West German Walther P1

[Checkman]

Picked up a Walther P1 a few days ago. It's one of the Bundeswehr models with a date of manufacture of 03/79. It's in great shape and came with four magazines. It's not a WWII P-38 but it's very close and I'm happy. One of the guns that I've thought: "gee it would be nice to have one in my safe" but then always made an excuse to get something else. Finally ran out of excuses. I paid $900.00 for it. Not a great deal, but sometimes you do that if you want an item enough. That's capitalism, right? Besides I had the green light from my wife. I'm not suicidal after all.

 

[dsf]

Everyone ought to have one, yes?

I bought a 1965 made one a few years back. Nice to have a gun which uses mags that don't cost an arm and a leg - unlike the Steyr GB or P88 occupying space in my safe.

I found the DA pull much better than described.

 

[Engine49guy]

The P38/P1 are iconic firearms, every enthusiast should own at least 1.

The advantage of the late production guns like the OP's is the strengthening cross bolt in the frame, thicker slide rails and the two white paint dots for easy sighting.

An interesting tidbit is that the Walther P4 uses the same magazine, also if you are lucky enough to pick up a Walther P5 you can use the old P38 mags by ordering a P1 mag release and installing it on the P5,
it was designed that way on purpose IIRC.

 

[Checkman]

I found the DA pull much better than described.

Yes I was also surprised and pleased by the DA trigger.

 

[Rudi]

Great guns. I had one many years ago.

 

[Daimler1989]

carried one when on guard duty during my Bundeswehr time in the 1980's. on the range it would perform fawlessly and very accurate even at 25 meters. do not let the slide rush forward on an empty chamber, this will ruin the locking mechanism

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The Walther P-1 takes their 22 conversion unit (if you can find one), doesn't fit on the steel frame ones alas.

 

[kb1903]

had several original WW11 issue over the years, but kept my P1. Great accuracy and easy to shoot well. My 13 year old grandson lives it.

 

[Checkman]

carried one when on guard duty during my Bundeswehr time in the 1980's. on the range it would perform fawlessly and very accurate even at 25 meters. do not let the slide rush forward on an empty chamber, this will ruin the locking mechanism

regards from Germany
Ulrich

It will enjoy a comfortable life in my safe. With the exception of the occasional trip to the range for a leisurely shooting session of 30 - 60 rounds of standard pressure 124 grain FMJ rounds.

 

[2152hq]

I have one I bought many yrs ago, a P1 dated (19)69.
It has the narrow slide and no re-inforcement bolt. But it
hasn't fallen to pieces as of yet.
It likes Rem-UMC 115gr FMJ
One of my favorite pistols, I can still pull the slide back on it!

Very accurate and functions flawlessly. I carry it quite a bit as well.

The one Walther War-time orig left pretty much stays in the safe now.

 

[M1A]

Although I don't care for 9mm, I bought the P4 some years back, and I really like it. Quick and accurate. Shorter barrel and no safety. Otherwise about the same as the P1. Walther seems to like a lot of little springs.

 

[rockquarry]

Although I don't care for 9mm, I bought the P4 some years back, and I really like it. Quick and accurate. Shorter barrel and no safety. Otherwise about the same as the P1. Walther seems to like a lot of little springs.

I'm in agreement. I bought a P4 about thirty years ago. I don't know about jacketed bullets, but it shoots cast quite accurately and will feed virtually any nose style configuration. Mine is seldom fired anymore, maybe once a year. I'm not a 9mm disciple either.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I worked with a cop who back in the 1980s carried a P1 as his off duty gun.

 

[robvious]

post war P1/P38 are fun guns... don't shoot anything too hot and you should be good... I always wanted a Hogan Heroes pistol... so a looong time ago I picked up a P1 & a P38... and yes.. get some extra recoil springs if you plan on shooting it...

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

One of those guns that a 9mm guy needs.

 

[fordson]

The very first pistol I owned was a Walter P-1. Great pistol, lots of fun to shoot…….That was a long time ago. Traded it for another great pistol — a Browning High Power (P-35). Still have it.

 

[Engine49guy]

One of those guns that a 9mm guy needs.

That one's date stamped 2/64
Check the left side roll stamps as that one might be old enough to be marked as a P-38

 

[Engine49guy]

Was surfing the net today noticed Atlantic Firearms has former German pd P1 Pistols for $500 to those in the market.
Walther P38 9MM Pistol SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

 

[2152hq]

Was surfing the net today noticed Atlantic Firearms has former German pd P1 Pistols for $500 to those in the market.
Walther P38 9MM Pistol SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

Look like skinny slide and w/o the reinforcement pin.
But FWIW, mine is exactly like that and it hasn't imploded in the 30yrs I've owned and shot it. Great pistol IMO.

Price isn't probably too bad from what I've been seeing around at some shows. But I don't get out as much as I used to.
AIM just had a bunch but quickly SoldOut at $550.
Same narrow slide/non-reinforced frame.

You're not going to find 'em for $150 any more.

 

[Redcoat3340]

Good on ya, mate. As I've read here you didn't pay too much, you just bought a bit early.

I got on a Walther jag a while ago and when I checked the safe the tally is 2 P-1s (one German and the other Manurhin); a P-4 and a P-5.
All come out a couple of times a year for some range fun. I wish the P5 weren't so valuable as it is one of the best engineered, slickest slide pistols I own and I'd carry it in a heartbeat -- except -- my heart would break if it were in some evidence locker for a few years. Plus there are plenty of great carry guns that do the job just as well.

My only caution: you might want more of these classic Walthers. It's what happened to me. (And if I could find an affordable-to-me 88, I'd be on it like a cold sweat.)