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Whalther P1 P-38 9mm Pistol

capecod
I have never owned a P-38 before - can you tell me what the P1 stands for and when this model was made (approximately)? From what I understand, the dealer just received it in from Europe and its in excellent condition. Comes with a leather holster, two clips, original box and papers.
Anything you can tell me about this pistol would be appreciated.
Thanks
John
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Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • p3skyking
    It is PISTOLE 1. It is just the model designation. Prior weapon is PISTOLE 38 for pistol adopted by the Wehrmacht in 1938. Very small differences.

    The current US service pistol, the Beretta, is just a P-38 knockoff with a slide going to the end of the barrel. It has the duel springs and locking system that first appeared in the Walther.

    ...honor is important only when dealng with honorable men.
    You asked if I have reverence? I have reverence for truth, but I do not know what truth is. I suspect there are many truths, and therefore, I suspect all who claim to have THE truth. L'Amour
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  • rufe-snow
    Caution! (2) versions of the P 1 pistol. The latter has a steel pin through the frame above the trigger and the frame also has been strengthened. This was because the aluminum frames on the earlier versions were subject to failure. My 2 cents, buy latter version.
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  • nmyers
    A couple of large distributors have been selling them for around $250. Your local dealer has to make some profit, but I wouldn't pay anything over $300.

    The problem with this model is that the sights are poor, trigger pull is bad, & accuracy is not great. And, the P1 has no collectibility. But, as long as you don't spend too much, it is a decent plinker/self-defense gun.

    Neal
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  • Jgreen
    For more info, check out www.p38forum.com
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  • rsnyder55
    Alot of these came into the country as police trade-ins. I believe the P1's were replaced by the P5 (Walther) P6(Sig 226) and P7(HK). They were retailing then for around $189. My store had a bunch of them and many had their rifling wore out from the cleaning which I was told was done daily whether they had been shot or not.
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  • Babalooie
    Instead of buying a P1 (aluminum frame, and all) why not look for a real P38? I lucked onto one at a gun store for under $400. It is in pretty decent condition, has historical value (all sorts of WWII markings) and it's just a trip to shoot. Mine's from 1944. The trigger isn't as nice as the newer guns and it has a tendency to wander (couldn't be my inaccuracy) but, there's something just really neat about this gun. It is the great granddaddy of the modern automatics and quite innovative for its time.

    "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
    - Friedrich Nietsche
    "Only the strong survive."
    - Jerry Butler
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  • PX15
    As mentioned on a later post I purchased a P1 a few weeks ago for $299 (on the internet, so shipping was $27 & local gun dealer charged $20 for accepting it for me, so total of $346 I had the pistol in hand) I have shot approximately 300 rds thru it, and find it functions (for me) flawlessly. It is very accurate, and contrary to what I keep reading is a pleasure to shoot. The P1's have the white sights (and reinforced hex bolt frame)which I guess improves shootability and accuracy over the old P38's. I love it. I also have a very nice Sig p239 and this P1 is as accurate and functions as well as the Sig. IMO buying a WW2 P38 is buying a pig in a poke. You might wind up with a P38 with "Nazi" markings, but is "shot out". The later or "end game" P38's were shoddy and not up to the standard of the earlier Walthers. Go to the P38 Forum and you will get all sorts of input, as those guys are knowledgeable and Walther oriented.. If you want a "shooter" get a P1. My pistol was to the naked eye brand new. I disassembled it prior to shooting and could discern no previous use. Another thing about the P1, it is very easy to take apart to clean. My wife says "let's buy another one". Seriously I am overwhelmed at the quality and performance of my P1. Take care.
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  • nmyers
    No, Mr Pig, it sounds like your gun is a P38, not a P1. It is the aluminum frame model made in Zehla-Mehlis, & imported until 1968 by Interarms.

