Wondering about the Walther P5

[StephenT]

Hi all, I see that SOG has some German police Walther P5s available for $459. It's an 8-shot compact 9mm and I'm very tempted. Having owned other compact 9mm pistols over the years, such as the Sig P-225, S&W 3913 and now a Beretta 92 compact M, I'm wondering how its quality compares. Walther P5 fans, what are your thoughts on this gun, and is $459+shipping+FFL transfer a good price?

 

[jc2]

I think it was the best pistol to come out of the German Police Trials (the other two being the HK P5 and SIG P6--aka P225)--probably the absolute best of the single stack 9s. At least, it's my favourite of the bunch.

 

[cslinger]

I love mine. I respectfully disagree with JC2 since I am in the HK P7 camp myself but to each their own.....opinions being like well you know.

The P5, P6 and P7 are all fine pistols with lots of class. All shoot very well. The P5 is very comfortable and has a very interesting manual of arms. $459 is not a bad price at all.

Breathe in the Teutonic wonderment.

 

[StephenT]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to call SOG tomorrow to see if they have the P5 in stock. On the Walther forum, some people were saying that SOG did not actually have them, but that was back in May.

It looks like I need one in my collection, particularly at this affordable price.

Cslinger, I love my H&K P7 PSP too!

 

[Mossyrock]

Given what P-5 prices were a few years ago, that is a terrific price! But, you need to be warned...if you get a P-5, you will eventually want (need) a P-5 Compact. And you WON'T be getting one of those for $450...

BTW, Tool-Tech, the Trijicon custom shop, will install night sights on your P-5. I had it done to my P-5C and they worked GREAT!

Oh, and if you want walnut grips to replace the plastic, take a look at:

www.carlwalther.com

Pricey, but nice work.

 

[jc2]

I love mine. I respectfully disagree with JC2 since I am in the HK P7 camp myself but to each their own.....opinions being like well you know.

Isn't that the truth? The P7 has always been my least favourite of the three (and I've really tried to like it). It certainly seems have biggest "cult" following. The P6 (P225) has been the biggest commercial success and most popular (of course, being the least expensive has probably paid a large role in that). But for me, it's always been the P5. They all still represent the epitome of 9x19 design.

 

[Onmilo]

I have owned a P5 since 1990.
It isn't my most used pistol but it still is one of my all time favorites.
The price is excellent for a pistol, spare magazine, holster and magazine pouch.

 

[StephenT]

I've just called SOG. They do have a number of P5s on hand and I'm very tempted. Just a quick question, though. If the 8-rounder P5 is the full size, what are the specs of the compact version? For some reason, this gun reminds me of the Polish P-64. My other single-stack 9mms are a Beretta 92 compact M, H&K P7 PSP and Sig P210-2, not exactly the bottom of the barrel. How do the trigger, accuracy and general fit and finish of this Walther compare to what I own?

The FFL I use charges $20 for a transfer, which is reasonable. Anyone know someone in the Houston metro area who does it for less?

 

[flinch]

I too have been looking at them for a few years now and this is the best price I have seen. (Only seen two in my town, very expensive too).
My addition to this thread is the mags are expensive in the real world. So two mags is a big plus especially if this is to be a play thing.


Of course thats just my opinion I could be wrong.

 

[cslinger]

and you WON'T be getting one of those for $450...

Hehehehehe I did. Sold it for quite a nice profit too.

To be honest I really never warmed up to the P5 compact. I much prefer the full size.

 

[Mossyrock]

P5-vs-P5C

P5 and P5C have the same capacity. The barrel and slide are shorter on the P5C, and it has a 1911-style magazine release. P5C mags are PRICEY, but standard P5 mags can be had from Meggar or Pro-Mag (forget which; check E-bay) for a decent price. Seems to me you could take a P5 mag and cut a mag release notch in it and make it work in a P5C, but I never got around to it.