Do you own or have owned a Walther OSP?
- Thread starter Moe123
- Start date
I have a pair of GSPs (a .22 & a .32) and I love them to bits. Probably the same vintage more or less. Is the one you're looking at have a bolt hold-open latch? Really early one's didn't, and the price is lower. I'd say about $800-$1000 depending on the local market. But if it's a .22 SHORT OSP, then it's practically worthless because of changes in the Rapid-fire competition rule changes. (Still a nice gun to shoot for fun though.)
Gsp
I'd really look closely at a .22 GSP made in the early to mid seventies. There was a rash of failures of the bolt housing due to a stress-raiser in the machining. (The bolt housing is the steel piece in which the slide reciprocates. It is the part with the serial number.) The failure manifested itself as a crack at the bottom right front of the cocking-ear slot. If the pistol continued to be used, cracks developed on the left side in the same relative spot. The failures did not develop until after several thousands of rounds had been fired. Attempts to repair the crack by welding proved largely unsuccessful. Replacement housings had modified machining that eliminated the stress-raiser. Walther does not carry replacement housings. Earl's Repair in the USA might still have some.
Other than that one model, the GSP has an excellent reputation among bullseye target shooters (both NRA and ISSF). They are very reliable and handle a wide range of standard velocity .22 ammo.
If the gun was not of the problem era, anything up to a $1000 seems to be the going rate. A problem era gun needs to be scrutinized closely, even if it appears in 98% condition. You would be buying a pig-in-a-poke.
As mentioned, the OSP (the .22 Short model) has lost considerable value because it doesn't qualifiy for ISSF competition under the current rules [which brings up the question as to whether it should now be classed as a prohibited, 12(6), because it is no longer used in international competition]. Personally, I don't expect an OSP is worth more than $500 these days - if that much - as it is now of interest only for casual shooting (plinking). (Well, with a change of trigger and grip, it could be used for the NRA Conventional Pistol Gallery Course - but that trigger and grip could set you back an additional $250 to $550.)
M.T.
I'd really look closely at a .22 GSP made in the early to mid seventies. There was a rash of failures of the bolt housing due to a stress-raiser in the machining. (The bolt housing is the steel piece in which the slide reciprocates. It is the part with the serial number.) The failure manifested itself as a crack at the bottom right front of the cocking-ear slot. If the pistol continued to be used, cracks developed on the left side in the same relative spot. The failures did not develop until after several thousands of rounds had been fired. Attempts to repair the crack by welding proved largely unsuccessful. Replacement housings had modified machining that eliminated the stress-raiser. Walther does not carry replacement housings. Earl's Repair in the USA might still have some.
Other than that one model, the GSP has an excellent reputation among bullseye target shooters (both NRA and ISSF). They are very reliable and handle a wide range of standard velocity .22 ammo.
If the gun was not of the problem era, anything up to a $1000 seems to be the going rate. A problem era gun needs to be scrutinized closely, even if it appears in 98% condition. You would be buying a pig-in-a-poke.
As mentioned, the OSP (the .22 Short model) has lost considerable value because it doesn't qualifiy for ISSF competition under the current rules [which brings up the question as to whether it should now be classed as a prohibited, 12(6), because it is no longer used in international competition]. Personally, I don't expect an OSP is worth more than $500 these days - if that much - as it is now of interest only for casual shooting (plinking). (Well, with a change of trigger and grip, it could be used for the NRA Conventional Pistol Gallery Course - but that trigger and grip could set you back an additional $250 to $550.)
M.T.
Not in a match gun like this it is not, as you would know
if you shoot matches.
I had one ( GPS 22) years ago, nice pistol, thou I could
not shoot it as good as my hi standard supermatic- I think
because of the fit and I have shoot hi standards for years.
I like 22 short comp. guns for plinking - thou costs more
than 22lr.
There is a list of guns that the 12-6 rule does not apply
to. some one posted the list a few days ago, but don't remember
were.
if you shoot matches.
I had one ( GPS 22) years ago, nice pistol, thou I could
not shoot it as good as my hi standard supermatic- I think
because of the fit and I have shoot hi standards for years.
I like 22 short comp. guns for plinking - thou costs more
than 22lr.
There is a list of guns that the 12-6 rule does not apply
to. some one posted the list a few days ago, but don't remember
were.
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
i used to shoot an OSP in modern pentathlon before they went to air pistol in the shooting phase...
in my hands it was the best shooting of the pistols i had tried (followed by a High Standard, Unique and something else i can't remember)
at one point i think all the Alberta guys but one shot Walthers and iirc Linda Thom won her gold medal in 84 with one?
in my hands it was the best shooting of the pistols i had tried (followed by a High Standard, Unique and something else i can't remember)
at one point i think all the Alberta guys but one shot Walthers and iirc Linda Thom won her gold medal in 84 with one?
Good choice. Since the ISSF changed the rules making .22 short unusable in competition, rapid-fire pistols like the OSP became obsolete overnight. A shame, but owners of them found themselves stuck with guns that can no longer be used in competition. Many have been offered for sale as a result.
Now I need to convert my OSP to 22LR. That way I can keep my oh-so-concealable 85mm barrel!
actually, I'd really like to find a .32 conversion kit, just like everyone else.
Oh, and for the record, I paid $350 for my OSP with a bunch of spares.
actually, I'd really like to find a .32 conversion kit, just like everyone else.
Oh, and for the record, I paid $350 for my OSP with a bunch of spares.
