mission over Iraq from their base in their base in Kuwait, March 21, 2003". Alamy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  7. ^ "2003 Op Telic". Fourfax.co.uk. 7 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Keeping it Quiet: Suppressor Use by Jihadis, Militants & More". CalibreObscura.com. 19 July 2018.
  9. ^ "About Walther". Walther Arms. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Janes-Infantry-Weapon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Customer Support". Walther America. Archived from the original on 17 November 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  12. ^ "About Walther". Walther Arms. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Walther PPK". Walther Arms. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Walther Arms Announces the Return of a Legend: The New Walther PP". The outdoor wire. Retrieved 1 October 2024.