P-1 Peening Problem?

[Slamfire]

I purchased one of those absolutely new in the box Walther P-1’s. Mine is an early, 1960’s version.

For those that don’t know, the P-1 is an aluminum framed version of the P-38.

After 500 or so rounds, what I am experiencing is an impact deformation on the top frame surface, for lack of a better name : Peening.

My 125 LRN reloads are 150 fps slower than factory 115 FMJ. I don't think I have an ammo problem.

This is the white exposed area, in front of the recoil springs. I can feel a ridge of metal.



This location corresponds exactly to where the locking lugs drop to release the slide.



It is my opinion that the locking lugs are causing this peening.

This is something you do not see on the steel framed P-38. The steel frame of the P-38 is too hard to deform.

I have seen this peening on a friends P-1, so it must be a characteristic of the pistol.

Considering his P-1 was built in the 70’s, that should be a lot of time for the Germans to figure out if they had a problem.

So that is sort of my question, anyone fired thousands of rounds through a P-1? Has peening caused any function problems?

 

[DirksterG30]

I don't have an answer for you, but you might want to look around at the Walther forum: http://www.waltherforums.com/vb/

 

[lite-box]

Your load is too hot for the P1.

A cracked frame is in your future !

 

[Onmilo]

Hmmm.
The pictures sure look like a P-4 and not a P-1
Early 60s P-1 didn't have the reenforcement lug in the frame either.
That pistol looks like Police issue and well used.
The fact it is functioning still is a testement to how well made the guns are.

A bit of peening is to be expected.
When the frame cracks is when you have the real problems.

 

[Slamfire]

Hmmm.
The pictures sure look like a P-4 and not a P-1
Early 60s P-1 didn't have the reenforcement lug in the frame either.
That pistol looks like Police issue and well used.

I am not an expert but the slide is stamped P-1, and I was told that the BW stands for “Bundeswehr”.

As for condition, most of the external scratches happened when the exporter put on his stampings.

Things will get fun when the frame cracks. If the lifetime is similar to the aluminum framed M92, cracking will occur between 30,000 and 35,000 rounds. However, to get to 30,000 rounds I will have to shoot $4,500 worth of ammunition. (at $0.15 a round). I figure I will get my money's worth out of the pistol.

Aluminum has a real limitation: it has a finite fatigue life. Just remember that when you look out the window of during a flight. That plane is owned by a contractor who is doing the minimum maintenance, delaying the maintenance intervals to the max, and all the structural supports on your plane are aluminum.

Those creaking and cracking noises, ignore them.

 

[Onmilo]

Looking at the pictures again the first does not have the reenforcing bolt that a P4 would have.
It must be the angle of the picture because the barrel sure looks like the shorter P4 type.

The reenforcing hex bolt was installed on later versions of the pistol to correct the peening that you are experiencing with your pistol.
German Military specifications normally call for a minimum 10,000 round service life.
If the early P1 pistols weren't living up to that standard there lies the reason for the addition of the hex bolt. They also tightened up the slide top cover on the later guns to keep them from flying off too.

Let's say your pistol is good for 8000 rounds of standard 124 NATO ammunition before failure.
At $250.00 a thousand for ammo, you will have spent way more on ammunition that you did on the pistol proper.
Shoot it and enjoy it.
If it fails, buy yourself another blaster.
I sure enjoy shooting my P1 from time to time and will continue to do so.

 

[lite-box]

All the hex pin does is provide a steel surface for the locking block cam surface . It doesn't reinforce the frame from cracking and it actually weakens the frame IMOP as it leaves a very narrow web of thin aluminium between it and the trigger bar cutout that is prone to cracking.

The above pistol shows damage from hot ammo, pistol is over-operating and slamming the locking block into the frame on recoil. This pistol will die well before 10k rds....