Walther P1

[Panzerschwein]

Hello everyone!

A Walther P38 is one of my dream guns. I have loved the looks of this gun since I was a kid, in all the WW2 movies... just so cool! Real P38s are out of my price range, but I've come across whats known as the Walther P1. It is basically a post-WW2 alloy framed version of the P38.



After hunting around, I've seen them for sale in the sub $500 range, which I can afford. But, it doesn't appear there are many out there anymore. From what I understand a few years ago they could be had from the surplus websites and even at big box stores like Cabelas for very reasonable prices.

I am asking if anyone out there knows where I can find one of these guns that's in good overall shape? I would prefer one with the later hex bolt in the reciever and also one with the strengthened "fat" slide. Also, for you P38/P1 ownders, how does the gun shoot? Is it fun, is it accurate? This gun will be a dedicated range pistol only, and also will be used for informal plinking. Are there any tips/tricks I should know about?

I really want to buy one of these soon before they go away completely and the price gets to be too much. Thanks so much everyone!!

 

[Onmilo]

Tons available on Gunbroker
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=walther+p1
I've had one since they first started trickling in.
A 77 made rebuilt in 86 and came to me like new after rebuild.
It has been a solid reliable shooter.
Get one while you can.

 

[Havok7416]

P1s are available in droves. I picked mine up from a display case at Cabela's not too long ago (a few years as you said). They had at least a few dozen. I also regularly seem to stumble across them at gun shows. Maybe it's a local/regional thing, I don't know. All you can do is look until you find one, but they are out there.

 

[bannockburn]

Cooldill

Traded for my Manurhin P1 quite a few years ago. I was looking for a decent knock-around 9mm. and thought that the tried and true P38 design made for an excellent choice. Sight are okay but the DA/SA trigger is heavy, long, and somewhat mushy. My particular gun seems to prefer 124 gr. ammo over that of the usual 115. gr. variety. Overall build quality is very good and has always been very reliable and fun to shoot at the range.

 

[Fremmer]

They are fun range guns. The DA trigger pull is so heavy you'll only shoot it SA. The sights are tiny. It'll shoot accurately if you pull the trigger straight back. It's a fun, novelty/curio type gun.

I like mine, but I wouldn't pay more than $400 for one, even in excellent condition. JMHO.

 

[kBob]

My biggest "issue" with the P1 (mine was a refurbished Austrian police gun sold by the American Rod and Gun Club at Graffenhower training area in Germany) was the switch from DA to SA.

The old gun writers used to complain about how if you fired the gun as designed, first shot DA and the rest SA that there would be considerable difference between the first to shots.

When I first shot the P38 and P1 with folks and the German Army I could not see what they were talking about. Yes the finger placement for best DA shooting and Best SA shooting were different but with the slow firing I was doing then on military ranges and clubs I just did not understand their beef.

I even on occasion carried the P1 on duty loaded up with Geco FMJ.

Then on return to the good old US of A I got to go out and do some "practical" work. Ah, the clock was on! Had to run the course and beat other folks. Suddenly my first two shots at 15 yards could be eight or nine inches apart. and with the old Florida 8 targets I was loosing points, especially if I had to move and so reset the DA trigger by placing the Walther on safe.

I eventually ended up trading the Walther even on a Star PD. Since I had bought and imported the Walther tax and import duty free I felt like I won on that deal and the dealer seeing a Walther P1 was sure he had won, so everybody was happy.

Here is were I say I wish I still had that P1.....and I do.....but the fact is the only guns I can not say that about were a very poor condition '03, a Garand ReWeld, and a sick green Universal Carbine.....those I do not miss.

-kBob

 

[gwpercle]

I think the DA/SA issue is an issue only if you want it to be an issue . I've had a P-38 since 1965 and usually just cock the thing for the first shot....you don't have to do the DA thing. I shoot a 1911 that way . I see the DA first shot as being there if you want to use it and not something mandated to be used.

Gary

 

[Quercusalba]

Check out the P4 as well.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks guys. I am wanting one of the later produced P1's with the hex bolt and fat slide, because I plan to make the gun a regular shooter and want it to last for a while. I know these a gun without these later changes would probably hold up fine, but I'd greatly prefer them if nothing more than for peace of mind.

I'm hitting the Topeka gun show tomorrow. Who knows, maybe they'll have a P1 there? If not, I'll come home with a vengeance, and will hit up the net to try and find one of these guns... before it's too late!

 

[Fremmer]

Check online sources and get a good idea of a reasonable price for excellent, good, and fair condition so you know your budget (or look in your wallet ha ha).

Like I said, they are fun and look cool, but they aren't a target-type gun. It has a fun factor, but it isn't something I'd do a lot of range work with.

Use the condition of the gun as leverage while negoiating; It's a used gun that Walter doesn't make anymore, there's a zillion of them for sale everywhere, and the price should reflect that IMHO. Good luck!

 

[Steve C]

I enjoy my Walther P1 and recently put on some walnut grips from CDNN that IMO improves its looks. It is a Manurhin post war German Police pistol bought in the early 80's no hex nut and has the light weight slide. I did buy new standard compression recoil springs from Wolf to replace the old springs. Its been a good gun and get shot occasionally.

 

[bannockburn]

Steve C

Like the look of the wood grips, they really "dress up" the gun quite nicely. My Manurhin P1 was also a police trade-in; I believe it was used by the West Berlin Police Department.

 

[Onmilo]

In case you guys didn't know this, the strengthening cross bolt and heavy slide were incorporated in the P1 design after the Munich Olympics debacle and the requirement for more powerful Police handguns which lead to the P5-P6-P7 selections.
Under the requirements of that selection service handguns were to be in 9mm caliber, capable of being instantly fired without manual manipulation of a safety and must be capable of firing a minimum of 10,000 rounds before rebuild or breakage rendering the gun unservicable.

The earlier versions of the aluminum frame P1 pistol were only required to meet a 5000 round weapon survivability test.

Training requirements were a bit lax prior to Munich with 100 rounds a year maximum being fired in the weapon considered adequate for training purposes and the weapons were expected to last an average of fifty years in service.