Walther PK380 Overview

First introduced into production in 2009, Walther PK380 is a semi-automatic handgun chambered for the popular .380 ACP self defense round. The PK380 and has a similar design to the Walther P22. The several features that are inherent to the PK380 from the P22, are the slide mounted ambidextrous manual hammer-block, non-decocking safety and an external hammer. The magazine release is also ambidextrous and utilizes the Walther style “paddle release” located on the base of the trigger guard. When compared to some other Walther models, the PK380 does not have a slide release lever, therefore, after the last shot is fired and and a new clip has been inserted, the slide must be racked. The slide, barrel, and internal frame are steel, and the grip is polymer for reduced weight. Magazines are single-stack in their design, containing 8 rounds and giving the gun a total capacity of 8+1 rounds. To make this weapon even more versatile, there is an under the barrel Picatinny-style rail which supports a wide range of aftermarket sight and light options.



Just like the P22, the PK380 can shoot double or single action. In contrast to the P22, the major difference between the two pistols is in the action. The PK380 does not operate by blowback, where the slide cycles off of the initial recoil off of the firing cartridge while the bullet travels down the barrel, Instead, the PK380 applies a Browning-type, tilt barrel style action. In this style, the action is not open until the projectile has left the barrel and the pressures have dropped to safe levels. This tilt-barrel design, when coupled with the PK380's relatively tame caliber, make the PK380 a very light-recoiling pistol. In addition to the low recoil advantage, this also allows the slide spring to not have to be near as hefty. That being said, the P380 requires a little less strength to rack the slide and chamber the first round. This increases its appeal, by making it more appealing to those with less strength, such as small-framed women and the elderly.



The PK380 weighs 22.4 ounces (empty), and is 6.5 inches in overall length. The barrel is 3.66 inches in length, the gun is 1.2 inches thick, and 5.2 inches in height. The trigger pull is at almost 7.6 pounds in double action, and about 4 pounds in the single action mode.