Walther P1

[buttrap]

here is one with the hex pin

 

[alamo]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but don't some of the alloy framed P1s say "P38" on the slide? Seems like I've heard that before.

 

[wickedsprint]

You are correct, everything I read says that P1 is simply the military designation for the P38, sort of like how M9 is ours for the 92FS.

So yes, there are P38 marked guns with alloy recievers. He has a few of those for sale too, although I think without the hex pins.

I still can't stress enough how good a deal you can get at DansAmmo, $300 bucks for essentially brand new non refurb guns with all of the updates to make them good shooters. They even come with a new leather holster and cleaning kit and two mags.

 

[12many]

Wicked, I wrote an e-mail to Dans and never got a reply. About a week has passed. I take that as a bad sign. Yes, I can call, but if a company offer e-mail as a mean for communication, they should respond.

Have you had good luck with Dans and been pleased with their service and honesty?

Thanks.

 

[AK103K]

I just picked up a P38 marked P1 from Gander mountain this morning for $279. Other than some storage marks, it looks to be new. It is one of the early guns without the hex pin.

I looked at three of them and they were in varying shape and type. All were pretty good, but this is the nicest I've seen, with no wear at all on the frame.

 

[wickedsprint]

I bought two of them from Dans, try calling him directly, he has an excellent reputation on www.p38forum.com Even though it's email, there is still a reason they call it "mail".

 

[Grayrock]

I just got me a very nice holster for my P-38 and an extra mag for it. In looking over my gun, made in 1943, I just marvel at how advanced it is, considering the era in which it was manufactured. "Polymer" grips, DA/SA, decocker safety, loaded chamber indicator and last shot hold open feature. About the only thing separating it from modern semiautomatic pistols in features is a high capacity magazine and a magazine disconnect safety. Not bad for a 70 year old design!!

 

[searcher451]

I think that Dan's email might be off; I've sent him a couple of notes during the past week as well without reply. However, I would not take that as a bad sign in any way. There's no question in my mind that Dan is offering the best P1 value on the planet at present. Call him and tell him what you want. He'll hand-select one that will arrive exactly as advertised. If you want it as a shooter, tell him that you want the reinforced hex pin. He'll deliver.

724-727-2648 is the phone.
724-272-2649 is the fax.

 

[capttom]

love 'em both

I have 2, re-arsenaled, early 80s. Neither have the hex bolt but the extended style slide serrations shoot. They shoot very well with WWB target loads and 125 gr hollow points. With my particular grip and sight picture, mine printed a tad low but they were easy to fix. My only gripe is the guns seem bulky to me. They're desk drawer/nightstand guns IMHO, although I'd carry one in a pinch.

 

[12many]

In follow-up to my ealier post, I kept calling and finally got ahold of someone. They were very nice and I have since recieved a new (30 year old) P1 that has never been shot. I am very happy and I will purchase from Dan's again if given the opportunity. They did what they said and the product was just as they said it would be and it shipped promptly.

Regarding my P1, I like it and it is very tight and appears well made. It is not a $800 finish job but nice none the less.

The only think I don't care for is the quality of the original grips. They are new, but they are plastic. I may leave them on, but I would prefer a nice heavy wood. I could not find any wood grips in stock, but perhaps with all these P1's hitting the market, some more will get made. Of course, since this is suppose to be a historical gun and not the latest greatest, maybe I should leave on the original grips. Hmmm.

 

[searcher451]

Not surprised that you had a good experience with Dan's. His stock is impressive, and he's a good man to deal with.

Some aftermarket wood grips are available, but you have to act quick when they show up (lots of folks are constantly on the hunt for them) and be willing to pay for them. Nill grips are available, of course, and are beautiful -- works of art, in fact. But they are pricey. Replacement grips are $142.80 plus shipping; target grips with a thumbrest are $164.40. Here's a link:

http://www.nill-griffe.com/

You might want to check eBay, or place a WTB notice on the P38 Forum. Tom Heller, who goes by the name Lugerdoc, has some from time time, and you can find him there.

For those looking for a P1 and aren't sure of how to ensure a good deal, or even whether you are getting a good gun, you might want to visit the P38 Forum. Here's a link to the sticky notice under the Post-Way P38 threads that provides excellent advice on what to look for, what to avoid, etc.:

http://forums.p38forum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13142

 

[blkbrd666]

Revival

Searcher451,

Thanks for posting the link. They have prices on the web of $299.00...I assume for a regular "shooter" grade. Did you purchase the "Minty" Collector condition Walthers? If so, what do they run? I tried to call them as requested for a quote, but mailbox is full.

