Walther P1 Consideration

[neoknight88]

I'm looking online and considering getting a Walther P1. I have done some research on them and know that they are an improved version of the P38. I have heard that it is possible to put a part in backwards in such a way that it fits, but when fired, the pistol comes apart in your face. Is there any truth to this?

 

[Steve C]

Certainly not something that will happen with ordinary field strip for cleaning. Maybe something that may happen if you would do a complete dis-assembly and reassemble it wrong. I've had my Walther P1's for 20 years now and haven't found any need to do that.

 

[PRM]

Got a P1 with the hex bolt and fat slide and it is one of the best pistols I own as far accuracy and dependability. These are two upgrades not found on the older models that are desireable ~ but not necessarily a deal breaker. The hex bolt gives the locking bolt a hard surface to ride on preventing wear. It is doubtful that an individual piece in a collection would ever be fired enough to become a problem. The fat slide prevents cracking that did occur on some older guns. One needs to remember that there were thousands of these guns manufactured without these upgrades that are still in service.

The gun is older style technology in that it is a single stack. The overall design is close to the Beretta 92 in take down and locking block.

The top cover on the slide is a force fit and if removed incorrectly can be damaged to where it will come off when fired. Best not to remove it. There is really no need to remove it to field strip and clean the gun. One other thing about the top cover. Your sight adjustment on the P38/P1 is the front sight. Trying to drift the rear sight will damage the top cover.

These guns were also designed to fire standard velocity 115 or 124 grain FMJ rounds. Hot rounds or heavy projectiles are not recommended.

Two great sites to read up on these are:

http://www.waltherforums.com/index.php

http://forums.p38forum.com/forums/

 

[donkee]

I have done some research on them and know that they are an improved version of the P38.

I dunno if I would call the P1 an improved version.

 

[dfariswheel]

For the most part, the Walther P1 is nothing more than the post-War aluminum framed P-38 as made for the West German military.

The post-war P-38 was made for the West German police, and for export as both a commercial gun and a police and military gun.
The P1 was simply the P-38 with different markings.

There is no part that can be installed backward, but during WWII American GI's occasionally did capture P-38 pistols from which the locking block had been removed before handing it over.
In the P-38/P1 pistols, the locking block can be easily removed and the gun reassembled.
If fired in that condition, the gun can be destroyed from firing with no lock.

 

[REAPER4206969]

The P1 is a world class pistol and is amongst my all time favorites.

 

[Mad Magyar]

The P1 is a world class pistol and is amongst my all time favorites.

I'll echo that....Heading out to the range, it's a toss-up on which I place in my bag; the P1 or P5, or both...They are exciting to shoot...