Walther P38s.

[Rasputin747]

Well, I havent seen many for sale online, and my birthday is comming up soon. I was wondering if there are many, if any, of these left. I'd really like to get one as a birthday present. Should I ask a gun dealer to hook me up, even though it will be a bit pricey?

 

[GreenFurniture]

They are out there.

Check with SOG or AIM or check out a SGN for them.

 

[.45Guy]

There were two exceptionally nice P1's at the shop I bought my 92S at today. $325. They'll be on auction arms shortly.

 

[PX15]

Just a suggestion:

If you want a "collector-type" P38 then expect to pay more, but you will wind up with a genuine WW2 classic that looks great in a glass case..

If you want a "shooter", then I recommend the later P1.. In fact the later P1 with the "fat slide conversion" which (I understand, could be wrong) includes better white dot sights, a heavier slide and a hex bolt in the frame. These P1's are, for practical shooting, IMO preferable over a "real" WW2 P38.


I'm a big Walther fan, and I'm well pleased with my P1. My P1 came "as new", and it a pleasure to shoot and quite accurate.

Another suggestion.. Check out the surplus P5's on the market. (SOG?). I bought one of those and the P5 is like the "final" improved P38's... (Or so I read). The P5 has a reputation for being a surperb firearm with exceptional accuracy. It'll cost you another hundred bucks or so, but would serve well as a personal defense gun should you desire it.



Any of these older Walthers are imo excellent, high quality firearms. You might check out the forums at: www.Waltherforums.com, www.Handgunforum.net (Walther sub-section), or www.Glocktalk.com (sub-section Gun-related club forums).

You won't regret buying a P38, P1, or P5...

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

 

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

Here is my Post War P-38 (still marked as such) made in 1959.



As you can see, she lacks the through bolt and has a lighter slide.

They are out there. In fact, my local gun shop has another one for about $399.99.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

 

[Cocked & Locked]

1962 P38

 

[breadcatcher]

I picked up one marked as new at a local sporting goods store last week for $259 plus tax. Couldn't believe the low price. It is a 1960 model, the finish is not marred at all, shoots right on the money, and is, I think by it's looks "new". I understand some of these were not even issued. Eats Winchester Whitebox like candy, not a jam so far. I cleaned it good although the only areas that needed it were the mags, some dried lube had set in.

Best to get one of these now why they are out there. Prices are already starting to go up in some places. A classic pistol to have and enjoy.

 

[denfoote]

No glass case...yet.

If you want a "collector-type" P38 then expect to pay more, but you will wind up with a genuine WW2 classic that looks great in a glass case..

AC-41 NSDAP marked.

 

[PX15]

Maybe no glass case, yet, but I would prefer if I just wanted to "plink" to do it with a post-war P1.. I'd just keep my German military marked original in as pristine condition as I could, and pass that sucker down when the time comes.........


Nice.

J. Pomeroy

 

[Rasputin747]

I did want one for shooting only. My local gunstore has 6 of them, post-war, each with the cool looking holster. I lucked out, I couldnt believe it when I saw he actually had some. (His gun selection for pistols is usually low, but good.) It was around $300, and in really good shape. Felt good in my hand, and I of course liked its looks. So I just have to wait 3 weeks and then it will be mine!

 

[msweet]

Here's mine. I love it, although I can only shoot FMJ with it. With the fixed sights, I find that 115 gr shoots 3 inches low at 10 yards and 124 gr is just right.

 

[bulltaco]

I Notice This Too, The 115 grn FMJ Shoots Low

Mine shoots about 3" low at at 30 yards. I will try the 124 grn FMJ.

 

[PX15]

bulltaco:

Well, just a thought.

Since the P38's were originally designed as a WW2 German military sidearm, it was not, and was not expected to be a target pistol.. Targets out in the 30' range would be taken of by the very nice rifles, machine guns produced at the time.

Try your P38 again at TEN yards and see where the rounds impact.. Probably reasonably close to center mass of target..

I have a pristine P1 and at ten-fifteen yards it is pretty accurate.

The tolerances built in to a firearm expected to be carried under combat conditions are by necessity greater than what you would expect of a target firearm.

IMO the P38/P1's were excellent firearms. Accurate for the job they were designed to do, and again IMO fantastic firearm bargains on todays surplus market.

Move the target up closer to give the old Walther a fair chance, and enjoy shooting a quality old pistol.. When you figure the P38 was designed BEFORE 1938, and only accepted by the German gov't in 1938 you see you are shooting a pistol originally designed almost 70 years ago.

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

 

[S.P.E.C.T.R.E.]

SOG has 'em for $499 (C&R FFL cost). They've been available at that price for awhile, so there must be some stock left. Get your C&R if you don't have it already and order it.

Here's mine:

 

[msweet]

Check out Dan's Sporting Goods (see link). I have also purchased replacement parts for my P1 (slide) and had excellent service. From the photo, it looks like they have hundreds for sale.

http://www.dansammo.com/p38.asp

 

[bulltaco]

PX15, Thanks!

I appreciate the insight. I realize that after only 200 rds and 2 good cleanings I still am learning the gun. It really is a hoot to shoot and finding out what it prefers ammo wise is part of the fun. It is a design that I think has stood the test of time.