S&W PPK Question

[MikeBjerum]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=13152&storeId=10002&productId=58944&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=43802&isFirearm=Y

While doing a search of pocket pistols (9mm and .380) I came across this.  I am a fan of the thumb safety if not a looooooooong double action trigger pull.  The little devices incorporated into the triggers don't give me any comfort in a pocket situation.

Anyway, looking at the picture it looks like the thumb safety goes up rather than down    Anyone have any knowledge of this?

[garand4life]

Yes it does go up. I found it actually easier to manipulate than most

[WatchManUSA]

Yep, up to shoot and down to safe/decock.

[alfsauve]

There are fundamental differences in the PPK (PP and PPKs)  and the 1911 style "safeties".

The PPK's is slide mounted while the 1911 is frame mounted
The PPK lever rotates ~60degrees while the 1911 only about 15.
The PPK's de-cocks the hammer, blocks (protects) the firing pin, and locks the trigger/sear,
   while the 1911 only blocks the trigger/sear.
The PPK's does not affect the slide operation, while the 1911 locks the slide.

To that end, it makes sense that you sweep the PPK safety up to fire (pointing it at the target), while the 1911 is held down.

The 1911 is "just" a safety.  And while Walther/S&W refer to it as a "safety", the PPK is  a de-cocker and safety.

And yes, before you ask, there are guns, such as the Walther P-99,  that have a de-cocker but not a safety.   The idea being that the gun (much like a revolver) is "safe" in the de-cocked (double action) mode.   No extra safety require.

[Timothy]

My BIL's PPK has a safety that is a bitch to manipulate.  It really needs some work to get it to disengage.  I'm sure it will break in over time but until then, I wouldn't carry it myself.  Of course, you can decock it, take the safety off and carry it double action but it negates the hammer block.  Not something I'd recommend.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Yes it does go up. I found it actually easier to manipulate than most

Easier than most safeties that go up, or easier than most safeties?

I'm not trying to be sold on this gun as much as I am trying to figure out how a person that is used to, and has, guns with thumb safeties that go down would get good at the opposite.  Besides, a big hairy guy in a nice shop showed me a slim 9mm pocket pistol that I am going to test.

[Timothy]

Well, I was weaned on 1911's in the 70's and switched to a Beretta 92SB (FS) in the 80's and now I'm back to 1911's.

I had no trouble at all making the switch.

[twyacht]

After about 17,458 flipping up and down on my PPK/S, and their recall, in which I included a note regarding the "stiffness" of the flipping up to fire, I got it back, and it REALLY HAS LOOSENED UP.

Now in a Don Hume IWB, it rides from time to time with one in the chamber, and flips up without issue. Yes the trigger pull is long, but not as long as my Kel-Tec trigger, plus the SA makes it much better on follow ups shots.

In range practice from holster, as a lefty to boot, my left (strong hand) thumb can flip up the safety, and transition to a shooting stance very quickly. If your a right hander, it should be even easier.

They are built very tight, and even after hundreds of rounds, it still feels tight, but the action itself has become smoother. Especially the formerly bone on bone safety.

It's a good pistol, with a worthy distinction of enough steel to beat the BG with. Unlike a P3AT, or LCP, a Walther can still pistol whip "em"...

Just my two cents. I do enjoy and trust my PPK/S, as with all smaller framed and sized handguns, they require a slight bit of adjustment to a mid or full size model, and as always, practice helps immensely.

[red364]

I like it, I think it's pretty easy to use. I can grab the gun and flip it up with my thumb, point and shoot quite smoothly.