Author Topic: "New" Walther P-1 (Read 9066 times)

dleong · « **on:** October 18, 2005, 03:48:30 PM »

Hello, all.

Gander Mountain is currently running a sale on Walther P-1 pistols. I went to the local GM store to see if they had any in stock, and came home with this beauty:

The slide sports a manufacture date of 10/80, but this particular P-1 appears to be brand-new and unfired, as there is absolutely no parkerization or bluing wear anywhere on the pistol, inside and out. The salesperson brought out four P-1s for me to pick from; the other three had minor handling marks and showed evidence of having been fired, but the fourth one looked like it could have been manufactured just last week.

The "package" came with the pistol, two magazines, a complete cleaning kit, camouflage holster, and a 100-round box of WWB 9mm ammo. A fantastic deal at $250, in my opinion.

Now the big question: should I shoot the pistol, or store it in a hermetically-sealed glass display case?

Walt-Sherrill · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2005, 04:04:49 PM »

Quite a few of my friends have picked these up, over the past couple of years. They're solid guns.

The frames are alloy, so may not be as durable as the steel-framed WWII versions -- keep an eye on the springs where they ride in the frame, under the slide.

I don't think they're new; I think they were rearsenaled prior to export for sale. Lot of police guns, etc. Police guns typically get carried a lot and shot a little.

Some of them shoot very well. (The WWII P-38 I had looked like new but shot like crap...)

The only reason haven't picked one up is that every time I see one, I almost always stumble onto a 2nd or 3rd Generation S&W semi-autos for about the same price -- am then torn, and end up not getting either one. (sigh).

KingPolymer-III · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2005, 05:00:42 PM »

Exceptional photo taking. I would highly recommend one of these. My grandfather had a P38 and it was the first firearm, along with an M1 garand that I was introduced to as a kid, it has alot of memories attached to it and alot of sentiment.
Since these are so prevalent, I would highly recommend that you get one, parts availability is no problem and it will give you years of enjoyment.

jwc007 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2005, 06:25:54 PM »

Congratulations on acquiring a very nice Walther P1. Actually, most of the Police P1's and P38's came over in the early 90's. The current crop of P1 Imports originally came from the Bundeswehr's War Reserve Warehouses, then were transferred to the German Federal Police, and then sold. Most of them were NEVER issued, so most are basicly new. Quite a few of my shooting buddies have bought them at our local GM. The only thing that I am seeing with the current crop is that the magazine followers are a bit rough on their sides. Otherwise, they are excellent! Your Pistol is a later made P1 with the added Steel re-inforcing bolt in the frame and will be OK with +P. Don't bother with +P+! (See the Steel Re-inforcing bolt in the frame, between the trigger and the takedown latch.

I have 3 P38's. Two PostWar Police Trade-Ins and one WWII Walther made AC44 code. One of the Post War Police Trade Ins, was never issued and only proof fired. And Yes, I have shot it!

dleong · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2005, 08:25:58 PM »

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the kind comments. It looks like the P-1 will indeed be seeing some range time. Thanks for making me see the light!

Now, that CZ 52 in the same Gander ad seems miiiighty tempting. Is $200 a good price for one of them?

Walt-Sherrill · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2005, 03:39:43 AM »

CZ-52s frequently sell in the $100 - $150 range elsewhere, and I see them regularly for $150 or less at gunshows. I would argue that $200 is way too much.

Check Shotgun News from time to time, and you'll find them on sale by C&R dealers. (Then get yourself a C&R FFL; its cheap, and will save your many times the $30 per 3 years fee in discounts on other gun stuff from many sources.)

Trophyrider · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2005, 02:20:26 PM »

I got to stop reading this forum. I got the flyer from Gander Mountain showing the P1's, see them, and think getting one of those would be neat. Then I sign on here and see the pic of the one Dleong bought and that's it, I have to get one. Now, I just bought one of the green P-01's last week and it took me a week of working on my wife to get the okay. I don't want to hear any cracks about that

, I don't make any major purchase without talking to her. Anyways, I went and bought one, not quite as nice as Dleong's, but still in really good shape. The added bonus was it was stamped 7/64, which is my wifes birthday.

