Gunsmithing Re-barreling a PPK

mountainman308

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 20, 2012
499
328
WV, USA
Here is my quandary: my girlfriend loves her PPK in 380 ACP, but she wants a little more punch in it. Would it be possible to rebarrel her PPK to 357 sig? If it is, what would be the ballpark cost? I realize that the two cartridges have vastly different shapes, one being tubular and one being necked, but is the necked profile of the 357 sig incompatible with the internal dimensions of the slide and barrel, or could it be done? Additionally, could the mags accept and feed 357 sig reliably with a little modification? I realize I'd be cutting it close in regards to OAL of the 357 sig round fitting inside the PPK mag, but could it be done?
 
Re: Re-barreling a PPK

LOL this is to funny. No it will not work. No way in hell and I doubt you could even find a gunsmith drunk enough to think he could try and accomplish such a task. Take a 40 S&W and place it in the magazine then on the bolt face then up to the barrel. Its a no go on all accounts. I would however make it a 9mm para and just work up a load for it that doesn't damage the frame at all.
 
Re: Re-barreling a PPK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TGagnon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would however make it a 9mm para and just work up a load for it that doesn't damage the frame at all.</div></div>Even if 9mm para fit into the magazine, which it won't, how would you get a direct blowback to handle the pressure?
 
Re: Re-barreling a PPK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TGagnon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LOL this is to funny. No it will not work. No way in hell and I doubt you could even find a gunsmith drunk enough to think he could try and accomplish such a task. Take a 40 S&W and place it in the magazine then on the bolt face then up to the barrel. Its a no go on all accounts. I would however make it a 9mm para and just work up a load for it that doesn't damage the frame at all. </div></div>

The guys at Red Jacket could do it in a heartbeat.
 
Re: Re-barreling a PPK

I would ream it out to 9mm para. Making a magazine wouldn't be too difficult as I would just remove material from the mag well till I could fit a 9mm para round plus .060 for the sheet metal of the magazine. I can make my own mags which has proven to be a fun set of projects. Then I would work up loads with different powders till I got reliable function without damaging the firearm. The pressures wouldn't be very similar to 9mm para but it would shoot a tad bit faster.