Should Walther bring back the P5?

[P5 Guy]

Would anyone buy a Walther P5c if Walther started making them again?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Hmmm...if they kept the design exactly the same (no g@#%@! polymer bits) and priced it around $550- yes!

For any more than that, mmmmm, there are other neat old guns I'd probably rather have....

Love my P1 though!

 

[sabbfan]

I’d be very tempted if the price wasn’t ridiculous. Doubt we’ll ever see a new one but it would be nice if it happened.

 

[Mizar]

Would anyone buy a Walther P5c...

No way I would buy a compact version of the compact version of the P4! But if they bring back the P5, that's a different story.

 

[usp9]

Probably not. It doesn't have any particular redeeming or original trait that makes it stand out from the pack, IMHO.

 

[bannockburn]

I would be mildly interested in a "new" P5 or P5c, provided it wasn't updated with polymer/MIM parts and wasn't priced up there in the stratosphere.

 

[muzzleblast...]

Yes. The P5 is one on my bucket list.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I'd rather see the P88 reintroduced as a high end target pistol similar to the Champion model with a steel frame, adjustable sights, and a 4.5" to 5" barrel. It would be good competition against Sig Sauer's X series of pistols and CZ's Tactical Sport and Shadow lines.

 

[P5 Guy]

I had a P5c but was getting crazy high offers to buy it so off it went, papers box and a couple extra magazines.
For what I got for the pistol, at the time I was very happy, now I don't know if I'd want another or not. P5c differs from the full size P5 by having the magazine release on the base of the trigger guard as opposed to the heel of the grip.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I would love a P5 or P5c. It's a shame so many manufacturers jump on the polymer pistol bandwagon. I understand it as they can make them for next to nothing and sell them at similar prices as their metal guns. I just wish they still made some of the more classic designs, even if they were more expensive for consumers... At least it wouldn't drive secondary market prices through the roof.

 

[MI2600]

The German police were phasing into the P5 while I was stationed there in the early 80s. They appeared to be a quality weapon and were liked by the police. I was able to contact Walther directly and ordered a total of 43 new P5s. Most were purchased by USAF base commanders and staff who paid $235 each! At the time, I believe the MSRP was $900 or more. I only bought one, but my name is on the Walther invoice for 43. I'm still waiting for the BATF to come knocking on my door some day.

 

[Rock185]

I always thought the P5 was a rather elegant pistol. But in today's, who can build the cheapest, polymer pistol world, I think there is little place for a new production P5, or P7.....ymmv

 

[kozak6]

I'm not really familiar with the P5. So it's just a refined P38?

What's interesting about it? I thought it was one of those otherwise ordinary pistols that commands high prices solely due to rarity.

 

[Mizar]

Couple of differences - Walther got rid of the slide's top cover (huge improvement!), new style frame mounted decocking lever that doubles as a slide stop release, neat firing pin safety - the firing pin's back moves up and down, resting on slot cut in the hammer when in "safe" position. It still uses the P38 locking system and the back mounted twin recoil springs. Some of those upgrades were incorporated already in the P4 model, but the P5 was a more refined, modern style compact pistol. The P5 still uses the heel magazine release, while the P5 Compact has a side mounted button one, but I personally have no problem with the first. It's a neat gun, but the fact that it's out of production, it was not widespread and the high build quality that was typical for Walther at that time command the high prices we see today.

 

[Schlegel]

Also, even a full size P5 is a bit smaller than a P38

 

[Redcoat3340]

Tough question....anyone who is familiar with them probably owns one already and wouldn't need another (like me). Those that don't know them....are probably in the market for something so small they can carry it undetected in their jockey shorts or want a Glock.

I'd consider a compact version, as the compacts around today are out of my price range....but I'm not sure I'd carry it. My Shield is just the right size and if, god forbid, I had to use it, I wouldn't worry about it sitting in some evidence locker for a couple of years. If that happened to a $1,500+++ P5 I'd be real unhappy.

 

[herrwalther]

Depending on the price, maybe. And it is a small maybe. I would much rather see the PPK/s go back to the Walther house instead of being botched by Smith and Wesson.

 

[Panzerschwein]

They don't seem a company to retrograde. The P99 and later guns were superior combat pistols, and that is Walther's specialty

 

[Whiterook808]

You got your wish. The PPK/S is now made by Walther in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

 

[Gladius]

I'd consider it. I once thought the P5/P5c would make a good carry piece. That was back when they were a bit more common, and compact 9mm autos weren't very common. Now that I have a P5, it seems a little larger and bulkier than many compact 9mm's on the market... and, it's a little too rare for me to want to EDC...plus, the full-sized P5 has that Euro-style butt-clip magazine catch, which makes it a bit slow to reload (I know, the P5c has a button-style mag release, which makes it a bit more practical. Manage to keep the price down, and, like I said, I'd consider it).

 

[Blacksmoke]

I loved my P5 and am still kicking myself for selling it. I would buy another but its time has passed.

 

[Ignition Override]

If they were now at the prices of today's Sig P228s and discounted M11 A1s, with ergos, trigger just as good, I gladly would have bought the 5 or the Compact.
$1100 now on Gunjoker.

As with many of you, a polymer handgun still doesn't feel quite right, although I enjoy shooting a friend's Glock and some rental HKs, so I don't mind carrying extra weight.

P5 spare parts and magazines must be pricey.

 

[hdwhit]

I would be interested in updated models of the PPK, PPKs, HSC & P-38. Nothing else they have made since the end of the cold war hasd held the least interest for me.