Walther P-38 As A Military Sidearm?

D

dander

Inactive
I know the German military used these pistols in WW2, and I've seen some nice surplus models for sale. Those models made prior to 1943 seem to command higher prices. But what was the general opinion among the German troops (or any other military) that used or encountered the P-38 in combat?

I ask because the History Channel had a show on several months ago called "Tales of the Gun" and the program was about German small arms in the two world wars. According to the program, the P-38 was put to use as a combat weapon in WW2, and not merely used a decorative sidearm.

Info appreciated. Thanks.
 
The P38 replaced the Luger for several reasons.
Improved reliability
Less parts
Easier, thus cheaper, to manufacture

Way way down the list might be political influence, the Luger being an American design.

The few German soldiers I have talked to who were exposed to both preferred the finish and looks of the Luger but preferred the function of the P38. Most WWII German soldiers never fired the Luger.

Sam....my favorite 9mm is the 9X32
 
German troops prefered the p38 to the Loger. As a matter of fact, they alsp prefered the Browning Highpower and the Polish Radom to the Luger.
 
Even with issue ammo, the P.08 (Luger) was not especially reliable. It had been adopted by the German Army because it was the best around in 1908, and it became one of the symbols of German militarism. But it was very expensive to make, costing over 3 times the cost of the P.38. Further, the P.38 was very reliable and well liked. Of course, neither was used to any extent in combat, any more than any other military pistol. Officers carried pistols more as a badge of office than as a weapon, and others who were issued pistols seldom became involved in combat with them. As Hard Ball says, the BHP and Radom were also preferred to the Luger.

For a practical defense pistol, you couldn't give me a Luger if I had any other decent choice. But as a collector, I will take all I can get if the price is right.

Jim
 
The Germans were not shy about issuing other country's pistols to their troops, BHP's, Random's and the Norwegin 1911's to name a few.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
IMO miltary handguns like the P38 and so were used in WWII to "control" your own troops if they´re likely to flee or to "save the last shot for yourself", especially on the russion front.
 
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