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Feedback on Walter P1/P38 pistols

WorkingzombieWorkingzombie Member Posts: 235 ✭✭✭
edited March 2008 in Ask the Experts
Would appreciate opinions on the Walter P1/P38 pistols--From those who have owned or shot them.

I seen these for quite awhile for sale at AIM, Gander Mountain, etc., for about $300. I understand that these version are former police sidearms, and have a aluminum alloy slide.

Part of me is attracted to them, because of the historical link these pistols have with WW2. But I am also wary about aluminum alloy slide, that they may not be as good as other guns.I also understand in the last years of the war, the quality of German manufacturing went downhill, especially with the P38's.

How's the trigger pull? Decently accurate? Reliable? Would you recommend these as a good entry level 9mm for a person on a budget?
Thanks in advance for your time and input.
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Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The frame is made out aluminum, not the slide. They were used by the West German Army, not the police. There are two basic versions of this pistol. Get the later production version with the frame reinforced with a steel bolt, you will be O.K. The early version without the bolt has given some folks problems with the frame cracking, if a lot of hot loads have been fired in it.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    These were made after WWII, so there is little historical connection. If you could have bought one at $240, the approximate price when they were first offered, & you just wanted a plinker, fine, but not really a good value today. They are difficult to shoot accurately because of the heavy trigger pull & poor sights, so I can't recommend it as a "starter".

    In the $300 range I'd look at a used S&W stainless 9mm, & there are numerous models available.

    Neal
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  • Wehrmacht_45Wehrmacht_45 Member Posts: 3,377
    edited November -1
    I had the early production ones, without the reinforcement. It eventually cracked the slide, but it was a great pistol. DA trigger pull is heavy, but I had no difficulty shooting accurately with it. They are really great little guns. I also recommend overhauling them with new Wolff springs. Mine was pretty weak in that area when I got mine in 04.
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  • jhimcojhimco Member Posts: 2,075 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They are decent if you are a collector.
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  • rhmc24rhmc24 Member Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rufe pretty well covered the pertinent facts. The P1 is a very pleasant pistol to shoot. I like it. True the DA pull is heavy but it is there ir you want to use it. The P38 design was something of a revolution in the 1930s when it replaced the Luger as the latest and greatest in the German army.

    I got one of the early P1 releases. It came in a sealed Walther rebuild package. The only thing original was the frame (with the reinforcement cross bolt) and the plastic grips. Every other part was new. A little touch up of the black on the frame and on the grips, I had a new gun. At about $240, one of the best deals I ever had.
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