Certain firearms have a special appeal that goes beyond just being a gun. Usually, it’s because they are connected to popular culture—whether it’s books, movies, TV shows, or video games. However, it’s quite rare for a single firearm to be associated with multiple types of media. That is the case with the Walther PPK, whose identity is linked to the works by Ian Fleming and his famous character James Bond.
A Living Legend
“Walther PPK. 7.65 mm, with a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window. Takes a Brausch silencer with very little reduction in muzzle velocity. The American CIA swear by them.”
This exchange was between Major Boothroyd and James Bond in Dr. No, the sixth book in Fleming’s iconic series. It depicts the scene in which Bond is first introduced to the Walther PPK. While the exchange is simple, Fleming’s adoption of the Walther PPK was anything but.
In earlier novels, James Bond carried a quaint Beretta M418 chambered in .25 Auto (if anybody has one for sale, let me know…). By any standard (especially when looking through a modern lens), the M418 is an underpowered pocket pistol. So much so that it drew the ire of Scottish firearms enthusiast Geoffrey Boothroyd, who wrote to Fleming to criticize his choice of pistol.
Boothroyd thought the Beretta was an impractical pistol for a spy. He wrote, “In particular, I dislike a man who comes into contact with all sorts of formidable people using a .25 Beretta. This sort of gun is really a lady’s gun, and not a really nice lady at that.” Scathing remarks (by British gentleman standards) to the Bond biographer.
In his letter, Boothroyd offered advice on better weapons and holsters, pointing out the Beretta’s limitations and suggesting alternatives. Fleming was impressed by Boothroyd’s knowledge and took his advice, switching Bond’s sidearm to a Walther PPK beginning with Dr. No.
As a thank-you, Fleming named Bond’s armorer character “Major Boothroyd,” who would evolve into the beloved “Q” in the film series. (Originally, Boothroyd suggested a .357 Magnum revolver, like from Smith & Wesson. But Fleming preferred the looks of a semi-automatic. Bond would have looked too Western with an American wheel gun, anyway.)
Fleming phased out the Beretta in the novels after it snagged in Bond’s holster in From Russia With Love. From then on, James Bond became synonymous with the Walther PPK.
Why Bother with the PPK?
The modern PPK builds on Bond’s legacy and iconography. While the pistol is steeped in history, its use in novels, on the screen, and in video games (such as the legendary GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64) has given it staying power.
Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, Walther has decided to pause all production of the PPK (as well as the PP and PPK/S). Walther is now entering a “multi-year reengineering and modernization program.” I’m not sure what that means, but hopefully it will return in the coming years.
The appeal of the PPK (and PPK/S) for modern shooters lies in its status as a pop culture icon. It doesn’t perform well by today’s standards. The .32 ACP is underpowered compared to current 9mm options, the sights are notably lacking, and even the magazine release placement feels awkward. Additionally, the pistol’s capacity is half that of most other guns of similar size.
So why buy one? Honestly, because it’s cool and it’s a piece of pop culture history. It’s the gun of James Bond—doesn’t that alone make it worth owning?
The PPK-SD
This past year, for the first time in the history of the PPK, a factory threaded model was introduced. And, because of this, I decided that 2025 would be the year to add a PPK to my collection.
Previously, if you wanted to build a threaded barrel PPK, you had to take two pistols and cannibalize them, specifically a PP and a PPK. Of course, that wasn’t something you should do at home but rather a job for a qualified gunsmith, which took time and money. This wasn’t really an affordable or practical project. But why suppress a PPK?
First, because the PPK uses a fixed barrel, suppression is easy, as there is no need for a Nielsen device (also known as a booster). Next, there is a link to the films. In many of the movies, James Bond used a suppressor-equipped PPK—even when the films often used a P99 or PPK/S for suppressed use. So, of course, fans of the franchise needed a threaded model for their collection.
The SD variant is only offered in .32 ACP, not .380 ACP. This might upset some, but it’s due to engineering issues caused by the pressure spike when shooting the .380 ACP. Furthermore, the .32 ACP does offer an exceptional shooting experience (more on that in a moment).
Quick Specs
The following are the Specs for the PPK SD:
- Model(s): PPK SD
- Caliber: 32 ACP
- Capacity: 7+1
- Sights: Fixed front and rear
- Optic Cut: No
- Finish: Stainless
- Barrel Length: 3.3”
- Overall Length:6.8”
- Width at Grip: 1”
- Height: 4”
- Weight: 24 ounces
- Price: $1,199.00 MSRP
Shooting the PPK SD
While some might see this as a collector’s piece, which I definitely do, that doesn’t mean it’s automatically sidelined for safe duty. No, sir, that is NOT how I operate. Guns are made to be shot, and that’s exactly what I plan to do with any of them that enter my collection. So shortly after acquiring the PPK SD, I headed to the range.
For ammunition, I used 32 Auto from Steinel Ammo, a local company to me. They offer 32 ACP with a 71-gr full-metal-jacket (FMJ) round, which is a standard load. To be honest, the gun shot fine and didn’t do anything special. As mentioned earlier, the sights left much to be desired—especially if you have poor eyesight like me. The trigger pull in double-action is incredibly heavy, but luckily, the single-action is much more manageable.
The main reason I selected this version was to shoot it suppressed, and that’s what I did.
The Suppressor
For the suppressor, I used a Silencerco Omega 36M. This is a modular 9mm suppressor capable of handling up to .338 Lapua Magnum. When working with the PPK SD, I had the 36M in its short configuration. To be fair, this is a pretty hefty can for such a small gun. Something like the Silencerco Spectre or the new Spectre K would be ideal. But you also have to use what you have, and a new suppressor isn’t in the cards right now.
One important note: unless you’re using an eccentric-style suppressor where the bore is above the centerline, the sights are blocked. So, this setup is really meant for close-range work.
Again, thanks to the fixed barrel, this pistol is a pleasure to shoot suppressed. It is hearing-safe as the ammo was already subsonic. It might not be “movie quiet,” but you could certainly understand why it might be a good choice for sleuthing around.
Zooming Out
For 2025 and onward, my goal is to make gun collecting fun again. A PPK SD definitely fits that bill. While it might not be the most practical gun out there—certainly not compared to modern slimline pistols—it has a personality that many modern firearms lack.
When you pick up a PPK, whether it’s a new one, an original pre-war model, or even an Interarms import, the gun instantly transports you into a world of espionage, all because Ian Fleming followed the advice of a disgruntled fan. But it’s a shame that as soon as Walther released a threaded version of the PPK, they halted production.
If you see one in the wild, pounce on it. You never know when you’ll find another one.
