Walther PK 380

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Walther PK 380
Walther PK 380.jpg
general information
Civil name: Walther PK 380
Manufacturer country: Germany
Weapon Category: Self-loading pistol
alarm weapon
Furnishing
Overall length: 165 mm
Total height: 133 mm
Total width: 31 mm
Weight: (unloaded) 0.550 kg
Sight length : 136 mm
Barrel length : 93 mm
Technical specifications
Caliber : .380 ACP
9 mm PAK
Possible magazine fillings : 8 cartridges
Ammunition supply : Bar magazine
Fire types: Semi-automatic
Visor : U-rear sight and front sight with twilight marks
Mounting system: Weaver / Picatinny rail
Closure : Unlocked ground lock
Charging principle: Recoil loader
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The Walther PK 380 is a self-loading pistol from the German gun manufacturer Walther . Since it was developed as a pure civil weapon, it is the first pistol in Walther's history that is not in use by any authority or armed force.

technology

The PK380 (compact pistol cal. 380ACP) combines the tried and tested Browning-Petter bolt with a polymer grip, making it a lightweight weapon. Since the weapon for automatic bolt safety (missing in the blank firing version) also has a wing safety and no manually operated slide catch, it is only suitable for civil purposes (not least because of the low magazine filling of eight rounds and the militarily uninteresting caliber .380ACP). It was developed as a niche product for the American civil market (since magazines with over ten rounds are not allowed in many states, it only has a single row with eight), where it is offered at a new price of approx. 350 US dollars and is therefore one of the cheapest brand guns in the entire scene is. Despite the passable workmanship and the low price, it could not help but bad criticism that it often inhibits shooting. The reason for this is an extractor that does not reach deep enough, which slips off the edge of the sleeve and does not pull the sleeve reliably when it runs back. Since the extractor is only of essential importance for the function of delayed and locked charging systems, loading jams occur much less frequently with the blank firing variant (which is an unlocked ground lock).

In addition, the weapon is very picky about the right ammunition, so that cartridges whose primers are not too sensitive are not reliably ignited. The fact that there are alternatives on the market with a higher magazine capacity and the stronger 9 mm Luger caliber in a similar size (albeit a little more expensive) limits the commercial success of this model.

The weapon has a laterally adjustable sight with white dimmer grains and a 22 mm Picatinny rail (which allows the attachment of aiming or stabilization aids).

Blank shot variant

In contrast to most alarm guns, the Walther PK 380 is also largely made of steel as a alarm version. In contrast to the sharp model, the barrel casing, the lower frame and possibly also the dismantling bracket are made of cast zinc. The pistol can be fired with either the cocked or the cock cocked ( single / double action trigger ). It has a roller safety device, inertia firing pin and safety catch, so that safe driving is also unlocked and possible with a cartridge in the chamber.

The PK 380 is freely available as a alarm weapon - like all signal, irritant and alarm weapons with PTB stamp (PTB 921) that have been offered in Germany since the mid-1960s - for people aged 18 and over. A small gun license is required to drive outside of your own property .

It is suitable for firing CS and pepper irritant cartridges, blank cartridges and, with a corresponding launch cup, also for firing pyrotechnic ammunition.

The blank firing variant differs from the sharp PK 380 in the following points:

  • The breech and the cartridge chamber have the weakening and predetermined breaking points that are obligatory for alarm weapons .
  • The barrel is firmly connected to the handle to make conversion to live ammunition difficult.
  • The magazine and the handle have been adjusted to 9 mm PAK , so that it is not possible to insert the magazine of the sharp variant.

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