Walther P1 questions?

edgy

edgy

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
79   0   0
Location
chilliwack, bc
my father in law just got his Rpal, he is in his 70's , but has been out shooting with us and wants his own pistol. He has always had a love of Lugers, but I'm concerned that an original Luger is too expensive for him and found these P1's, which I thought might be a good compromise, the look he wants in a more modern package, at an affordable price.
If anyone experienced with these pistols could chime in, that would be greatly appreciated. He will only be punching paper with us at the range, so would this be an enjoyable and reliable handgun for an old guy, it would be his only pistol, and I want him to enjoy it,lol.
Thanks for any input
Edgy
 
Go for it. Nice pistols.

Standard police issue for 40 years in many places in Europe.

Look for the later models with the hex pin preferentially (stronger).

Good but not great accuracy and kinda complex (so don't detail strip unless you're really up to it.)

But will put holes in paper and look stylish doing it.
 
Fun to shoot and good quality Walther pistols for an affordable price, but they are not accurate ( atleast the one I had wasn't, and I've heard they aren't known for accuracy).
 
P1 is mainly military side arm that has tendency to cycle reliably only with fmj rounds, flat point or hp ammo may not feed at all. Just to keep that in mind. Left side ejection port can cause hot casings thrown down the shirt or like mine hit me right on the forehead, not an issue if shooting onehanded or lefty. Otherwise nice and reliable firearm.
 
A couple months ago I purchased a Bundeswehr surplus Walther P1, made in February 1977 with an original leather holster. It has all upgrades like reinforced slide, a steel hex cross-bolt, reinforced slide release and hammer, round level indicator and a two part barrel. All numbers match. So far, it has slightly over 500 shots with Blazer Brass 115&124gr, PMC Bronze 115&124, IMI 124gr, Centaure 124gr and WASP TMJ RN 115gr (reloads). All FMJ. Never had any hiccup. Very reliable pistol.
However, the accuracy is so-so. I usually shoot at 20 yards using a 20yd. Timed and Rapid Fire Handgun Target. The best score I’ve got so far is 73% (from an 8 shot string) with a grouping about 4-6in horizontal and 4-6in vertical. So far, the Blazer Brass 115gr ammo seems to be the most accurate. The problem for me is that I have large hands and there is not much room to place my left thumb on the left side of the frame due to an interference with a slide whose height is quite substantial. The interference from moving slide makes my grip a bit uncomfortable. I have three 22LR pistols such as a GSG 1911, Grand Power 22S and Norinco M93 and all of them outshoot my Walther P1 with hands down. Indeed, the P1 seems to be designed for mostly one hand shooting. But that's not my strongest performance.
 
Accuracy is NOT a strong point of the multiple P38 and P1s I've shot.

If he REALLY wants one for the aesthetic, fine; but if he wants to shoot he'll probably be happier with something modern.
 
Thanks for the responses guys, I honestly think he would be happier with a modern pistol, easy takedown etc. I will let him read this thread :)
 
edgy said:
Thanks for the responses guys, I honestly think he would be happier with a modern pistol, easy takedown etc. I will let him read this thread :)
Click to expand...

Why wouldn’t your father in law think about a modern 22LR handgun? A couple of weeks ago I purchased the Grand Power K22S pistol from SFRC for $509.95, free shipping. This is the most phenomenal 22LR pistol I’ve ever shot. Accuracy at 20 yards is second to none. I easily score 94-97% shooting at a 20yd. Timed and Rapid Fire Handgun Target. Field stripping for cleaning takes a few seconds. This is a blowback pistol with a fixed barrel. It has a reinforced polymer frame but the STEEL slide is moving on a STEEL internal insert. So basically except the reinforced polymer shell frame the entire pistol is steel! No zinc alloys like in the GSG 1911. It comes with FOUR interchangeable grip inserts to accommodate various hand sizes. The steel surface finish is Tenifer much more resistant than bluing.
I recommend that pistol without even the slightest hesitation.
There is still one left at SFRC.
 
I have a P1 and it's one of my favorites.
Don't let the field stripping dissuade you. It's simple and very similar to a Beretta 92 in design.
It has all metal construction, a narrow grip due to the single-stack mags and a lot of history/ panache.
Every friend who has tried mine likes it.
Also not something you see every day at the range.
Find a nice, used one. If it doesn't work out, you can likely get most or all of your money back.
 
donthedrummer said:
I have a P1 and it's one of my favorites.
Don't let the field stripping dissuade you. It's simple and very similar to a Beretta 92 in design.
It has all metal construction, a narrow grip due to the single-stack mags and a lot of history/ panache.
Every friend who has tried mine likes it.
Also not something you see every day at the range.
Find a nice, used one. If it doesn't work out, you can likely get most or all of your money back.
Click to expand...

So what kind of accuracy can you achieve with your P1? Just curiosity. Field stripping is not a problem with the P1.
 
I find I'm not very accurate with any of my semi-autos. It's no better or worse than any I have fired.
If I really want to hit what I shoot at, I use a revolver. And then the empties don't land on my head....
 
Well , over a good dinner and a few hours of YouTube, the father in law has changed his mind on the Walther P1, and decided to join the modern world, still bought a Walther, but he just " pulled the trigger " on a Walther PPX Range kit, I think he will be much happier with this decision:)
 
edgy said:
Well , over a good dinner and a few hours of YouTube, the father in law has changed his mind on the Walther P1, and decided to join the modern world, still bought a Walther, but he just " pulled the trigger " on a Walther PPX Range kit, I think he will be much happier with this decision:)
Click to expand...

Congratulations! Good choice. I've been also considering that one for some time as a nice addition to my collection. The price is right.
 
Still alive said:
I see the gun addiction is strong in your family!
You will like the X much better. Good ergonomics and pretty good trigger. Not as good as the Q but still solid, kinda like your FN.
Click to expand...
Lol, they do tend to multiply SA, always good to add a new flavour to the family, I can't wait to try it out hahaha :)
 
I have a 1964 P-38 and even though it's the least accurate pistol I have, I love it.

Feels good in the hands, lightweight, and packed with history along with a full 8 rounds of 9mm. It was fairly inexpensive. $400 for a Walther I couldn't pass up.
 
I think we did the right thing, as much as he enjoyed the look of a Luger type handgun, I honestly think he would have been frustrated with the accuracy of the P1 as a first pistol, better to go with something modern, accurate, easy to take down, and if he wants a P1 down the road then he has an excuse for a second handgun :)
We will definitely get out with it for a range session asap Still Alive, shouldn't be too long, the BC CFO has been on the ball lately! My last transfer was less than 24 hours,lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom