Walther PK380 Pistol
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Walther has introduced the PK380 pistol: a new .380 ACP handgun based on their very popular Walther P22.
The polymer framed PK380 is not a micro-gun like the Ruger LCP or Sig Sauer P380. Rather, it is a polymer framed compact handgun offering 8+1 rounds of the mild-shooting, but reasonably useful .380 ACP. Weight is under 20 ounces (unloaded), and it sports a 3 2/3″ barrel.
Unlike many of the micro .380′s, the Walther PK380 has very usable sights in a three-dot configuration. The sight radius is a respectable 5.4″. Also, the sights are steel, not plastic.
The new Walther pistol does have a slide-mounted, manual safety. Like the magazine release, the safety is ambidextrous.
Initially, there are three configurations of the PK380: the black, the two-tone, and the black with a laser. A limited-run “First Edition” also will be available for a short time. Limited to only 2000 units, the “First Edition” ships with a nylon holster and is marked as “First Edition” on the slide.
The Walther PK380 features:
- Lightweight Polymer Grip
- External Hammer
- Ambidextrous Magazine Release
- Ambidextrous Manual Safety
- Picatinny-Style Accessory Rail
The handgun only ships with one magazine, a significant drawback in my opinion. The “First Edition” model ships with a second magazine, but sets you back an additional $63.
MSRP is $362 for the black PK380.
[Ed. note: A number of people have e-mailed asking about holsters. Check the article here for holsters for the Walther PK380.]
27 Comments
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:17 am
I think you mean the Sig P238, not P380. Kahr offers a new model named the P380, which is a very small gun.
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Thanks for catching that. Obvious error on my part.
–Richard
October 19th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I just picked up a PK380 last Thursday. The quality of the gun is outstanding, but having bought it sight unseen I now regret doing so. I read reviews that said it was slightly bigger than a P22, but in reality it is about as large as a compact P99. The exposed hammer spur and the pinky finger groove on the magazine make it entirely too big for concealed carry using a pocket holster. Unless you plan on using a belt slide holster for concealed carry look for something else.
January 10th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Actually, this gun fills my hand slightly more than my Walther P-22. I’m very pleased with mine, and I didn’t buy it for maximum ability to conceal it. It’s substantially bigger than, say, a Ruger LCP. I haven’t set mine down next to the new Sig-Sauer 238 (a .380 caliber 1911 style mini-pistol) to compare them, but it seems shorter than the older Sig 232. While it isn’t the smallest possible concealable package, it is a nice medium-size gun. It’s extremely accurate in my hands, even better than my P-22 (I have small hands). It isn’t the kind of gun you slip into a pocket holster and then slip both into your pocket, no. But in my hands, it’s vastly more accurate than something smaller. I love my PK380, it’s exactly what I was looking for.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Everything I expected. I can practice with my P-22 and same ammo expense and get almost the same feel when I switch to the new PK-380. Just exactly what I had hoped it would be. Now, if I could only find plenty of ammo. 380 still hard to get around mid-Tennessee.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Just got my pk380 today. Had to go to a seperate shop to get ammo and more mags. In middle TN, the outpost armory outside of murfreesboro usually has tons of every kind of ammo. They had lots of 380 ammo, defensive and target, where walmart and all of the other shops in town didnt. I have huge hands and the pk 380 fit in my hand perfect. I chose it because I have 2 walther p22s, and wanted a bigger caliber. If it shoots anywhere near as well as my p22, then I’ll be more than happy with it.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:50 pm
How is the recoil? I’ve only shot .22 handgun in the past and the sales rep said that this is very comparable, so I bought it. Haven’t shot it yet but liked that the grip was small enough for my hands, as well as the slide was easier to operate than my husbands 9mm Beretta.
March 4th, 2010 at 12:11 am
I got my PK380 a few days ago. I didn’t even get to shoot it, my wife took it and loved it. She shot about 50 rounds,while I shot my glock 22. She would have shot more but ammo is hard to find. Field stripping it for cleaning is a little difficult you have to use this key that comes with the pistol to brake it down and you can use this same key to lock it, were it will not shoot, if you have kids in the house for safty. All in all it was a good buy
March 6th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I got this for my wife. She likes how easy the slide pulls back. It fits both of us very well. She likes how it handles when she fires it. The break down key and fixed sights are the only draw back that I have found sofar. we are well pleased with it. Ammo is a little hard to get. We plan on reloading.
March 10th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
just got mine and really enjoy shooting it. question: how do you insert the spring during reassembly? have difficulty with that aspect.
