[Blueduck]

Just saw one at pawn shop yesterday for $265. Name brand 9mm with P-38 looks, for that cheap??

Whats the catch???

[rick newland]

The P-1 is what the German Govt called the P-38, they are one in the same. The catch? who knows.

[anapex]

A lot of em coming in surplus from old German contracts, that's about the only catch I've seen for em. Also the P-1 is more then just a renamed P-38 it has an aluminum instead of steel frame and some other things different from a P-38.

[Captain Emo]

There is no catch. Try www.akronarmory.com I have seen the P-1 as low as $210 recently. They are really very nice.

[dfariswheel]

There is NO difference between the POST-war P-38 and the P1.
Both have aluminum frames.

The WWII and earlier P-38 did have steel frames, but after the war, Walther changed the frame to aluminum.

The difference between the post-war P-38 and the P1 is nothing more than the stampings on the slide.

The P-38 marked guns were for commercial sales, German Police use, and foreign military sales.

The P1 marked guns were for use by the West German military.
The "P1" marking was simply the military designation for the gun.

Other than those stamps, the guns are exactly the same, made in the same factory.

There is no "Catch" on the P1's. Exactly the opposite.
Before the recent wave of P1 marked guns, the P-38 marked guns were selling for $400.00 AND UP.

As soon as the current supply of P1's are sold off, the price will climb just like the P-38's did.
Already, the prices being charged for Good-Very Good condition guns is above what New-Like New guns were a year ago.

BUY NOW, you'll kick yourself later if you don't.
These are high-quality guns, and are a "best buy" due to the below value pricing.

[denfoote]

I have one. It's a good shooter!!

[sigma 40ve]

I just got one. It appeared new. When the gunshop employee and myself took it apart before I bought it we couldn't find any old powder, wear marks or anything to indicate any type of use. The mags were still in the wrap. The holster looked new. The only problem I have is that one of the mags tends to have a rds nosedive and stick in the mag without rising up to the top next to the lips. I tried wolff springs and that didn't help. I have looked and looked in comparing that mag to the other one that works fine, can't find any differences. Guess I got a "haunted" mag. I'll get a couple of replacements.

I have always wanted a P-38, ever since I was a kid. I am satisfied with it. It is accurate. Paid $250 for it and the 2 mags and holster. :)

[Wags]

I have purchased three P1's over the last two years. Great little guns for the price! I've only shot the rattiest looking one of the bunch and after over 600 rounds it keeps on ticking. I hope after they dry up that the price shoots through the roof! My other two are in pristine condition and all were under $200.

Only use standard velocity ball ammunition in them. A few folks have had problems with hollow points cycling if you were wondering. The one's that have the hexagon bolt in the frame (manf. after 1976) are supposed to have strengthened the frame cracking problems with higher velocity ammunition. I've only heard of few fame cracking incidents without this hex bolt feature anyway.

Go to www.p38forum.com and do a history search. Some good information about this model.

Wags