Walther P5 Question

H

hemlock0013

New member
I've always wondered: Why is the ejection port on the left side?

And while I'm at it, how does this affect shooting for right-handed folks?

thanks,
Hemlock0013
 
According to an article I read about the P5 and it's development for mid/late 1970s European Police and Military trials, it was to facilitate clearing the firearm should it jam. From a right-hand shooters point of view it is far simpler to turn the gun to the left (ejection port now down) and rack the slide with the left hand to clear it.

With the ejection port on the right, it is awkward to turn a "normal" semi on it's right side (ejection port down) and then rack the slide with your left hand. Your right and left hands are both now at crossed and awkward angles.

Those Germans, (Walther specifically), were clever in their thinking, unfortunately, tradition wore out, and no one picked up on their cleverness.

I recently obtained a P5. It is a great shooter, very mild recoil and wicked accurate. Looking for a P5C now!

Regards,
James
 
Actually, it's not awkward to clear a right-ejecting auto with your left hand, at all. It's actually just as fast. It just requires a different style of handling. I can show you sometime.
 
Unless you use a "slingshot grip" on the rear of the slide, clearing a handgun with the left hand is easy. Just place your left thumb on the left side of the slide and your fingers on the right side of the slide, and while keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction force both hands towards the other while slightly turning the gun onto its right side allowing the offending case or cartridge to fall out of the ejection port. Release the slide smartly and you're back into action. This is done after slapping the base of the magazine in the Tap, Rack, Bang drill.
 
I just took my P5 to the range this weekend. The left hand ejection did not bother me in the least!! In fact, I also took my P99. I could not tell the difference, except that when I was done, I had cases on both sides!! :) I do get some strange looks when people see those cases flying out to the left!! ;)
 
It's so the European Police Car Driver can save his Brass when he is shooting at the Bad Guys. They drive on the left side of the road and sit on the right side of the car, totally opposite of what we are used to. So, they had to be consistant and make the spent casings eject to the left too.

Honestly, I think it was for tactical reasons.

I used to have a P5, it was a very very accurate and reliable firearem. The left side ejects did not bother me at all. What I couldn't get used to was the slide stop and de-cocker; it looked like it needed to have a cover on it. It also felt kinda bulky for me. I switched to a Glock 19 for my 9mm.

Roy
 
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