I stole a gun today! Another Walther P88!!!

[nwilliams]

OK so I didn't literally steal a gun, however I almost feel like I did! As some may remember a few weeks ago I walked into my local gun shop and stumbled upon a immaculate Walther P88 for $850 (see thread below).
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=418287

Well today I walked into that same shop and found an even more immaculate P88 for $625!!!!!

In comparison to the first P88 I bought which I would rate at a condition of 7/10, this one is an easy 9.5/10! The serial number is extremely low 0021** but unfortunately it didn't come with anything but a 15rd mag.

Now the big debate, should I keep both or try and sell one? I was thinking two would be nice but then again I'm probably never going to loose money on either one so maybe I should just keep both. Any thoughts?

I finally got around to taking some pictures, here is my new P88!


Here are my two P88's together....

 

[MK11]

Keep them both, use one as a shooter and the other as a back up or spare parts.

 

[Wonder9]

Good for you! I'd snap them up too at those prices.

 

[CPshooter]

Haha, I accidentally posted in your old thread. So now you have two threads on the first page about your Walthers..oops!

 

[kd7nqb]

I understand that retail is upwards of 1k for these why not sell the one you least like with just 1 mag and then you essentially have an even less expensive net total on your new P88

 

[jsbethel]

That has got to be an uncommon occurrence - two P88s in the same gun shop. I have never seen a P88 for sale in any gun shop in my area. I got my P88 last year through TFL forum and my P88C in 1995 through a Gun List ad.

 

[nwilliams]

Interestingly the new P88 has a few differences over my first one. The one with the earlier serial number (the one I got today) has an adjustable front sight and the rear sight is much taller than on my other P88. Also my first P88 has a groove down the length of the slide whereas my new P88 does not (see pic 1). Also the trigger bar (I think that's what it's called) on the right side of the gun is shaped differently and the one on my first P88 is longer (see pic 2).

My new P88 is the bottom one


My new P88 is the bottom one

 

[jsbethel]

My P88 is an early model with the rounded slide and taller sights.

 

[wnycollector]

Nwilliams...I told you before to watch out for "walther-itis"! Congrats on the new P88!

My shooting buddy have a little walther addiction as well...he currently has 25 counting the new to him Manhurin PP .32 he bought last week. He is currently in negotiation w/ his wife for bidding on a P5!

 

[Eightball]

I've never seen that thing before.

Now I kinda want one.

AS for your original question---how's the phrase go, "Two is one, one is none?" Keep 'em both--it's not like they're 686's or something common.

 

[nwilliams]

Yeah I'm pretty much certain that I'm going to hang on to it for a while. If I run into a situation where I'm in desperate need of money then I'll sell one.

As you mentioned Eightball if they were something common then one would probably be enough. However since they are pretty hard to come by I'll consider myself lucky that I have two. I'll shoot one and keep the other as kind of an investment.

 

[lechiffre]

there is a two letter date code just above where the trigger guard meets the frame on the starboard side. the earlier model (the one with the dovetailed front sight) is less common. i am not sure,but i think the change was made after only a year or two.

date code:

A=0
B=1
C=2
D=3
E=4
F=5
G=6
H=7
I=8
K=9

for more information try the walther forums



http://www.waltherforums.com/
__________________

 

[lechiffre]

the reference that i have "walther pistols model 1 through p99" by dieter marschall states that the old slide was made from from 1/87 - 12/87.

 

[nwilliams]

According to the date code listed by lechiffre above the dates indicate my lower serial numbered P88 (00255*) was made in 1988(II) and my higher serial numbered P88 (00885*) was made in 1990(KA). Most of the sources I looked at indicated that the P88 was produced between 1988 and 1996 so they must not have waited long to make the changes.

 

[outerlimit]

I tell ya, I can't afford it and I don't wanna trade any guns, but if I saw a 9.5 Walther P88 at $625 I'd whip out my credit card so fast..

 

[nwilliams]

I tell ya, I can't afford it and I don't wanna trade any guns, but if I saw a 9.5 Walther P88 at $625 I'd whip out my credit card so fast..

That pretty much sums up what happened, I think I spent all of maybe a few seconds pondering over whether or not to take it home

 

[searcher451]

I've been looking for more than two years for a P88. I check a half-dozen shops regularly and also have the owners on alert for one. To date: nothing. How is it work that you get two -- both at great buys -- and the rest of us get nothing at any price? It's not fair, I tell you. Not fair at all.

 

[nwilliams]

If I decide to sell one of them searcher451 I'll let you know and I'll give you a good deal