Walther P1...my first gun of 2003

[Marko Kloos]

Like a good gun nut, I didn't make it a week into 2003 without buying a new gun to fuel the addic....er, interest.

A collector and old acquaintance at the K-town gun show had a mint Walther P1 in his case, and I'd been wanting my own P1 ever since I left the German Army back in 1993. The P1 was our issue gun, and I wanted one just for nostalgia.

This one came home for $300 out the door, with tax and background check. It's an arsenal refurbished P1, dated 11/82, in what looks like unissued condition after the refurb. The bore is sparkling and shiny, and there's no wear on the gun anywhere.

Now I need to find reasonably priced spare mags.

I forgot how comfortably the P1 fits my hand. I originally intended to use it exclusively as a plinker, but the familiar sights and the good hand fit make me think it may have a life as a "sometimes" carry piece after all.

Anyone know of a decent carry rig for the P1?

 

[dfariswheel]

Most of the better holster maker's list rigs for the Walther.
Bianchi Leather does, or did offer several holsters for the P-38.

I've been very interestingly reading responces on the other post about the P-38/P-1/hot ammo controversy.

I'm almost afraid to "stick my head up" there.

From a gunsmith's perspective, the top cover issue seems to me to be related to three problems:

1. WWII guns that are heavily used/worn, and guns made late in the war with uncertain metal/heat treating, and slave labor.

2. Guns that have the top cover improperly removed and re-installed.
I once had a gentleman loose his top cover and internal parts. After questioning, he admitted a friend had recommended disassembly of the slide to clean it out. When he couldn't get it back together, his buddy (all the while assuring him that this was the right method) pushed everything together, and then beat the cover back into place with a brass hammer.

3. Shooting way too hot reloads or defective ammo that ruptures and just plain blows the cover off.

In almost 40 years I've never seen a top cover loss that wasn't related to one of the above, and top cover losses in general are VERY rare.
From the discussion "over there" it would seem the German army troops had to carry a package of spare top covers to replace all those that were constantly being lost.

 

[sm]

Congratulations! Nice pic.
Interest, addiction...nah...rationalize the purchase--blame runt

Await range report. The"other thread" I found educational-thanks. So...we gonna have pics and range report by both you and runt...??

 

[alamo]

I've got one on the way from SOG. Hope it looks as nice as yours.