Building a P38

rci2950

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I have a post war steel frame and barrel (like new) for a Walther P38. What sort of headaches should i run into with this build? I am going to be starting my search for the slide next week when i get some more money to spend will try to nail down all the large parts before i start getting the bits. The P1 slide should work with this steel frame as it is post war... Correct? How much fitting do you think i will run into?

All the parts that can be sourced as new aftermarket I will be going that rout. springs etc.

This will be a range toy not a collector.

Any input will be appreciated...
 
A P1 slide is slightly different than a P38 slide, I'm not 100% sure it'd work; but it might.

I don't know how easy it will be to find all the parts you'll need, but best of luck to you.
 
Numrich and Tradex have been very helpful on my P38 "Franken-pistole" project. One thing you will discover is that the P1 barrel does not fit the P38 slide. If you replace the barrel and slide together it works fine. The locking block is interchangable, but the firing pin and retainer pin is different.

Simplest is to switch the entire top end and keep the steel lower. Then the only question is whether to use the original war-time grips, the checkered P1 grips or an aftermarket set. I did have a bit of a problem with a set of war-time grips dragging on the right side trigger release mechanism of the war-time frame, but found that the P1 grips worked well.
 
So closure to this. I ordered 5 from a source in the US and am going through an importer to get them here. Should be here in March. So if anyone else is wanting on board we can split the costs. If not I will list the extras on the EE when they come.
 
P1 and post war P38 slide are fully compatible AFAIK P1/P38 are just designation P1 was for the army ans P38 for the police

The main problem I can see is that post war barrel and slide assembly fit on war time frame but you can put a war time barrel with a post war slide and vice-versa

Post war frame parts fit on war time frame
 
All my parts are post war. Slide and barrel is 1980s P1 a frame is post war steel.
 
Well, Here is where I am so far...

Stripped slide is in the mail.

Grips will be easy as I want the P1 style black ones. I am sure someone changed theirs out for the brown ones and has a set kicking around.

Walther.jpg
 
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