Walther PPK

As you all know, I have sent my Smith & Wesson version of the Walther PPK/S back to the factory for the needed recall repair.  In the meantime, while I was awaiting the return of the Smith & Wesson Walther PPK, I purchased an older Interarms version. 

There is a slight difference in the size of the tang (beaver tail) as the Interarms version is a bit smaller.  Other than that the Walther PPK/S models produced by Smith & Wesson and Interarms appear similar.

Today, I went to the range to fire my Interarms version and was very disappointed.  The gun would occasionally misfire as the gun would not always fire when the hammer fell.  This was a big letdown for the day at the range to say the least.  When it did fire properly, the Interarms Walther PPK/S was accurate and stable.

After the range failure I pulled the gun apart with a friend and we discovered that the firing pin spring and the signal indicator spring were both in need of replacement.  At this point a call was made to Smith & Wesson Walther America to order the parts.

Unbelievable as this may sound, the customer service representative relayed that the Smith & Wesson parts would not work with the Interarms Walther PPK/S.  I was actually advised to call Germany!  Thankfully, I spoke to Earl’s Gun Repair in Tewksbury, MA and was told the truth about the parts situation.

According to Earl, who is very knowledgeable in the Walther arena,  all the American made Walthers share the same parts heritage.  All the castings are made by Pine Tree Castings in Newport NH and the springs are made by Connecticut Springs.  Evidently, both companies produced parts for Interarms in the past and presently for Smith & Wesson Walther PPK and Walther PPK/S models.

With this knowledge in hand, I finally ordered both parts from Smith & Wesson.  The firing pin spring part number ordered is 33025.  The signal indicator spring ordered is part number 500349.  Add to this the minimum shipping charge and the grand total was $12.76 delivered.  The order should arrive by next Thursday.  I will post how the parts install and work in the Interarms Walther PPK/S when the repairs have been completed.