    Neal
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  • Babalooie
    Like any other gun you're gonna buy, you have to inspect it to make sure it isn't shot out. I've heard the German military was required to clean their weapons every day, regardless of whether it was fired or not. So, you can have one that looks really great on the outside, and the bore's worn. Is this true? I really don't know. My "end game" P38 appeared to have been shot a little at most. The whole aluminum alloy frame issue may be blown out of porportion when you consider that you're getting a well-made gun for close to peanuts. It may very well be one of the best bargains going. I had a choice of two WWII P.38's and a P1 when I bought mine. Six months ago, they were selling for $350. I was surprised that they were so inexpensive, and since I've wanted a P38 for the last 40 years, it was the answer to a dream. I had to think long and hard before I chose one of the WWII jobs. If I were going to carry it for long periods of time, I think I'd go for the alloy frame. I like mine, but find the trigger to be stiff. When I go to the range, I like to shoot a hundres of rounds out of the gun I'm using. My trigger finger gets pretty sore when I use the P38. Don't know if the alloy frame would have been better.

    "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
    - Friedrich Nietsche
    "Only the strong survive."
    - Jerry Butler
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  • capecod
    Thanks a lot for the feedback. My P38 P-1 arrived yesterday. It came with a rather beaten-up leather holster, and extra clip, a cleaning kit, all the papers including a sample target, original box and an instruction booklet. As far as the pistol is concerned - it is in brand new condition - I doubt that it has ever been shot. The finish is a flat black.The rifling shows no wear.
    Any idea why this flat black finish was chosen by Walther or was it refinished?
    Anyway, it looks as though I got my money's worth - I'll know better once I have a chance to fire it.
    Are these pistols ex-police issue or were they made for the consumer market? Where did they suddenly come from and why the comparatively low price?
    Thanks
    John

    My Prayer: Dear Lord, Please let me be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.........
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  • Babalooie
    It's my understanding that after the situation with the Olympics,in the 70's that a panel advised the German government to start using high capacity guns. These were military and police weapons. I'm guessing the flat black finish is either to cut down on light reflection or else it was just cheaper/ low maintenance. Let us know how you like it. I've been curious about the P1's, but was scared off by the alloy frame.

    Best regards.

    "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
    - Friedrich Nietsche
    "Only the strong survive."
    - Jerry Butler
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  • capecod
    I probably won't get out to the outdoor range until Spring - its located out in the boondocks. But there is an indoor range not too far from here so maybe I'll take the P38 there to try it out. I'll keep you advised and everyone - thanks for your help.
    John

    My Prayer: Dear Lord, Please let me be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.........
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by capecod

    Are these pistols ex-police issue or were they made for the consumer market? Where did they suddenly come from and why the comparatively low price?


    After the reunification of Germany in the late 80's. The German Military decided to adopt a new service handgun. The H & K was chosen in the mid 90's.

    The (2) variations of the P 1 were surpluses after the H & K's went into service.

    This is the reason why all the P 1's have been on the market in recent years.

    Prior to the descision to adopt the H & K, the only P 1 that was sold was the first version with out the strengthened frame.
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  • PX15
    I'm convinced that the P1 in the configuration I purchased mine is without doubt the best firearms bargain going right now. My pistol, like the one capecod got looks new. The extra mag. that came with it sells for $40, and it was advertised as coming with only one. I just don't think you can beat getting a pistol of this quality for less than $350, including tax and fee of local FFL dealer. I think one reason for the improvement in accuracy over the WW2 P38's can be atributed to the improved white "dot" sights. Walthers have always had the reputation of being top quality, and I can see why. I'll be curious as to how "capecods" shoots, but I'll bet it'll be right on. My understanding is these recently released P1's spent the last 20-25 years stored in an amoury in Germany. As opposed to being "shot out" I don't think my pistol had 50 rounds fired thru it. It fact, it looks like none had, except I have a test target that came with it that says otherwise. I think that anyone who wants to shoot his pistol or even use it for self-defense should get a P1. If he wants a nice "collectable" he should get a WW2 P38. The "fat" slide and sight system were changed as an improvement, and I like my pistols as "improved" as I can get. Also, the military holster that came with mine was new, but worthless for practical use. Luckily, my P1 fits my Sig p239 holster just fine.
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