Walther PPK v Mauser HSc

[Ganderite]

I took a selection of both pistols to the range and used them to burn up some dumb ammo I loaded 20 years ago. I wanted the brass to make better ammo.

The bullets were both lead bullets of about 80 gr. One was loaded hot (950 fps) and the other quite mild. I was concerned it would not cycle the actions, but it did.

I shot at 10 yards. Plenty far for these short sight radius guns with tiny sights. All of them shot decent groups and close to POA. I was impressed.

The PPK, once again, surprised me with how well it works and how well it shoots.

The HSc is a bit bigger and feels a bit better in the hand. It might be better compared to the Walther PP. I will take some PPs out and compare them with some Beretta 1955s.

The only mod to these pistols is a painted front sight. Florescent orange. One pistol was unpainted and I found it more difficult to aim.

I handload 32ACP. Smallest caliver I load. Only problem I have is that the shellholder does not quite fit. I will search for a better fit.

The two loads were different lengths. The one at 0.980" (close to max length) fed and chambered perfectly in all guns. The shorter one would not feed reliably in the HScs. For a round nose bullet I suggest 0.978" to 0.982"

 

[NAA]

Where're you sourcing your bullets to reload .32ACP?

I picked up some Lee carbide dies at our last 2 day gunshow & will probably give it a try for my Walther PP and the Colt 1903 pockets I have.

--------
NAA.

 

[Calahan]

I've never reloaded for 32, so mine have only used factory ammo with jacketed bullets... do you see any difference in accuracy (such as it is) between jacketed / non-jacketed bullets?

 

[dan belisle]

I took a selection of both pistols to the range and used them to burn up some dumb ammo I loaded 20 years ago. I wanted the brass to make better ammo.

The bullets were both lead bullets of about 80 gr. One was loaded hot (950 fps) and the other quite mild. I was concerned it would not cycle the actions, but it did.

I shot at 10 yards. Plenty far for these short sight radius guns with tiny sights. All of them shot decent groups and close to POA. I was impressed.

The PPK, once again, surprised me with how well it works and how well it shoots.

The HSc is a bit bigger and feels a bit better in the hand. It might be better compared to the Walther PP. I will take some PPs out and compare them with some Beretta 1955s.

The only mod to these pistols is a painted front sight. Florescent orange. One pistol was unpainted and I found it more difficult to aim.

I handload 32ACP. Smallest caliver I load. Only problem I have is that the shellholder does not quite fit. I will search for a better fit.

The two loads were different lengths. The one at 0.980" (close to max length) fed and chambered perfectly in all guns. The shorter one would not feed reliably in the HScs. For a round nose bullet I suggest 0.978" to 0.982"

I own both. Find the ppk slightly more accurate. Yes, handloading 32 acp is a pita. - dan

 

[Calahan]

I own both. Find the ppk slightly more accurate. Yes, handloading 32 acp is a pita. - dan

I have a PPK (and really like it), but never got around to putting an HSc in my safe - there always seemed to be something else that I was interested in that distracted me whenever an HSc caught my eye. I reload for all the larger calibres (9mm, 38/357, 40S&W, 44, 45) but never bothered getting set up for loading the smaller calibres. I just don't shoot the little guys enough to make it worthwhile, though the way ammo prices have gone the past few years has got me reconsidering that.

 

[Calahan]

...The only mod to these pistols is a painted front sight. Florescent orange. One pistol was unpainted and I found it more difficult to aim...

It is surprising to some people just how accurate these smaller guns can be. The limiting factor for me is the sights. Most 12(6) owners are (like me) old enough that their eye's just ain't what they used to be, and I've struggled with different prescription strengths of safety glasses trying to find the perfect strength that lets me clearly see the target and the (tiny) sights. I'll have to try painting the front sights as you have done - it has often occurred to me to do that, but I haven't (yet). Did you use any special kind of paint? I'd want to be sure that it could be easily and cleanly removed.

 

[marshall]

I have done a few, I find a coat of white base, then orange or red works good, I just use what ever is around usually spray, just spray on a q tip
if you just put red on a black sight, don't do much, too dark. Hot pink works good, a fashion statement
Brake cleaner, stripper would clean it off, never bothered, unless it was one I was selling.
Fresh paint will strip with solvent as well, even a bit of heat from a match will solfen it
Back a few yrs ago pre surgery for cataracts, I had a eye piece that clipped on my glasses, adjustable and it would change focal point, worked great with target pistols.
Sold it at last gun show as I don't need it any more.

At one time , when young and stupid, thought about loading .25ACP, soon found out life is too short to do stupid stuff, these days ,I would have time.
Should have hung on to the BB or the 1908 colt.

 

[JasonGTA]

Good shooting, I'v taken mine out once this year with ammo I bought a few years back when it was cheap. Saw the price is now over a dollar a round and can't bring myself to bring them out again

 

[Ganderite]

I've never reloaded for 32, so mine have only used factory ammo with jacketed bullets... do you see any difference in accuracy (such as it is) between jacketed / non-jacketed bullets?

I have not paid a lot of attention to accuracy. I have loaded lead bullets, FMJ and plated. They work well.

The only thing I have noticed is that the OAL should be near max for 100% function. The HSc will not feed short rounds.

I shoot pocket guns at 10 yards and am always pleased at how well they group.