News Flash... Walther P1 post war P38 now C&R!!!

The P38 was adopted by Germany in 1938 to replace the P08 Luger. I had one made by Walther in 1942, and it was a decent military shooter. I have regretted selling it for many years. The P1 is a lighter, alloy framed variety, and from what I have heard they are very good shooters. Some problems have been reported with cracked slides, but that has been with high round counts of heavy bullet or hot loads. If you stick with the 115gr standard rounds they should last longer than the owner.
The reports I have read on the ones that AIM is selling say they are almost like new Very little if any finish wear, excellent bores, and great shooters.
I paid the extra $10.00 for hand picked, hope I get a really great one.

http://milsurpshooter.net/topic/38394/Walther-P1-post-war-AIM-Surplus
The German P-38 of WWII had a steel frame.
However, the P-38 was also produced after the war with an aluminum frame up until 1995.
The P1 is nothing more than the aluminum P-38 as marked for the West German military.

Frame cracking in the aluminum guns is caused by a very high round count gun, or shooting hot ammo, heavier bullets than it was designed for or using "extra power" recoil springs.
These guns were designed for standard loads of 125 grain ammo, and work with 115 grain.
Heavier bullets, hot ammo, or stronger springs can cause cracked frames, slides, or broken locking blocks.
Later P1 guns have a hexagonal pin in the frame in front of the trigger. Contrary to popular belief, this wasn't to prevent cracks, it was to give the locking block a "wear surface" to operate on.
They found that high round count guns would wear the aluminum frame in the locking block operating surface and the guns would give locking problems.
To allow military guns to shoot much higher amounts, later P1 guns also had a "'fat slide" to prevent slide cracks.

In other words, if you shoot standard loads of 115 to 125 grain bullets, the P1 will last probably longer than you will unless you intend on shooting MANY thousands of rounds.
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I picked up a P1 from AIM, I'm very pleased with it. It's was made in 83 and has all the BW markings. I also have a P38 made by mauser in 43. There's a big difference between the two, primarily in weight and accuracy. The P1 is much lighter - the difference between steel and alluminum frames. The P1 also seems to be much more accurate the blade on the front sight being a dot sight - much easier to sight down. I decided to use it as a carry while hunting, a nice utility pistol.:)
 
I have owned a Walther wartime P-38 and a postwar P1. I like them both but prefer the steel frame of the P-38. It's a solid pistol and a reliable design. It's boxy and very square but a good value for the money.

Flash
 
I did leave out the major differance - price. I certainly wouldn't carry a vintage P38 out to the field as a hunting sidearm. At the price AIM is selling them for they're a steal.
 
BBT just delivered the P1. First impressions:
Very good to excellent condition.
1979 date.
Hexagonal pin.
Only minor holster wear at the muzzle.
Perfect bore.
Really cool camo holster and spare mag.
Even came with an owners manual in English.
Pics and range report to follow. I hope to make a trip to the range tomorrow.
 
Here is my new German Sweetheart!!!

P1002.jpg
P1003.jpg

And by the results off hand @ 10 Yds. she does what I tell her!
P1001.jpg
 
Cheapshooter

Your German sweetheart, "Helga":D looks sweet and looks to shoot fine, although a bit to the left.
 
How obnoxious is the import stamp on it? My P5 was stamped on the bottom of the frame, in front of the triggerguard, so it doesn't look terrible. Are these similar?
 
How obnoxious is the import stamp on it? My P5 was stamped on the bottom of the frame, in front of the triggerguard, so it doesn't look terrible. Are these similar?
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Bottom of the barrel just in front of the frame. Can't hardly see it! I don't think I can even get it to show up in a pic.
 
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