March 13th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
John: i have the same problem sometimes with my pk380. the best way i have found to get the spring and rod to compress together is, put both pieces together and put the spring in first while holding the cap of the rod with 2 fingers. hold the spring and rod at a slight angle, with your other hand, use 2 fingers to hold the spring as straight as you can and push the rod through the hole, still at an angle and just lower it onto the barrel. i hope this helps but by now im sure you have accomplished this feat.
March 21st, 2010 at 10:49 am
I just bought my PK380 for home defense and recently applied for my CCW. I hadn’t shot a gun in 20 years (teen time) and for a first purchase and as a female I can say I am impressed. It is light weight and is very accurate and dependable. The only issuse was the 2part spring and rod during reassembling the gun. That would be the only down fall that I could find. Love it!
March 24th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A 2ND CLIP FOR THIS GUN.PK.380???
April 12th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Picked up the PK380 this weekend. It does look and feel a little large for what is supposed to be a small gun, but a side-by-side comparison with my P22 reminded me that it’s mostly in my head. It’s only slightly larger than my P22 so it’s suitable for concealed carry using an inside-the-pants holster (my preference). Haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet, but from what I can tell, it’s better made than the P22. Mine came with two mags and the dual P22/PK380 storage case for $385.
April 13th, 2010 at 10:21 am
Bought the gun for off-duty carry, but one problem, no holsters. I can get ammo galore, but not one Holser? Does anyone know where I can get a good tactical paddle holster for the PK380?
April 13th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Thomas,
High Noon Holsters offers a variety of holsters for the PK380, including the “Speedy Spanky” paddle holster: http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/_Speedy_Spanky/_speedy_spanky.html There are probably other manufacturers as well.
Thanks for stopping by.
–Richard
April 15th, 2010 at 11:05 am
This is a great little firearm!! I am minus 1 leg and get around in a wheelchair and use a walker and this gun is easily concealable. I also have it mounted to the side of my chair for those ” just in case” times. Always ready to deliver a .380 CAL ENEMA to all those miscreants, thugs, and just plain ASSHOLES
April 20th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
I just bought mine this weekend. Couldn’t be happier with it! I had been used to a Bersa Thunder 380 and loved that, but this is even better. I have tiny hands and this fits better than anything I’ve ever tried.
June 2nd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Goggle the clips and holsters. Found a few sites with clips and holsters.
June 17th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I had a tough time trying to decide between a conceal gun tht fits in my pocket or one a little bigger. Ill have to admit it was nice to be able to put a rueger lcp in my pocket and not even know its there. I decided to get the k380 for a few reasons. First it feels like a real gun not a toy. Second the looks of the gun are outstanding. Last with the right holster i put it inside my waistband at 3 o clock and it felt great, nobody in the store could tell where it was either. Walthers are one of the most acurate guns made and as reliable as it gets. All in all the pk380 is a great gun to carry, it feels solid in your hand, and it will go pow everytime you need it to wich is the most important thing in a gun period.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I just purchased a PK380 and had problems compressing the rod spring as well. I ended up using a (.164) hard wood dowel coming in from outside the rod housing hole and through the spring butting up against the rod. The dowel keeps the spring straight while compressing it against the rod. Keep pressure against the dowel while moveing the rod into position untill both the spring and rod are seated. Worked well.
July 9th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
were do i get a laser?or has it even come out yet for the .380
August 14th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Wes: Check out viridiangreenlaser.com. In my opinion they make the best lasers for any pistol.
August 14th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Hi, my husband and I bought guns for anniversary presents this year and I got the pk380 because I’m a horrible shot with a 9mm and 22 I was leaning toward because ammo galore. Wanted to know what the best practice ammo for the pk380 would be. So scarce. Bought Remmington 380JHP (the last box at Bass Pro), just so I’d have it just in case, but I don’t want to spend $28-30something on bullets just for practice. Any help please?
August 17th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I have 2 PK380, one black and one two-tone. They are both very accurate,and fit my hand nice. I shot 8 clips at 50 feet and could put my palm over the pattern. The assembly tool does not bother me, it only takes a minute to use it, and I like the idea of being able to lock the gun with it. The spring and rod takes a little getting use to, but i Finally mastered it and it presents no problem now. One of the nicest feeling gun in the hand that I have ever owned, and alot lighter than my PPK/S. Love it
August 17th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
wondering where to get a extra lock key
August 19th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I got a key from waltheramerica.com