Any Walther P38 Fans?

Engine49guy · Aug 1, 2014

SaxonPig said:
People tell me it's a P1 and not a P38 but the slide is marked P-38 so that's what I call it.

I used to think all post war versions were P-1's until I began accumulating them and realized earlier post war slides are actually marked "P-38" and mid to late 60's era guns marked "P-1".
Got this from the net :
"In late 1963 the postwar military model P1 was adopted for use by the German military, identifiable by the P1 stamping on the slide. The postwar pistols, whether marked as P38 or P1, have an aluminum frame rather than the steel frame of the original design"

27 Man · Aug 1, 2014

Several years ago, I bought a P-38 that was called a "Gray Ghost". It is marked SVW 45 which I am told identifies it as made by Mauser. It is all steel but the trigger is less than target grade.

Arik · Aug 1, 2014

STCM(SW) said:
This one my wife wanted.
It just stays in the safe, never fired.

Made by Taurus? [emoji38][emoji12]

I was always a fan of the P08. Had one a few years ago. Shooter grade, excellent bore, no import marks. Paid $375. Sold it a little later for the same amount

MrTrolleyguy · Aug 2, 2014

Long pull trigger, alloy frame that can crack, users frequently sell or trade them off pretty fast, ugly? Hummm?

I don't like the sounds of this and I haven't even received the gun.

Maybe I will like it. Of course I rather have a P 08 real Luger...that is a shooter.

Hamster65 · Aug 2, 2014

While I've never had the urge to buy one because I think they are ugly as hell, if I won one in an auction, I'd definitely take it to the range on my next visit.

Hmm..........apparently if you put an "f" in front of the word ugly, the censor thinks it's a bad word and you end up with *****.

2152hq · Aug 2, 2014

I think it was InterArms that gave the late production P38's made under French control of the Mauser Factory the name 'Grey Ghost' in their sales and marketing ads. Them or one of the collectors of the time in the same way Ralph Shattuck coined the term Black Widow for the late production Mauser Luger.
The Nazi Sub-Pen P38 stash story also came from Interarms I believe. Interarms had x-thousands of surplus arms to sell and many marketing storys were thrown out there to stir interest in the $50 guns.

'Grey Ghost' P38s were Phosphate finished, usually stamped steel grips with the same finish. Late German mfg left over parts then 45, 46 & 47 dated parts with a SVW 'code'. The Mauser plant was in the French occupation zone at the end of WW2 and they took full advantage for the time they had it making arms to replenish their needs and to sell.
Many were imported into the USA by Interarms later on. Even consecutive pairs were available.

The only alloy frame p1/p38 I turned around and sold quickly after buying it was a very early post war P38 that was flat new in the original box with all it's accessorys. A commercial pistol not meant for export sales. It was later imported into the USA post GCA by an individual and all the paperwork from the single importation were with the pistol.
I would have kept it but I'm not in to safe queens.
Another user p38/P1 I'd probably pick up just 'cause I like them.

Rule3 · Aug 3, 2014

Nice find!, You will like it.

There are many variants of the pistol. You almost need to go to school to understand all the markings and what they all mean.

Here is but two web sites. There are many many more,!!

I have always liked the "industrial look" and kick myself for not buying one when they were "everywhere" and cheap! Always found something else to buy and figured I would get one later.

Walther P.38 Pistol

Pistole38.nl

westcoast362 · Aug 3, 2014

My feelings might change next week, but right now P-38's are my favorite WWII pistol. I think they are anything but ugly. I would post some pics, but they have some WWII German military insignia with them, and I don't know if it's OK to post those here.

Andyd · Aug 4, 2014

I shot a few state championships back in Germany with the P1. Lots of anecdotes about them...

JaPes · Aug 4, 2014

I'm a fan. It's the one of the two pistols I wanted ever since childhood.

LVSteve · Aug 4, 2014

Any Walther P38 Fans?

I would be if I could find one at a reasonable price.

Engine49guy · Aug 4, 2014

LVSteve said:
I would be if I could find one at a reasonable price.

Have you checked the online auction sites ?
Im seeing post war versions well under $400

LVSteve · Aug 5, 2014

Engine49guy said:
Have you checked the online auction sites ?
Im seeing post war versions well under $400

True, but I'd prefer one with some WWII provenance, and they get pricey rather quickly.

Andyd · Aug 5, 2014

LVSteve said:
True, but I'd prefer one with some WWII provenance, and they get pricey rather quickly.

A later manufacture P1 will generally be a better shooter. I have three WWII P38s and one selected late model P1 from Walther, Ulm.

buddydog4174 · Aug 5, 2014

BAM-BAM said:
Always wanted the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." Model......... LOL

Or a P-5 but magazines too hard to find/expensive!

I have a completely professionally done Man from Uncle P-38 I might be willing to sell.
[email protected]

buddydog4174 · Aug 5, 2014

loknload said:
Have a Smith built PPK / S, a new P-5 in the box and a 007 MI6 marked P99.
I currently have a P1 - 38 which I'm looking to build an U.N.C.L.E. Special on.
Just the bird cage flash hider version with the initialed grips. Always liked that gun as a kid.
That is a nice P38 you picked up!

I have the bird cage flash hider and the grips if interested
[email protected]

buddydog4174 · Aug 5, 2014

JaPes said:
I'm a fan. It's the one of the two pistols I wanted ever since childhood.

I have two pairs of wood grips for it depending on the look you are after 1. slotted 2. Stippled from Nill

[email protected]

buddydog4174 · Aug 5, 2014

loknload said:
Have a Smith built PPK / S, a new P-5 in the box and a 007 MI6 marked P99.
I currently have a P1 - 38 which I'm looking to build an U.N.C.L.E. Special on.
Just the bird cage flash hider version with the initialed grips. Always liked that gun as a kid.
That is a nice P38 you picked up!

I have the grips and bird cage for sale [email protected]

gwpercle · Aug 5, 2014

MrTrollyGuy, Don't dismiss the P-38 / P-1 based on a few negative comments. A lot of hot European manufactured ammo ( made for sub-machine guns) was fired in those alloy framed guns that helped speed up the wear and tear. Wait until you get it and shoot standard pressure ammo (not +P stuff) before passing judgement. It's NOT ugly and the trigger pull is only long on the first , dbl action shot, after that it fires from the cocked , single action, mode. When I shoot I cock it just like my 1911 colt, for the first shot...no long pull unless you want to fire the first one in a hurry.
I like mine a lot...give it a chance.
Gary

litenlarry · Aug 5, 2014

westcoast362 said:
My feelings might change next week, but right now P-38's are my favorite WWII pistol. I think they are anything but ugly. I would post some pics, but they have some WWII German military insignia with them, and I don't know if it's OK to post those here.

I can't imagine why the insignias would be banned..The markings on the right side of the slide make the pistol..They are acceptance markings by the inspector..Numerous markings on magazines, internal parts of the pistol and holsters..
Unfortunately Irv Reichert, that had the P38 forum ( not here) had accumulated so much info that was so useful , passed away..So much to be learned from your WWII P38 , born on date, mfgr, inspectors of the pistol..The list goes on and on..

The P 38 forum has been reinstated, in memory of Irv..Check it out, these guys know their stuff..
http://www.p38forum.com/

Any Walther P38 Fans?

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