Made it to range today to try out the PPK/S I picked up yesterday. Figured I’d bring along the Emissary and knock out another 100 rounds of FMJ on my way to 500 before .45 JHPs.
Since I was just basically running rounds through the Emissary, through up the target at 7yds, then 10 fast rounds into each circle which resulted in some mag reloading practice (always good). Shooting PMC Bronze 230g w/830 fps at muzzle. No surprises other than three of four grip screws starting coming loose.
Next up was the never fired PPK/S. Fired 50 rounds of Federal American Eagle Lead Free Ball at 3 yds into circles 1, 2 and 3, with #2 being the first 10 rounds. Then #1, then #3. I had gained a blister from yard work a couple days ago and it was no fan of this little gun.
Moved on to 50 rounds of Freedom Munitions X-Def 95g HPs w/1050 FPS at muzzle. These were fired at circles #5 and #6 at 5 yds. 10 into each until 50 gone. I started flinching a lot as the skin on thumb web blister kept getting rubbed across during recoil.
Last, but not least, I put up everybody’s favorite…TACTICAL DUDE!
Instead of the usual 50 for the drill, I only used 35 Federal Premium LE Hydra Shock 90g JHP w/1000 FPS at muzzle. Saved the remaining 15 to use as a carry load until I can get some more .380.
5 in each shoulder at 3 yards, slow fire
10 center at 5 yards fast 7+1, followed by mag reload and 2 more (the high two rounds over center were the DA shots fired first round of each magazine)
Back to 3 yards with 5 strings of 2 to center, 1 to head, DA on every first shot. High head shot was last I fired.
Not a bad trip, though I’ll reserve judgement on the PPK/S until a proper range trip where I’m not flinching over a blister on my shooting hand.
Some thoughts on the PPK/S:
That first DA trigger pull is CRAZY. Smooth but a lot of serious trigger pull weight, more than any DA I’ve ever shot. Certainly make it easy to carry in decocker mode with no safety concerns!
Sights are good but after 3-4 shots I couldn’t really focus on them anymore and pretty much went to target focused shooting trying to line up sights before firing. Sights are TINY and my trifocals and astigmatism don’t help. Still get the job done though.
Of the 135 rounds I fired, it wasn’t until round #109 and #119 I got a failure to feed. I did no extra lubrication since yesterday after I cleaned it so it could have been starting to get dirty, though those were only two issues. I’m leaning more towards I likely limp wristed the gun anticipating recoil and a blister scrape. Especially since after #119 no more issues but I was intent on firmly gripping gun regardless. Both those misfires were easily corrected by a quick slide pull and release. I won’t judge reliability until I shoot without distraction (blister).
Gun was crazy filthy when I got home and cleaned it, though being stainless, makes cleaning a pretty quick process. Yesterday I used Battle Born grease to lubricate it since it was steel on steel and first time out. After cleaning today, I used Shooter’s lube and that’s what will be on it next range trip.
Very happy with acquiring this little blaster!
Since I was just basically running rounds through the Emissary, through up the target at 7yds, then 10 fast rounds into each circle which resulted in some mag reloading practice (always good). Shooting PMC Bronze 230g w/830 fps at muzzle. No surprises other than three of four grip screws starting coming loose.
Next up was the never fired PPK/S. Fired 50 rounds of Federal American Eagle Lead Free Ball at 3 yds into circles 1, 2 and 3, with #2 being the first 10 rounds. Then #1, then #3. I had gained a blister from yard work a couple days ago and it was no fan of this little gun.
Moved on to 50 rounds of Freedom Munitions X-Def 95g HPs w/1050 FPS at muzzle. These were fired at circles #5 and #6 at 5 yds. 10 into each until 50 gone. I started flinching a lot as the skin on thumb web blister kept getting rubbed across during recoil.
Last, but not least, I put up everybody’s favorite…TACTICAL DUDE!
Instead of the usual 50 for the drill, I only used 35 Federal Premium LE Hydra Shock 90g JHP w/1000 FPS at muzzle. Saved the remaining 15 to use as a carry load until I can get some more .380.
5 in each shoulder at 3 yards, slow fire
10 center at 5 yards fast 7+1, followed by mag reload and 2 more (the high two rounds over center were the DA shots fired first round of each magazine)
Back to 3 yards with 5 strings of 2 to center, 1 to head, DA on every first shot. High head shot was last I fired.
Not a bad trip, though I’ll reserve judgement on the PPK/S until a proper range trip where I’m not flinching over a blister on my shooting hand.
Some thoughts on the PPK/S:
That first DA trigger pull is CRAZY. Smooth but a lot of serious trigger pull weight, more than any DA I’ve ever shot. Certainly make it easy to carry in decocker mode with no safety concerns!
Sights are good but after 3-4 shots I couldn’t really focus on them anymore and pretty much went to target focused shooting trying to line up sights before firing. Sights are TINY and my trifocals and astigmatism don’t help. Still get the job done though.
Of the 135 rounds I fired, it wasn’t until round #109 and #119 I got a failure to feed. I did no extra lubrication since yesterday after I cleaned it so it could have been starting to get dirty, though those were only two issues. I’m leaning more towards I likely limp wristed the gun anticipating recoil and a blister scrape. Especially since after #119 no more issues but I was intent on firmly gripping gun regardless. Both those misfires were easily corrected by a quick slide pull and release. I won’t judge reliability until I shoot without distraction (blister).
Gun was crazy filthy when I got home and cleaned it, though being stainless, makes cleaning a pretty quick process. Yesterday I used Battle Born grease to lubricate it since it was steel on steel and first time out. After cleaning today, I used Shooter’s lube and that’s what will be on it next range trip.
Very happy with acquiring this little blaster!
Last edited:
). Sure wish I had it back
.