Thanks,

 

[Patrick Henry]

It surprises me to hear you can't use +P with the P-38. I thought the standard load for the 9mm used in WW2 and then by NATO, was the same as "civilian" +P anyway.

 

[searcher451]

Blackbeard: I bought two P1s from Dan about six months ago -- a "minty" version which is just about perfect and far too nice to shoot, and a shooter (no holster but with a second magazine and the reinforced hex pin). That one cost around $260 and is a great gun ... a lot of fun on the range, highly accurate, wonderfully reliable. The "minty" example was $299, worth every cent, and is in the safe. I also just ordered up a post-war P38 that Dan secured after scouting around for one for the past four months or so. Can't wait to see it: it's described as LNIB and even comes with the original box. If you like your post-war Walthers, Dan is the man.

 

[Slamfire]

I just spent some time talking to the American Distributor for all Walther pistols, rifles, etc. http://www.carlwalther.com/

He told me that the recent "BW" stamped import P1's are "Army Training" pistols.

So I asked what that meant.

He said these pistols were to be used in weapon familiarization, very limited firing to zero firing. As I understood, the frames are made from different materials from regular P1’s. He said something about “not heat treated”, but I don’t understand how you heat treat aluminum.

The shop frequently receives “BW” P1’s with busted frames. Apparently these frames were not meant to withstand extensive firing.

This would be consistent with the frame peening I experienced, and every "BW" P1 I have examined.

I will shoot mine until the frame breaks, and sell the parts. Barrels are apparently hard to find, so I know that has value.

I am surprised the Germans would spend all this money building expensive training pistols that they did not expect to last long.

But, have you heard of the $600.00 US defense department wingnut?

 

[searcher451]

Be wary of what you hear from that source, SlamFire. Just check out the price of his guns and match them against anything you'll find on the rest of the market, and you'll quickly see what I mean.

Again, take a browse through the P.38 Forum and read the sticky notice on how to buy a P1 or a post-war P.38 (you can find it under the P.38/Post-War section). You'll get a good primer on everything you need to know; if you spend a little time there, you'll also find out that the BW-stamped P1s were regular German Army issue guns -- that is an Army acceptance stamp and in no way is an indication of a training gun.

If you shoot Winchester white box 115-grain 9mm ammo through the P1 and steer clear of the hotter loads, you'll have years and years of trouble-free enjoyment.

 

[Slamfire]

Be wary of what you hear from that source, SlamFire. Just check out the price of his guns and match them against anything you'll find on the rest of the market, and you'll quickly see what I mean

You may have a point there.

I saw this URL on THR and went to it. The pistol package looks exactly how my P1 was packaged. I ran the German words through Babble fish. It is about 85% comprehensible. If this pistol is like the ones that came in, (and I think it is), there is nothing in this German ad about “training pistol”, or “not a training pistol”.


http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=1905571#img

Original German Federal Armed Forces pistol: Rule ago P1 Kal. 9 mm Condition: unused pistol welded for the case of defense Bombardment: valid military bombardment of the German Federal Armed Forces (is enough for green WBK) Scope of supply: 1 new and welded P1 execution German Federal Armed Forces 1 new and welded magazine for the P1 To the weapon number-same first shot disk With these weapons it concerns rule ago the last production batches that P1, which was manufactured for the German Federal Armed Forces. These pistols were welded against Ender of the 70iger/in the middle of the 80iger years for one case of defense by the German Federal Armed Forces and - except for the bombardment of the weapon - yet were not shot. Subsequently, the weapons were cleaned properly and greased again. The runs are absolute mirror bright. The surface is phosphatized, as it was usual with the German Federal Armed Forces. The weapons do not exhibit a scratch. It might concern definitely one of the last possibilities here of acquiring a piece of German history. These weapons are likewise for the collecting tank, as also for the hunter us sport contactors interesting, particularly since a weapon is offered here for an unusual price. Original German Federal Armed Forces accessories (bag, additional magazine, finery things) are possible on request. With the weapon illustrated here it concerns a specimen. All weapons, which come to the Auslierferung, are definitely original welded and contain the same accessories.

 

[searcher451]

SlamFire: If you want to have some fun, check out the Walther Forums and search for any and all discussions regarding the business/gentleman in question. You will either be shocked or will laugh out loud -- or both -- at some of the statements that have been attributed to him. I think he's well-meaning, and he definitely serves a needed niche for Walther owners in the U.S., but IMO you often have to take his comments with a bucketload of salt.

 

[wickedsprint]

I can't see why they would bother to install the hex pin if the frame was for a training pistol only..seems like that is just a weird rumour.

 

[denfoote]

I have a couple of them.
I don't carry them because I DO need the13 round Ostereich wonderpistole!!!

 

[Dr.Rob]

I keep getting tempted by those Walthers.