P-38 P-1 Info Needed

rhmc24

November 20, 2004 04:07

I ordered a P38 P1 for $240 described as vg/exc with holster and extra mag. Always wanted a P38 and this looks like a lower price than I have been seeing. Does anyone know what the P1 designation means? Gunshop speculated it would be a late production police version with light metal frame, which is OK with me. Any info appreciated. Just curious, as I will have the piece in a few days.

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  nmyers

  November 20, 2004 05:00

  I don't know what the P1 means, but, yes, these are post-war police issue guns, now surplus. Like all post-war P38's, they have an aluminum frame. Some earlier P1's had problems with the frame failing, &, as I recall, the solution was to put some kind of steel pin in the frame; I don't know how to tell the "fixed" version from the earlier ones. I would not expect problems with any of them if you use reasonable loads.
  
  Several distributors have had them in the past year or so at around the price you paid. If they were on the C&R list, I'd have bought one.
  
  Neal

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  rhmc24

  November 20, 2004 11:34

  Thanks for excellent information. Ecactly what I wanted. My major interest has been in antique firearms the last 50-60 years and I have a ways to go to get up to speed on the more modern stuff. Thanks again. Robert McCrory

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