Walther P38/P1

[crazy charlie]

Thought I'd brag up my Walther purchase from Gander. Inside and out it looks like a new one with all the upgrades. Came with a police/military holster in black leather with Gander's 1 year warranty.

Have photos on my web. Feel free to visit.
www.freewebs.com/maxwellslaughter/

Forgot to mention the cleaning kit that is most likely for a FAL rilfe that came with it. I'm sure I'll find some other use for it.

[Mity2]

P1 and P38 is 2 different gun isn't it?
Nazie P38 I thought was all steel gun, and P-1 is aluminum framed.

I have heard in the past that P-1 with Aluminum frame are known to "let go" time to time. And pressed in slide top would just pop off...
But if your just shooting factory non +P load, you should be fine tho I would imagin...


My local dealer have WWII Nazie P-38 with marking(But not matching number) somewhat cheap, and been wanting to get it for sometime

[crazy charlie]

Mity2,
Excellent photo of frame failure. I noticed the failed piece has a low serial # and the frame does not have the latest upgrade which is a heavy hex pin right where the break is in your photo. I was fortunate that the Lad at Gander let me look thru their stock and pick and choose. My serial # is 287511 and was upgraded in Apr of 1998. The original date of manfucture was 1968 and shows no signs of wear and was originally intended for use of the NATO 124gr cartridge which ain't no slouch for hi pressure. I don't intend shooting +P, but if push came to shove I wouldn't be afraid to. Did you visit my site?

Off the subject I lived in State College from 1966 into 1990 and worked for what now is known as Rayethon.

Who's the dealer in your area that is selling the P38's?

Also you are right. The WWII P38's were steel framed. I'm not exactly sure when the P38 nomenclature was changed to P1, but all P1's to my knowledge have the alloy frame.

[Mity2]

Originally Posted by crazy charlie

Mity2,
Excellent photo of frame failure. I noticed the failed piece has a low serial # and the frame does not have the latest upgrade which is a heavy hex pin right where the break is in your photo. I was fortunate that the Lad at Gander let me look thru their stock and pick and choose. My serial # is 287511 and was upgraded in Apr of 1998. The original date of manfucture was 1968 and shows no signs of wear and was originally intended for use of the NATO 124gr cartridge which ain't no slouch for hi pressure. I don't intend shooting +P, but if push came to shove I wouldn't be afraid to. Did you visit my site?

Off the subject I lived in State College from 1966 into 1990 and worked for what now is known as Rayethon.

Who's the dealer in your area that is selling the P38's?

Also you are right. The WWII P38's were steel framed. I'm not exactly sure when the P38 nomenclature was changed to P1, but all P1's to my knowledge have the alloy frame.

I have shot few P-1, and all were great shooters.
Eventho pic like above is scary, catastrophic failuer like such are few and far between. I think most common issues with P-1 frame is an impact deformation on the top frame surface, for lack of a better name, Peening


But otherwise, they are great gunz. I certainly like them.
Raytheon is like defence contractor isn't it? Located off of Science park road?
I drive by there everytime I go to range.
Dealer I deal with is actually located in Bellefonte... J&E Guns

[crazy charlie]

Frame peening in your picture appears to be from weak recoil springs.

Yes to Raytheon. I started there and it was called HRB-Singer.

I visited your site. Nice puppys. LOL

Waiting for the weapons.

I posted the other photo to the p38 forum as a general intrest.

[TJB63]

Hey Crazy,

Nice P1 -- I bought one from Gander a little over a year ago, It was a very good deal at the time. I also own another Alloy frame marked P38 that is a 200 year anniversary special Walther put out, So I have no idea when they switch over to the P1 designation. I've seen that photo of the Frame failure floating around, But it never has an explanation with it, for all we know it could have been a reloader without a clue. Years ago I was at a range a guy next to me was shooting a brand new Winchester lever action when the barrel burst and ruined his rifle..The Culprit? -- Reloads he bought at a gun show.

You are also right in pointing out the Major differences between Old & New P1's Though I'm not sure why Walther moved away from making a Steel frame version as well, It would be nice to have a choice for a Brand New Steel frame P1, But I think the Alloy is just fine and have had no problems with either one of mine and I'm sure they will long outlast me.

[crazy charlie]

The walther shown was originally a .22 LR sold at auction in 1994. No wonder it blew with 9mm +P rounds.
I suggest that all who desire a Walther P38 or Walther P1 visit the p38 forum and if you think Walthers are not safe do some reading. The folks there are good people and won't steer you wrong. When you join you will know why I say "Thanks Orv". Orv is a historian for P1 and P38 and really knows his stuff.

[Tokamak]

I saw that pistol for sale when I was looking at my sw9ve. Nice piece.

I looked on your site and noticed that right after your Walther pic you have the sw40ve.

I just picked up the 9 tonight and love it. How is the 40?

[crazy charlie]

Regarding the .40, the weather here has not been kind for a trip to the range yet and I'm also waiting for a replacement mag loader from Midway. The one they originally sent me wouldn't quite fit over the double stack mag and stuffing new mags by hand has to be an act of dedication. I don't know if I mentioned it, but Pyle Holsters sells a hip holster, #8, with a thumb break, ambi.,clip on, for $24.95 free shipping. An extra mag holder is built on to the holster. Their shipping time is excellent.

[crazy charlie]

Walther changed their desigantion to P1 and the alloy frame saves a lot of weight. A former German policeman(30 yrs) reported no problems with the P1 using NATO 124gr loads(that was all they were allowed to use and the NATO loads are hot) You should consider joining the p38 forum, it's free and I'm sure Orv would like to knoe the serial numbers of you Walthers. Just ask and he'll be able to tell you when they were built.
He responded to me on the broken frame failure almost immediately.