Walther P38--anyone got one?
- Thread starter Smoothbore
- Start date
- Location
- Southeastern Michigan
I have a Walther P1 and it is great. I use fmj bullets and it is fine except that I look like Sgt. Schultz when I fire it. Regards, Richard
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
They can be quite accurate, but if you have a surplus parts gun, don't expect MOA. That being said, even a parts gun I wouldn't want pointed at me at 50 yards. They are quite gentle, and fit the hand well. The DA trigger pull will save you a trip to the gym, (bit of a work out) but the SA is fine. One point to remember is that they eject to the left not right, so when you let a new shooter try it out and you stand by to control/instruct them, stand on the opposite side to what you normally would so you don't take the first case in the lips
When I shot my first P38 I was really impressed. Of course this was before I bought the gun and was trying real hard to see how good the gun groups. After that time I have not done as well.
On time I was out on the range and heading to our steel plate setup. We have a 12' bar we put 8" steel plates on. One of the old bullseye shooters came and talked to me. He suggested I shoot the plates from 50 meters. I laughed and then said sure. Now I had not even sighted in the gun before that, at 50m I didn't know where it shot. I was using reloads also.
Well I did the standard bullseye stance, one handed. Now my first P38 has a real gritty trigger. I held on the target, pulled some, hit a rough spot, then stopped, took a breath (not releasing the pressure on the trigger), then held on target again, pulled some more until the next rough spot, stopped again, took a breath, etc. until the shot went off. Knocked the first plate down. Second shot the same thing, knocked it down. Of the 8 shots I knocked over eight plates. As I said, not knowing where the gun shot I think this was pretty good.
P-38
I've never had much luck with the P-38. They never liked my cast bullet reloads and I found that overall length was critical.
They shoot lightning though - never hit the same place twice. One of the lesser known of the German wartime atrocities. It's probably time for me to put on my asbestos underwear.
I've never had much luck with the P-38. They never liked my cast bullet reloads and I found that overall length was critical.
They shoot lightning though - never hit the same place twice. One of the lesser known of the German wartime atrocities. It's probably time for me to put on my asbestos underwear.
OneBarfly
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I had a problem with byf44 P-38 coming apart while firing - the slide cover flew off, taking the rear sight, retainer pin and plunger spring with it. Luckily
I was able to find all missing bits. Apparently this is not uncommon. I do like the look and feel of the pistol and mine is very accurate, I just don't like the idea if the top popping off and losing parts.
I was able to find all missing bits. Apparently this is not uncommon. I do like the look and feel of the pistol and mine is very accurate, I just don't like the idea if the top popping off and losing parts.
FWIW:
IMO a "real" WW2 P38 is really inching up in value to the point I wouldn't want to shoot one if I had it. The nice ones are all collectors pieces now it seems.. (at least in the U.S.).
If you want a P38 to just shoot and enjoy I recommend the P1 that replaced it. The P1 is basically a P38, but with alloy frame. The early P1-s DID have a problem with frame crack issues, under severe use conditions, until the "fat slide conversion" was done, which in effect was a heavier slide, and included a hex bolt, strengthing the frame.
You can find the "good" P1's all over the place, and the prices, IMO, are still low. My P1 is surprisingly accurate at 15 yards or less, and a pleasure to shoot. I think the current batch of P1's, if you get one with the hex bolt, are wonderful firearm bargains.
I only paid $199.00 (US) for the P1 pictured, and that included a used holster, & extra new Walther magazine.
Best Wishes,
J. Pomeroy
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P38...
Resisted the temptation many times before & have never owned one.
Anyone notice that if the slide was extended to cover the length of the barrel you'd pretty much have a rudimentary Beretta 92?
Maybe that explains my lack of interest in owning one...
Resisted the temptation many times before & have never owned one.
Anyone notice that if the slide was extended to cover the length of the barrel you'd pretty much have a rudimentary Beretta 92?
Maybe that explains my lack of interest in owning one...
Quality control degraded towards the end of the war, as with ALL weapons the nazis were producing.
I had a byf44 (if I recall correctly) that was complete with a trigger guard that was 'normal' width on one side and almost razor sharp on the other side, they milled the trigger guard unevenly as they were cranking them out as fast as they could (what with the allies approaching from all sides).
The pistol also had machining marks on the slide. It shot fine but certainly wasn't what I would consider a 'collector' grade pistol. At least not ten years ago.
I had a byf44 (if I recall correctly) that was complete with a trigger guard that was 'normal' width on one side and almost razor sharp on the other side, they milled the trigger guard unevenly as they were cranking them out as fast as they could (what with the allies approaching from all sides).
The pistol also had machining marks on the slide. It shot fine but certainly wasn't what I would consider a 'collector' grade pistol. At least not ten years ago.