Reading this forum is going to drive me broke or divorced.

Unregistered(d) · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2005, 02:33:14 PM »

Don't get divorced, that will leave you broke forever.... :rolleyes

Mackerel-Snapper · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2005, 04:35:40 PM »

I bought a P-1 last winter and it's definitely growing on me. At first I had a problem with accuracy, but surprisingly enough it was me (no, I never did have to "whack" the front sights)

chucksolo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2005, 06:52:32 PM »

I bought a P-1 from Turner's here in California. I like the pistol, but, after 200 rounds it has begun to develop 2 parallel cracks on either side of the slide. I was told by a gunsmith that the cracks are common to the P-1 and the gun should not be fired extensively. I found a "stripped" slide on the 'net for 135 bucks. I will replace my slide after the holidays. I am afraid to fire it until then. Just be warned. :rolleyes

KingPolymer-III · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2005, 07:06:23 PM »

My personal contention is that if it is meant to be a display and/or a presentation piece, then I would go for a genuine era Walther, but this one seems to be marketed as more of a "shooter" , so the durability and function should be on par with that of a "shooter". 200 rounds and a slide compromise is to me insanity.
Out of curiosity, is there a warranty?

chucksolo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2005, 09:51:53 PM »

No, no warranty. The slide indicates that the gun was made in September of 1958. The gun is a great shooter and after taking into account that the gun is sighted in at 50 meters (!) it is pretty accurate. I hope my new slide is stronger than this one though. In the meantime, I'll satisfy my shooting with my brand new CZ 75B.

KingPolymer-III · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2005, 06:14:13 AM »

Did you say that you are shooting this gun at 50 meters, which is over 150 feet, with iron sights? and with accuracy?, or is that what the manufacturer has it sighted in at. Looks like it has fixed sights.

jwc007 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2005, 01:33:04 PM »

Quote

Quote:
I was told by a gunsmith that the cracks are common to the P-1 and the gun should not be fired extensively.

Don't believe everything you hear from "Gunsmiths". I have fired one of my Post-War P38's extensively ( and still do) and have yet to see any cracks. (And my Post-War P38's do not have the later installed Steel Frame Re-inforcing bolt.)

Also, if there was anything to crack, it typically wouldn't be the slide. It would usually be the Aluminium Frame, but only after harsh use. (Please note that was why Walther added the Steel Re-Inforcing bolt.) P1's/P38's made in 1958 will have been General Issue Weapons. Sounds like chucksolo's P1 may have been used with some of the +P+ Submachinegun ammo of the day or there may have been a flaw in the Metal.

Ammunition most notorious were either German Geco or Hertenberger +P+ and the British Zed +P+, the latter of which was well known for breaking Browning Hi-Power Slides. Breaking or Cracking a P38/P1 Slide takes some doing, but it most certainly can be done, as happened with Beretta M92's when the Navy Seals abused them with SMG +P+ ammo. Most things are only relatively Soldier Proof.

Most (but not all) P1's consigned to War Reserve were either NIB or very nearly new/lightly issued. The last year of War Reserve Consignment for P1's was 1989.

Also, please note that the P38/P1 Rear Sight is not at all adjustable, as the Slide Top Cover extends into the Rear Sight. If you try to drift the Rear Sight, the top cover will become Bent/Folded/Mutilated. It is an easy mistake to make and I have replaced a few Slide Top Covers for some who learned the hard way! :eek

chucksolo · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2005, 04:41:12 PM »

Hmmmmmm, that is very interesting. I can assure you that at no time did I use the +P+ or any other high pressure ammo. It was the garden variety Eagle brand suff and a couple of boxes of the Winchester brand sold at Wal-Mart. In any case, it is disappointing that the slide is cracking. The cracks are perfectly straight in the same location on opposite sides of the slide. The one on the left hand side is about one quarter of the way down the slide and the other is about half way down the right side.

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