Opinon on Walther P5C needed.

[doctorhumbert]

I am considering to add Walther P5C to my collection. Has anyone tried one of these? Are they justified for near $1000 price tag? Are they accurate out of short barrels? Reliability? Concealability? Do they live up to Walther mystique?

 

[tetchaje1]

I know that there is a following among P5 owners that is almost as dedicated as the HK P7 cultists (of which I am a part ).

From what I understand, the P5 is an excellent gun with good ergonomics, great reliability and accuracy, and a smooth trigger. The downsides that I have read listed here and on TFL are that the triggers are pretty heavy for the first DA shot and the decocker is kind of funky.

 

[Handy]

My brother has a P5 (slightly larger). It is beautifully constructed (not a tool mark in it), well conceived and interesting looking.

$1000? No. The inherent accuracy (as you'll see from the test target the gun comes with) is really ho-hum. It is a better pistol than the P1, but I don't know about 4 times better. Excellent P1s are selling for $250 in several places.

As a carry piece, it is rather wide. I prefer the P6 (225) or P7 for that class of weapon.

 

[762x51]

A buddy of mine has a P5C. Fairly accurate, fits well in my large hands, fit and finish is great. Only real issue I have is the decocker....if you arent careful, your thumb can get a nice pinch. Worth $1000 bucks? Probably not.....but cool none the less.

 

[doctorhumbert]

One thing I've noticed on P5c is that Ejection port is on the left side of the gun! Does this mean it ejects shell onto your face if you are right handed?

 

[Handy]

Doc,

Does every other pistol eject shells in your face if your left handed?

 

[doctorhumbert]

often times yes.... Which way does it eject shell then? straight back? Ejecter seems to be located on 10:30 position, which would eject it left and upward. P5c seems just different in its ejectioin port and ejector position.

 

[Zundfolge]

I've been wanting one of these for a while now (but can't justify the cost).

I've also thought that this is the piece James Bond should be carrying

There's one on Gunbroker http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=9116030

 

[Handy]

Doc,

What I was getting at is that autos are supposed to eject mostly to the side. I can't think of a combat grip that will send casings at you if they are going sideways. The P5 throws brass to the left, not back.

No gun should throw brass backwards toward the shooter.

 

[hksw]

As long as you are looking doqn the sights, the casings will clear your head. I and my friends who have shot my P5 have never been pelted. It looks to be close when you watch someone shoot a P5/P5C but it always clears the head, at least from what I've seen.

 

[flinch]

I completely agree with Zundfolge concerning Commander Bond's carry piece.

 

[Handy]

Didn't Bond have one in Moonraker, or one of those Moore pics?

 

[doctorhumbert]

It was shown in 'Never say Never again'.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Doc, I have a P5, not a P5 compact. The P5 is a great pistol and the left ejection is not a problem, you won't even notice it. I have never had a problem with the decocker pinching my hand. As far as price $1000 is in the range, I have never seen a P5C for less than $850. I believe the production run on them was rather limited. Hope that helps.

 

[lunde]

I have had a P5C for almost a year, and just picked up a P5. Well, I am currently going through the wonderful ten-day waiting period for it, about half-way through. Anyway, of all the pistols I own with exposed decockers, the one I like the most is that on the P5/P5C. I have never had it pinch me. It's rather ingenious how they combine it with the slide release. The left-side ejection is also a non-issue.

 

[doctorhumbert]

Thanks you for your replies. There is local seller who is selling his ANIB P5c for $850. I'd Better get in contact with him again. I hope he still has it. He lives...... some where in the East Coast.
I have CCW permit and no waiting period for me!
Will Republic of Karifornia ever lax their gun laws?

 

[plnkr1234]

Hi Guys,

I have a P5C. It's a high quality, well-built, well-designed little pistol. It's a little chubby, but still concealable. The action cycles very smoothly and it's very reliable. The left ejection should not hit you in the face.

