Walther PK380 and Glock 42

[LDB415]

Anyone have both the PK380 and the 42? What are your thoughts on the two? Does one have lighter recoil than the other? If you had to choose just one of the two which would it be? Thanks for any and all input.

[68Charger]

Don't have either, but do have a Sig P238 and a P232.

The Glock magazine count is at 6 vs Walther PK380 is at 8. I don't know if round count is a factor in your decision making, but it's a good FYI.

I have seen both at gun shows, and just by handling the two, I feel the Glock 42 can be a bit more concealable where at the Walther PK380 is a bit more bulkier in some areas. If I can remember correctly, the PK380 has a better grip feel to it where you pinky doesn't hang off as much, and better ergonomics.

Either way, I would like to hear someone chime in who actually owns one.

Good luck!

[LabRat]

I don't own both, but do have the PK380.

A very lightweight weapon with a very-easy-to-rack slide. it's actually preferred by some women and older citizens for just this feature alone. Good shooter - accurate. I've read (but don't fully understand) the reason is the design softens the recoil and muzzle rise. It does require a special key to unlock the slide for cleaning - the same key is used to lock the trigger.

The weird side of this weapon is the safety. The way to decock it is go "safe" and pull the trigger to drop the hammer....gives me the shivers to do that with a live round in the chamber. It works, but takes some getting used to. I have a S&W that decocks similarly; move the safety from "fire" to "safe" and the hammer drops. Same result, but it feels weird pulling the trigger to accomplish the same thing.

The ergonomics are good, even with my large hands. It is a .380; debate the caliber choice as you see fit.

Hope this helps a little anyway.

LabRat

[CC Italian]

I own neither but I have shot both. The pk is much bigger and almost twice the weight. It is noticeably larger then my s&w shield. The glock is smaller then my shield by a significant amount. The pk has less recoil then the glock 42 and is easier to rack the slide but neither is hard. I looked hard at the pk for my wife but it is to big for summer carry and a t shirt.

[CC Italian]

What is is the purpose of this gun. Concealed carry, home gun, range gun or maybe significant other?

I like the pk but it is an odd duck. It is about the same length as my glock 27 but the the height of a glock 19 only difference is it's a little thinner and holds less rounds then both. Very similar to my smith 908s in all dimensions. Its' concealable but not small by any means. If you are looking for a low recoil easy to operate .380 that has a decent trigger and doesn't cost an arm and a leg it is a good option. My wife liked it more then the sig 238 but it was just to big unless she wore a baggie t-shirt everywhere. It would be a great beginners gun. The closest .380 gun in its size is probably the Ruger LC380 but it is still much smaller then the pk but the pk has a better trigger. The Ruger is to long and springy for me. I would have got the wife the LC380 it is also easy to operate but I don't think she can get past that trigger.

Just a few notes to help you out.

[LDB415]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I'm debating guns for EDC. I'm sort of leaning toward J frame, G42 or PK380 although I may still look at and consider other options.

[carlson1]

I have owned a Sig P232SL which is very similar to the Walther. The Sig like the Walther has the blowback design so the recoil is much different.

I now own a G42. I like the Glock over the Sig. The biggest difference besides the recoil is the weight of the pistol and the trigger pull on the pistols. My personal opinion is the Glock wins the race by miles.

[CC Italian]

Unless the OP is mistaken he said PK380 Carlson. Not PPK- I know it gets confusing with all the similar names. PPK is blowback. The polymer PK380 is locked breached.

[carlson1]

Unless the OP is mistaken he said PK380 Carlson. Not PPK- I know it gets confusing with all the similar names. PPK is blowback. The polymer PK380 is locked breached.

Your right. My mistake.

[LDB415]

Yes, it's the PK380 and Glock 42 pistols I'm curious about. I'm going to Carter's Monday and check them out. They've got the PK380 in this week's sale flyer for $389. I like the 2 extra rounds. I'll see how they both fit in my hands.

[CC Italian]

Also, it is not out yet but if you like the PK380 the new upcoming Walther CCP is about the same size but in 9mm. This looks like a lower entry level price for a Walther single stack since the PPS is $520 plus. I think there going to go between 440-480 new.

Just a thought

[Kenk]

If you will consider a 9mm, I would suggest you check out the Sig P938. I have a Rosewood model with both 6 and 7 round magazines. It is very easy to rack the slide.....easiest of any 9's I've tried. The recoil is relatively soft too. It fits my hand great and has very good night sights. I carry it either IWB or in the pocket.

Go try them at the local gun store, and then rent the ones you like.

Ken

[bryan1980]

One has to wonder where the PK fits in, what with the number of 9MM, .40, and even .45 caliber pistols that are of similar size. I'm sure that extra size makes it a great shooter, but I'd be willing to trade-off some of that to carry a larger caliber. I'm thinking about getting a .380 at some point for pocket carry, only for those situations where my clothing would preclude me from taking my typical carry gun.

[OldGrumpy]

Don't have both but I do have the PK380. My old hands are not as strong as they once were. This is one sweet little gun. Only drawback is that disassembly and reassembly is somewhat tricky. Cannot believe someone who made such a sweet shooting gun could screw this up so bad.
:

[CC Italian]

Pk 380 was realesed in spring of 09. When 380 was the craze and only a few made the tiny 9s. Where it fits in? New shooter who wants an easy to manipulate semi with low recoil and lower price tag in not a tiny but still concealable size.

But like you said no reason to get one if you can handle a gun even the size of shied xds or Pps. "The bigger of the baby nines".