The trigger does tend to stack at the end, I believe due to the fact that the 2 piece firing pin gets lifted up at this point. Accuracy is ok, combat acceptable but not quite as good as my P7 or P228.

I've never been pinched by the decocker, and it also functions as the slide release...an even simpler operating system than the SIG series.

Overall, it's an excellent combat weapon. Compared to its peers, the P7 and the original SIG series, the price seems in line, especially considering how rare it is. If you can afford it, get it...you won't regret your purchase.

Best.

 

[PerfectGlock]

The ejection port is on the left side for a reason. The designers felt it would be easy to clear a jam, as it is easier to tilt your right hand to the left than the right. Tilt your hand, pull slide, jammed round or case drops out.

I have seen some Interarms imports in my area for $750 - 800.

 

[denfoote]

P5 cult member!!

The Walther P5 is indeed superior to the P7 and the P6 in every way!!

Mine is as near to flawless as you can get in a machine made by mortal men!!!

Go for it!! Worth it in every way!!!!

 

[JimC]

I have both the P5 and the P5C. The P5C is my current warm weather carry pistol. I carry it in a Kramer IWB #2 holster. I do not find the width of the slide to be a problem at all as some would have you believe.

Both weapons are excellent performers and will serve you well. Some will criticize the P5C as far as it's accuracy.
I assure you, the pistol is capable of more than sufficient accuracy for its intended purposes, self-defense, if you the shooter are up to the task.

I have never found the left hand ejection of either pistol to be an issue and have never been "pinched" by the decocker either.

FWIW, Walther Germany has just come out and said that they are discontinuing both pistols except for very special runs if called for so, grab one while they are still at an affordable price becasue I don't see the prices going anywhere but up on either pistol.

 

[Handy]

JimC,

How accurate should a $850 auto be. back at you.

Many of the better Euro 9mms will do 2" or better. The P5 does twice that. The P88 approaches an inch.

Put another way, the also beautifully built, and extremely similar Sig 225 is more accurate. What do you get extra with the P5?

 

[JimC]

I am able to keep 60 rounds [100%] well within the scoring area of an FBI "Q" type target fired over the qualification course that I am required to fire semi-annually. That course is fired at 25, 15, 10, 7 and 1 yd. lines.

I can keep 24 rounds, 3 mags, in the same "Q" target at 50 yds. off-hand and I'm not required to fire for score at 50 yds. and most likely I wouldn't in a real life situation anyway. I just do it for the satisfaction.

Tell me, what more do I need?

That's all I need to know. 1" or 4", who cares as long as I can hit what I need to when I need to.

Most shooters are incapable of firing up to the potential of their pistol/ammo anyway so having a pistol, for many of them, that will group 1" at whatever distance is a mute point.

I have a P88 and a P88C. Both shoot better than the P5C, well the FS does anyway, but they are both larger. I would never even consider carrying the FS P88.

Put another way, the also beautifully built, and extremely similar Sig 225 is more accurate. What do you get extra with the P5?

I wouldn't know, I'm not a SIG person and wouldn't spend the money on one.

 

[Handy]

Jim,

You've just made the argument for the $210 Rap pistol, not the $850 Walther.

As a P7 guy, I put up with all sorts of crap because my gun is a tad more expensive than average. So I came up with all sorts of benefits to the P7.

I'm only asking for the same.

 

[JimC]

So I came up with all sorts of benefits to the P7.

I don't feel I need to come up with all sorts of benefits for the P5C. It's a finely made example of German workmanship and the pistol that I've chosen to defend myself if and when the need arises.

I have a safe full of other pistols that I could carry but I've chosen the Walther P5C for the warmer months here no matter what it's cost. Cost is of no concern to me when I like something.

If you feel the need to enter into a pissin' contest as to whos' pistol suits them better, you've chosen the wrong person.

 

[Handy]

Well, I guess I just hate - , and find it an insulting rejoinder to stating a fact. If you roll your eyes at me in person, I will also ask you to defend your viewpoint.

Otherwise, you're just being rude.